VW Golf vs Mini countryman
 

I'm helping my mum change her car. She has a VW Golf at present which despite all the reliability horror stories you read has served her well and never missed a beat over the last three years.

I've driven it myself from time to time and its actually quite a decent steer.

We'll probably go for another Golf but was just exploring all the other options and came across the Mini countryman. It will cost a bit more though.


Anyone have any experience of the countryman or clubman?

Cheers

Girl at work has just bought one, doesnt like it, says the ride is too harsh.

Go for a paceman, I think they look great!

My wife has a All 4 SD Countryman Auto, Very good car for her , nice and high to , >> Pacemans look good too.

Re: the ride, driven a few countrymans, Just round the block though as road tests though. The ride is typical mini with run flats; jiggly.

I suspect if you put normal tyres on it would help, so long as it doesn't have the big wheel option.

Rest of the car is ok, but it's not my cup of tea so nothing jumps out at me and makes me say it's great. Just ok.

Golf is a Golf. Not as much gimmickry in styling but just as capable.

My advice is just test drive them, but pay attention to ride quality and road noise.

If she's managed to find a good Golf why not keep it for a couple more years, even more so if all she's going to change it for is another one, that may or may not be a good un.

Our Golf between 3 and 10 years old broke a few springs, rear calipers seized, front wings rusted, fuel filter leaked about exactly when it was first due to be changed.

Up to 3, ABS failure, fuel pressure problems, corroding wheels.

It drove the same at 10 as when new. All cheap problems after 3 but all corrosion related.

If buying new consider A3 which like for like spec is similarly priced but nicer interior and perhaps slightly better resale.

Thanks.
It's a motability vehicle and the three years are up so it needs to be changed is my understanding.

I've owned a BMW with run flats and it wasn't a good experience.

The Paceman is a 3 door and she needs a 5 door hatch so that she can easily transport the grand kids around.

An A3 sport back would be great but on Motability the upfront payment works out quite a bit more expensive than the Golf

My wife has a 2017 vw golf R line 1.4 petrol turbo auto 7 speed DSG 150BHP...its comfortable,looks good and has most of the toys
You wouldn't know it's a 1.4 it's not under powered and has plenty of poke.

Paceman production stopped end of 2016 just so your aware
My wife has the new Clubman and as far as i can remember its touted at slightly larger than a golf internally etc. Over all its been good, no issues 1 year in large enough for my bike and easily get 5 people in them.
Cant really comment on the golf front i do like them but in leeds VAG group cars get nicked a lot so i tend to steer clear.

The new Clubman is BMWs 2.0l Block as is the 2017 Countryman, the older countryman is the old 1.6L block.

Residual wise both probably the same, however the JCW versions will hold there price all be it probably not for her.

Motherinlaw bought the Cooper version and its pretty damn fast we have the cooper S

Thanks.

I'll go take a look at the mini.