I was seriously considering the EOS, and drove one... wife really wanted a hard-top convertible that we could afford. Then I drove the Mini and didn't consult my wife again. I just made the decision after I proved that the kids could fit in the back seat.

She drove the Mini, and a sly smile told me she was saying I was right. She no longer insisted I look elsewhere, and the rest is history. Only down-side is that she insisted on automatic on the Mini.

 

I'd say that the really great features of the Eos are its looks, which the MINI compares well with, and its auto transmission. The DSG 6spd tranny is not only great engineering, but it just works great. I never drove a VR6 Eos, but the DSG helped make the Eos enjoyable. I've also not driven the MINI Aisin Automatic trans, so I don't have much to talk about there. How are they, by the way?

Still, the MINI is just a whole different vehicle, and they definately each have their place. The solid and tight feel of the MINI can't be beaten by the Eos.

 

Cubfan,You/your wife considered an Eos, bought a Mini. What a confirming validation of my own dreams of becoming a two-Mini family...as we just ordered a Mini Cooper for my wife. Thanks for sharing!

haygood, thanks again for sharing more valuable insights.

I am presently leaning towards trading in my Eos for a 2009 Mini Cooper S Cabrio!

 

I know this is very late in this thread, but for whatever reason, I never saw the thread before.

Unlesss I read it wrong, Math4scher, it seems like you are thinking MCs or Eos? What about a MiniCooper S convertible (cabrio)? I am the proud owner of a 2008, Sidewalk model, which I am so in love with. Three months after I got mine, I convinced my husband he had to get a Mini so that he would leave my car alone!! And he did a MCs, with the double sunroof. Yes, he has a bit more storage, but if you take the tray out of the Cabrio boot, there is not much less storage. The seats fold down in both beautifully.

There is no noise that I am aware of with the ragtop up, and many of us have purchased the aftermarket screen that Brownflyer, on the NAM list, and especially in the Sidewalk forum, makes. It is quite, effective, and, quite beautiful.

I also looked at the Eos as my other option, but, after seeing the Mini S Convertible, there was no going back. Its a joy everyday, and I smile every time I see it, which means I smile a lot!

Good luck, either way!

BCG

 

I test drove the EOS, Mini S and the Clubman S...hands down, the Mini's are much better...and I wanted a manual and VW does not manufacture the EOS in manual with the premium package (hand controls on the wheel) and Mini does. Plus...I really worry about the EOS hard top glitching...just a feeling I got. Plus, the EOS made that usual VW engine noise, which reminds me of being in early high school...

 

Here's the way this forum works. If you buy the '09 Cabrio, many of us will be a bit jealous and you'll have bragging rights.

If you buy the EOS, none of us will take you seriously and we'll snicker behind your back.

Do what you want, and have the courage to stand your ground either way!

 

Fantastic Choice/HTClubman,
Thanks for sharing - better late than never. I presently have an Eos and we just bought a MC for my wife (should arrive at the end of Sept) and I'm thinking of becoming a 2 Mini family because I'm thinking of buying a 2009 Mini Cabrio. The input you both shared confirms the fact that my thinking just might be the way to go.

Miniriffic,
Very creatively stated and based on what you wrote/what I'm thinking - I just might have bragging rights. Thanks!

 

Super! I was opened minded about the EOS, but really, the MINI was a better choice (for me and rasputinj)...enjoy!!

 

I been doing a little bit of reading on the EOS and found a Competitive reference guide on both.

MSRP: EOS $30,790 w/o destination charges MINI $27,450 with destination
Engine: EOS 2.0L Turbo 4 C. direct injection MINI 1.6L turbo 16valves direct injection
Power: EOS 200HP @ 5,100-6,000 rpm MINI 172hp @5,500 rpm
Tranny: EOS 6 speed manual or 6 speed DSG MINI 6 speed Getrag manual or Asin auto
0-60: EOS 7.4 manual / auto MINI 7.0 manual / 7.2 auto
headroom: 37.5 inches MINI 38.8 inches
Legroom: 41.7 inches MINI 41.4 inches
cargo volumen: 6.6 cu-ft MINI 6.0 cu-ft

The pitch for the EOS:

The 2009 EOS may represent the least expensive way to get the 3 car in 1. Combining characteristics of a traditional ragtop convertible with the security and all season comfort of a hardtop along with the sportiness of a coupe, this 2 door 4 seater with a retractable top and a build in glass sunroof is a lot of car for the MSRP. Thats apparently the conclusion KBB came to when it named the EOS best resale value award winner. This worthy successor to VW's cabriolet comes equipped with a lively turbocharged 2.0T 4-cylinder engine. The EOS also has a safety on its side, reciving a top good rating from IIHS.
Playing to instant gratification, the retractable hardtop goes down in just 25 secs.The name EOS is derived from a goddess of sunrise, appropiate indeed for the first hardtop convertible with a sunroof...

The MINI is a safer car the top will go down in 15 seconds 18 with the windows and all...it has a sunroof is faster and more fun to drive and you get almost the same cargo leg room and headroom space for 3 grand less, better warranties and the MINI is going to be harder to get than an EOS anytime.

Just my opinion between the 2 vehicles.

 

double post sorry

 

The issue I had with the EOS is you can't get the top of the line model (with controls on the steering wheel, etc) in a 6-speed manual...which I found lame.

I drove the automatic (they had no manual) and there was a noticable delay when I floored it to merge on the freeway...ie, not responsive.

 

You really found the DSG to be unresponsive? It's pretty snappy to me and I have a DSG equipped car as well as a 6MT MCS. I know the EOS has got to be pretty sluggish due to it's weight, but I'm sure a chip could take care of that.

 

I guess the delay I experienced with the automatic was noticable complared with my 2009 MCCS manual! It went fast, but the delay was not subtle to me.

 

If you drive the DSG S-Mode, it can upshift way faster than anybody can. Downshifts can be a bit on the slow side since it has to blip the throttle before kicking down a gear (takes about 1/2 a second, but sounds pretty nice). It can be pretty sluggish in D though from my observations.

 

There is something innately fabulous about a manual transmission that no paddle shifters could ever replace...We've had VWs before and like them, but I was just not impressed by the EOS.

 

I don't know how the EOS's manual gearbox is, but the unit in the GTi is fairly unimpressive anyways IMO (I'm pretty sure they're the same...), it simply does not compare to the MINI's. It's pretty sloppy and inaccurate. The DSG is a much nicer gearbox for a VW nowadays I'd say. That being said, I totally agree that a manual option would be great. I wish my R32 had a proper 6-speed!

 

The DSG is great on upshifts and not bad on downshifts considering they are rev matched. Of course, powershifting a manual before the revs fall is faster. The problem is that when you really romp on the pedal, it has to downshift two gears. So it downshifts to a gear that is on the same layshaft, defeating all of the magic of having two parallel layshafts. So for double downshifts, it is pretty sluggish. No EOS V6 with a manual was a problem for us, as well as no 2.0T with the nice options. Hence, a custom ordered MINI solved a lot of problems.