I've had only VW's...83 Rabbit GTI, 97 Golf, 03 GTI 1.8t, and 03 20th AE GTI.


I saw a Mini Cooper S the other day that caught my eye which rarely happens with other cars. I now find myself wanting to get in one.


Anybody come from mk4 gti's here? How's the switch-over?


If I did get one I think i'd want either the Pepper White or the Dark Navy Blue one.


Newb Thread 4 sho

 

I came from a MK4 1.8T jetta and the switch was one of the best decisions of my life so far. The mini is much snappier, more responsive, and just much more fun. The main downsides are that they MINI isn't quite as comforting after a long day and mine haven't been quite as reliable as the Jetta was. Although if you like to modify your VWs (having a 20th and a normal GTI im guessing you do) you'll be happy to hear that MINIs are almost as equally changeable.

 

Same here..my last car was a 2003 VW GTI 1.8t. Couple things...it won't neck snap in the same way as the turbo...the power is much more linear.

Fit and finish is similar to the VW..you are used to creaks and rattles right :-). The parts for minis are a lot more expensive, not like the mk4s that Jetta and GTI parts are interchangeable. Gas mileage on the GTI and Jetta is actually better...

Power on a supercharged car doesn't come as easy...but still pretty easy.

Jetta and GTI was on its 4th gen...the r53 is a first gen car and not fully shaken out.

All that said very fun cars straight out of the box and the resale value is incredible.

 

yes, i've had many VW's too but i have to say the Mini Cooper in stock form is the best handling front wheel drive car ever!

 

before i got my mini, i test drove a new VW GTI. it was "nice", they are very similar cars. but, IMO, it was too mundane. it felt too "family", like a normal car. inside styling was boring, and there was near 0 "wow" factor when driving.

if you LOVE to DRIVE, get a mini!
you just need to drive, get a VW :P

 

There are still three GTIs in my family. The Mini Cooper is more fun to drive in an urban environment than the VW GTI but not so much on a 12 hour trip to NYC from Michigan. As mentioned above, parts for the Mini are very expensive and there are some very weak Mini systems like the power steering pump and the difficult to service coupling for the water pump drive on the S versions. But overall the Minis we have are going to stay with us for a long time, especially for NYC parking.

 

get it you wont regret it!

i just came over from a mk3 jetta that i was playing around with for many years and this car is so much fun.

i also drive a rx7 and let me tell you that some time they are an equal terms when it comes to having fun and a long winding road. it may not have the power the rx7 does but it sure handles well.

 

I switched over from a MKIV PG-GLI for an 06 MCS last January and do not regret it one bit for my daily 40 mile commute.

For long drives I still have the VW TDI Sportwagen

 

You WILL regret it! I used to have a BMP 20th #3430 with APR 93. The fit and finish is way way way way way better on the GTi and the GTi has way more room, less wind noise, less body noise, the dealers charge less for work, they have a bigger dealer network. I could go on for days. The MINI drives like crazy but is no match for that 20th.

 

The VW THUNK on the door is definitely something I missed..so I put a lot of sound deafening in the doors..it's not quite the same but it's better.

I don't know if I agree with the fit and finish being way way better... It's just different if that makes any sense.

The 2nd gen cooper has a much upgraded interior. If I had been willing to spend more than I did I would have looked at one of those.

Good luck..see if you can get a zip car and take a cooper out for a day or so. It will be a Justa but it might give you some time to really feel out a mini