Hello all,
I have had my 2018 MINI Clubman S All4 close to a month and I have put approximately 450 miles on it. I would like to give my assessment of the car so far, both positives and negatives. This is my first non-American car in about 45 years so I’m sure some of the things that I have become used to are much different on European cars. Some of the items that I may view as negatives may be due to me being uninformed or not researching the owners manual thoroughly enough. I didn’t receive a printed version only the onboard owners manual on the center stack or what I could find online so for me it’s somewhat harder than a printed version.
Basically, I enjoy driving this car. It’s peppy and spirited and handles well. I haven’t driven it in deep snow but in an inch or two of snow the AWD is adequate. I like how the rear doors give very good access for loading and unloading. The heated seats work very well.
Now some negatives:
1-The reverse lights are terrible. This would be the first upgrade that I would like to perform however I have read about people installing LED bulbs or brighter bulbs and then receiving error messages. So I’m not sure if the reverse bulbs can be improved upon but it sure needs it.
2-Along with the poor reverse lights is the rear camera. I find it very inadequate. Before someone says that possibly the lense is dirty, I have cleaned it and it didn’t help.
3-There’s no Homelink for the garage door opener. I know that this was an option so it’s just unfortunate that my car doesn’t have it. I don’t like having to keep the remote opener on the sun visor.
4-The arrows for the heat/AC are far too small. I admit to no longer having young eyes but I have to take my eyes off of the road far too long to concentrate on those little arrows to change where the heat/AC come out.
5-The lights don’t flash nor does the horn honk when locked or unlocked via remote. This may be a setting but if it is I haven’t found it yet.
6-The heat range only goes up to 84 and only in 2 degree increments. Most of my cars for years have a range up to 90 degrees one degree at a time.
7-Lack of gauges. I’m used to readouts for everything, temperature, oil pressure, % left on oil. My Ram truck even gives transmission fluid temperature. Along those lines, I can’t even check the oil because there’s no dipstick!
8-There is no remote start. If there is I haven’t discovered how to use or activate it. It sure can help in the winter.
9-No heated steering wheel. I don’t think that it’s even offered as an option.
10-The “Foot-Wave” feature for the rear split doors takes many many tries. Maybe I just haven’t found the hang of it yet but I feel like if someone were watching me it would look like I’m trying to dance with the car.

These are not earth shattering things but some are inconvenient. I’m interested in any comments or feedback from long term MINI owners.
Thx in advance, Hank

 

Hi Hank,

That's a great looking Clubman! The colors are really good looking.

I have 2 Clubmans. I 'm an old, American muscle car guy that has owned some really "neat" cars. My 2 Mini's are the most fun cars I have ever owned.

I would suggest finding a website where you can input your VIN. Most will list the options your car had from the factory. The following is the Mini Garage, register and it will provide a list of your cars options. You can also download a PDF of your owners manual. I also use the Mini app for my 2020 Clubman with good results. https://mygarage.miniusa.com/

1. Mini has never been known for decent BU lights, My 2011 only has one, the other is a European style fog light. At least once a month someone advises me i have a burnt out BU light.
2. Before you give up on the camera make sure you have explored all options in the various onboard menus (mini does a great job hiding them).
3. If you don't have 3 buttons on the bottom of your rearview mirror, I would assume you don't have garage opening capabilities. The link I provided will confirm this.
4. Ain't no good alternative to getting old. I keep mine in auto all the time; it works well for TN. Memory and feel will work for you with time.
5. Dig into the manual; it's there. I have the alarm system, I believe that's where the noise comes from. Check the VIN.
6. This one puzzles me. I would get uncomfortable at the temps you posted. I use Auto, the car will warm up as fast as possible to the set temp.
7. Dig into the manual and menus. On my 2020 there is a temp gauge in the speedo display accessed by cycling the button on the end of the turn signal stalk. Checking oil and systems is possible electronically.
8. Not offered, but there are several remote choices offered on the app.
9. As far as I know, not offered.
10. The foot wave is a simple continuous toe in, toe out, close to the center of the car. The door will open when you REMOVE your foot.

Enjoy your Mini!
Gary

 

Thank you for your response Gary. Old muscle car guy here too. Still have a C7 coupe. I will look for a website check out the provided link. It’s a little colder here in Chicago and with varying weather conditions keeping the climate on auto doesn’t always work for me. As far as the colors when you buy used there’s only two choices on colors. Buy it as is or don’t. I liked the fact that the 2018 only had 15K miles on it so I bought it!
Hank

 

I forgot, when I bought my Clubman I tried to register at https://mygarage.miniusa.com/ and I can’t because my car is too old. It’s for 2019 or newer Mini’s.

 

Welcome and great colour choice on that Clubman!