MINI Clubman Q&A (Part 1)

Based on the reader comments from our recent Clubman review, it looks as if quite a few of you have questions. Lots of questions. And since we’ve driven the Clubman extensively range and learned just about everything there is to know about the car from the recent MINI press event, we’re here to answer them. We’ll start by answering a few of the questions posed in the comment section of our recent review. If you have any further questions not answered here, be sure to ask them in the comment section below. We’ll plan on posting answers next week.

Q: Was the split in the window that noticeable/distracting? I’m sure that is another area of conern for many readers.

A: Honestly I completely forgot about it after ten minutes of driving.

Q: Any word if they ever plan on offering a white roof option?

A: There are no plans for a white roof. Design of the car Markus Syring mentioned that they tried a body colored Clubman but it didn’t look right – especially in lighter colors.

Q: Interesting that you did not make mention of the rear visibility with the barn doors closed. Perhaps it didn’t bother you at all. In all European reviews of the Clubman (Including those of your homologue over at MINI2, Paul Mullett) seemed to be bothered by the rear post dead smack on the center of the rear view mirror.

A: Honestly I zoned it out after a few minutes. I can’t imagine most will have an issue with it unless they’re looking for something to write about.

Q: I am also optimistic about your positive comments regarding the automatic in the Clubman S. In fact, this is the first time I read/hear you saying anything favorable about the AISIN slushbox.

A: It really wasn’t the bad experience I was expecting. It certainly wasn’t as fun as the manual but it’s a respectable transmission for those who must have it.

Q: Question: Did you get to drive cars with and without sport suspension? I’m hoping to get a bit more of an edge over the standard without the good but expensive for my budget JCW suspension. I’ll never track the car, but do enjoy “spirited” back road runs….

A: Unfortunately they didn’t have any S’s there without the sport package so I wasn’t able to drive the two back to back. However based on my previous experience I’d highly recommend the sport suspension.

Q: Great review. Do you know the timeline for Aero kit and stage 1 kit for clubman.

A: There are currently no plans for either the JCW aero-kit or dealer installed engine kit for the Clubman.

Q: Was prepared to hate it. Saw it, liked it. Was even surprised. Not for me but for alot of people it’s perefect.

A: I think a lot of people who didn’t like the car in pictures will have this reaction in person.

Q: I had just finished listening to White Roof Radio’s take on the Clubman MCS Auto (quite negative on the auto transmission), so it was great to find your review here – because it confirmed my own! What a difference a point of view makes, eh? Nice write up and interesting bit of behind the scenes

A: Yeah those White Roof Radio guys are almost always wrong… :)

Q: The Whiteroofradio guys are stick shift snobs ;-)

A: I prefer the term enlightened.

Q: About that roof – in case anyone’s interested apparently the new roof rack does not have to be drilled in (no more plugs) but clips in…and is removable (according to the website, though one of the MAs at my dealership said they were not easy to remove??) perhaps that’s part of the reasoning for the roof line?

A: This is identical to the way the R56′s roof rack works.

Q: I cannot help but notice that the overall “tone” of the article isn’t nearly as excited as you were with the 135i. With the price of a very loaded JCW MCS hitting the 40 mark, it is going to be tough not to do the BMW.

A: I can’t lie. My experience in the 135i was a bit more profound. Likewise I’d expect a test drive in the new JCW factory car would be the similiar.