S3 or Countryman JCW?
Discussion
Looking at buying a 6-12 month old car to replace my current car.
Budget £40k. I have had both the S3 and Countryman S (manual) before both about 10 years ago MY12 cars.
Wife is keen on the mini, to me its just looking a bit long in the tooth now even though its basically a brand new car from same platform as the 1 series.
Anyways, is there anything obvious I am missing I am thinking the S3 is a better buy for the same money?
Residuals look a bit better and I suspect the DSG gearbox on the S3 is going to be better than the minis 8 speed auto?
The new interior on the S3 looks way better than the old one.
Is there anything else I should consider? Would need to be max 12 months old and an auto.
Budget £40k. I have had both the S3 and Countryman S (manual) before both about 10 years ago MY12 cars.
Wife is keen on the mini, to me its just looking a bit long in the tooth now even though its basically a brand new car from same platform as the 1 series.
Anyways, is there anything obvious I am missing I am thinking the S3 is a better buy for the same money?
Residuals look a bit better and I suspect the DSG gearbox on the S3 is going to be better than the minis 8 speed auto?
The new interior on the S3 looks way better than the old one.
Is there anything else I should consider? Would need to be max 12 months old and an auto.
pb8g09 said:
Blimey, £40k budget on a car to hold for a short time and you're picking two cars that will depreciate quite a lot compared to some much better cars!
Sushhhh... People who buy 3 to 10 year old cars love depreciation and the previous owners who like and can afford new cars.
Jag_NE said:
Jesus it’s gone mad. 40k for a second hand mini??
I agree, the cheapest MY22 mini countryman JCW is about £38k but something with a few options its closer to £40k. I have even seen them a big higher than that. I agree its total madness but its where we are.The facelift isnt helping things either regards price.
When I briefly looked around at them maybe 12 months ago there were loads in the low 30s, 30-32k would get you something 6 months old. Now its 10k more and tbh there isnt a massive quantity to pick from. Out of all the local dealers to me maybe 5 or 6 dealers there are 2 JCWs.
markymark34 said:
The new S3 interior has had some budget cuts compared to the older one. Personally with what you are looking for I am would go budget £30k. Will buy you a cracker S3 or mini or m135i. At 40k I think I would go for something else. It will lose a fortune
I heard it was a bit more flimsy inside but in 3 years whats it going to be worth?A 4/5 year old 8P my guess is £20k? A 3 year old 8Y maybe high 20s? 28 ish? So either way probably lose about the same?
I had a Golf GTi 7 PP, and now currently driving a pre-facelift F60 JCW (both are my partner's car)
What I think the Golf GTi done better than F60 JCW
1. Being a hatchback I found it better looking than SUV
2. The DSG is probable the best auto, smoother, quicker and less "hesitate" than the Mini
3. very comfortable
4. equipment are more generous than Mini (I have almost 8k options on the Mini)
What Mini do better than the GTi
1. It is more playful. In sport mode, the noise it make, the confident it give you when cornering.
2. I think the interior design is more "age resistant" than my GTi
3. more spacious in the back
4. Have ISOFix at front passenger seat
What I think the Golf GTi done better than F60 JCW
1. Being a hatchback I found it better looking than SUV
2. The DSG is probable the best auto, smoother, quicker and less "hesitate" than the Mini
3. very comfortable
4. equipment are more generous than Mini (I have almost 8k options on the Mini)
What Mini do better than the GTi
1. It is more playful. In sport mode, the noise it make, the confident it give you when cornering.
2. I think the interior design is more "age resistant" than my GTi
3. more spacious in the back
4. Have ISOFix at front passenger seat
As another poster has said, the previous (8V) generation S3 is considered a slightly superior buy to the newest 2020+ 8Y model for the time being. S3 beards consider the 2016-2018 facelift S3 310, pre-WLTP changes, to be the wise choice. Not least due to its higher quality interior over the newest model.
I concur with bringing the budget down a little. Mine is but one humble opinion but I would say that the depreciation outlook at this level looks remarkably low by historic standards.
I concur with bringing the budget down a little. Mine is but one humble opinion but I would say that the depreciation outlook at this level looks remarkably low by historic standards.
Jag_NE said:
Jesus it’s gone mad. 40k for a second hand mini??
i remember almost buying a brand new M140i about 2 years ago for £29k. I know people have looked at this and shown that car prices have only risen in line with inflation. But it really does look like a major amount of the increase is in the last 2 years!My wife has a 68 plate Countryman Cooper S and she also had the previous gen that the Oap would have had, I can confirm the newer Countryman is a much better made car than the previous gen in terms of space and build quality.
I'd still choose the S3 over the Mini but it comes down to whether you want a hatch or a small SUV.
I'd still choose the S3 over the Mini but it comes down to whether you want a hatch or a small SUV.
gotoPzero said:
I heard it was a bit more flimsy inside but in 3 years whats it going to be worth?
A 4/5 year old 8P my guess is £20k? A 3 year old 8Y maybe high 20s? 28 ish? So either way probably lose about the same?
8Y definitely going to lose more from £39000 than an 8v from £29000. Several dealerships doing the S3 with 2 years warranty and 2 free services.A 4/5 year old 8P my guess is £20k? A 3 year old 8Y maybe high 20s? 28 ish? So either way probably lose about the same?
At 40k. M2. M340i. RS3?
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