White Roof Radio #228

Great show!

When you are discussing the pros and cons of a Cooper Clubman or a Cooper S Clubman it sounds like what you’re really looking for is the Cooper D Clubman. I know you can’t get it in the US but here in the UK if you are concerned about tax or fuel costs it’s the car to have. The Cooper D will do around 70mpg and you make a great saving on car tax..

Cooper D Clubman: Annual tax £35
Cooper/Cooper S Clubman: Annual tax £115

Todd, take it from me…. Get the Cooper S Clubman. At the end of November my wife and I had pretty much settled on ordering a Cooper Clubman automatic but the car became a hardsell at $26K (as configured) for a Car with only 118HP and sub 10 seconds 0-60 run times. Don’t get me wrong, the Cooper has many advantages namely lower price and better fuel mileage but the Cooper Clubman I do not think is the same great value as it is in the hatchback model.

In mid-December we changed the order to a similary equipped Cooper S Clubman automatic. We took delivery last Wednesday at the car is fantastic. The turbo motor really brings the car alive and the fuel mileage we are getting in the city (mind you with just 150 miles on the odo) is 28-29 MPG!! That is the same mileage we were getting in a 2002 R50 Cooper CVT (115HP) with 44K miles!

To me Todd, the Cooper S Clubman is a much better value in terms of price, performance, practicality and eventual resale value. The Cooper S will always be the car that most people want. My experience in selling the ’02 Cooper, is that it is more difficult to sell because people want the extra power of the top of the line model. The MINI buyer is not always 100% concerned about high fuel mileage.

This car gives you the best possible mix of performance and practicality. And the ‘S’is the icing on the cake.

To me the fuel mileage difference between the MC Clubman and MCS Clubman is neglible, IMHO.

I agree with Gabe that months down the road you will be wondering “what if” I had gone with the MCS?

You are a S guy and you will not be 100% happy going to a Cooper, but then again you might be.

A test drive will surely settle this conundrum for you.

Best of luck in whatever model you decide to chose!

This past weekend, I drove a Cooper Clubman. The Clubman had the Sport Suspension and 16″ wheels, whereas my R50 has the stock suspension and 15″ wheels, so the Clubman actually felt more planted, especially in hard cornering. But as pure acceleration feeling, the Clubman was about the same, which I think can be put down to the new engine and its slightly easier to use power band and the six-speed transmission.

The Cooper is definitely quick enough for a fun commuter car, which it excels at being, that still can be taken to the track, which I’ve done a few times and absolutely had a blast.

This is why, if I were to get a new MINI, I think I would actually get another Cooper, be it a coupe or Clubman. That would work best for my situation. Being a student and driving 20-25K miles a year, the savings in price, fuel and insurance will add up.

Todd, you should obviously get what you and your wife want, but if you were to get a Cooper, I do think that a PW/B with the black JCW aero grill and your black R105 wheels would look pretty amazing.

And sorry for the book-length post.

I just drove a Cooper Clubman for an extended period and while it’s completely adequate I think I may spring for the “S” simply because it only differs on mileage by 2-3 MPG on avg. That way I can get the awesome new 5-star 17″ wheels with the sport pkg. ; )

I still don’t know whether it will be this summer or later in the fall, though.

Todd, those 17″ wheels are pretty sweet.

Look forward to your comments on the next WRR cast.

5% of your listeners are Zune owners. LOL.