You may be asking in the wrong forum. This is kind of like going to a vegan and asking should I eat a steak or a carrot.

 

Great responses, yep thats me from the MK5 forum. I think the Mini has cooler styling while the GTI is more refined. I would probably take a bath if I traded my GTI though :(

 

I would stick with the gti. my sister has an 09 3 door gti with every option and i have had a r53 jcw and now a r56 jcw. i am always swapping cars with her for a few weeks at a time so i am familar with both.

the gti was quicker than my r53 from the lights with much better traction and torque but once rolling in 3rd gear the mini beat it, passing at walking pace. with the r56 though it smokes the gti easy everywhere.

i still prefer the gtis interior and i love the flat bottom wheel. it just seems alot classier and better put together than my mini. also she has had no problems with hers and in 1 year i had the timing chain issue and now the boot wiring is stuffed on my mini. her car has done more km than mine. dont even get me started on the r53s problems.

handling. the gti handles very well but you dont feel as attached to the car. i feel in the minis you can feel and sence everything that is going on and how much grip you have left. i feel the gti feels a bit numb.

in the end though i think they are too simalar to change between the 2. its more down to personal preferance though. if you are going to mod gti is best. much more products and support.