Still on the fence about a mini, but with a family of four, the clubman looks like my best option...please share your thoughts and or concerns...

much appreciated...

I don't have a family, but I do lug around a dog crate, real estate signs & client/friends & I couldn't be happier with my Clubbie. Everyone is amazed at the room the back seats have. My last car was a Jag XJR & i've never looked back. Good luck

Check out the Countryman as it offers significantly more room in the back.

I just got a Clubbie and the third door is a huge advantage with a todder and a car seat. If you have two car seats I would think the Countryman with 4 doors has a big advantage. With no car seats in the back space is surprisingly adequate.

Any problems with the clubman? After reading some of the threads on here, I am hesitant to buy anything!!

stay away from first generation anything since they are not reliable. especially if you want to tote the family around. wait a couple of years

I brought my Clubman in 2009, I traded in a 2006 _Honda Civic Hybrid.
The MINI Clubman S was my choice.
I have not ran into any problems with room, I had to once put 2 carseats in the back and they will fit, as least the ones that I put in there.
I say get the family and go drive them and then make your decision.
Just food for thought, I was able to purchase the Service Department loaner with all of the bells and whistles. It had 7,200 miles when I brought it. I got $7,200 off of the list price!!!
This at a time when they were not dealing on the Club an or any MINI for that matter,
I got in writing that my warranty started at 7,200 also
eek2:
This is just food for thought

I just cracked 1,000 miles on mine and waiting for 1,200 so I can push the Sport button. But so far really loving the car (this after driving SUVs for 5 years).

I have almost 3000 on my 2011 clubbie with only one minor issue so far that was repaired under warranty with no further issues. I have had it since the end of June.

My girlfriend's 2011 Countryman All4 has performed flawlessly in the 7000+ miles she's had it. She has two kids, 13 and 11, and they love it and have plenty of room. The Clubman is a good choice, too.

If you're worried by the problem threads, please do be sure to read the "I love my MINI more than my life" types of threads. Sure, some fall apart, and some have minor issues, but some are solid as rocks.

Good luck!

I have a 2011 Clubman with approx 8500 miles and no problems. As for two children, it would depend on ages. The third door is great for kids who can get into the car by themselves ie 3 up. It is roomie enough but having to bend in to put two infants in child seats would be a pain. IF one child and one infant then it would be OK. Currently my two grandsons, ie 5 and 8 have plenty of room in the back seat and like the car. One has the child booster and the other is tall enough to just set in the seat. There is enough room for two booster for sure. Not sure about two child seats, but one infant and booster would work.

I have the standard mini clubman with auto and have average 35 mpg so far on regular gas. I have the comfort access which is great as is the upgraded radio and integrated phone/IPOD. But for an old guy like me the panoramic sunroof sucks, way to hot in the summer time here in Illinois.

I had a clubbie S loaner for a few days, it was a blast. Lots of room and handled nearly as well as a hatch.

Thank you all for your input...now I just have to convince the missus...

I own a 2011 Countryman S ALL4 and drove a 2011 Clubbie S as a loaner for three days this week, so I feel really keyed into the differences. The Countryman, btw, was in for a faulty brake fluid sensor that was replaced quickly.

The Clubman has better pickup, but only slightly better. I'm not going to look up the official 0-60 times, but in terms of real-world driving, you can tell the difference, but it doesn't feel significant.

As far as rear seating, the Clubman is totally decent, but the Countryman's rear bucket seats are full-sized and comfy, and they have lots of legroom. So in terms of transporting full-sized people, it definitely wins hands-down. It also has significantly more room in the boot area when the seats are up, and a little more when the seats are down.

The R60 rides higher and gentler, and the handling is noticeably softer, but still great. In the Clubman, you're closer to the ground, and it's much more of the true MINI go-kart handling and harder ride.

I obviously think the Countryman wins out overall (particularly because of the ALL4 option), enough to justify the significant difference in price tag between it and the Clubman. But depending your needs, either could be an ideal car.