JCW Clubman vs. Everything Else

Sections: JCW | MINI Competitors | R55 (Clubman) Dec 4th, 2008 60 Comments

Car and Driver recently did another one of their comparisons. This time they put 7 cars together to try to come up with a good dollar-to-performance figure. The MINI of choice for this particular shoot-out was one of the most expensive MINIs you can buy, the JCW Clubman.

The seats (cloth, at this price) lack support, and the view out the back is partly obscured by the French doors. The rear area seats two, and only two, in relative comfort, but not before both must insert themselves awkwardly through the half-door on the passenger side. And the radio, despite our increasing familiarity with it, continues to confound us, in both function and the odd logic behind the placement of its knobs. Unlike the charming exterior styling, the Miniâ€™s interior looks as if it is trying too hard to be different.

All stuff we know already. Even with all of this, they loved the car as you would expect. But look at the chart. Performance, steering, flexibility and fuel economy it scored higher than the rest. But it was seriously dinged for it’s high price (as tested) and, oddly enough, because there aren’t any rebates or extras.

Not a bad review of the Clubman, but they should have picked an S instead.

[ 6th Place: Dirty speed, done dirt cheap ] Caranddriver.com

Written By: DB

lavardera

I’m with Elliot. The whole notion that “this review tells Mini where they need to work on improving the car” is just rubbish. I’ve seen the same arguments trotted out ever since the R56 was intro’d, in most cases to argue how and why it should be more like the R53. Get over it already. And I don’t mean to beat on all of you – there are only 3 or 4 diehards here that won’t let it go.

I’m not saying the car does not need improvement, or that it should not be improved. But its not going to be over the issues and the items that this crew is chasing after.

Nice to hear from Ryephile here – last I read at NAM you were grafting R56 rear control arms onto your R53? You should submit a profile article about your car to MF – that would be fun to read.
Dr Obnxs

Wow! Step out to get some work done for a couple days and look what I miss!

The article wasn’t that bad. Yeah, the Mini is still unique, but there’s no arguing that the competition is getting closer to the mark.

I’ve got my 02S, and we have an 08 Clubbie. Can’t argue that the center stack is really, really poorly designed. There’s unique, and there’s screwed up. The R56/R55 falls into the latter category.

Life will go on…

Matt

Hay C4, I seems to remember some comment about taking the invictive elsewhere! ;)
JonPD

Guys just had to say one of the better debates I’ve read on Motoringfile in a long while. Great to see a lot of people participate sharing a great variety of views. Hands down one of the best aspects of the Mini community in action.
greg

Why did they use a clubbie for this comparison? And WHAT suspension lowering/upgrade included for $7100?
Dr Obnxs

Hay Mr Attention to Detail… They’re pointing out that the base price of the JCW Clubbie is $7100 above the MCS Clubbie. $23,700 for the MCS Clubbie to the JCW version at $30,800. Check MiniUSA.com for more details….

Matt
rkw

Why did they use a clubbie for this comparison?

See my earlier comment. Now that the clubbie is out, I feel it is the most appropriate MINI for most car comparisons.
Blainestang

I disagree that the Clubman was the correct car for the comparison.

Think about the people that are SPECIFICALLY cross-shopping the cars in this comparison.

I honestly don’t think that cargo-volume is a deal-breaker for the vast majority of people that are cross-shopping these cars.

I still say that they should have used a Cooper S hardtop like they have in the past.

The Cooper S would have similar performance… less power, but less weight, but cost $23k instead. That would put it right in the mix as far as cost.

The Clubman already got 1′s and 2′s for rear seat and trunk numbers, so it can’t get much worse there, if any, and the Cooper would pick up 6-7 points in the Cost portion, and it might even pick up a point or two in the Exterior Styling, Fun to Drive, or Gotta-have-it sections.

Feel free to disagree, of course, this is just my opinion, but I think the JCW Clubman was the wrong choice for this comparo. I can’t see any way that a lightly-optioned MCS hardtop wouldn’t end up with more points.
greg

Hay is for (enviro-friendly) horses doc. Where does the “suspension upgrade” come from in the $7100? In the reviewer’s imagination. The stock suspension as pathetically inadequate on the JCW coupe is even more glaring on the clubbie. I’ve driven both and I’m embarressed for Mini.

Where do this writer’s get their info?
cm

I love the Mini S, I really do.

I have to admit though, when it came time to spend my own dollars I chose VW R32.

AWD, much more power, much nicer interior (though not as imaginitive), great performance and handling (the latter not as sharp as Mini) and much more interior space and cargo space.

Bottom line is as hard as it is to comprehend a $33k hotted up GTI, it still offers much more value than more expensive comparably equipped Mini…

And, in it’s own way, it is special in that it limited production/sales volume.

Still love the Mini though — I prefer last gen to new gen…
greg

On paper, there are cars that are better value wise than an MCS. However, I doubt there are VW sites to check daily, or VW clubs, magazines, or 600 car five day parties at the dragon.

In short, the Mini mystique, fun factor and lifestyle can’t be replicated. Thats why I dumped a Cayman S and came back. It was awesome but no “fun”. And nobody to do cool stuff with. Porsche owners are stiffs.

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