MINI S or GTI

BForbes · 11-16-2009, 06:52 PM

I'm looking to get a strong opinion here. Lets say you had to choose one. Both priced at $22-23k. Which car would you pick? 2010 VW GTI or 2010 Cooper S. I know both of these cars will have their respective gremlins.

to_riffic · 11-16-2009, 06:58 PM

cooper s. my sis' husband had a cooper s before they began turbocharging them, and its a ton of fun to toss around which is why they live by there "go-kart" like handling. and now w/ the optional lsd, u cant go wrong w/ that!

bigslick82 · 11-16-2009, 07:02 PM

Are you getting out of the s2k?

It all depends on what you are looking for. If you are hitting the track a lot, the mini might be the way to go. It's lighter, more tossable, and has an optional LSD. If you just want a daily driver, the gti is my pick. It's a little more comfortable and less conspicuous, yet still fun if you want to take a spirited drive. Between the two, that's what I'd pick.

BForbes · 11-16-2009, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ra2fanatic

cooper s. my sis' husband had a cooper s before they began turbocharging them, and its a ton of fun to toss around which is why they live by there "go-kart" like handling. and now w/ the optional lsd, u cant go wrong w/ that!

I've driven the turbocharged one. Its even more fun! I'm just wondering if one would miss the refinement of the GTI.

BForbes · 11-16-2009, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigslick82

Are you getting out of the s2k?

It all depends on what you are looking for. If you are hitting the track a lot, the mini might be the way to go. It's lighter, more tossable, and has an optional LSD. If you just want a daily driver, the gti is my pick. It's a little more comfortable and less conspicuous, yet still fun if you want to take a spirited drive. Between the two, that's what I'd pick.

Yeah, its just about that time. I'll definitely snag another s2k in 5 years to have as a boosted weekend toy.

BMW is taking too long with the 135tii or whatever it will be called for this gen.

nmulax · 11-16-2009, 07:08 PM

My buddy has a Mk5 GTI. It's nice; but having owned two BMWs, I can't get used to the vague shift feel and the light clutch. Maybe you'd get accustomed to it over time, but I'd rather have the Mini S.

Garduna · 11-16-2009, 07:40 PM

Have you driven both on the same day for a closer comparison. I'm sure that would help you gauge which one you favour a bit more

BForbes · 11-16-2009, 07:46 PM

I guess I will have to. I've never driven a GTI before. I've ridden in the last gen.

immiketoo · 11-16-2009, 08:29 PM

Refinement in cars like those makes them lose their soul. Get the Mini. I drove one in Heidelberg while the M was getting serviced, and it was a riot. I would love to have that car on a small track...

Schumacher · 11-16-2009, 08:36 PM

GTi, no question. The MINI is far too much of a styling exercise, the interior especially. It will drive you mad in everyday commutes.

WILLIE92 · 11-16-2009, 08:45 PM

GTI !! for sure!

maswastage · 11-16-2009, 09:27 PM

My vote goes to the mini. Although they're both great cars, I somehow always felt the mini has a bit more soul. And you can't go wrong with the cooper s.

WILLIE92 · 11-16-2009, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maswastage

My vote goes to the mini. Although they're both great cars, I somehow always felt the mini has a bit more soul. And you can't go wrong with the cooper s.

im sorry but the original mini is "iconic" yes, but the GTI evolves from the rabbit! GTI has more soul!

E90RYANJB · 11-16-2009, 11:13 PM

GTI.

ac1208 · 11-16-2009, 11:22 PM

I'm also in the same situation...but between the MCS JCW or the mkvi GTI

i've test driven both of them (and also the r56 mcs)
The GTI is definitely much more refined than the JCW, and i'm very impressed with the interior and quality. The MKV i have now has been flawless, regardless of what people say about the reliability issues of VW, that has not been my experience.

However, the JCW is a completely different monster...Its just so much more tossable, and fun to drive. I'm a spirited driver, so I think i'd enjoy the JCW more. I just don't know if i will end up hating the interior of the mini.

Year's_End · 11-16-2009, 11:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schumacher

GTi, no question. The MINI is far too much of a styling exercise, the interior especially. It will drive you mad in everyday commutes.

This.

DimSum · 11-17-2009, 02:21 AM

Mini of course!

The new one drives really really well if you have a coilover kit on it. Lots of upgrades for the turbo too!

The black one is a 08, the red one is a 03.

Epik · 11-17-2009, 03:07 AM

Mini interior makes me sick.

BForbes · 11-17-2009, 07:54 AM

Thanks for all your help so far guys. The poll is almost indicative of how I feel.

Those pictures above make me drool!

Yes2m3cs · 11-17-2009, 08:33 AM

That is a tough choice man, both are great little cars. We have a 2009 cooper S and its really a great ride. Its a blast and actually pretty comfortable considering the size.

I would say the GTI is more of a luxury type car in comparison but also fun to drive.

I feel bad for you because they are both winners!

Keep us posted

Brian

Robert · 11-17-2009, 06:13 PM

I was going to buy a cooper s to replace the 135i but I just can't get use to the upright windshield.

Heinzftw · 11-18-2009, 03:30 AM

I drove the new GTI. What a dog

11-16-2009, 06:52 PM	#1
BForbes Moderator 594 Rep 4,240 Posts Drives: BSM 135i/AW E90 M3 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Orlando, FL iTrader: (0)	I'm looking to get a strong opinion here. Lets say you had to choose one. Both priced at $22-23k. Which car would you pick? 2010 VW GTI or 2010 Cooper S. I know both of these cars will have their respective gremlins.
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11-16-2009, 06:58 PM	#2
to_riffic Lieutenant General 3076 Rep 13,777 Posts Drives: rwd Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: SoCal iTrader: (38)	cooper s. my sis' husband had a cooper s before they began turbocharging them, and its a ton of fun to toss around which is why they live by there "go-kart" like handling. and now w/ the optional lsd, u cant go wrong w/ that! __________________ ~loud noises~
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11-16-2009, 07:02 PM	#3
bigslick82 Second Lieutenant 66 Rep 209 Posts Drives: - Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: - iTrader: (0)	Are you getting out of the s2k? It all depends on what you are looking for. If you are hitting the track a lot, the mini might be the way to go. It's lighter, more tossable, and has an optional LSD. If you just want a daily driver, the gti is my pick. It's a little more comfortable and less conspicuous, yet still fun if you want to take a spirited drive. Between the two, that's what I'd pick.
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11-16-2009, 07:08 PM	#6
nmulax Brigadier General 402 Rep 4,320 Posts Drives: '07 Z4 M Coupe Join Date: May 2006 Location: Metro-Detroit iTrader: (5) Garage List 2007 Z4M Coupé [7.66]	My buddy has a Mk5 GTI. It's nice; but having owned two BMWs, I can't get used to the vague shift feel and the light clutch. Maybe you'd get accustomed to it over time, but I'd rather have the Mini S. __________________
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11-16-2009, 07:40 PM	#7
Garduna Brigadier General 167 Rep 4,013 Posts Drives: Sedona 1er\|Yellow S3\|NardoTTRS Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Toronto iTrader: (5)	Have you driven both on the same day for a closer comparison. I'm sure that would help you gauge which one you favour a bit more
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View Poll Results: Which would you prefer?
VW GTI	36	47.37%
Cooper S	40	52.63%
Voters: 76. You may not vote on this poll

11-16-2009, 07:46 PM	#8
BForbes Moderator 594 Rep 4,240 Posts Drives: BSM 135i/AW E90 M3 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Orlando, FL iTrader: (0)	I guess I will have to. I've never driven a GTI before. I've ridden in the last gen. __________________ - 04 Honda S2000(gone)
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11-16-2009, 08:36 PM	#10
Schumacher Second Lieutenant 31 Rep 219 Posts Drives: E90 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: A Box iTrader: (0)	GTi, no question. The MINI is far too much of a styling exercise, the interior especially. It will drive you mad in everyday commutes.
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11-16-2009, 08:45 PM	#11
WILLIE92 H20 KING!! 16 Rep 525 Posts Drives: E92 328I Join Date: May 2009 Location: COLORADO/DOWNEY ,CA iTrader: (0)	GTI !! for sure!
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11-16-2009, 09:27 PM	#12
maswastage Resident Diesel Junkie 56 Rep 1,070 Posts Drives: 2010 AW 335d Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Maryland iTrader: (0)	My vote goes to the mini. Although they're both great cars, I somehow always felt the mini has a bit more soul. And you can't go wrong with the cooper s.
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11-16-2009, 11:13 PM	#14
E90RYANJB ............ 32 Rep 1,025 Posts Drives: E90 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: CA iTrader: (6)	GTI.
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11-16-2009, 11:22 PM	#15
ac1208 Captain 18 Rep 600 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Toronto iTrader: (3)	I'm also in the same situation...but between the MCS JCW or the mkvi GTI i've test driven both of them (and also the r56 mcs) The GTI is definitely much more refined than the JCW, and i'm very impressed with the interior and quality. The MKV i have now has been flawless, regardless of what people say about the reliability issues of VW, that has not been my experience. However, the JCW is a completely different monster...Its just so much more tossable, and fun to drive. I'm a spirited driver, so I think i'd enjoy the JCW more. I just don't know if i will end up hating the interior of the mini.
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11-17-2009, 02:21 AM	#17
DimSum Banned 230 Rep 2,740 Posts Drives: SLOW Join Date: May 2008 Location: LITTLEBIMMER.COM iTrader: (10)	Mini of course! The new one drives really really well if you have a coilover kit on it. Lots of upgrades for the turbo too! The black one is a 08, the red one is a 03. Attached Images
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11-17-2009, 03:07 AM	#18
Epik Awesome &amp;amp; Likes Cookies 43 Rep 391 Posts Drives: 2011 M5 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Arizona iTrader: (0)	Mini interior makes me sick. __________________
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11-17-2009, 07:54 AM	#19
BForbes Moderator 594 Rep 4,240 Posts Drives: BSM 135i/AW E90 M3 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Orlando, FL iTrader: (0)	Thanks for all your help so far guys. The poll is almost indicative of how I feel. Those pictures above make me drool! __________________ - 04 Honda S2000(gone)
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11-17-2009, 08:33 AM	#20
Yes2m3cs Captain 156 Rep 851 Posts Drives: 2018 M3CS 2016 M4 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Sunshine State iTrader: (2)	That is a tough choice man, both are great little cars. We have a 2009 cooper S and its really a great ride. Its a blast and actually pretty comfortable considering the size. I would say the GTI is more of a luxury type car in comparison but also fun to drive. I feel bad for you because they are both winners! Keep us posted Brian __________________ 2018 M3CS - Alpine White 2016 BMW M4 - Vorsteiner \| Michelin MPSS \| Dinan \| Swift \| M Performance Carbon Everything (Garage Queen) 2016 VW GTI - Unitronic Stage 1 Tune \| AWE Track Edition Exhaust (Daily Driver)
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11-17-2009, 06:13 PM	#21
Robert Major General 443 Rep 6,967 Posts Drives: 135i -> is350 -> Tesla M3 perf Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Socal iTrader: (1)	I was going to buy a cooper s to replace the 135i but I just can't get use to the upright windshield.
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