R56 MINI Cooper S vs Mk5 Golf GTI
Discussion
I feel an impulse purchase coming on this weekend and have decided its between the above two cars. It will just be used as a daily driver, mainly going to the station and back every day. Just fancy something a bit more interesting than the Leon I've been running for the past few months. Hopefully this will last me another few months until I get bored again and upgrade.
The MINI has marginally better fuel economy and will be slightly newer, but the Golf will obviously be more practical and comfortable. Performance is going to be neigh on the same.
Which and why? Or would you buy something else entirely different?
The MINI has marginally better fuel economy and will be slightly newer, but the Golf will obviously be more practical and comfortable. Performance is going to be neigh on the same.
Which and why? Or would you buy something else entirely different?
ManOpener said:
I wasn't that impressed with the R56 I tested. Granted it was both early and quite leggy, but it was very firm, didn't feel very supple and the engine was a bit disappointing. Don't know whether I just tried a crap one or if they're all like that.
I've got a R56 S, and it's a decent little car. Sure the ride is stiff, bording on crashy on really poor surfaces, but it always puts a smile on my face driving it. The engine pulls really well in my opinion. Mine is on run flat tyres, so i'll be changing to normal tyres when they need replacing.johnbanks said:
Mk V GTI is not comfortable on 18s. On 16s for winter ours is borderline.
Had it from new, it isn't any more knackered than the factory managed to make it.
Even the normal Mini of the vintage was uncomfortable and unreliable, not been in an S.
OE VW dampers are knackered by 60k miles. Perhaps that's your problem.Had it from new, it isn't any more knackered than the factory managed to make it.
Even the normal Mini of the vintage was uncomfortable and unreliable, not been in an S.
SS7
Had a similar conundrum recently and went with the Cooper S after test driving both. The Golf is a fabulous car but the MCS is a real hoot to drive, pretty economical and cheap to run and looks great in comparison IMO. Get the right spec one and it is a really special place to be inside of too; full leather, Harmon Kardon sound system and some nice trim feels upmarket and is truly a very nice place to spend time in 
Yes there's loads of minis around, but I think with the right spec they still look good and in comparison to the golf, they feel relatively special to drive and own.
Yes there's loads of minis around, but I think with the right spec they still look good and in comparison to the golf, they feel relatively special to drive and own.
Siko said:
Had a similar conundrum recently and went with the Cooper S after test driving both. The Golf is a fabulous car but the MCS is a real hoot to drive, pretty economical and cheap to run and looks great in comparison IMO. Get the right spec one and it is a really special place to be inside of too; full leather, Harmon Kardon sound system and some nice trim feels upmarket and is truly a very nice place to spend time in
Yes there's loads of minis around, but I think with the right spec they still look good and in comparison to the golf, they feel relatively special to drive and own.
Came down to the same 2 cars almost ( R53 MCS instead of R56 ) some years back . Went for the Mini as it just felt better to drive on the same twisty test route. Had a bigger car for carrying stuff, long hols with the kids etc.Yes there's loads of minis around, but I think with the right spec they still look good and in comparison to the golf, they feel relatively special to drive and own.
As above, if you get the Mini and want to really enjoy it, get a set of non-runflats, maybe in 16s too.
Wouldnt touch the Mini.
Unreliable, uncomfortable & made by an offshoot of BMW. A company that does not & will not get customer service....... Ever.
That aside, from a practicality point of view the VW has proper capacity to seat 4, a useable boot & 5 doors, if thats your want. Have been half looking at them as replacement for our ageing Astra.
Unreliable, uncomfortable & made by an offshoot of BMW. A company that does not & will not get customer service....... Ever.
That aside, from a practicality point of view the VW has proper capacity to seat 4, a useable boot & 5 doors, if thats your want. Have been half looking at them as replacement for our ageing Astra.
shoestring7 said:
OE VW dampers are knackered by 60k miles. Perhaps that's your problem.
SS7
They feel like they always have from new, it always had a skippy, crashing ride. The one I test drove felt the same, but it is the wife's car and it has redeeming features when it doesn't break of holding its value and being cheap to run.SS7
john banks said:
They feel like they always have from new, it always had a skippy, crashing ride. The one I test drove felt the same, but it is the wife's car and it has redeeming features when it doesn't break of holding its value and being cheap to run.
My MkV was on 17's and the ride was pretty good, not particularly skippy or crashing. johnbanks said:
Mk V GTI is not comfortable on 18s. On 16s for winter ours is borderline.
Had it from new, it isn't any more knackered than the factory managed to make it.
Even the normal Mini of the vintage was uncomfortable and unreliable, not been in an S.
This is good advice.Had it from new, it isn't any more knackered than the factory managed to make it.
Even the normal Mini of the vintage was uncomfortable and unreliable, not been in an S.
MKV GTi on 17s was compromised (in terms of NVH and comfort v grip) never mind on 18s.
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