clubman loaner vs. mine

[larrydk]

My dealership gave me an 09 Clubman S as a loaner when they do some minor body work on my S. (There was a small scratch on the hatch they said they would repair).

The Clubman is an auto. I have to say I'm suprised how different of an auto the Clubman is and really suprised how much I don't enjoy the automatic transmission.

I've only owned 1 car with automatic trans since I stated driving 27 years ago. Normally the auto trans cars are not that much different.

Anyway, hopefully getting mine back today

[Augie05]

You should try to explain why u don't like the auto in more detail. Not very helpful otherwise IMHO.

[budoboy]

Well, I've ordered one with an auto. I've never owned a stick, probably won't know what I'm missing.

[RJKimbell]

I would love to have a Clubman S as a Loaner, just to see how differentl it is compared to my '08 MCa, which I LOVE!! Don't want a manual, traffic is horrendous on our commute.
I would also like to here your observations!!

[larrydk]

Here are my thoughts...these are just opinions...I'm not a professional driver, but I am an engineer by degree and a fireman by trade...that means I know absolutely nothing.

Anyhow.

It seems to me that approximately 11 inches more on wheel base (club vs. coupe)really does change the dynamics of the ride. It is still very fun an nimble, just not as nimble as the coupe.

The auto trans is another story, on the loaner there is a noticable hesitation from gas pedal application to movement and acceleartion. I can make the hesitation go away in the "sport" mode, but the shift points seem way off. The way this loaner drives, the club drives like a compac economy car, not a cool sporty little car.

Can't wait to get mine back, was supposed to be ready yesterday, was'nt, may have to wait til Monday. Nice of the dealership to let me keep the club over the weekend.

Have a good and safe holiday all.

[Augie05]

Good inputs, thanks!

[Minidrivr]

Originally Posted by larrydk

The auto trans is another story, on the loaner there is a noticable hesitation from gas pedal application to movement and acceleartion. I can make the hesitation go away in the "sport" mode, but the shift points seem way off. The way this loaner drives, the club drives like a compac economy car, not a cool sporty little car.

I had a 09 Cooper automatic for a loaner last month. I noticed the same thing. The hesitation was some thing that no other automatic I've driven has as bad. I have 4 other vehicles with automatics. The sport button definitely decreased the hesitation. The car wouldn't stay in 6th gear after pushing the Sport button. No idea if that was by design or error. Maybe a higher mph would let it go into 6th but not for the 70 mph I was driving.

I was pretty surprised how quick the non-turbo model is. Less low end that's for sure, but was decent once revved up a bit. 6th gear seemed to be geared just a little higher than the S model. That probably contributes to the 41 mpg I averaged while I had it. Not a big different from the 36 mpg I average with the S.

The auto trans isn't bad, just takes some time to get use to the hesitation. After a couple days the delay didn't bother me at all.

[mslatter]

I'm with you on the automatic (can't speak to the Clubman opinion,) at least with the S. I had one as a loaner, too, and I wasn't terribly happy with it. To me, it came to liking the throttle response of the Sport mode, but not the shift points. Particularly when taking your foot off the accelerator, it gave a jerky ride, trying to hold on to revs. I wish there was a way to have the throttle response of Sport, but the same shift points as non-Sport.

I suppose I'd get used to driving without Sport, too. Right now, I keep it on all the time.

The JustACooper auto (which is what I have as a loaner today) is a better match in Sport mode, though still feels sluggish in non-Sport. I'm sure I'd get used to either, though.

[tacostrk]

If you don't like the way it shifts use the paddle shifters of the shifter stalk itself. I am in no way saying the auto is better than a manual but I've driven alot worse, its a pretty fun driving tranny and the sport mode just keeps your revs in the meat of the powerband.

[mslatter]

I used the manumatic shifter for a while. The paddle shifters are better designed (pull either to downshift, push either to upshift) than the ones on my Lexus (left one upshifts, right one downshifts --- UNLESS you're turning and the wheel's upside down...)

Yeah, I said it. MINI designed a decent human interface! Rare, but true!

I preferred to shift with the shifter itself, but, man, it's uncomfortable in the hand.

[bluemeanie357]

I had a MCCa loaner (non-S) and didn't notice any issues. I think I kept it in sport mode the whole time because of the HP difference though.
I liked it. I'd never got a non-turbo personally; nothing against them for what they are, but I need that seat of your pants pull it has, for me to enjoy driving. I'd get a Clubman if I had kids.

[Minidrivr]

The 09 loaner I drove for only about 500 miles, had he same delay using the paddle shifters or when using the shifter in manual mode. When the shifter was in the manual shift mode, it was less of a delay, similar to if I had pressed the sport button.

If I was in the market for a automatic Mini, I would get it. I got use to the delay and didn't notice it too much by the time I had returned the car.

[drewstermalloy]

I test drove an automatic S, and I was thinking the same thing. The only thing I really enjoyed about it was the paddle shifters, it felt like a video game. But, like any video game, that got old after a while.

[Liquid]

My wife just picked up her 09 MCSa and I actually love the auto, seems almost more "fun" on regular driving......only when I'm taking a back road fast do I miss the stick.....

[inimini2007]

I wouldn't buy a JustaClubman in Auto form...I think it's to slow...you need manual w/ Sport Button.

[Robin Casady]

Just took my MCSm into MINI of Mountain View and got an MCa Clubman as a loaner. It is bare-bones compared to my loaded MCS.

I was looking forward to comparing the driving of a Clubman to a Coupe, an MC to an MCS, and an auto to a manual. Also interesting to see the differences between the interface on audio (base system) with USB/iPod Y cable (my HIFI is pre-USB option), standard air compared to auto air, standard fob compared to Comfort Access... How do I make this thing work? No manual in the glovebox. I had to wait until I got home to fully understand how to use the auto trans and paddles.

I miss the power of the S, and the control of the manual transmission. The MCCa was powerful enough to cope in most situations, but it took a little effort and concentration without the reserve power of the S. Going up the Hwy 17 grade across the Santa Cruz Mts. required putting it in Sport mode. Without it the trans wanted to run at 2,000 rpm at 50-60 mph up a steep grade. It just wasn't cutting it. Sport kept it about 3,000 rpm, which was sufficient to deal with traffic speed fluctuations.

After I figured out the paddle shifters and manual mode, it seems that the gearing is a little different than my manual trans. My driveway is a steep switchback that makes a 400ft altitude change. In the S, I can go up at heart-stopping speed (if you go over the edge, you might not live to tell the tale). The MCa first gear seemed to wind the engine up at slower speeds. I could be wrong, but that's the impression.

I was surprised at how much difference the extra wheelbase length makes. Ride is much smoother, but some of the fun is gone. Feels more like a grown-up's car. After more than half a century, I'm still a kid.

I miss the Comfort Access. All this fiddling with a fob on the MCCa... I'm not used to it. I just want to open the door, get in, and go, and to think I used to be OK with using a key.

I miss the auto climate control. Set it on 72F and leave it. With the manual air, I was constantly adjusting it up and down as I went through the many micro-climates of the Central Coast. Annoying when the controls require bending down to reach them.

I miss the NAV interface and the MFSW. No curise control! Where's that audio volume control? Now I know what people were complaining about.

I miss my upgraded HIFI audio. Wow, the standard audio really does suck. I'd forgotten how bad the stock speakers are. Guess I'll just listen to the runflats whine.

The USB connection worked with my iPhone 3G as others have reported. The alert comes. Not sure whether it actually charged or not. Seems like it might have, or at least kept it at the same charge level. The track name read out in the radio interface. However, with just one track name showing at a time, and no MFSW, the USB option seemed rather useless. Would have been nice to control it from the steering wheel, or navigate a list of tracks on the NAV screen.

I miss my Park Distance Control. The view out the back of the Clubman is pretty limited with the central pillar in the door and the two rear headrests.

It is interesting to get to try a MINI with different options than mine, but I'll be glad to have mine back. I was wondering if I would have been happier with a Clubman because of the extra space. I now know that I wouldn't have. Feels like I'm driving a stretch limo.

[larrydk]

I agree with your comparison, I just could'nt put it into as concise of a explaination.

[jw34]

I had a Clubman S manual for a loaner while my Justacooper auto was in for service. The ride was nice but as mentioned before felt heavier and less nimble than what I have. I thoroughly enjoyed the S factor and realize that having an S with a Sport button could be dangerous for me! The manual was well, a manual. After shifting cars for 40 some years I don't need to do it all the time and have another vehicle to shift if I want.
All the comments about using an auto with the Sport button and shift points are valid but to not put the thing in manual mode is really missing the point of what this auto can do and really not a thorough way to judge the experience IMHO.
And for any use on rolling-country-hills this auto has to be in manual mode or it wants you to be in some really (unusually) high gears that make the experience sluggish. Motoring through hills with the car in Manual/Sport and using the paddle shifters can be pretty fun.