Hello folks!!!

I was in the market for a factory JCW Hardtop... When I went to my dealer they gave me a sweet deal ($4,500 off so far, but it’s a lot more complicated than that)on a factory JCW Clubman with many similarities of my "web configuration" JCW MINI Hardtop.

Basically I have a doubt if there are any differences between the Clubman and the Hardtop (besides the obvious space, weight, weight distribution and shape).

For example... Did they do a quieter exhaust on the Clubman? Is the ECU programming not as “aggressive” due to the physical differences on the car? Is the handling compromised (I would think not since it has a longer wheel base and better weight distribution, but I’m not engineer so I might be wrong).

Any insight you guys can give me is greatly appreciated!!

 

Anyone anyone?

Any help would be greatly apreciated!!

 

As far as I know the Clubman is just a few inches longer. I don't own either however if they are offering a deal on a Clubman I would take it. I drive a 2007 Cooper S Hardtop and really wish I had that little bit more of space. They are 100% the same engine though.

 

Thanks for the info....

You think the DSC, EDLC or the "safety" or "handling" programs in the ECU make the car handle less aggressively? Is the car handling, that different?

The extra length is 9.5" or so 3" in the back seat, rest in the cargo... (I think)

 

hmmmm I dont see why they would. I would think they would want to keep that "go-kart" handling. I went and test drove a Clubman S. Honestly I could not feel one difference besides the fact that, due to the larger wheel base it was about 7-10% smoother. Other than that I felt like I was driving my own car. My friends loved the fact that they could actually sit behind me in the back seat. (I'm 6ft tall). As far as cargo its nice having one level trunk I have a 156lb Great Dane and she fits in my cooper s although I know she would like the clubman better.

 

Cool! Thanks again! I would also assume that they would want to keep the car with the same handling, aggressiveness, etc.... There sometimes are big differences between what you want and what it really is or what turns out...

The car is different and thus it should handle differently, but maybe they did such a good job that the difference is so slight that it's not noticeable...

Thanks again for the info… the car is sitting inside the showroom, so I will probably ask for a test drive, but if I do I have to be really serious about buying the car…

By the way… Great dog!! Must need an extra job to feed it….LOL

 

Same exact cars. Clubman is a drop slower. I like the Clubman but hate looking out the rear view mirror and having the barn doors obstruct the view.
I am glad I got the JCW hardtop.

 

What do you mean? You can't see out the back?

I got it right after I posted, you mean the middle post\pillars... LOL I'll look into that to see how much it bothers me!! Thanks for the heads up!

 

Seems like the only issues could be the field of vission and the car being "heavier" on the back side on turns, that could probably be fixed with a 19MM or 22MM anti-sway bar... thanks for all the imput!!

 

FOV is not an issue in the clubman, those pillars end up kind of being a non-issue once you get used to them.. The clubbie is very controlled and from my understanding, rotates better than the shorter wheel base hardtop (I've never driven a standard mini so I can't say for 100% certain, but this is what my buddy tells me who tracks both kinds of minis). I can definately enduce some lift throttle oversteer very easily in the Clubman. Also the turn-in is excellent, very "point and shoot" which is surprising to be honest.
The ECU mapping, I gaurantee you is identical and the exhuast is VERY sporty! One of the best exhausts I've heard on a 4 banger (sans the boxer 4 engine).

The clubman out of the box is already light in the back, you add a stiffer rear bar alone, you will end up with an even happier tail, which is fine if that's the way you like it. I'm only speaking of the stock handling of course.

 

Thanks, thats great info!!

 

Also, the exhaust is very different. I LOVE my new JCW clubman and the way it sounds compared to both the S clubman and the JCW Cooper I drove. Look at the back of the JCW vs the JCW Clubman and you'll see what I mean about different exhaust. It makes it a little quieter, but gives it a much deeper less "weed eater" sound.