Golf Mk5 GTI vs BMW 120 vs Mini Cooper S

[vacant-100]

First time post, Hi.

I've got around £4-5k to spend on a car that'll mostly be used for a short commute to the station with the occasional longer A-road use some weekends.

Narrowed it down to the following options, but was wondering if I'd missed anything, or if there was anything major to look out for.

Golf Mk5 GTI - This is my favourite so far, anything in particular to look out for? I'd want a manual over the DSG and are looking at cars with 70-100,000 miles.

BMW 120 - Not sure if petrol or diesel is the better option on these, again looking at ones with 60-90,000 miles for the money. Anything to watch for? Girlfriend will be learning to drive in a few months and isn't over keen on a RWD car.

Mini Cooper S - Outsider choice, might be a bit too small in the long term. How reliable are these?

Any other cars to consider? Focus ST Mk2 could be an option, although I much prefer the look of the Golf. Leon Cupra R there doesn't seem to be many about, and I really don't want an Octavia VRS.

Thanks!

[CaptainSlow]

Mk5 Golf GTI, great cars.

[vacant-100]

Also, what about the Volvo C30 2.4 or 2.5? Not many about, but I like how they look.

[AJB88]

MK2 Leon Cupra R there was only about 380 in country new. I had one of the yellow press cars.

MK5 GTi spend the extra £££ and get the Edition 30.

[carparkno1]

vacant-100 said:

First time post, Hi.

I've got around £4-5k to spend on a car that'll mostly be used for a short commute to the station with the occasional longer A-road use some weekends.

Narrowed it down to the following options, but was wondering if I'd missed anything, or if there was anything major to look out for.

Golf Mk5 GTI - This is my favourite so far, anything in particular to look out for? I'd want a manual over the DSG and are looking at cars with 70-100,000 miles.

BMW 120 - Not sure if petrol or diesel is the better option on these, again looking at ones with 60-90,000 miles for the money. Anything to watch for? Girlfriend will be learning to drive in a few months and isn't over keen on a RWD car.

Mini Cooper S - Outsider choice, might be a bit too small in the long term. How reliable are these?

Any other cars to consider? Focus ST Mk2 could be an option, although I much prefer the look of the Golf. Leon Cupra R there doesn't seem to be many about, and I really don't want an Octavia VRS.

Thanks!

I can probably help here having owned 2 of the cars above. I had a 120d coupe, loved it. The engine is coarse to listen to, but it pulls like a train, great mpg and I had the Boston leather interior so it was a nice place to be. Auto gearbox was excellent - I had a longish mway commute and it suited it perfectly. Google N47 engine issues as they have a bad rep but a clean one is a great car. The hatch isn't pretty but it's practical enough.

I switched to a mk5 GTI which I have owned for a year now. Mine is a manual 5 door, 67k miles of which I have put 12k on since I bought it at 55k, so it's low mileage but a high-miler with the right service history should present no issues. Check on the usual big ticket items (water pump and belt). It's an incredibly well screwed together car, the manual stick is great and for my B road commute it was hilarious fun. Leather heated seats with the electronic lumbar support meant it was a very relaxed cruiser as well... I am about to sell mine as my commute is now back to motorway from next month so I am looking at a DSG mk7 as I am sitting in traffic jams and my clutch foot is starting to look a bit deformed

If you are anywhere near north of the border you are more than welcome to have a look/chat about the GTI in general mate.

[Ahbefive]

Personally I'd take the Focus ST over anything else mentioned. Fun and has much more character.

[V8mate]

vacant-100 said:

Girlfriend will be learning to drive in a few months and isn't over keen on a RWD car.

Sounds like a severe case of transference.

If she doesn't know how to drive, why would she have any view on the matter?

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd go for the Focus but if you don't like the looks then there's no point but I'd grab a Clio RS but not before looking a the Megane R26 if you can find one with the Recaros it's a welcome bonus.

Clio RS

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Megane RS

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

If you're looking at the 1 series I'd look for a 125i or if you want a diesel then try to find a 123d.

[YTee]

CaptainSlow said:

Mk5 Golf GTI, great cars.

This.

I love mine. Cambelt change frequency (4 years apparently) is the only thing I've found annoying about it. Lovely to drive and oh so practical.

[DoubleD]

Do you need to consider insurance costs for your girlfriend if shes going to be driving it?

[vacant-100]

Cheers for the responses, and the offers of having a closer look at a car.
Sadly I'm about as far from Scotland as possible, so can't take you up on the kind offer.

Renaults I don't really fancy, neither the Megane or Clio.
The Focus ST I'm sure is a great car, and I could yet change my mind - I've only ever had fast(ish) Fords, but haven't needed to own a car for almost 15 years. It just looks a bit lairy for my liking.

I've considered the insurance factor for adding a learner, we're both in our early/mid-thirties so not expecting insurance to be obscene.

I guess my main question is which of the three (Golf/120/Cooper S) will be most reliable. Also is the petrol or diesel 120 a better bet?
123/125/130 & Golf Edition 30 are all over budget, unless they've got space shuttle mileage- I can't stretch it.

[DoubleD]

Have you checked on insurance costs though of having a learner on a hot hatch? I know you wouldnt expect it to be high, but it might me higher than you think.

[cuprabob]

While your girlfriend is learning the insurance may not be too bad but after she's passed her test it will skyrocket.

Also, I wouldn't expect a learner to be driving at a level where RWD or FWD makes a difference.

Of your suggestions, the MK5 Golf would be my choice too.

[Maracus]

Had a MK5 GTI a few years ago and we currently have a MCS 184.

The MCS is more fun and is more economical, it's also been extremely reliable over the 4 years we've had it.

The Golf has the nicer interior, but that is subjective. It also has a decent amount of interior space compared to the MINI (obviously).

The MK5 Golfs had issues with chocolate air con compressors and MINIs with the High Pressure Fuel Pumps. Both failed on both of our cars The A/C compressor was more expensive to fix than the HPFP.

A work mate had a BMW 123d, which trumped both interiors IMO, but the 120i/d can have catastrophic engine issues, according to the internet......

Of the 3, I'd pick the Golf as long as it's been serviced correctly and doesn't have rust issues on the wings.

[ZX10R NIN]

The Focus's do come in non lairy colours too & the engine is a real peach.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

BMW 123d

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

120i 170bhp Version

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

GTI

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

A good alternative is the 3.2 A3 (it uses the same engine as the R32)

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

A leftfield option is one of these:

Alfa Mito Quadrifoglio (also surprisingly insurance friendly)

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

With any of the DSG VAG cars make sure the fluids have been changed if they haven't budget £300-400.00 to get it done.

Also if you're prepared to travel you'll find some very good cars within your budget.

Edited by ZX10R NIN on Monday 18th September 22:55

Edited by ZX10R NIN on Tuesday 19th September 23:07

[hyperblue]

I currently own a Mk5 Golf and have owned a couple of MINI's Cooper S' (R53 - though I assume you're looking at R56's?).

The Golf is not what you'd call fun or exciting to drive in comparison to the MINI, but is more practical and more refined. The Golf has no exhaust note and I do find that a bit dull! If I didn't need the extra space, I'd choose the MINI every time.

[markstev0]

carparkno1 said:

I can probably help here having owned 2 of the cars above. I had a 120d coupe, loved it. The engine is coarse to listen to, but it pulls like a train, great mpg and I had the Boston leather interior so it was a nice place to be. Auto gearbox was excellent - I had a longish mway commute and it suited it perfectly. Google N47 engine issues as they have a bad rep but a clean one is a great car. The hatch isn't pretty but it's practical enough.

I switched to a mk5 GTI which I have owned for a year now. Mine is a manual 5 door, 67k miles of which I have put 12k on since I bought it at 55k, so it's low mileage but a high-miler with the right service history should present no issues. Check on the usual big ticket items (water pump and belt). It's an incredibly well screwed together car, the manual stick is great and for my B road commute it was hilarious fun. Leather heated seats with the electronic lumbar support meant it was a very relaxed cruiser as well... I am about to sell mine as my commute is now back to motorway from next month so I am looking at a DSG mk7 as I am sitting in traffic jams and my clutch foot is starting to look a bit deformed

If you are anywhere near north of the border you are more than welcome to have a look/chat about the GTI in general mate.

Pls let me know when your golf is up for sale 👍

[I-A]

MK5 Golf GTi!!!

[carparkno1]

markstev0 said:

carparkno1 said:

I can probably help here having owned 2 of the cars above. I had a 120d coupe, loved it. The engine is coarse to listen to, but it pulls like a train, great mpg and I had the Boston leather interior so it was a nice place to be. Auto gearbox was excellent - I had a longish mway commute and it suited it perfectly. Google N47 engine issues as they have a bad rep but a clean one is a great car. The hatch isn't pretty but it's practical enough.

I switched to a mk5 GTI which I have owned for a year now. Mine is a manual 5 door, 67k miles of which I have put 12k on since I bought it at 55k, so it's low mileage but a high-miler with the right service history should present no issues. Check on the usual big ticket items (water pump and belt). It's an incredibly well screwed together car, the manual stick is great and for my B road commute it was hilarious fun. Leather heated seats with the electronic lumbar support meant it was a very relaxed cruiser as well... I am about to sell mine as my commute is now back to motorway from next month so I am looking at a DSG mk7 as I am sitting in traffic jams and my clutch foot is starting to look a bit deformed

If you are anywhere near north of the border you are more than welcome to have a look/chat about the GTI in general mate.

Pls let me know when your golf is up for sale ??

It's going up for sale next weekend, if you want to PM me I can tell you more about it

[vacant-100]

ZX10R NIN said:

The Focus's do come in none lairy colours too & the engine is a real peach.

Thanks for all these, some food for thought in there... will check if any are local and perhaps have a look!
Didn't consider the 3.2 A3 - is it generally a reliable engine?

Think I'll discount the 4-cylinder 1 series for now, heard some horror stories.