Sections: In the Press | R55 (Clubman) Nov 6th, 2007 11 Comments 
Motortrend finally gets behind the wheel of a Clubman:
Same goes for handling. Overall, the Clubman S feels no different through a smorgasbord of cornering situations from the new Cooper S we just added to our long-term test fleet. One major difference in the Clubman’s driving persona is ride comfort. Those three-plus inches of additional wheelbase really smooth out the standard Mini’s tendency to hop on bad pavement, over railroad crossings, and the like. It’s a dramatic improvement, and one that, combined with all the extra room, makes the Clubman a much happier long-distance car than the short-wheelbase model.
The rest of the review is just as positive except for one, minor thing.
The car’s only other maddening trait, also shared with non-Clubmans, is the HVAC system’s too small, too slippery, and just poorly designed fan and heat/cool controls. The tiny, click up-and-down fan switch is slick plastic and practically requires long fingernails to operate. Wearing gloves? Forget it. Why not some large, knurled knobs? And much of the center-stack lettering is too small. These are two instances where function followed form, and Mini ought to get to fixing them. Now.
At least they have stopped complaining about the speedo.
[ First Drive: 2008 Mini Cooper Clubman S ] Motortrend.com
lavardera Nov 6th, 2007 Link
That’s what you get when you have to look for something to criticize. I’d like to recommend this device to the Motortrend reviewers so they can bone up on their button and knob skills:
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Victor Nov 6th, 2007 Link
I think the fan and heater controls are good ad grippy. Just a little thin.
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Craig Nov 6th, 2007 Link
Is it just me or all automotive writers thumb fingered dolts? I’ve never had any problems with MINI’s momentary action signal control stalk, stereo controls or climate controls. I don’t believe I have more than the normal levels of hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity. Of course I have used the equivalent of lavardera’s toy as a child. That might have something to do with it. ;)
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Ken Nov 6th, 2007 Link
The control designs are unnatural and difficult to use. It was one of my first complaints with the R-56. Oh, and the exterior too.
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rkw Nov 6th, 2007 Link
That’s what you get when you have to look for something to criticize. I’d like to recommend this device to the Motortrend reviewers so they can bone up on their button and knob skills:
I thought it was a very sensible review, and a valid criticism of the controls. It’s ironic that you would post a photo of a child’s toy, because that’s exactly what many people have said the center console looks like. I would definitely prefer large, knurled knobs as the reviewer suggested.
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bee1000 Nov 6th, 2007 Link
When is MINI USA going to add the Clubman to their configurator?! People are going to keep seeing these reviews in magazines and then find nothing about the Clubman online. I thought the Clubman was going to be available this year, no?
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robble Nov 6th, 2007 Link
no. Available to drive in February although you may be able to order them (in dealership) now.
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bluzeke Nov 6th, 2007 Link
Probably the best detailed interior view of the third door and its mechanicals I’ve seen. But – the picture leaves me wondering what part of the door is a rear passenger supposed to grab in order to close it from the inside?
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Jimskater Nov 7th, 2007 Link
Over on mini2.com, and in other reviews, there have been complaints that the front passenger seat belt blocks egress to the back seat. Funny that MT captions a photo of this with a comment re: how clever the installation is.
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radiationman Nov 7th, 2007 Link
Hmm- I’ve used the climate control knobs in ’03s and ’05s wearing thick gloves with no problems…
And I don’t think that the rear passenger is intended to actually close the club door – That would be the job of the front passenger. From my understanding the club door can’t be closed if the front door is already closed and it would be impossible for the rear passenger to close the front door – So with that in mind, the club door would be intended to be closed by the front passenger not the rear one…
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