[mecheng77]

I am looking at purchasing a 3rd car as something practical to move awkward items, my bike, and heck maybe a track day or two.
I was originally looking at buying a new GTi but got turned off by the amount of problems they have.
I never thought I would say it but I’ve started considering either a Mini Cooper 5 door or the Mini Clubman F54 and F55. The latest versions in the S use the B48 engine and I have all the BMW software so I don’t have to learn a new car platform.

They look fun to drive and the latest versions seem reliable. I would be looking at buying used.

Any recommendations on what to get: Clubman vs 5 door Cooper? Overall general thoughts and things to look for. Thanks

[No one]

If you can't tell a Mini from a Mini then buy a 3 door hatch - the only one really worth looking at if at all. And no, it's not exactly practical - that's obviously why those ugly bigger versions emerge. "To move awkward items" - Clubman, of course. 5 door is for moving extra passengers and they shouldn't be awkward still, I guess. To fit your bike you'll need a MINI one: https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/canad...ty?language=en.

[mecheng77]

Originally Posted by No one

If you can't tell a Mini from a Mini then buy a 3 door hatch - the only one really worth looking at if at all. And no, it's not exactly practical - that's obviously why those ugly bigger versions emerge. "To move awkward items" - Clubman, of course. 5 door is for moving extra passengers and they shouldn't be awkward still, I guess. To fit your bike you'll need a MINI one: https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/canada/article/detail/T0105600EN/absolutely-emission-free-%E2%80%93-the-mini-on-two-wheels-car-boot-compatible-folding-bike-for-urban-mobility?language=en.

I think the 5 door looks good.

I already own a 2 door M235i so I need extra doors

[TheBingoBalls]

Still have my R56 MINI non-S for weekend/city driving and is "practical" enough. Everything else, I use my E90 or F36.

I'd go for the 5-door F56, those extra two doors help and allows you load and carry things a lot easier than the coupe hatch. You still get the fun factor of the coupe but with 2 extra doors.

[dreamingat30fps]

I owned a Mini for a short time. I believe it had the cooperworks package or something like that. It was a fun little car, however I personally found it very uncomfortable for anything other than running some errands nearby.

If it was me I would go for the GTI. Can't imagine a GTI being that much more unreliable than a Mini.

[XutvJet]

VW products aren't overly reliable but a Mini? Ha. Good luck. I'd take a GTI over it by a mile.

[nicholasn]

I would get a Mk7.5 GTI with 6MT. Widely considered the most desirable recent GTI and powered by the EA888 which has been in production for quite a while now. Interior in the Mk8 is disappointing.

[mecheng77]

Originally Posted by XutvJet

VW products aren't overly reliable but a Mini? Ha. Good luck. I'd take a GTI over it by a mile.

The latest version has the B48

[wtwo3]

Originally Posted by XutvJet

VW products aren't overly reliable but a Mini? Ha. Good luck. I'd take a GTI over it by a mile.

The new Minis are very reliable. In fact CR top most reliable car models, the mini cooper 2 door ranked 3rd behind the Corolla hybrid and the Lexus GX. I think ever since Mini started using more BMW components (including the engine - the b48), they've increased significantly in reliability.

[XutvJet]

Originally Posted by wtwo3

The new Minis are very reliable. In fact CR top most reliable car models, the mini cooper 2 door ranked 3rd behind the Corolla hybrid and the Lexus GX. I think ever since Mini started using more BMW components (including the engine - the b48), they've increased significantly in reliability.

The 2001+ Mini's have always been BMWs underneath except the motors which started in 2013. Prior to BMW engines, they did have a lot of BMW supporting parts supporting the motor. I spend way more time watching car repair YT videos than I should and I've learned that Minis, VWs, Audis, and BMW I4s and V8s are not cars I'd ever own and this is coming from a guy that owns and maintains a 7.5 y/o M235 and a 13 y/o Cayman

Based on what I've read, watched, and have heard from friends, neither make is overly reliable. However, the VW GTI is a much easier car to live with and from what I've watched, fractionally easier to work on. If you're looking at an automatic, the VW is the obvious choice with its DCT.

[Alfisti]

I just don't get what the Mini does that the GTI doesn't other than it's kinda more unique?

[wtwo3]

Originally Posted by XutvJet

The 2001+ Mini's have always been BMWs underneath except the motors which started in 2013. Prior to BMW engines, they did have a lot of BMW supporting parts supporting the motor. I spend way more time watching car repair YT videos than I should and I've learned that Minis, VWs, Audis, and BMW I4s and V8s are not cars I'd ever own and this is coming from a guy that owns and maintains a 7.5 y/o M235 and a 13 y/o Cayman

Based on what I've read, watched, and have heard from friends, neither make is overly reliable. However, the VW GTI is a much easier car to live with and from what I've watched, fractionally easier to work on. If you're looking at an automatic, the VW is the obvious choice with its DCT.

Your info may not be current

Latest list of most reliable models, which makes sense considering BMW is one of the most reliable brands currently.

[TheBingoBalls]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

I just don't get what the Mini does that the GTI doesn't other than it's kinda more unique?

Drive. It will always be the go kart-like feel that differentiates the MINI to everyone else.

Personally if it was you only car, I’d probably look away from a MINI, but for drive factor alone? Easy pick especially if it’s a second or third car.

[wtwo3]

Originally Posted by TheBingoBalls

Drive. It will always be the go kart-like feel that differentiates the MINI to everyone else.

Personally if it was you only car, I’d probably look away from a MINI, but for drive factor alone? Easy pick especially if it’s a second or third car.

I just recently ordered a mini s convertible as a 3rd car... and while I was hesitant at first, I have to admit it's a really fun car to drive.

[FrankMstein]

GTI problems?!? Hell, Mini has 4x the issues! And that is not just my experience. I have had both. I'd take one GTI over 5 Mini.

[FrankMstein]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

I just don't get what the Mini does that the GTI doesn't other than it's kinda more unique?

I just don't get what the Mini does that the GTI doesn't do better!

[TheBingoBalls]

Originally Posted by wtwo3

I just recently ordered a mini s convertible as a 3rd car... and while I was hesitant at first, I have to admit it's a really fun car to drive.

That's what MINI's are - fun. If that isn't a priority, there are a lot of other cars someone should buy especially for the money. I don't pretend my R56 is something it isn't. Everything about it is pretty mediocre - lack of any sort of refinement, suspension that could almost be considered non-existent, hard plastics everywhere. But the drive paired with a manual transmission is enough for me to overlook all of its flaws for a weekend car.

Originally Posted by FrankMstein

I just don't get what the Mini does that the GTI doesn't do better!

You drive one, it should be pretty obvious. One feels a lot different than the other. Don't know if I would call that better, but it is different and probably the only reason anyone would pick a MINI over a GTI.

[mecheng77]

Originally Posted by FrankMstein

I just don't get what the Mini does that the GTI doesn't do better!

I wanted a GTI but the MK8 is plagued by electrical issues and I have ISTA and know all the BMW quirks. I want something with a hatch, I have a M235i that I use for fun and some practicality but I like hatches

[RM7]

I had an Elantra GT N-line with the tech package and by all accounts, it was a great little car, very practical. In the end I just needed a little more length out of it, we get screwed in the US and can't get the estate/wagon versions of things, but it was way bigger than a Mini. My stinger is basically real similar, the tech is all the same, but the size that I need (big hatchback). It's also like a carbon clone of a 4-series GC. Also, watching a mini swap ends in an oval track that was part of an autox course was not confidence inspiring.

[FrankMstein]

TheBingoBalls Even this post is about a daily, there are considerable amount more videos of different 500+hp GTI's than Mini's. Way more stout of a car. Way more GTI's on track than Mini also. Shit, I'm an instructor in an F80 (drive it like I don't have track insurance) and had two R's pass me at VIR and Road Atl. Never had a Mini pass me ever.

[TheBingoBalls]

Originally Posted by FrankMstein

TheBingoBalls Even this post is about a daily, there are considerable amount more videos of different 500+hp GTI's than Mini's. Way more stout of a car. Way more GTI's on track than Mini also. Shit, I'm an instructor in an F80 (drive it like I don't have track insurance) and had two R's pass me at VIR and Road Atl. Never had a Mini pass me ever.

Not disputing the popularity of the GTI nor the tuning ability. None of that matters. The MINI is unique in the way it drives. Is it enough for someone to pick it over a lot of other cars for the money? Who knows?

[bosstones]

Originally Posted by TheBingoBalls

That's what MINI's are - fun. If that isn't a priority, there are a lot of other cars someone should buy especially for the money. I don't pretend my R56 is something it isn't. Everything about it is pretty mediocre - lack of any sort of refinement, suspension that could almost be considered non-existent, hard plastics everywhere. But the drive paired with a manual transmission is enough for me to overlook all of its flaws for a weekend car.

That sums it up pretty well. I had issues with my R56 not always wanting to stop in any form of snow despite running new Blizzaks, even from a low speed crawl at residential stop signs. That's ultimately why I got rid of it. I don't think that was the norm, though.

Aside from chirp-happy fronts coming from a stop on damp pavement, it was fun as hell as a companion to my Moupe. I daily drove it while the Moupe was in winter storage for 3 years and would alternate w/ it when it wasn't.

Not a refined interior, heated seats that could fry your innards on High, and a little wiggle on the shifter but it was definitely fun as a 6-sp manual. Peppy and handled well.

I didn't get far into DIY maintenance with it but oil changes were interesting (12+" of socket extension, pulling up the expansion tank, etc...).