Oh man that's pretty!!

How is it possible that I don't like most silver or white cars, but MINI's silver/white hybrid looks fantastic on everything?! It's such a good paint.

 

Yes! It has a lot of power. Feels very good - lots of personality.

 

Looks like my Clubby just hit the dealership. My MA just sent me these:

 

How are we feeling about the color?

 

We, as in my wife, loves what she's seeing in the photos. The pics were taken in the afternoon shade, so I'm not seeing the full pop of the metallic.

Have to see it in person, but, so far, feelin' pretty stoked -- I wanted something unique, and I think we've got that going on for sure. Stay tuned.

 

 

I'm digging it. I'm betting that because it's described as a red in the US it may be more bright red in bright daylight, but the indirect light pics looks awesome IMO.

Mirror caps also melting silver it looks like?

 

Thanks. We plan to visit the dealer next week to turn in our current Clubman and take possession of the new one. We will do it in full daylight. The dealer said the car is stunning, but, then, that's the dealer's job, right?

And yes, Melting Silver Roof and Mirrors -- which, so far anyway, makes this a one-off car in the USA as Melting Silver is not a USA option allowed on either the MINIUSA configurator or the dealer's build software. For which I am told, by She Who Must Be Obeyed, I must pay a little more than my usual squeeze-the-last-nickel-until-the-buffalo-screams deals. Oh well. Just so the car isn't pink.

 

Definitely not pink!

(I had a family friend back in the day that sent the patriarch of the family to buy their new minivan... Well, turns out he was un-diagnosed colorblind and was rather disappointed when his wife told him that his "steely blue-grey" van was actually periwinkle.)

I'm trying to imagine a crappy dealer phone call. "Hey, your car came in, we took the protective wrap off and WOW... that is one ugly spec you ordered, you most certainly have terrible taste!" If only.

XD

 

Reminds me of the one about the guy who visits an honest psychologist and, as the interview is drawing to a close, the guy asks, "Well, Doc, what's the diagnosis?" The psychologist replies, "To tell you the truth, you're bat-sh#* crazy." The guy responds, "Can I get a second opinion?" The psychologist says, "Sure, you're but#-ugly too."

 

Saw this color in Berlin two days ago. More red than I expected. Looked good.

 

So I've already gone through 2 tanks of gas within 500 miles - that tells you how much fun I'm having! A very tall gentleman was getting gas for his 2019 Dodge Charger Scat Pack 392 - he commented on my car and asked if I'd just gotten it. I explained I had and he proceeded to ask me about the specs, horsepower and torque. He asked if I could demonstrate on my pull out from the gas station when getting gas - so I put it in DTC traction mode, sport mode and trans in sport mode and then proceeded to rocket out of the gas station on to my route. I was very surprised to hear my REAR wheels peel a little bit of rubber getting out of the gas station. I looked in my rear mirrors and could see the very tall gentleman laughing his butt (maybe he was impressed or maybe he thought I was just an ******) either way it was fun. My poor license is going to need a break soon. I actually drove my 19 Cooper HT Manual (manic tuned) on Saturday so I could give myself a break. I LOVE this car!

 

Meanwhile I'm wearing out my F5 key waiting for your '18 to get listed. XD

Seems like Hendrick MINI values their used cars much more favorably compared to my local dealer. Must be that salt belt tax.

Good to hear that the rocketship is attracting attention from "normies."

 

Break-in period?????? Oh,well. Love is blind.

 

500 miles... he's basically clear of the rpm limitation. Besides, most physical break-in occurs in the first 50 miles.... but we won't go down that rabbit hole today. ;]

In an age where the end user cannot be trusted with a dipstick I have a hard time believing that any automotive manufacturer actually relies on the owner to complete the engine run-in process.

 

yeah im going easy on my jcw - under 4500rpm for 2000kms, its hard, i have punched it a couple times, definitely has that new car plastic smell outside from driving.

 

Waiting for the 'in the sun' pics to see what fully comes out of it! To me it is a lightly faded copper from what you can see in the pics, which looks great on the silhouette and the melting silver is a good 'cap' to the car. Still can't get into black rims, something about them always clashes with the tire's black tone...not that it looks horrible, it is not quite right...but that is just me. Nice work on getting a 1 of 1 combo.

 

I never was a big fan of black rims until I saw the 17's on the 2017 Clubman, and then, for whatever reasons, the look resonated with us. Enough so that we ordered the exact same rims again this time around. Certainly no brake dust issues, which was a constant weekly issue on previous cars. I just laid a little wax on the black rims and they sparkle and pop after a quick rinse and wipedown.

I'm sitting in the waiting room at the local BMW/MINI dealer in Long Beach waiting while they do the final scheduled service and change out the Vogues to get ready for lease-end final inspection (I won't get Vogues again because they became so loud after about 12,000 miles, though still lots of good tread at 19,000). The service rep really is encouraging me to try the run flats for awhile on my new MINI -- he claims they have improved.

They have a 2020 JCW in Rebel Green as a demo here. I stood behind it as they fired it up. Sounded good, and more muted than I would have thought. Just a nice mellow burble. Don't want to drive it. Fear they'll find me next week living behind a dumpster shooting smack. Try it once and you're hooked. I'll just stick to my new car smell addiction for now, and the S with a Dinan. Man's gotta know his limitations!!

 

I have now driven both a 2020 clubman jcw with 19” wheels and a 2020 clubman s all4 with 17” wheels. Felt the jcw was fast, but a bit harsh for city roads. Felt the S all4 was smooth on the potholes and bumps, but slow. So, this is like the three bears...trying to figure out just right. My sense is the s all4 suspension is fine...is it the same sport suspension that is in the JCW? My guess is my two options are:

1. JCW with 18” wheels...no dynamic dampers (I’m told those make the ride even harsher)

or

2. S all4 with 17” or 18” wheels and add a dinan elite to get a bit more oomph to the experience.

My sense is while option 2 is less expensive and faster delivery, option 1 will be more fun and less risk with after market pieces. Have to make a decision soon as the lease on my present car is coming up. Thoughts and insight would be great. Particularly on the jcw suspension w 18” wheels...that is he one combination I haven’t been able to drive, but guessing it is the right one...

 

DISCLAIMER: I went with the S All4 in 2016 and again with the 2020.

I really like the dynamic dampers without the sport suspension. That's how the S All4 Iconic comes and it strikes, IMHO, the best balance -- smooth in normal, and tight enough without being harsh when the dampers are in sport mode. Good suspension all the way around, but if I did track days, I'd prefer the JCW set up.

I found the ride dynamics with 17" rims to be optimal but, many would argue, not as pretty a look. I just feel better having a bit more sidewall and I think the car does nicely with 225/45/17. We've taken several long road trips and the comfort was a plus for us. The JCW would have been more fatiguing at this point in our lives.

I've had the $250 Dinan Sport for 3 years without a glitch or issue with the dealers who have serviced the car. The 3psi extra boost in Dinan Sport+ mode provides nice kick without knock or driveability issues. Supposedly the Elite delivers the boost more smoothly, though the main reason folks pay extra for the Elite is to buy the added warranty protection. Either way, no doubt, 3psi helps, though it ain't a 300hp JCW.

Finally, it depends on the look one is after. I prefer what, to my eye, are the more sophisticated looks possible with the Iconic S. Many prefer the more aggressive look of the JCW front, rear, plus the JCW interior seating options and black headliner. I'm more of a Bauhaus kind of guy so the lighter headliner and the lighter lower dash and the Iconic leather seating option with matching side door panels appeals to my sensibilities more than the JCW interior look.

These are very well-sorted little cars -- all of um. Depends where you are on the bell shaped curve of life. I'm on the downslope, having had my jollies with performance cars and lux sedans and fancy Range Rovers and American sport trucks with growling exhausts and squealing, fishtailing rear ends.

Now we go for coffee and groceries and over to the boat in our Clubman S All4 and watch everyone check out our car. Picking up our new Clubby S with 17" rims on Monday. Can't wait.

 

And thus a new door is opened:

 

Love the white seats!