[Jimmy_Cooper]

First of all, just want to say hello to everyone as this is my first post, although I've been looking around the forum for some time thanks to TyrerC!!

I'm in the market for a new car, which will be a used one and I'm looking to get it in July/August time once I'm back from a well earned holiday. Anyway down to the point, for ages I've been planning on getting a MkV Golf GTi, having had a mkIV GTTDI in the past and until recently I had no reason to look elsewhere, or so I thought!

That was until TyrerC upgraded to his S and let me loose behind the wheel on the way home from picking it up By the time we'd raced around the roundabouts and back roads of Warrington and then headed home to Liverpool at a ridiculous pace, I was addicted!

Never before have I laughed and grinned as much, and I get the same feeling driving it now. (Having just typed that and thought about it, maybe this post is pointless as why would I not want an S?)

I now have a huge dilemma, do I go for the S or the GTi? I'd appreciate any comments you guys and girls might have on the choice I have to make, I am going to arrange a test drive of the GTi in the coming weeks so that I know first hand how it drives but am looking for your opinions.

Budget for the S would be around £13k (ideally for a mini cherished), whilst I would go to £15k for GTi which would put me in the market for a private sale, probably off the auto trader.

I need your help people!

Cheers

[jon vital]

If you like fun motoring and can put up with a hard ride and rattles then go for the MINI. If you wan't something well built and refined but also quick, go for the Golf.

[GARY GP]

welcome to mini2... great news you Fancy a cooper s good choice why not push the bout out and get a works s they are lot more sporty.... the golf is a bit lardy fat a** s

[Andy P]

I agree with Jon's post above - get the mini so much fun

[Jimmy_Cooper]

Cheers lads, I am really tempted by an S, and my girlfriend is pushing for that as well over a golf, which I fear she may have a few problems getting in and out of our buildings car park!

If I do get an S, I reckon I'd go for a hyper blue or dark silver one with white roof and mirrors. Would quite like some R90's but they seem very rare, I've only seen one with them on, be nice to spot one with anthracite roof lining as well.

As for the rattles you mentioned Jon, is is really that bad? TyrerC's seems pretty solid.

[Andy P]

Quote: Originally Posted by Jimmy_Cooper (original)

Cheers lads, I am really tempted by an S, and my girlfriend is pushing for that as well over a golf, which I fear she may have a few problems getting in and out of our buildings car park!

If I do get an S, I reckon I'd go for a hyper blue or dark silver one with white roof and mirrors. Would quite like some R90's but they seem very rare, I've only seen one with them on, be nice to spot one with anthracite roof lining as well.

As for the rattles you mentioned Jon, is is really that bad? TyrerC's seems pretty solid.

Rattles seem to be better on a face lift model - post july 04. Also if you can get an S works, we bought one in September and wow.

Also I owned a IV Golf GTI Anniversery and I would pick the Mini every time

[tyrerc]

haha buy the 'S', and get a MKII gti for 2k - look ive sold your problem already.

think you need another go

Chris

[Nutkins]

I have owned 2 Minis in the past (Cooper S and Cooper S works), and I have just sold a MK5 GTI that I had for a year. I am now looking for another Mini, however that is for financial reasons not because I didn't like the GTI. They're both wonderful cars - the thing about the Golf is it really does everything so well. It trounces the Mini for boot space obviosly, and if you plan on taking pasengers fairly frequently they'll thank you for getting the GTI. It's also a really lovely drive. The steering and the gearbox are both wonderful, and it's plenty quick enough. It's also far far less common than the Mini... The interior is great also, particularly at night with the Blue lighting.

In the Mini's favour it's a more fun drive, the steering is a lot quicker in terms of hand movement required, and the car generally feels faster (the Works especially!), perhaps more so than it actually is. And for me there's few cars out there for the money that sound as good as the Mini, the supercharger noise is truely wonderful IMO.

It's a decision only you can make, money no object I think I'd go for GTI as it's a newer, less common car. And remember for £500ish you can get it remapped to around 250BHP, which makes it a very swift car! I had the Revo trial on mine and I think it would waste even a Works Mini fairly easily, while being not far behind in the handling stakes.

I don't think there are many MK5 GTI's at around 15k yet though...

[Vitesse]

I considered a MK5 GTI when I was looking for something new from my last Works and whilst it was a great drive it didn't have the raw fun of the Works and as Nutkins says it probably feels a bit quicker than it really is because it makes you feel more involved.

I test drove the Golf and it didn't have that X factor that a Works or any other aftermarket tuner can give to the Mini. It's a superb package as an MCS, give it a little bit more with a tuner and you can't beat it.

If your looking for a fast comfortable hot hatch then buy a GTI or even the new MCS (without sports suspension), If you like your ride a bit more solid and involving then an R53 Works fits the bill.

btw I bought another Works

[tyrerc]

oh and let me come on the test drive.

[Humourl3ss]

I test drive a Mk. V GTI last year and it certainly has a better engine and slicker shifter than an R53 (I haven't driven an R56, so take my opinions with a grain of salt). If steering feel on an R53 is a "10", a GTI is about an 8.5 - still excellent but not brilliant. The GTI definitely had a quality feel, but over here VWs have reliability reputations on par with Soviet-era Ladas.

[Jimmy_Cooper]

Thanks guys, some interesting views. I am more inclined to go for the MCS for a number of reasons inlcuding sheer enjoyment everytime I get in it, the fact that it has much more character as mentioned above and one that my bank manager will thank me for, the price!

There are more GTi's coming up in the £15k area now, but I think if I ended up opting for the golf I'd probably end more paying that bit more which I shouldn't really do as I don't use the car every day to get to work, as I live close to the office. Basically need to sort that test drive and judge for myself.

JCW mini would be very tempting but I dread to think what the insurance would be like on it with living in the city centre. Best quote I've had for a normal MCS is just over £800 and around £890 for the Golf.

[Simmo777]

If its that fun factor you're after, you can't go wrong with a Cooper S.
Although the GTI's are more practical.
A freind has just got a new MK5, Lovely car, no doubt. But surprisingly slow. For a 2.0 engine, with 200 odd BHP, I expected more, especially with the current crop of hot hatches competing.

[sef]

Go for a Cooper S... Get a 15% Pulley and a CAI kit fitted and you'll have a seriously fun car...

[mcs_sam]

If you want refinement and comfort, slightly more grown up and arguably faster car go for the golf, if you want a more quirky, slightly slower but more handling orientated car go for the mini. I own a 2004 cooper s, before that I owned a gt tdi mkiv, and I have driven a mkv gti. i would comment as follows...... the mini rattles and creaks sufficiently to drive you mad, but its 100% reliable and the customer service is brilliant. The golf wont rattle and creak, reliablity isnt as good as the mini but is up on the mkiv but the customer service is appaling..... They are two very good cars in quite different ways......you pay your money....you make your choice, noone else can make it for you...... however for me (21) the golf was too plain, too much of a 30/40 year old persons car, the mini is more a young fun car.....

[Vitesse]

Ohh that makes me feel old being a 30 to 40 year old in a Works. There must be life left in the old fella yet!

[mcs_sam]

Well just think of the works as the daddy version....lol

[minigolf]

I have one of each in the driveway at the moment. In short, you'll love either car I reckon. But there is also no doubt that while the end result may be similar, the way each car gets to it's destination is slightly different.

Have a read of this review I wrote a bit earlier...
VWvortex Forums: What's my name again?

As a rule I drive the MINI during the week and drive the GTI on the weekends. I really look forward to hopping in the GTI, it's a nice change. A lovely all round car. But for out and out shoot em up, round em up, ball tearing thrills the MINI wins hands down. It's steering is just so much direct and that plays a huge part in the grin factor.

[minigolf]

Quote: Originally Posted by Andy P (original)

Also I owned a IV Golf GTI Anniversery and I would pick the Mini every time

That's hardly a fair comparison though. I had a chipped Mk4 GTI 1.8T before the MINI and the Mk5 GTI is an immeasurably superior car to the Mk4. It is miles ahead.

[tyrerc]

haha mate he has both and still says go for the MINI, it makes sense and it will keep Em happy

chris