Was wondering your thoughts about the two cars.

 

08 gti - probably more reliable than the 08 r56s. Plenty of known issues with the powertrain in r56s. I don't know much about the 08 gti though. Personally I like the design of the Cooper over the Golfs of that year. I drove a 2013 GTI for a little bit and it is definitely more refined than the R56 series in ride quality, but also more plain. Feels like how a car should look on the interior, very logical and simple, but I like the quirkyness of the Cooper.

 

If you get a 2008 GTI find a 08.5 so you can get the TSI engine instead of the troublesome FSI. TSI engine will need timing chain tensioner addressed, otherwise over all they are more solid than FSI. I had a 2009 a while back, that car was great fun to drive!! (I have owned a ton of GTIs, all but mk1, mk3 and mk6, but have driven and worked on atleast 1 from every generation).

Edit:
As for which one, I know this is a MINI forum but GTI...that generation drives REALLY well and is very tune friendly and appears to be more reliable than the R56.
With that being said and having owned a ton of GTIs, I love my R53 because it is smaller, feels smaller and is just a blast. Turbo car vs Turbo car...GTI

 

My buddy has an 08 gti stage 2 apr and I like it but I'm stock jcw and when we race I'm right on his *** the whole time.