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Sections: R55 (Clubman) | Reviews | Site News May 6th, 2008 8 Comments

If you haven’t noticed we tend to review new MINIs and BMWs in two phases. The first is at the press launch where we’re invited to drive the cars on predetermined roads and in some cases tracks. While this opportunity is a great way to allow a first drive in the cars before their release, it’s often not enough time to thoroughly review it. Hence the second phase where we get a car for a week for a full test. That means we commute in it, head for the twisties in it and about anything else you can imagine to give us the best information possible for a review.

Last year’s test of the then new r56 on the Dragon was an ideal way to get to know the car and to form some long lasting opinions on it. This year we’ll be testing the Clubman MCS in slightly different circumstances. It’ll be a road trip around the midwest with two to three people with luggage and open road.

After that we’ll be getting a turn behind the wheel of the BMW 135i for an official BimmerFile test (which we’ll link to on MF of course). Our first review of the 135i centered around the manual car – the one most of us would likely be interested in. However this time we thought we’d give the auto a go. The six speed auto in the 135i (and the 335i for that matter) has quickly been called the best conventional torque converter style automatic transmission in the world. Sounds like kind of automatic that just might get a nod of approval from us then. We’ll find out.

But all you manual fans out there don’t need to worry. We’ll be getting a 135i manual sometime later in the year along with potentially a Cooper Clubman (since we’ve had numerous requests for that test as well).

Written By: Gabe

C4

We took a 600 mile roundtrip road adventure in the Clubman S this past weekend. 2 Adults + 1 toddler + luggage + stroller + toys = Incredible fun.

It is amazing the Amount of stuff you can cram inside this car. We had one piece of luggage (Midsize) and a Combi EX stroller, both of which fit in the back of the car without having to fold down neither of the rear back seats. The “secret” storage compartment underneath the main cargo floor proved to be equally practical as well to stash bags and other items, that otherwise, would be flying around inside the cabin of a regular hardtop MINI. Since the Clubman S has no spare tire, you can even tap into that area for further storage as well. The storage pockets inside the plastic trim of each rear barn door proved equally practical to place smaller items.

But I think the biggest highlight of driving the Clubman S up and down the Florida Turnpike is how incredibly smooth, powerful, fast and well planted this car feels at highway speeds. The steering feedback is fantastic. The car feels like it is riding on rails like the finest German metal. Clearly, the Clubman S is a car that was built for speed, superb stability and comfort for the highway.

The effortless power delivery of the turbocharged Prince engine is simply put quite amazing. The car accelerates with plenty of power on tap virtually from anywhere within the RPM powerband. But quite a revelation is how well mated is the AISIN 6-speed transmission to this engine. Gone are the dreaded tendency of hunt for the right shift, or worse yet, to abruptly downshift if more power is suddenly demanded from the engine. This transmission has to have the best programming of any automatic I have driven in recent memory. It provides a substantial amount of engine braking power as you come to a complete stop and the computer rev matches as it downshifts (This is even more noticeable with the Sport Button turned on). The AISIN does not shift into neutral and allow the car to coast down to a halt like most slushboxes do. I did not play with the steering wheel paddles that much, but in the little time I fiddled with them I found the up and down shift action to be fairly quick and precise. No, it is not in DSG territory but for a 6-speed slushbox with torque converter, is not bad at all.

Fuel economy you may ask? I managed to get 520 miles out of one full tank of gas. That works out to roughly 39 MPG on a Clubman S! The car was driven mostly between 70-75 MPH with the cruise control on. Speaking of the cruise control, MINI deserves another kudo for the much improved cruise control system in the second gen MINI. the new system is much more precise and responsive than the cruise control found in the R53, hands down.

Overall, the car was extremely comfortable and a blast to drive with a full load. This car is blazing fast and I can’t even begin to imagine the power delivery afforded by the factory JCW Clubman. In terms of handling, we took a fairly banked highway exit ramp in Orlando at mile marker 259 from the Turnpike onto I-4 going west. That exit is a clover leaf and a long, very tight curved ramp (Almost a 90 degree sweeper). I was doing probably between 50-60 and the car handled beautifully! It was fun to feel that many G’s build up inside the “Family truckster” like a sports car. Neither the tires or the suspension gave up the ghost. If you opt for the sports plus suspension you should be in for a treat. But the standard setup is no slouch at all.
Pipe

Gabe – what’s “two three people”? :)

midwest with two three people with luggage and open road.
jsc

Are you going to test the JCW Factory car with or without a suspension?
http://www.smartboxusa.com/chicago GSKChicago

Gabe…. When I take delivery of my manual 135i (hopefully by the end of this month), if you want to “borrow” for a test, etc, I’d be happy to make arrangements to let you take her out for a few days, etc. It’s got Nav, upgraded sound system, premium, sport and conv packages. So you would be able to speak to virtually all aspects available on the car.

Let me know.
RamÃ³n

I have a few questions:

I live in San Francisco, and I don’t know if the readers who visit this site are aware, but our local MINI dealer doesn’t receive high marks for people skills. I’m chomping at the bit for my first MINI – a Clubman S. I configured what I think is the ideal car, and saved it in the MINI site.

So my two main questions are: I’m a Mac user and the MINI doesn’t function with Safari as a web browser. I emailed MINI’s tech support and they responded saying that they’re aware of the issue, and that they hope to correct it “Soon”. I haven’t been able to send my configuration to a MINI dealer. In the meantime, I’m open to recommendations from MINI owners who are really happy with the dealers where they bought their MINI.
http://dbmini.us DB

Hey Ramon,

Odd that you are having problems with Safari with MINIUSA.com. It works great for me. You might also try to download and install Firefox (www.mozilla.com) or Camino (http://caminobrowser.org/). Both of which also work very well with MINIUSA.com
RamÃ³n

Hi DB,

I downloaded Firefox on to a spare computer and it handles the MINI website great! I was able to save my info as a .pdf.

Thanks!
RamÃ³n

Otay; here’s the “solution” to the Safari on the MINI website usability. Before moving thru the website, if you plan to print, save as a .pdf, or send info to a dealer; disable “Block pop-up windows” in Safari’s Preferences. I know some of you will think, “DUH!”, but tech help at MINI didn’t think of it; I discovered all on my own! LOL!

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