NiveK

wow, no comparison, the R32 rides better, more room, alot more power, not to mention it's awd, and it's true German engineering instead of a mutt !!!! now i need a digi cam and take pics

BostonMarkC

I'd have picked the MCS without question, but I can't argue with the fact that the R32 is a great car too. I just prefer the looks and handling of the MCS by a landslide. Personal preference I guess. Still would like to see some pics though, in typical forum fashion

NiveK

well i do prefere the mini looks myself, but i was actually suprised when i drove the R32 that it handled better and rode better, not to mention it was 3000 bux cheaper

shneapfla

but you know, that the R32 doesn't get continued because there's a new Golf/Rabbit out already?

Don't know about the us, but over here (Germany) you would loose the price-advantage when selling the car again, because the resale-value on the Mini is way higher than the R32 one's...
Greetings

shneapfla

Palting

There is just something about a MiniCooper. It's got charisma, appeal, a sense that it's a car apart from others. VW is nice, but it's a VW.

fahren affair

i was surprised to read in the last AW, that the r32 weighed 3,400 lbs!! a little porker...

ignacio

nivek

i believe you made the right decision. the r32 is faster, more comfortable, handles better and will probably be more reliable. as to resale, it is unpredictable and should not be a prime consideration.

i also like the stealth aspect of the r32--like the look on the drivers of bmw 330i's when you blow them away!

stiles_s

The r32 is a great car. I've had 4 GTIs. the A4 GTI is an amazingly well built car, and with the r32 they finally got rid of the torsion beam rear suspension.
One of the things that keeps me away from a Mini for a practical "driver" is the lack of a spare. I don't know why, but this has weighed pretty heavily on me not buying several cars: M3, M5, MCoupe, Mini...

BostonMarkC

I guess opinions will be opinions, but in my opinion there is no way the R32 outhandles the MINI. In fact, I feel nothing but a P-Car does. I think that the VW is far too prone to body roll and feels heavy.

Still a great car, I just happen to love the MINI

nota_troll

nivek - You made the better choice. Mini is well...mini! MCS is an awesome car and I respect it but for me it's too small and impractical. I need a car that I can carry two large dogs in and more than 2 bags of groceries.

R32 really surprised me. What a fantastic car! Just like the Mini it's German thus well made. The motor is sweet. It handles great. Steering could be livelier but for a daily beater it's great. It's U.S. version of an A3 or VW version of an Audi TT (WITH 6 SPEED).

I'd love to buy an R32 to replace my S4 but my car is too new.

ZAMIRZ

That's basically what steered me away from a very nice jazz blue anniversary edition. There's too many people/kids my age in Los Angeles who buy a 1.8T Golf as soon as they're old enough to drive. The cars are great, but way too common and definately not unique any more. Also, the handling doesn't really stack up to the MINIs, a lot more roll and much softer. You need to sink a good $3,000 into the Golf's suspension to get it up to par IMHO.....looks cool once it's all stiff, going around a corner with the inside rear wheel in the air though

stiles_s

Just to make sure we're all on the same page, the R32 golf is AWD, and has a multi-link "real" independent rear suspension (very similar to the audi TT, fwiw), and handling that is light years ahead of any other Golf we've seen here in the states.

The motor is a honey as well: 3.2l VR6, ~240hp

Will it outhandle a Mini? Doubtful, but it's in another league when compared to the rest of the Golfs/GTIs we've seen.

nota_troll

ZAMIRZ - He's comparing the JCW Mini against the R32. Lot diff.

The R32 IMO is a quantum leap better than the regular GTI even the 20th anni and 337. The anniversary edition handles great! It still isn't as flat and stiff as a Mini but it's tons better than a regular GTI.

NiveK

well the R32 supposedly got 71 mph through the slalom, but that was some euro article i read, i have yet to see anything from the States about it, and since i drove the Mini many times, and hard might i add, and the VW just as hard, the mini is definatly lighter feeling, but handles better? probly not, might could, and then it might not, its close enough that it didn't matter, not to mention the simple mods you could do to the VW to squeeze out a few more HP without going to the 500+ hp TT mod for 5500 bux, about the same as the JCW price, but instead of 37HP i could get over 260

Palting

Huh?

Anyone get the last post? Speak English, man.