A MINImum of advice please..
Discussion
Hi guys, I got one for the first Polo GTI 6Rs in 2010 and was very happy with my order as I was coming from a Golf GTI ED30. Low emissions, DSG, nippy blah blah blah.
Then it arrived.. I've spent the last 16 months getting more and more annoyed with it's many faults..
The ride.. I've never driven a car so poorly suspended. On the rubbish B roads by me the car bounces all over the road, no exaggeration.
Interior rattles.. Dash, pillars, seats. the harsh suspension has compounded them.
Engine noise... harsh and shrieky, not inviting to drive fast.
DSG.. Dopey, but not as bad as my other issues.
I just thought it would be a mini Golf GTI. I was wrong. I wonder did VW hobble it so as not to steal sales from the flagship? I bet the A1 TFSI 185 doesn't ride like the Polo. The missus' Abarth 500 is twice the hot hatch the Polo is.
Now, do I stay with the Polo for another 18 months, or make a play for a colleagues MCS R56 LCI. He's leaving in 4 weeks and it will be available. I've never driven one, and won't be able to until he's left and I will have to have chosen by then.
I guess what I'm asking is the ride of the MCS on 17's better than my current car? If Abarth can get it right then surely the Mini will be better with its independent rear suspension?
Just to clarify, I know the MCS has hard suspension, it's a hot hatch. But is it more composed? I have to slow right down on the twisties in the Polo as it is not confidence inspiring.
Then it arrived.. I've spent the last 16 months getting more and more annoyed with it's many faults..
The ride.. I've never driven a car so poorly suspended. On the rubbish B roads by me the car bounces all over the road, no exaggeration.
Interior rattles.. Dash, pillars, seats. the harsh suspension has compounded them.
Engine noise... harsh and shrieky, not inviting to drive fast.
DSG.. Dopey, but not as bad as my other issues.
I just thought it would be a mini Golf GTI. I was wrong. I wonder did VW hobble it so as not to steal sales from the flagship? I bet the A1 TFSI 185 doesn't ride like the Polo. The missus' Abarth 500 is twice the hot hatch the Polo is.
Now, do I stay with the Polo for another 18 months, or make a play for a colleagues MCS R56 LCI. He's leaving in 4 weeks and it will be available. I've never driven one, and won't be able to until he's left and I will have to have chosen by then.
I guess what I'm asking is the ride of the MCS on 17's better than my current car? If Abarth can get it right then surely the Mini will be better with its independent rear suspension?
Just to clarify, I know the MCS has hard suspension, it's a hot hatch. But is it more composed? I have to slow right down on the twisties in the Polo as it is not confidence inspiring.
A little unusual situation with mates car? Maybe someone near to you would be kind enough to give you a drive.
The minis have run flats as standard which can make the ride crashy. Changing the tyres can improve it, but not sure how it would compare against your Polo. Only a test drive will tell you, as it can be quite a personal thing and ride quality is not easily described on an internet forum.
Mike
The minis have run flats as standard which can make the ride crashy. Changing the tyres can improve it, but not sure how it would compare against your Polo. Only a test drive will tell you, as it can be quite a personal thing and ride quality is not easily described on an internet forum.
Mike
Thanks for getting back to me, he works out of London, and I from Bristol so we only see each other prolly twice a year.
I guess I'll have to nip down to a Mini dealers and see if I can have a go.. I find most main dealer sales execs lose all interest as soon as they realise there's no potential profit in you! Perhaps I'll create a convoluted back story
I guess I'll have to nip down to a Mini dealers and see if I can have a go.. I find most main dealer sales execs lose all interest as soon as they realise there's no potential profit in you! Perhaps I'll create a convoluted back story
A little postscript to this story.. Yesterday I swapped the Polo for the MINI. I was in such a rush to get it I grabbed it without the company valeting it for me. It took me 4 hours to clean, t-cut the scratches and war paint out then wax. It didn't even have mats in it, the interior smelt and looked disgusting. That took another 2 hours to sort the inside out. Today I had to get a litre of Castrol Edge, screenwash, aircon purge and sidelight bulbs. How can people be so neglectful when someone gives them a free (mostly) car?
Now the point of the thread, what do I think now I have it? It's amazing! Everything I expected the Polo to be and wasn't. Coming from the Polo the 17's feel like a magic carpet ride. Got more grunt too, that's for sure.
As this has absolutely no options apart from the R98 wheels then first thing I had to get was the retrofit armrest. While I was a BMW I grabbed a short aerial too. Apart from that I don't need any other options, it's all about the driving shirley.
Gratuitous pic and PH sticker locator? Well, ok....
Now the point of the thread, what do I think now I have it? It's amazing! Everything I expected the Polo to be and wasn't. Coming from the Polo the 17's feel like a magic carpet ride. Got more grunt too, that's for sure.
As this has absolutely no options apart from the R98 wheels then first thing I had to get was the retrofit armrest. While I was a BMW I grabbed a short aerial too. Apart from that I don't need any other options, it's all about the driving shirley.
Gratuitous pic and PH sticker locator? Well, ok....
si_xsi said:
well buffed and nice to hear you take care of your cars even if it is a company car!
Intersting your comment about feeling more powerful as very similar output to Polo GTI - any other noticeable differences between the 2?
OK, well I'm not one for hyperbole - but this car really impresses me. It's been designed for fun, enjoyment and driving pleasure above all else. It's flawed as a family car, but I don't need a car to do that. Due to the wheel at each corner you can see the line you want to take through fast corners. The gearbox is lovely to use, short and tactile. The Polo with DSG is no fun at all. ...and that before I mention the sound. The aural sensations I get from the turbo, exhaust and gearbox makes me smile everytime I get in it. The last few times I've driven it I haven't even turned the radio on.Intersting your comment about feeling more powerful as very similar output to Polo GTI - any other noticeable differences between the 2?
If anyone has a problem with the image of MINIs like I did, I urge you to fight through your reservations and go and drive one. It's bloody fabulous!
Picking one myself, I would have had the HK sound, USB, BT, armrest, multifunction wheel with cruise and one of the standard 17" options, rather than the expensive corroding split rims on there atm.
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