Comments on: Motortrend Reviews the ’08 Clubman http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/02/19/motortrend-reviews-the-08-clubman/ MotoringFile | MINI news, reviews and opinion. MINI Cooper, Cooper S, Clubman, Countryman Thu, 09 Feb 2012 20:14:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: ltq http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/02/19/motortrend-reviews-the-08-clubman/comment-page-1/#comment-235236 ltq Mon, 15 Sep 2008 19:29:31 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/02/19/motortrend-reviews-the-08-clubman/#comment-235236 <p>Phinmak - In all liklihood the Nacimiento Rd mentioned is near Paso Robles, CA. I know someone who lives past the (empty) guardbooth. In any case, it would be a bit more than a casual sidetrip from Boston (I assume you mean MA). c4 - Out further on US101 from Paso Robles, there is the Hunter-Ligget Army base, where they hold live ammo training. This would maybe be the live guardbooth that is mentioned. That would NOT be on Nacimiento Rd.</p> Phinmak – In all liklihood the Nacimiento Rd mentioned is near Paso Robles, CA. I know someone who lives past the (empty) guardbooth. In any case, it would be a bit more than a casual sidetrip from Boston (I assume you mean MA). c4 – Out further on US101 from Paso Robles, there is the Hunter-Ligget Army base, where they hold live ammo training. This would maybe be the live guardbooth that is mentioned. That would NOT be on Nacimiento Rd.

]]> By: c4 http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/02/19/motortrend-reviews-the-08-clubman/comment-page-1/#comment-208531 c4 Wed, 20 Feb 2008 15:14:13 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/02/19/motortrend-reviews-the-08-clubman/#comment-208531 <p>Gabe mentioned the army base guardboot where you have to show your driver's license during the last woofcast, so I think the other writter's reference is pretty accurate.</p> <p>The road doesn't show up in Google? Hmmmmm</p> Gabe mentioned the army base guardboot where you have to show your driver’s license during the last woofcast, so I think the other writter’s reference is pretty accurate.

The road doesn’t show up in Google? Hmmmmm

]]> By: PhinMak http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/02/19/motortrend-reviews-the-08-clubman/comment-page-1/#comment-208508 PhinMak Wed, 20 Feb 2008 14:02:27 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/02/19/motortrend-reviews-the-08-clubman/#comment-208508 <p>This guy talks about driving on a 15 mile "Nacimiento Road" that ends in a guardbooth... I tried putting the road name in googlemaps and it comes up with a stub of a road in NV that doesnt have trees, as described in the article. Maybe he was test-driving in Europe somewhere and that's why he said 5-passenger? Would fit withthe road width... Anyone know where this test-drive was? 'Cuz if it is near Boston, I would go out and drive it in my R53...</p> This guy talks about driving on a 15 mile “Nacimiento Road” that ends in a guardbooth… I tried putting the road name in googlemaps and it comes up with a stub of a road in NV that doesnt have trees, as described in the article. Maybe he was test-driving in Europe somewhere and that’s why he said 5-passenger? Would fit withthe road width… Anyone know where this test-drive was? ‘Cuz if it is near Boston, I would go out and drive it in my R53…

]]> By: Chris B. http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/02/19/motortrend-reviews-the-08-clubman/comment-page-1/#comment-208438 Chris B. Wed, 20 Feb 2008 04:51:06 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/02/19/motortrend-reviews-the-08-clubman/#comment-208438 <p>Adding a DCT to the MINI lineup wouldn't be for the sole purpose of appeasing those who want more control with the convenience of a clutch-less operated manual; it's the future, like it or not. A DCT is more compact, lighter, more fuel efficient, and offers even more stellar performance than a conventional manual transmission.</p> Adding a DCT to the MINI lineup wouldn’t be for the sole purpose of appeasing those who want more control with the convenience of a clutch-less operated manual; it’s the future, like it or not. A DCT is more compact, lighter, more fuel efficient, and offers even more stellar performance than a conventional manual transmission.

]]> By: MeanMrMstrd http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/02/19/motortrend-reviews-the-08-clubman/comment-page-1/#comment-208409 MeanMrMstrd Wed, 20 Feb 2008 01:41:44 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/02/19/motortrend-reviews-the-08-clubman/#comment-208409 <p>Right on C4!</p> Right on C4!

]]> By: nuvolari http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/02/19/motortrend-reviews-the-08-clubman/comment-page-1/#comment-208406 nuvolari Wed, 20 Feb 2008 01:27:59 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/02/19/motortrend-reviews-the-08-clubman/#comment-208406 <blockquote>...for those that want to take an auto Cooper/Clubman/S to the track for a pounding</blockquote> <p>Not sure that market segment is large enough to merit the investment...</p> …for those that want to take an auto Cooper/Clubman/S to the track for a pounding

Not sure that market segment is large enough to merit the investment…

]]> By: Chris B. http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/02/19/motortrend-reviews-the-08-clubman/comment-page-1/#comment-208399 Chris B. Wed, 20 Feb 2008 00:42:43 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/02/19/motortrend-reviews-the-08-clubman/#comment-208399 <p>Thanks Gabe. Seems like MINI could definitely use a dual-clutch box in the future for those that want to take an auto Cooper/Clubman/S to the track for a pounding.</p> Thanks Gabe. Seems like MINI could definitely use a dual-clutch box in the future for those that want to take an auto Cooper/Clubman/S to the track for a pounding.

]]> By: Gabe http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/02/19/motortrend-reviews-the-08-clubman/comment-page-1/#comment-208384 Gabe Tue, 19 Feb 2008 22:30:13 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/02/19/motortrend-reviews-the-08-clubman/#comment-208384 <blockquote> <p>Would you agree with this journalists opinion on the 6spd Agitronic auto? I know you drove a Clubman S in your review that was equipped with the said transmission, but you didn’t get into too great of detail.</p> </blockquote> <p>I get into more detail on the auto in some previous reviews - including one <a href="http://www.motoringfile.com/2007/02/04/r56-audio-review-gabe-drives-the-r56/" rel="nofollow">on the track</a>. You can find them under the review section on the right side of the site. Generally speaking I've been less then impressed with it. On this particular drive and in this particular car it felt pretty respectable.</p>

Would you agree with this journalists opinion on the 6spd Agitronic auto? I know you drove a Clubman S in your review that was equipped with the said transmission, but you didn’t get into too great of detail.

I get into more detail on the auto in some previous reviews – including one on the track. You can find them under the review section on the right side of the site. Generally speaking I’ve been less then impressed with it. On this particular drive and in this particular car it felt pretty respectable.

]]> By: Chris B. http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/02/19/motortrend-reviews-the-08-clubman/comment-page-1/#comment-208379 Chris B. Tue, 19 Feb 2008 22:06:40 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/02/19/motortrend-reviews-the-08-clubman/#comment-208379 <p>Gabe,</p> <p>Would you agree with this journalists opinion on the 6spd Agitronic auto? I know you drove a Clubman S in your review that was equipped with the said transmission, but you didn't get into too great of detail.</p> Gabe,

Would you agree with this journalists opinion on the 6spd Agitronic auto? I know you drove a Clubman S in your review that was equipped with the said transmission, but you didn’t get into too great of detail.

]]> By: bdr127 http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/02/19/motortrend-reviews-the-08-clubman/comment-page-1/#comment-208378 bdr127 Tue, 19 Feb 2008 22:00:33 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/02/19/motortrend-reviews-the-08-clubman/#comment-208378 <blockquote><em>Bilbo Baggins said</em>:I see that Motortrend has the Clubman listed as a 5 passanger. Guess they can’t count seatbelts.</blockquote> <p>The European version is 5 passenger.... They're probably just confusing the two models.</p> Bilbo Baggins said:I see that Motortrend has the Clubman listed as a 5 passanger. Guess they can’t count seatbelts.

The European version is 5 passenger…. They’re probably just confusing the two models.

]]> By: c4 http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/02/19/motortrend-reviews-the-08-clubman/comment-page-1/#comment-208376 c4 Tue, 19 Feb 2008 21:53:12 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/02/19/motortrend-reviews-the-08-clubman/#comment-208376 <p>Gabe, you got that right. You are not an auto journalist by trade (or training) but you are a heck lot better than some of those clowns that can't even get the basics nailed down in their articles (Like the 5-seater Clubman).</p> <p>But if BMW gives me free food and travel on their dime, you bet I will be there.</p> Gabe, you got that right. You are not an auto journalist by trade (or training) but you are a heck lot better than some of those clowns that can’t even get the basics nailed down in their articles (Like the 5-seater Clubman).

But if BMW gives me free food and travel on their dime, you bet I will be there.

]]> By: Gabe http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/02/19/motortrend-reviews-the-08-clubman/comment-page-1/#comment-208367 Gabe Tue, 19 Feb 2008 21:09:10 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/02/19/motortrend-reviews-the-08-clubman/#comment-208367 <blockquote> <p>Hey, Gabe, were you trading swordstrokes with this hobbit on your test run? Kinda goofy, if you ask me. Positive and loopy at the same time - if his editors bought this, I want his job.</p> </blockquote> <p>I didn't see or talk to anyone from R&T but I can tell you the majority or auto journalists at events like this are a sorry lot. So many of them are just there for the free food and travel that it's almost comical. They could care less about the review or cars in general. As long as the eventual piece is short on specifics and verbose enough to make them feel superior to the normal reader, they consider it job done.</p> <p>That said there were a few at the event that I truly enjoyed spending time with and are excellent at what they do.</p> <p>In some ways I feel bad for BMW to have to put up with it all. If they don't invite these guys they could conceivable get bad press yet they know their nothing but dead weight. I could give you some specific examples but I think I'd be breaking some unwritten automotive journalistic code.</p> <p>Hmmm... now I think of it, I'm not sure if I have to follow said code if I'm not technically a journalist...</p>

Hey, Gabe, were you trading swordstrokes with this hobbit on your test run? Kinda goofy, if you ask me. Positive and loopy at the same time – if his editors bought this, I want his job.

I didn’t see or talk to anyone from R&T but I can tell you the majority or auto journalists at events like this are a sorry lot. So many of them are just there for the free food and travel that it’s almost comical. They could care less about the review or cars in general. As long as the eventual piece is short on specifics and verbose enough to make them feel superior to the normal reader, they consider it job done.

That said there were a few at the event that I truly enjoyed spending time with and are excellent at what they do.

In some ways I feel bad for BMW to have to put up with it all. If they don’t invite these guys they could conceivable get bad press yet they know their nothing but dead weight. I could give you some specific examples but I think I’d be breaking some unwritten automotive journalistic code.

Hmmm… now I think of it, I’m not sure if I have to follow said code if I’m not technically a journalist…

]]> By: Vanwall http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/02/19/motortrend-reviews-the-08-clubman/comment-page-1/#comment-208360 Vanwall Tue, 19 Feb 2008 20:15:02 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/02/19/motortrend-reviews-the-08-clubman/#comment-208360 <p>Hey, Gabe, were you trading swordstrokes with this hobbit on your test run? Kinda goofy, if you ask me. Positive and loopy at the same time - if his editors bought this, I want his job.</p> Hey, Gabe, were you trading swordstrokes with this hobbit on your test run? Kinda goofy, if you ask me. Positive and loopy at the same time – if his editors bought this, I want his job.

]]> By: c4 http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/02/19/motortrend-reviews-the-08-clubman/comment-page-1/#comment-208349 c4 Tue, 19 Feb 2008 19:00:30 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/02/19/motortrend-reviews-the-08-clubman/#comment-208349 <p>The cold start article was taken down earlier today. According to Gabe it will re-appear tomorrow. It was originally scheduled to go online tomorrow, not today.</p> The cold start article was taken down earlier today. According to Gabe it will re-appear tomorrow. It was originally scheduled to go online tomorrow, not today.

]]> By: Rocketboy_X http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/02/19/motortrend-reviews-the-08-clubman/comment-page-1/#comment-208335 Rocketboy_X Tue, 19 Feb 2008 18:03:04 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/02/19/motortrend-reviews-the-08-clubman/#comment-208335 <p>I'm sick and tired of this 'new journalism' that feels the need to interject life stories or random references.</p> <p>As a side note, where's the cold start article? It's in my RSS feed, but it's not on the site...</p> I’m sick and tired of this ‘new journalism’ that feels the need to interject life stories or random references.

As a side note, where’s the cold start article? It’s in my RSS feed, but it’s not on the site…

]]> By: David S. http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/02/19/motortrend-reviews-the-08-clubman/comment-page-1/#comment-208329 David S. Tue, 19 Feb 2008 17:47:37 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/02/19/motortrend-reviews-the-08-clubman/#comment-208329 <p>MMM, I don't buy your argument. Show me a human being who harbors no disdain or prejudice, and I'll show you a lobotomy patient.</p> <p>Critics and reviewers of all stripes should be allowed their prejudices, so long as they spell them out to their fair readers before they face them. In fact some of the best reviews I've ever read have come from people who were forced to face down their own dislikes.</p> MMM, I don’t buy your argument. Show me a human being who harbors no disdain or prejudice, and I’ll show you a lobotomy patient.

Critics and reviewers of all stripes should be allowed their prejudices, so long as they spell them out to their fair readers before they face them. In fact some of the best reviews I’ve ever read have come from people who were forced to face down their own dislikes.

]]> By: TheBigNewt http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/02/19/motortrend-reviews-the-08-clubman/comment-page-1/#comment-208324 TheBigNewt Tue, 19 Feb 2008 17:23:54 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/02/19/motortrend-reviews-the-08-clubman/#comment-208324 <p>Dude, just tell us about driving the car. The ride, the noises, the steering, body roll, the stereo. If I want to read Lord of the Rings I have a copy, OK?</p> Dude, just tell us about driving the car. The ride, the noises, the steering, body roll, the stereo. If I want to read Lord of the Rings I have a copy, OK?

]]> By: MeanMrMstrd http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/02/19/motortrend-reviews-the-08-clubman/comment-page-1/#comment-208321 MeanMrMstrd Tue, 19 Feb 2008 17:03:12 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/02/19/motortrend-reviews-the-08-clubman/#comment-208321 <p>Here's an odd thing, unless you click on the link in DB's article I couldn't find Mr Loh's review, if I just go to MT? I must be missing it somewhere? I clicked on Road Tests, MINI, Wagons nada?</p> Here’s an odd thing, unless you click on the link in DB’s article I couldn’t find Mr Loh’s review, if I just go to MT? I must be missing it somewhere? I clicked on Road Tests, MINI, Wagons nada?

]]> By: MeanMrMstrd http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/02/19/motortrend-reviews-the-08-clubman/comment-page-1/#comment-208320 MeanMrMstrd Tue, 19 Feb 2008 16:52:24 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/02/19/motortrend-reviews-the-08-clubman/#comment-208320 <p>There is a intelligent review at MT by Matt Stone:</p> <p>http://tinyurl.com/3cxdru</p> <p>I found this link to sometime need a page refresh to see the proper post or just go to "Road Tests" and scroll down.</p> There is a intelligent review at MT by Matt Stone:

http://tinyurl.com/3cxdru

I found this link to sometime need a page refresh to see the proper post or just go to “Road Tests” and scroll down.

]]> By: c4 http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/02/19/motortrend-reviews-the-08-clubman/comment-page-1/#comment-208313 c4 Tue, 19 Feb 2008 15:48:37 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/02/19/motortrend-reviews-the-08-clubman/#comment-208313 <p>My guess is that some of these called "auto journalists" want to try too hard to impress us with their worn out cliches, jargon and wordy reviews.</p> My guess is that some of these called “auto journalists” want to try too hard to impress us with their worn out cliches, jargon and wordy reviews.

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