Just deciding between the two and looking at the 135lb weight difference.

Is the a significant difference or just in your head?

 

I've found that there is a significant difference in that the R55 handles noticeably better.

I know I can tell the difference between driving my R56 alone and having a passenger. I just have to give it a little more gas to get out of first. It bothers me but only because I'm used to driving it alone.

If you have an R55, you'd be used to driving it all the time with that extra 135lbs so you won't notice a difference unless you're switching back and forth between the two models.

 

Went ahead with the Clubman. I insisted on a 2012 so I could still use my flash tool and no sunroof because I needed the headroom. There were 2 in the country. Feeling ok about the end price - I got the dealer to eat flat bed shipping from Florida plus all the tax and fees. Would like to have waited until the end of year rebates but doubt that car would have made it.

 

Thats the first I've ever seen anything saying that.

Usually reviews say the R56 is a hair faster since its slightly lighter, and handling is about the same. And the R55 might be a hair more comfortable due to a hair longer wheelbase.

My thoughts are the average driver won't tell the difference except for just maybe getting it going from a stop since the R55 weighs more. But doubt the average driver can tell any difference after that.

 

Of course the R56 is faster. They handle pretty much the same but the R55 handles a little better. I was never able to figure that out until I drove the challenge course at MTTS 2012. I drove every model but the R55 I drove three times. I noticed it handling the best out of everything. I mentioned it to the dude in charge and he sad a lot of people say that and that he agreed 100%.

It was funny because there were huge lines for the coupe and countryman but they couldn't get people to drive the clubman so it was just sitting there at the starting line looking all sad like nobody wanted it :( I showed it some lovin' tho.

 

That's cause it's fugly.

 

Blasphemy!

I've driven both and i agree the R56 is quicker off the line.

I still love my Clubman.

 

Can you really say that this isn't sexy-gorgeous?

 

Whoever owns that car has a nice one. I just can't get past the station wagon look.

 

This has nothing to do with which is faster. But the times that I have had Clubmans as loaner cars I always hated looking through the club doors. I just don't like the look of em.

They probably do handle a drop better as they do have the longer wheel base.

 

I love that bagged Clubman, really beautiful project.

I got to beat up a 2010 Clubbie S for a day, it handled beautifully. It didn't feel any bigger than my R50 through the bends. The only thing i don't like about it, aesthetically, is the rear pillars being a different color than the body.

When it's all in a uniform color, or at least dark-on-dark,I like the wagon look, especially in brown with gold wheels. Can you say G-Wagon?

 

I'm not sure anyone loved the C pillars being a contrasting color. I thought they are now painting them black and body color tho.

 

Oh, that's great... I had no idea! In that case, maybe I'll get one!

 

I guess it's not standard now but it is an option with some colors:

-Pepper White
-Ice Blue
-White Silver
-BRG
-Eclipse Gray
-Midnight Black

It'd be nice to have it available for all colors.

 

Shameless plug

 

^Another really good lookin R55

The C pillar is really the only thing I don't like about them but when they're in body color like Damon's it's perfect.

 

Reminds me of conversations during the late 80’s/early 90’s regarding the relative merits of the CRX Si and the Civic Si.

 

Why, was there a wheelbase and weight difference between those too or did you not have anything useful to contribute about those either?

 

Don't be a ****.

 

Every crowd has one, guess ignitionmodule is ours

 

Easy buy one of each... I did... Twice

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mowog/7326062526/http://www.flickr.com/photos/mowog/7326062526/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/mowog/, on Flickr

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mowog/5191182467/http://www.flickr.com/photos/mowog/5191182467/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/mowog/, on Flickr

 

LOL. Seriously. The CRX Si/Civic Si comparo is an interesting one and not totally irrelevant. If I'd known about this when I was shopping, I might have given the Clubman a closer look!

 

I'd say for everyday driving and utility, go with the Clubman if you can get used to the rear split window. As much as I love my hardtop, I do wish I had the Clubbie. We are a 1 car household and it would give the wife fewer reasons to try and get me to sell it!

 

Afraid that's in my nature. I'll sling it back when it comes my way.

This Cooper is an upgrade from a 2010 convertible S which I was very happy with, just wanted a little more room, a little more go, and did not need two convertibles in the garage. Interior details are excrutiatingly critical to me because Minis are actually one of the few cars I can sit straight up in (provided there is no sunroof). I'd prefer a 911 but you can't order one in the US without a sunroof. For me it's the difference between a practical car and not really being able to sit in it. So, when I'm dropping $40k on a Mini, it's a relatively serious question because I can't fit in the usual midlife crisis cars like Corvettes, Z's and Porsches.

I insisted on a 2012 so I could transfer over my intercooler and ecu flash tool. The dealer found one of the last 2 in the US in Tampa and I get it on Monday. I decided the extra space outweighed the little extra weight and I could make up the difference plus some with the parts off my S.

 

The 991 Carrera comes standard w/o a sunroof. If you want one, you can get it for $1,490, or a glass one for $1,990. And the list of standard features mentions nothing about a sunroof. If you spoke to a salesperson, it appears that he was misinformed or maybe thought you were asking if they had one on the lot w/o a sunroof.

Coming from a Cayman S, which has a similar level of practicality to the Carrera in terms of carrying "stuff", I can say that it has an impressive amount of headroom but nowhere near as practical as a Clubman.