Author Topic: Mk 6 GTI vs MINI JCW (and I ended up with an S3)  (Read 16363 times)

Offline gabrialboy

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Mk 6 GTI vs MINI JCW (and I ended up with an S3)
« 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:
« Last Edit: 28 September 2009, 11:40 by gabrialboy »
Current Ride: 2011 UG Golf VI Gti DSG
Past Rides:
2011 Honda Civic Type R Championship White
2005 Renault Sport Megane 225
2006 UG Golf 5 GTI
2007 R56 MINI Cooper S- Dark Silver
2008 Ibis White Audi S3

Offline Teutonic_Tamer

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Re: Mk 6 GTI vs MINI JCW
« Reply #1 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:

Sean - Independent Automotive Engineering Technician (ret'd)
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'06/7 Golf Mk5 GTI 5dr (BWA) DSG, colour coded,

I feel like a homo


Offline MDSS MK6

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Re: Mk 6 GTI vs MINI JCW
« Reply #2 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
Cancelled Order
Mk5 R32 instead.....and change too:)

Offline R32UK

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Re: Mk 6 GTI vs MINI JCW
« Reply #3 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:

Offline Ess_Three

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Re: Mk 6 GTI vs MINI JCW
« Reply #4 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.

Reducing my Golf count by the week....
..but gaining motorcycles.

Offline gabrialboy

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Re: Mk 6 GTI vs MINI JCW
« Reply #5 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...
Current Ride: 2011 UG Golf VI Gti DSG
Past Rides:
2011 Honda Civic Type R Championship White
2005 Renault Sport Megane 225
2006 UG Golf 5 GTI
2007 R56 MINI Cooper S- Dark Silver
2008 Ibis White Audi S3

Offline FamilyDub

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Re: Mk 6 GTI vs MINI JCW
« Reply #6 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.
MKV GTI | Reflex Silver | 5-dr | Anthracite 17" | Manual | Highline MFD | Cruise | Revision 'D' DV | Dirty Pipes |

The GTD is like a blow up doll. The GTI is like a proper woman. Sure the doll might last longer, and the woman might have higher running costs, but which would you rather have?

Offline Teutonic_Tamer

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Re: Mk 6 GTI vs MINI JCW
« Reply #7 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:
Sean - Independent Automotive Engineering Technician (ret'd)
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'06/7 Golf Mk5 GTI 5dr (BWA) DSG, colour coded,

I feel like a homo


Offline gabrialboy

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Re: Mk 6 GTI vs MINI JCW
« Reply #8 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...
Current Ride: 2011 UG Golf VI Gti DSG
Past Rides:
2011 Honda Civic Type R Championship White
2005 Renault Sport Megane 225
2006 UG Golf 5 GTI
2007 R56 MINI Cooper S- Dark Silver
2008 Ibis White Audi S3

Offline jdjd

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Re: Mk 6 GTI vs MINI JCW
« Reply #9 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