New guy here with a few question.First I want to apologise for not searching better, but I'm leaving soon to go get one and I'm a little excited!
OK I can get a good deal on an 09 Clubman S demo with 6000 miles on it ,but it's a auto. Any issues with the auto? Now if I don't get that one I'd be looking at a Clubman Works, are the any mods to the motor on that model or are the HP gains all from tuning?
Thanks I'll post up tomorrow what I get!

 

JC Works has a different turbo along with some other hardware and tuning.

The Auto is a great transmission - I got one in my '09 Clubman S and I don't miss the stick at all, and I do use the paddle shifters a lot. If I were getting Justa Clubman I'd probably want the stick, but for an S with the extra HP - the auto works well

 

Thanks then I probably go with the demo and if this car is anything like my GTO I will probably buy a bigger Turbo before I get it home!

 

Not to be a downer here, but know what your getting into. These are very finnicky, quirky, unreliable cars. Consumer Reports will detail all of the problems if you pull their annual car guide. I say all that and I just bought my second MINI ( ). No, I was not on my meds when I made that decision...

 

That is how I brought my MINI, it was a Service department loaner, and it had 7200 miles on it. I was able to get my warranty to start at 7200 miles (In writing) I was also able to get close to $7,200.00 off of the price.
They would like to be able to sell the car, they have to pay taxes and other fees for every month they have the car, keep that in mind.
I love the Auto, heavy traffic just leave it in drive, crank up the tunes and relax, or put it in Sport mode and use the paddle shifters, it's a win/win.
Be careful on the mod while under warranty, some might void the warranty.
Anyway check out my gallery. Good luck, and keep a level head when you purchase. Can't wait to see photos.

 

Probably!!!!!!

 

I'm hoping that mine isn't finnicky, quirky and unreliable. I probably foolishly ignored all the negative reports because I wanted one so badly. Good luck with your purchase Al!

 

Ok what are all these issues you speak of?Your starting to make me have second thoughts?

 

One bit of confusion here that I'm surprised no one has noticed. JCW is manual only... it's either not a JCW or it's not an automatic.

Or am I just very mistaken?

 

No The demo is just an S not a JCW

 

Al Bundy, is that an upgrade from the ol' Dodge? Seriously, it's more than owning a unique car. You are stepping into a whole new experience.

 

Ahh... 2 separate MINIs... gotcha.

Drive both... see which one you like better.

 

Do not be disuaded, there are many threads on here where people have driven a ton of miles with virtually no problems, myself included. We are not the minority, we are the silent majority, as Nixon said....

(Boy am I dating myself there!)

I agree, drive them both and buy the one you like....

 

Don't be disuaded at all. People don't use these forums for praise or to say, "I've had four MINI's and aside from normal maintenance they've been trouble free"...that would be me. People are more inclined to complain about squeeks, rattles, or whatever and some have legitmate complaints but so do Toyota, Lexus, Volvo, Mercedes, and every other car.

Take for instance the thread titled, "What I hate most about my MINI". It's always updated almost daily...whereas I'm more apt to visit a "What I love most about my MINI" forum. It's the glass half-full vs. half-empty thing.

Get what you love and love what you get...it's never too late for a happy childhood. If these cars were so crappy they wouldn't have the best resale value bar-none. Research it...don't take my word.

 

You will become one of us. Your screwed! Just go for it. I can't think of a car I have enjoyed more and I've had alot.

 

I don't want to start a debate, but if you're considering the auto have you at least driven the manual as well? Want to be sure you know your options before you buy...

 

DON'T get the auto....

They are too fun to drive with a manual. Plus, I don't drive anything besides manuals anymore.

I would go here.....

http://www.edmunds.com/

It is tough on a Demo car, but you could probably easily get them to take another $2K off the top. A car like that is tough to get rid of. Most of the time demo cars are the cars the managers drive on dealer plates.

Negotiate, negotiate, negotiate. That is what you do with car salespeople. Never take the 1st offer and rarely take the 2nd offer. I can't tell you how many times we have left a dealership with our final offer and they say they can't do it. An hour later, they call the cell phone and do it. Trust Me....My Wife is a car salesperson. She'll tell you all the secrets.

 

The difference is between a Factory JCW and plain JCW. You can most certainly have an auto JCW that was upgraded with a factory tuning kit. Factory JCWs are all manuals.

 

Take for instance the thread titled, "What I hate most about my MINI". It's always updated almost daily...whereas I'm more apt to visit a "What I love most about my MINI" forum. It's the glass half-full vs. half-empty thing.


It could also be looked at as, the glass is twice as big as it needs to be!!

Drive them both and see which one you (and your wallet like the most)

 

Well I got there late and could only test drive the auto and the torque steer was horrible maybe the JCW would be better? 2 I don't think my dog will fit unless I remove the rear seat, how hard is it to remove the seat? Oh and the stereo sucked ! again maybe the JCW would be better?

 

All MINIs have a torque steering issue if you give them alot of throttle off the line. In my experience, the '07+ S models have even more torque steer than the '02-'06 S models. ASC, DSC, and LSD are supposed to help compensate, but they only do by so much.

 

"All MINIs have a torque steering issue if you give them alot of throttle off the line."

You must mean all turbocharged MINIs.

 

I'm going back tonight they have black JWC demo there that I'm going to see if they work with me on.

 

Al,

Once infected, the only cure is to adopt a MINI into the family. Y'all will adjust.

 

Try driving the auto in slap-stick mode all the time. It will upshift and downshift for you then too, but at 500RPM+ higher shifts....... It's like sport mode without the tighter steering.