VW Golf GTi or Mini Cooper S - and what spec?

[Podie]

My old man is looking at purchasing a replacement car in the near future. It's just him, but apparently likes the option to carry stuff / people. He's previously had A3 3.2s, Boxster S, Cayman, and latterly two Sciroccos (2.0 petrol and GTS).

He wants a "bit of poke" so seems to have settled (after 12 months of conversation) on either a Golf GTi or a Cooper S.

Now he's asking me what spec he should get. So, I'd welcome opinions. He'll go for the sat nav regardless, but are there specific options worth buying on the Golf or the Mini that assist with resale / desirability, as he tends to buy something else after 2 or 3 years.

Would a 5 door GTi be less attractive on the second hand market than the 3 door?

Thoughts welcomed.

[DaveH23]

This is not a dig but why do people spec sat navs in cars?

I am yet to find a decent one in any car and they are out of date after 5 minutes.

[Podie]

DaveH23 said:

This is not a dig but why do people spec sat navs in cars?

I am yet to find a decent one in any car and they are out of date after 5 minutes.

Since his navigator (mum) died, he's more comfortable with a sat nav.

[SebringMan]

DaveH23 said:

This is not a dig but why do people spec sat navs in cars?

I am yet to find a decent one in any car and they are out of date after 5 minutes.

Convenience, bragging rights and ease of selling a car IME.

If it were me I'd want parking sensors on most new cars now, as well as Bluetooth/decent InfoTainment system and a decent form of Cruise control.

[SteBrown91]

All requirements listed above are standard on the golf gti

Personally the GTI doesn't need any options ticking it's such a well specced package by default.

Standard kit is:
Winter pack (heated seats, washers, low washer warning etc)
Auto lights/wipers
Xenon lights
Sat nav
Front and rear parking sensors
Adaptive cruise control
Climate control
Keyless entry/go

[Podie]

SteBrown91 said:

All requirements listed above are standard on the golf gti

Personally the GTI doesn't need any options ticking it's such a well specced package by default.

Standard kit is:
Winter pack (heated seats, washers, low washer warning etc)
Auto lights/wipers
Xenon lights
Sat nav
Front and rear parking sensors
Adaptive cruise control
Climate control
Keyless entry/go

Thanks, much appreciated.

Any view on...

• DSG
• 18s or 19s
• Leather
• Pro Nav
• DCC (needed with 19s?)

[DaveH23]

SebringMan said:

Convenience, bragging rights and ease of selling a car IME.

If it were me I'd want parking sensors on most new cars now, as well as Bluetooth/decent InfoTainment system and a decent form of Cruise control.

Bragging rights????

Parking sensors can be useful as with cruise and bluetooth.

I use hire cars on a weekly basis and It's suprising how many cars are specced without a centre arm rest.

[matsoc]

Podie said:

Any view on...

• DSG
• 18s or 19s
• Leather
• Pro Nav
• DCC (needed with 19s?)

DSG is ok but this is a matter of personal preference, a manual can add interaction, it would be my choice on a GTI but DSG add comfort and immediate briskier performance.

I don't rememeber if the car I test drove was 18 or 19, ride was not so firm, it was a while ago...I generally prefer smaller wheels, visually and dinamically.

Leather: No, I would keep the standard seats in the classic GTI trim

DCC: I really prefer passive setup but I have not tried it on the GTI I test drove, at least I remember this

Pro Nav, yes, I try to get always the more adavanced satnav/media equipment, it gets old anyway but there is a chance it lasts a bit longer in terms of phone connectivity/etc.

[Podie]

matsoc said:

Podie said:

Any view on...

• DSG
• 18s or 19s
• Leather
• Pro Nav
• DCC (needed with 19s?)

DSG is ok but this is a matter of personal preference, a manual can add interaction, it would be my choice on a GTI but DSG add comfort and immediate briskier performance.

I don't rememeber if the car I test drove was 18 or 19, ride was not so firm, it was a while ago...I generally prefer smaller wheels, visually and dinamically.

Leather: No, I would keep the standard seats in the classic GTI trim

DCC: I really prefer passive setup but I have not tried it on the GTI I test drove, at least I remember this

Pro Nav, yes, I try to get always the more adavanced satnav/media equipment, it gets old anyway but there is a chance it lasts a bit longer in terms of phone connectivity/etc.

Many thanks