Comments on: MF Full Review: MINI Clubman Cooper S

By: Doug

Doug — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 18:20:51 +0000

Great writing Gabe.

By: Ken E.

Ken E. — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 18:10:16 +0000

One thing that was changed on the car that I do not like, the controls, the new switches are of a poor design when compared to the originals.

Also, I am not liking the climate controls. I didn't like them when I first tried them and after owning the car, I still think they are well, sucky. If it aint broke don't f@*^ it up!

By: Chris

Chris — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 00:23:22 +0000

Gabe here is a video link to your demo being driven by cars.com

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3RlYUnUFqI

By: ontheroadagain

ontheroadagain — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 17:55:14 +0000

“Another issue I found with this example was a very obvious squeak coming from the â€œClub doorâ€ on the right side.” May I ask are you talking about that high pitched whining sound while driving (which I hear all the time IF I have the club door side’s window even cracked open? If so, I’d like to know what is causing it. Or did you mean upon opening and closing the club door?

By: Scott

Scott — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 15:57:24 +0000

Sorry Charlie, IMHO, Conveninece Access is the greatest optional feature offered on the R55/R56 models. Imagine NOT having to use keys to unlock/start a car.
Wanting to use car keys is so 1980's. If you have Convenience Access, you may: 1) Leave the keys in your pocket. 2) Put your keys on a carabiner and hook it to your belt loop.
3) Your car knows you're legit and will let you unlock/drive away. What else could a guy want.

By: BobS

BobS — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 20:15:17 +0000

I recently had a '08 Cooper automatic as a loaner and found it quite useable, even for sporting driving. Move the trans into the M/S (manual/sport) position and you have full control over which gear you are in. Then use the gear shift lever or the paddles to change gears. No, it's not as good as a manual and is more difficult to match revs but it is a serviceable option for those who just cannot/will not use a manual. And yes, the Cooper with automatic is not a stoplight terror; it does require some planning to pass other cars and set up for accelerating out of turns or up hills. I also found the '08 to be more neutrally balanced than my '06 R53 in stock form. The R53 had unnerving understeer until I added a bigger rear bar.

Finally, with the R56 it is easy to hear the engine "thrashing" sounds. After nearly 40 years of driving Alfas, classic Minis, Cortinas, Lotuses, and Hondas, I can easily tell by the sounds of the engine how fast it is turning and how hard it is working. That makes shift points and down shift rev matching a piece of cake. My R53 has a CAI, pulley, and JCW exhaust that makes it hard to know what the engine is doing. The S/C whine drowns out all other engine noise and its pitch is not proportional to engine speed.

By: Robert

Robert — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 17:16:30 +0000

I am also glad to see the review here...

Since you had the car for a week and we all are curious about the largesse or lack therein of the new Clubman...

Would it be too much to ask for some photos of actual people and stuff in this car you drove around for a week? Every site under the sun has the promo/beauty shots of the car solo in modeling pose. It'd be tremendously useful to see stuff in the car!

By: GregW

GregW — Sat, 31 May 2008 22:24:22 +0000

The rear seats in a BMW 1 series offer less room than the Clubman, and the four door 1 series rear door access is not user friendly to elderly people. The new X6 will have a label above the rear doors with a warning “When entering – mind your head”. This model is strictly a four seater which seems to be generic to BMW models these days.

By: GregW

GregW — Sat, 31 May 2008 22:17:33 +0000

BMW have re-engineered the word “Mini” to mean a car that is a medium sized model. The only place MINI looks small is in the USA. I worry that future models will keep growing and growing just like the BMW 3 series which got so big they had to make a smaller 1 series. MINI is BMWs way around their philosophy of “a BMW will always be rear wheel drive”. For better or worse, let’s face it, MINI is a small BMW with front wheel drive, in a different body form even down to the convenience key.

By: Drill

Drill — Sat, 31 May 2008 15:46:48 +0000

And to add to Ken E.’s comment, once you use the “hidden” key to unlock the door, I think you can still insert the fob and start the car as if you didn’t have CA.

By: Ken E.

Ken E. — Sat, 31 May 2008 15:26:57 +0000

Great review Gabe. Like vin., Iâ€™d also like to hear your impressions of the added space the Clubman provides over the Coupe when a baby/child enters into the equation. Thanks. I didnâ€™t try a baby seat but thereâ€™s little question that the Clubman could handle a one much better than the standard two-door let alone a MINI Coupe.

I too own a clubman and an "03" MCS, younger passengers will find more leg room in a Clubman. Good fit for a small family.

PhilG May 30th, 2008 Link I wanted to point out that the convenience package is more than the keyless entry. It also includes the multifunction steering wheel, bluetooth/ipod, auto dimming rearview mirror, rain sensing wiper and the garage door opener. For me, I want enough of that stuff that I am happy to put up with the keyless entry, although it does make me nervous: my sister-in-law has that on her car, and has gotten stuck places when the batteries in the fob have died.
I am learning to like the entry portion of the convenience package. We opted out of the mirror stuff. No need. Let us not forget that all BMW keys have a brass back-up integrated into the fab. You lock the car by pressing the little button. The same one that lets you in. So get the convenience entry and live a fuller richer life for it.

By: PhilG

PhilG — Sat, 31 May 2008 02:14:05 +0000

I wanted to point out that the convenience package is more than the keyless entry. It also includes the multifunction steering wheel, bluetooth/ipod, auto dimming rearview mirror, rain sensing wiper and the garage door opener.

For me, I want enough of that stuff that I am happy to put up with the keyless entry, although it does make me nervous: my sister-in-law has that on her car, and has gotten stuck places when the batteries in the fob have died.

By: nuvolari

nuvolari — Fri, 30 May 2008 20:12:11 +0000

Drill: Iâ€™ve only had one test drive in a Clubman S but found it to be very well built with a much more compliant ride than my R53 and altogether an uninspiring drive. Can there really be THAT much difference between generations?

Yes.

By: Mowse

Mowse — Fri, 30 May 2008 18:08:16 +0000

I glad MF did a Clubman review. The other 50 reviews posted just didn’t sate my thirst for information on this really cool car.

By: Jon

Jon — Fri, 30 May 2008 18:00:24 +0000

Came out of a spirited drive in a 135i and wanted to check out the rear seats, still have a large lump on the top of my head from the car. I have a lot more head room in the Clubman. The trunk is nice, but then again its not like I use my Mini as a hauling tailer so a large trunk is something that just adds weight in my world (like rear seats heh)

By: Holly Aldis

Holly Aldis — Fri, 30 May 2008 17:59:48 +0000

The Clubman does open up a new market. I was on the wait list for 2 years for the car. After I got it I knew right away I wanted a Mini Cabrio, too. So I have my BMW 330 convertible up for sale to hopefully get the 2009 Cabrio. The BMW only has 5,750 miles on it, so you know I had to really love the Clubman performance to give up my garage queen.

By: Drill

Drill — Fri, 30 May 2008 17:54:29 +0000

Yup, been in the back of both and while the Clubman wins in that regard it looses as soon as you pop the trunk on the 1er. Oh, and I’m only 5’6″ so I’ve done MY part for passenger convenience, lol.

By: Jon

Jon — Fri, 30 May 2008 17:50:00 +0000

Drill not sure if you have experienced the back seat of the 135i, have to say personally if I were in the backseat I would take a Clubman over a 135i any day. Took a 135i for a test drive, awsome car from the drivers seat, although the car needs a serious diet. The club door on the Clubman really transforms the usability of the rear seats to my 6′ frame.

By: Drill

Drill — Fri, 30 May 2008 17:32:39 +0000

gokartride just reminded me of something I noticed with the Clubman… the split doors helps eliminate an issue I have with my R53 where stuff in the back leans against the hatch and you have to open it slowly and stick your arm underneath to prevent everything from falling out, lol. With the split doors you just have to be sure to load the tall/wobbly stuff on the left side.

By: Drill

Drill — Fri, 30 May 2008 17:28:56 +0000

My problem is that I get to the point where I say to myself, “Self, that Clubman S sure would be a great car for our growing family…” and then I see a 135 go down the road and it’s back to square 1, lol. :-) I’ve only had one test drive in a Clubman S but found it to be very well built with a much more compliant ride than my R53 and altogether an uninspiring drive. Can there really be THAT much difference between generations?