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Model specific boards => Golf mk6 => Topic started by: gabrialboy on 10 September 2009, 10:50

Title: Mk 6 GTI vs MINI JCW (and I ended up with an S3)
Post by: gabrialboy on 10 September 2009, 10:50
Hi guys,

Well I'm looking at returning to the V Dub stable and have been getting quotes from dealerships on a new gti... also test drove a new S3 s tronic earlier this week and well waiting on MINI to get back to me on a JCW.... :undecided:

Audi gave me excellent service and a level of professionalism far superior to what I've experienced thus far with Volkswagen. MINI had been great as well and this is the conundrum I face with the Gti. I love the car but don't like V dubs attitude here in SA. Their service levels sux and even though the GTI makes more sense to me than the JCW my heart's sitting with MINI at the moment... :huh:

I'm also not sure if the GTI will keep me entertained long enough as every other guy drives one and they seem to loose exclusivity. Not that I'm after exclusivity per se but it is nice to admire your wheels knowing that there's not a million others just like yours...What do you guys think of the JCW...? Be nice... :grin:
Title: Re: Mk 6 GTI vs MINI JCW
Post by: Teutonic_Tamer on 10 September 2009, 11:34
The Mini is quite a different class of car - it is a relatively small, cramped car - with more style than practicality.  The GTI is very different - roomy, spacious, a heck of a lot more practicable, great for families, your granny won't moan when she has to be taken for her monthly blue rinse.

Whilst they are both performance variants, they are a bit like comparing oranges and apples - one is full of acid, will rot your teeth and guts - and the other is still good for you, but a lot more sensible. :smug:

Regarding the dub stealer - can't you get your Audi garage to look after it?

Anyway, we arn't biased here :grin: - but the S3 or GTI is the only two you should be considering!  :tongue:

Title: Re: Mk 6 GTI vs MINI JCW
Post by: MDSS MK6 on 10 September 2009, 11:45
Must admit I thought long & hard about the jcw, and as well as the sheer practicality of the dub, there do seem to be issues with the jcw. Every mag in the uk seems to have tried 2 cars, and almost all seem to think they vary considerably from one to another (particulary with regard to torque steer).

If you've not come across it, theres a mini forum page gathering up a bunch of reviews here

http://www.mini2.com/forum/mini-media/159765-mini-john-cooper-works-reviewed.html

For me, the v dub is coming home, I've ownd mk 2, 4 & 6 on order, but the jcw does sound fun :smiley: Good luck
Title: Re: Mk 6 GTI vs MINI JCW
Post by: R32UK on 10 September 2009, 13:46
Mini's are great fun cars to drive for a bit.. but the ride is a little harsh. I could always give the keys back to the ex after I had finished with it though, certainly couldnt live with it :smiley:

S3 is b b b b boring to drive... So its got to be the R32!!! Sorry i meant GTI :evil:
Title: Re: Mk 6 GTI vs MINI JCW
Post by: Ess_Three on 10 September 2009, 14:19

S3 is b b b b boring to drive... So its got to be the R32!!! Sorry i meant GTI :evil:

Got to agree...
I had a well sorted 8L S3 and it was monumentally capable once properly sorted...but dull as dishwater.

I tried an 8P and it was quick for sure, had a 'nice' interior but was numb/dull as hell to drive and bland to look at.
Effortless for sure, easy to drive - to the point of almost being 'brainless' to drive.
I simply could not bring myself to pay £30+k for one.

GTI is more fun, and in my view, better built.
Title: Re: Mk 6 GTI vs MINI JCW
Post by: gabrialboy on 10 September 2009, 15:15
Thanks for the input guys... have to agree about the S... it's not at all involving and doesn't even "feel" that quick until you check the rear view mirror... :shocked: Only trump card I'd say is the quattro and brand appeal if that floats your boat...

Yes, the Mini has it's quirks and def a tough one to compare the two... I like the GTI a lot :laugh: and it's def more practical with loads of other perks...not really a fair comparison as they're two different animals all together...will sleep on it a couple of nights and then decide which way to go... new vs new they cost about the same (specced similar) but the thing is there's some very low milage JCW's available for about 3.5k cheaper.... this changes things a little... Either way I'll have to wait untill Christmas as there's about a 3 month waiting period...
Title: Re: Mk 6 GTI vs MINI JCW
Post by: FamilyDub on 10 September 2009, 15:35
Thanks for the input guys... have to agree about the S... it's not at all involving and doesn't even "feel" that quick until you check the rear view mirror... :shocked: Only trump card I'd say is the quattro and brand appeal if that floats your boat...

Yes, the Mini has it's quirks and def a tough one to compare the two... I like the GTI a lot :laugh: and it's def more practical with loads of other perks...not really a fair comparison as they're two different animals all together...will sleep on it a couple of nights and then decide which way to go... new vs new they cost about the same (specced similar) but the thing is there's some very low milage JCW's available for about 3.5k cheaper.... this changes things a little... Either way I'll have to wait untill Christmas as there's about a 3 month waiting period...

Herecy on here, no doubt, but if I had a few more £k i'd have picked an S3.
Title: Re: Mk 6 GTI vs MINI JCW
Post by: Teutonic_Tamer on 10 September 2009, 17:05
Yes, the Mini has it's quirks and def a tough one to compare the two... I like the GTI a lot :laugh: and it's def more practical with loads of other perks...not really a fair comparison as they're two different animals all together...will sleep on it a couple of nights and then decide which way to go... new vs new they cost about the same (specced similar) but the thing is there's some very low milage JCW's available for about 3.5k cheaper.... this changes things a little...

Is that compared to similar used GTIs? :undecided:
Title: Re: Mk 6 GTI vs MINI JCW
Post by: gabrialboy on 10 September 2009, 20:04
Yes, the Mini has it's quirks and def a tough one to compare the two... I like the GTI a lot :laugh: and it's def more practical with loads of other perks...not really a fair comparison as they're two different animals all together...will sleep on it a couple of nights and then decide which way to go... new vs new they cost about the same (specced similar) but the thing is there's some very low milage JCW's available for about 3.5k cheaper.... this changes things a little...

Is that compared to similar used GTIs? :undecided:
No compared with new Gti's as the couple of used one's for sale cost the same as a new one because of the waiting period... got a quote for a JCW with a good spec and only 6000km' on
the clocks for 3500GBP cheaper than a new GTI...
Title: Re: Mk 6 GTI vs MINI JCW
Post by: jdjd on 11 September 2009, 01:01
To be honest I carn't think anybody in there right mind would buy a JCW over a GTI if the money is available,
 3k less for 3k miles?  :laugh:  Whats 3k when your thinking of spending 20grand
Title: Re: Mk 6 GTI vs MINI JCW
Post by: gizzywizzy on 11 September 2009, 15:20
I was in a JCW about 1 month ago.  Yeah, it was nice but nowhere like the GTI, and after a while it seemed a hard ride and quite uncomfortable if you have the money for the GTI don't think about the JCW the GTI is  a sound buy and a superb car.
Title: Re: Mk 6 GTI vs MINI JCW
Post by: R32UK on 11 September 2009, 19:06
^^ I agree totally.

Although its a laugh for a while the hard ride will make longer journeys a pain. there is only one reason a JCW should end up on your drive and thats if the missus buys one :cool:
Title: Re: Mk 6 GTI vs MINI JCW
Post by: gabrialboy on 14 September 2009, 14:48
^^ I agree totally.

Although its a laugh for a while the hard ride will make longer journeys a pain. there is only one reason a JCW should end up on your drive and thats if the missus buys one :cool:

hey bud, noticed in your sig the R32... now how have you experienced the 6 in comparison with your ex drive so far? Obviously the 4 motion is the big one but I have an option on a very low km R32 as well (nicely specced with nav, mfs, sunroof) black... about 5k less than a new GTI... what's your take...? thanks!
Title: Re: Mk 6 GTI vs MINI JCW
Post by: gabrialboy on 26 September 2009, 18:57
Hi gents,

So I put down a deposit on my new wheels today! After much deliberation I think that I made a good decision   So it's going to be an AUDI S3!  Should be taking delivery in a week or so... White, titanium finish alloys, sunroof and those uber cool recaro racing bucket seats.... man o man! 
I phoned mates to consult as I really battled making my decision final  But after driving all the cars on my short list (except for the 135i-don't fit the bmw profile  ) I came to the conclusion that the S3 is hard to beat as it ticks all the right boxes for me. Thanks for all the input over the last couple of weeks! Much appreciated and will post some pics soon....  Can't wait- going to be a looong week!
Title: Re: Mk 6 GTI vs MINI JCW
Post by: Snoopy on 26 September 2009, 19:06
Enjoy i nearly went for the s3 myself.
Title: Re: Mk 6 GTI vs MINI JCW
Post by: gabrialboy on 26 September 2009, 19:21
Enjoy i nearly went for the s3 myself.

thanks bud, was a toss up between the S and the GTI.... both great cars in their own right.... the quattro was what swayed me in the end.... :cool:
Title: Re: Mk 6 GTI vs MINI JCW
Post by: R32UK on 26 September 2009, 19:29
Enjoy i nearly went for the s3 myself.

thanks bud, was a toss up between the S and the GTI.... both great cars in their own right.... the quattro was what swayed me in the end.... :cool:

Good choice... but only if your tuning the car further. Otherwise there is only one choice :wink:


see below :smug:
Title: Re: Mk 6 GTI vs MINI JCW
Post by: gabrialboy on 26 September 2009, 20:58
Enjoy i nearly went for the s3 myself.

thanks bud, was a toss up between the S and the GTI.... both great cars in their own right.... the quattro was what swayed me in the end.... :cool:

Good choice... but only if your tuning the car further. Otherwise there is only one choice :wink:


see below :smug:
:grin: for sure... some mods will be in the pipeline... :wink: btw the deal on the r32 never materialized  :undecided: so I couldn't wait any longer for the dealer to get back to me.... but then again at 1500m altitude the n/a was going to loose 16-18% of it's powa  :cry: giving the forced induced cousins a clear advantage.... if I could get my hands on the r32 I would've considered but it would not have been for the performance though.... :tongue:
Title: Re: Mk 6 GTI vs MINI JCW
Post by: R32UK on 27 September 2009, 07:57
Enjoy i nearly went for the s3 myself.

thanks bud, was a toss up between the S and the GTI.... both great cars in their own right.... the quattro was what swayed me in the end.... :cool:

Good choice... but only if your tuning the car further. Otherwise there is only one choice :wink:


see below :smug:
:grin: for sure... some mods will be in the pipeline... :wink: btw the deal on the r32 never materialized  :undecided: so I couldn't wait any longer for the dealer to get back to me.... but then again at 1500m altitude the n/a was going to loose 16-18% of it's powa  :cry: giving the forced induced cousins a clear advantage.... if I could get my hands on the r32 I would've considered but it would not have been for the performance though.... :tongue:


Fair play. Although you will find that the power in the R32 is always available (albeit a little less) where as with the k04 turbo cars you really do find yourself waiting for the power to kick in, unless your driving hard. however with a few mods im know the s3 is more than capable of handling the power and keeping traction. Hopefully you have some slightly more entertaining and smoother roads over in S.A.. as many comment on the harshness of the ride in the a3 and slightly mundane ride. A few mods and 350bhp is easily going to make that one hell of a entertaining car  :cool: :cool:
Title: Re: Mk 6 GTI vs MINI JCW
Post by: gabrialboy on 27 September 2009, 08:30
yes bud for sure... i did find quite a bit of lag during my stint with it so you're spot on.... strangely though I found the ride quality better in the S3 than in the 6 GTi.... :undecided: Our roads are getting sh@tter by the day so the fwd Gti was a little unsettled when I took it over some bumpier roads with the power on....In contrast the S felt very planted over the rougher stuff.... Will give some further input as soon as she's in my garage.... :cool:
Title: Re: Mk 6 GTI vs MINI JCW
Post by: R32UK on 27 September 2009, 08:34
yes bud for sure... i did find quite a bit of lag during my stint with it so you're spot on.... strangely though I found the ride quality better in the S3 than in the 6 GTi.... :undecided: Our roads are getting sh@tter by the day so the fwd Gti was a little unsettled when I took it over some bumpier roads with the power on....In contrast the S felt very planted over the rougher stuff.... Will give some further input as soon as she's in my garage.... :cool:

No probs bud!! look forward to hearing your take. fwiw i do find the gti very twitchy on country roads around here, and have to have both hands on the wheel. With the R you could almost go hands free :grin:
Title: Re: Mk 6 GTI vs MINI JCW (and I ended up with an S3)
Post by: jonnydrama on 13 October 2009, 21:43
Irrelevant now but....

I had the choice between an S3 and the JCW last year. I choose the JCW and haven't regretted it once. The mini is the best FWD handling car I've driven, I had an Evo before it and I honestly think the mini is just as fun to drive even with less grunt. It really is a complete package straight out of the box, the grip it has cornering is amazing and the brakes are fantastic. The usual mini gripes though, small with no room for luggage. It'll take something pretty special for me to sell it. I've put 20k onto it in a year, any excuse to drive it!

The S3 was nice but it was very expensive for what it was, not much driver involvement and just felt a bit flat to drive.

Now looking at getting a Mk6 GTi for a second car (as the new Focus RS is a bit expensive) so I'll be sure to compare both cars if I buy one.
Title: Re: Mk 6 GTI vs MINI JCW (and I ended up with an S3)
Post by: R32UK on 14 October 2009, 11:16
Have to agree with you there Jonnydrama.. minis are great fun to drive. As long as you can pass it off as the gf's :grin:
Title: Re: Mk 6 GTI vs MINI JCW (and I ended up with an S3)
Post by: Golf R on 15 October 2009, 11:08
Those Minis look good in cream.  VWs white is just too much like double glazing plastic for my liking.
Title: Re: Mk 6 GTI vs MINI JCW (and I ended up with an S3)
Post by: jonnydrama on 15 October 2009, 11:37
This was the colour scheme I ended up with

(http://www.asnl09.dsl.pipex.com/mini1.jpg)
(http://www.asnl09.dsl.pipex.com/mini2.jpg)

If I buy a mk6 I think it has to be Candy white!!
Title: Re: Mk 6 GTI vs MINI JCW (and I ended up with an S3)
Post by: Golf R on 15 October 2009, 12:10
Candy white :sick:
Like the Mini, would look even better in cream. :grin:
Title: Re: Mk 6 GTI vs MINI JCW (and I ended up with an S3)
Post by: R32UK on 15 October 2009, 17:45
Candy white :sick:
Like the Mini, would look even better in cream. :grin:

 :rolleyes: if ever there was a reason to not get a mini in cream... that was it right there! :lipsrsealed:
Title: Re: Mk 6 GTI vs MINI JCW (and I ended up with an S3)
Post by: Golf R on 15 October 2009, 18:00
Might as well lock this thread Mr Froggy.
Title: Re: Mk 6 GTI vs MINI JCW (and I ended up with an S3)
Post by: R32UK on 15 October 2009, 18:05
Or just ban him :rolleyes: :lipsrsealed:
Title: Re: Mk 6 GTI vs MINI JCW (and I ended up with an S3)
Post by: Golf R on 15 October 2009, 18:09
Or just ban him :rolleyes: :lipsrsealed:

Good idea.
Title: Re: Mk 6 GTI vs MINI JCW (and I ended up with an S3)
Post by: R32UK on 15 October 2009, 18:11
Or just ban him :rolleyes: :lipsrsealed:

Good idea.

I think you will find thats actually a great idea :laugh:
Title: Re: Mk 6 GTI vs MINI JCW (and I ended up with an S3)
Post by: Golf R on 15 October 2009, 18:14
Or just ban him :rolleyes: :lipsrsealed:

Good idea.

I think you will find thats actually a great idea :laugh:

But he'll just come back as R32.
Title: Re: Mk 6 GTI vs MINI JCW (and I ended up with an S3)
Post by: R32UK on 15 October 2009, 18:17
Or just ban him :rolleyes: :lipsrsealed:

Good idea.

I think you will find thats actually a great idea :laugh:

But he'll just come back as R32.

i am actually spoilt for choice at the number of insults i could throw at someone as ridiculous as yourself... but i wouldnt want to ruin the suspence for you
Title: Re: Mk 6 GTI vs MINI JCW (and I ended up with an S3)
Post by: matchboy on 15 October 2009, 19:11
don't rise to him.  he is a bell end.  :rolleyes:
Title: Re: Mk 6 GTI vs MINI JCW (and I ended up with an S3)
Post by: R32UK on 15 October 2009, 19:15
don't rise to him.  he is a bell end.  :rolleyes:

 :wink: noted.

.. but i do prefer the term kn0b jockey, much more appropriate :cool:
Title: Re: Mk 6 GTI vs MINI JCW (and I ended up with an S3)
Post by: matchboy on 15 October 2009, 19:25
don't rise to him.  he is a bell end.  :rolleyes:

 :wink: noted.

.. but i do prefer the term kn0b jockey, much more appropriate :cool:

agreed!   :grin:
Title: Re: Mk 6 GTI vs MINI JCW (and I ended up with an S3)
Post by: R32UK on 16 October 2009, 07:48
If thats what you prefer to be called  :rolleyes: