Just got word my Clubman has been built and is on its way to the docks at Southampton. I'm already starting to track ship movements, trying to guess which boat will be bringing my baby to me. I thought I was over the tracking thing, but, alas, I feel the fever coming on.... again. Perhaps more so than last time

 

I think it's pretty darn cool that a Dodge Ram guy gets a JCW Clubman for his "Good Truck." Well played!!

 

LOL - working in the industry has some advantages I guess! I used to work for a MINI dealership up north - the only vehicle I enjoy selling is the Wrangler - it's strange how MINI customers and Jeep Wrangler customers have seemingly very similiar!

On a side note does anyone know if the piano black exterior trim is standard in the JCW signature package?

 

Interestingly, I looked at the Wrangler Sahara with the fancy Sky one-touch top. So, I think you're right. I was drawn to the uniqueness of the Jeep somewhat as I was drawn to MINI. Does seem odd that two vehicles, so very different from one another, have the same allure. In the end, MINI won for us.

Check your VIR for 3L2, which is the build code for Piano Black exterior. Might not need the code if the JCW build default includes the headlight, tail light, and grille trim in black, but, that's the code.

 

Freaky. Just earlier this week I "built my own" Sahara with the fancy top. I've had a hankering for an awesome Wrangler for many years now. But we have 4 cars already for only 2 drivers, and I've got no place to put it. So it's just a pipedream for the moment.

 

Funny you would mention the Wrangler, as my Clubby is parked nightly next to my wife's '19 Wrangler...will get pics to prove it!! She moved from a Patriot to the Wrangler this spring and it is a fun/unique vehicle. While the whole 'wave' thing never seemed to take hold with the MINI community, it is crazy alive in the Wrangler community. If I miss spotting another Wrangler when driving ours and don't wave, I get a quick smack in the arm from my wife...

 

I just got word that my JCW was finished too. I wonder if ours are on the same boat haha.

 

Mine is also on the boat as of 09/06/2019 - I think we're all in the same boat1 :-) Is anyone aware of a $2000 loyalty rebate for previous customers ordering a vehicle?

 

I just watched the Fidelio pass the Portsmouth Harbor web cam on its way to Bristol and then across the Pond to Savanah. I'm hoping my Clubman hitched a ride but as of this moment, the MINI tracker shows me at the port awaiting transit.

As for the $2,000 loyalty, where did you hear that? That would be great news for sure.

 

This will be the 15th MINI I've purchased since 2002 - Hendrick MINI in Charlotte NC has treated me exceptionally well - one of the best buying and ordering experiences I've had so far. I don't want to dump all the pringles out of the can - suffice to say I work in the industry as a new car manager at a Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram dealership. I was pleasantly surprised at the amount of discounting and aggressiveness to earn my business. If you're on the east coast, I'd encourage you to give them a try.

 

I also have received excellent consideration at my Left Coast MINI dealer -- I'm just a baby at this, my 2020 being only my 2nd MINI. But they're treating me right so far. As of my last conversation with them, other than the substantial discount from MSRP, MINI has yet to announce any factory support to customers for 2020 cars. No incentives, no loyalty. At least, not yet...

I'm hoping the $2,000 loyalty offer turns out to be real... that would make my current deal just perfect. Dare I hope????

 

Just received confirmation that our Clubman is enjoying a cruise aboard the Dionysos Leader, currently off the coast of Spain and heading directly to the Panama Canal.
Hoping for calm seas and arrival on the Left Coast (Port Hueneme, California) on September 30th.

Of course I plan to dial into the web cam to watch the ship go through the locks next week. And I think I'll construct a small voodoo shrine to conjure some October incentives.

And I'll be watching the Atlantic weather patterns for those pesky hurricanes. And I'll be recalculating my lease 27 times. Other than that, just patiently waiting.

 

Wow! And VW has scrapped the Golf Alltrack for 2020. That means that there are zero AWD wagons sold in the US with manual boxes. I'll drive my 17 Clubman for as long as it lives. Then I don't know what I will do. Probably look for something used... Boy does that suck.

 

Thinking about finally taking the plunge into the Mini pool! 2020 Clubman JCW....but want it to ride smoothly (no track time). 18" wheels and dynamic damper. Coming out of 2 BMW's.... Our dealership in downtown Chicago is closing (this week....), but I have been assured from the dealer in the suburbs they will provide pu and delivery service. That said, trying to figure out lease rates....The first quote seemed awfully high....the sticker is at 48k and the lease with 0 down is around 820 for 36 months. Can anyone who has gone this route share what they are seeing on leases?

 

Very Exciting.
The JCW version of the Clubman has a firmer and, some say, more engaging ride than the S All4. You have to drive one if you have any concerns about "smooth" ride, as these cars are different than BMWs as far as dynamics. BMWs have a "heavier" feel and are smoother, in my experience. I went with 17" rims on my current S All4 and did so again on the one I recently ordered because I found the ride quality to be better with the smaller rims.

You can calculate a lease based on the Special Offers listed for the 2019 JCW Clubman posted on the MINIUSA site. Go to SHOPPING and then Special Offers. You will find an example for a JCW Clubman with the important information fine print revealing a $40,750 MSRP and a residual value of $24,450. 24450/40750=60% residual. 2020 residual on a 30,000 mile 3 year lease will be about the same. If you go fewer miles you gain about 1% in residual.

Anyway, 60% of $48,000 would give you a residual of about $28,800.
Current best money factor on the JCW Special Offer example is about .00133 (3.19% effective interest rate).
Margin between invoice and MSRP is a bit over 7%. 7% of $48,000=$3,360, so you have a little over $3,000 of negotiating room before you're asking the dealer to sell into the 2.5% holdback.
As of today there are no incentives on 2020's, except perhaps USAA or recent college graduate money.

So, if the dealer gave you $2,500 off on a $48,000 MSRP car, and you paid up front the $925 lease fee and any other taxes and tags, depending on the taxes and fees in your state, your base lease payment would be $563 plus tax for a custom ordered, built the way you want it, $48,000, 300 HP, Clubman JCW.

 

Great info! I've driven a 2019 clubman JCW with the dynamic dampers and it felt far better than the S all4 with the standard sport suspension. Given my profile (just fun country and city driving...no track), thoughts on going S All4 and putting the JCW kit in for more HP/torque or a Dinan product? gets me faster, smoother drive, at lower cost....or go for the JCW? hmmmm

 

As you know, the 2020 JCW is a somewhat different beast than the 2019. It's lower, has some suspension enhancements, and, of course, that 300 HP, with massive torque coming on starting low in the RPM band.

I have been satisfied with the S All4 with the Dinan Sport tuner single input box -- it gives a few psi of extra boost that is easily felt and gets close to the 2019 JCW acceleration, but not quite. Plenty for me.

I have dynamic dampers and will have them again on my 2020 S All4. In Sport mode the car tightens up and the steering gets a tad heavier -- very nice. For grocery getting with the Little Missus riding shotgun, we usually enjoy the slightly more refined ride with the dampers in their softer mode. Still takes twisties and corners very nicely indeed. Brakes are more than adequate, but then I usually don't drive too aggressively. I'm old. JCW brakes are definitely stronger... and red. And the JCW makes more exhaust noise, if you like that. I don't need that anymore, nor do my neighbors, so the boring BMW stock exhaust works well for me.

I prefer the lighter colored interior, including the light headliner. JCW headliner is black.

I went for all the yuppie goodies in 2017 and did Iconic with all the toys for the 2020. Paddle shifters are a joy.

If you don't need/want the sunroof or the fancy leather or power seats, you can save some bucks. The lower level Classic trim limits color and option choices -- Iconic has it all.

I wanted it all, and have enjoyed all the toys. But then, I had become accustomed to driving fully-kitted high line performance-oriented cars.

My Clubman is one of the most satisfying cars I've ever had, and I've had some really, really, nice cars. Can't wait to wrap my hands around the JCW steering wheel on my 2020. (JCW steering wheel makes the car go much faster )

Never imagined I'd drive a MINI, until I drove the Clubman S All4, giggled and grinned, talked my wife into going for a test drive, and was delighted when she took a few quick corners, turned to me, and announced, "I think our next car is gonna be a MINI." She Who Must Be Obeyed... so we got one, and we're getting another, at her insistence.

My 2020, with everything in the Iconic package and a spare tire and wheel locks, came in at under $42K total MSRP including destination.

 

Residual is 1% higher on the S than on the JCW, I believe.

 

any idea when the US configuration tool will be up and running?

 

I received this from MINI yesterday in response to my query:

"At this time, I'm unable to provide an estimated time frame in which the Build Your Own tool will be updated on our website. I'm hoping it will be soon!
I'm not aware of any upcoming loyalty or finance offers but I'm sure the sales team at your authorized MINI dealer would be happy to share the most up-to-date loyalty and finance offers with you."

On July 25th they told me 5 - 6 weeks.

 

I found the German configuration tool closer to what we can build in the USA than the UK configurator.

 

With rear doors that open with a swift kick!

 

Gearhead, glad to know you're still... kicking I am too. Thankyouverymuch for inventing and sharing the flawless technique!

 

My new Clubman just blew past Puerto Rico at 17 knots, heading toward Colon, and then a gentle cruise through the Panama Canal by week's end.

Not that I'm stalking it or anything.

 

Stopped by my Mini dealer to do an early oil change on my new 2020 JCW HT. While there they had just received a 20 clubman S All4 in Coral Red with a black top still in shipping wrapping (hood, top). Unusual color. But I liked it. Kind of red, pink with some orange tint. Metallic flake seemed silverish to me and really made the color pop. I know someone on here is waiting for a car this color.