I just finished a 400 mile roundtrip day, today. I hate to tell the Generation 1[G1] owners, BUT, this model is WAY more comfortable on the road than my previous MINIS and with a actual 33 MPG or with the OBD computer a 33.8 to 34.5 MPG. I never broke about 24 MPG with my supercharged "S's". I wish had my HK stereo system, but the ride and the seats are definitely better and without the stiff sport suspension that came with every S before. I have another trip with my family on Sunday, so I will update with the wife report and the ease of getting my daughter's DVD player going for her behind my headrest.

I looked at a Sirius aftermarket system but I am not convinced I like adding the head unit on anywhere yet, so I don't know which way I will be going and when to improve things from a "tunes" perspective. Retrofitting the I-Pod interface seem very costly and I still need the I-POD. maybe I will just use the aux. input with a cheap I-POD for awhile, but the sound also doesn't seem to be on par with even the standard system on the G1 MINIS, but that is the only place I see this car down on the G1's.

 

Sounds like you like your music. If you enjoy Sirius, then I'd go with the official integrated solution. Unfortunately for me, I'm an XM fan, so my options are extremely limited. I'm going with the Xpress RC for mine, plugged into the aux. input.

 

CD, I'm right there with you on the way better ride of the next gen Minis. I have a narrow tail but it was a tight fit in my '05 Mini. The larger size seats and far better ride characteristics are a night and day improvement. But even after the improvements, I miss the go-kart ride of my '05. Also, this is my monthaversary with my and I have about 1,550 miles so far and I'm still as happy as a kid in a candy store.

 

I would guess that the longer wheelbase of the Clubman would make the ride more comfortable as well.

For audio, burn some mp3 CDs. The CD player handles them well. If you have the MFSW you can use its buttons for next and previous -- something you can't do with an AUX connected iPod unless you have the Bluetooh USP socket and correct adaptor. Replacing the stock speakers with better quality aftermarket speakers makes a big improvement.

 

I agree that the Clubman is a much more comfortable highway cruiser, due to the longer wheelbase, more comfortable seats, better suspension dampening and the feedback of the electronic steering. Not to mention the power and fuel economy. Having said this, however, We have made many road trips in my '05 R53 S (Longest has been from Miami to Nashville) and this is one car that I don't get tired of driving long distances. Love the Supercharger whine, 32 MPG @75 MPH, the razor sharp steering and the go anywhere, do anything attitude of the car. I have driven as much as 9 hours behind the wheel, non-stop, the and the R53 sports seats do not tire me as some others complain about. But in terms of family space and functionality, the Clubman is the better of the 2 for long distance cruising.

 

More comfortable seats? Aren't they the same seats as in the MC and MCS?

 

My comparison basis are R53 sports seats vs R56, 55 sports seats.

 

If you could never break more than 24MPG on a supercharged MINI, means that you were speeding in the 85-90MPH range. The R53's mileage goes down significantly past 75MPH. Setting the cruise control between 70-75MPH (Sorry, I do not believe in speeding, especially when you have a baby onboard) the car still yields a pretty respectable 30-32MPG. This is on a '05 with the revised gearing ratios. Going back to the stereo, yes the H/K in the 1st gen cars is much better than the so called "HI-FI" in the 2nd gen MINIs. For the Clubman we ordered the standard stereo and the dealer threw in the iPod adaptor. I highly recommend it. It works very well and now you can see and scroll through your playlist. I have the OEM iPod adaptor in my R53 S and this is the biggest drawback of the previous solution... You can not see the song name tags! At some point I gave consideration to get satellite radio, but to me, it isn't worth it. I prefer to download my fav music playlists and podcasts into my 1st gen iPod Nano, open the secret compartment, plug in the iPod and forget about it. When XM and Sirius merge to form one big satellite radio provider, I'll revisit this option. For now, the iPod satisfies our in car entertainment needs with no monthly fees and no cable clutter in the dashboard.

 

MINI needs to get with the times and offer satellite radio in their vehicles as standard equipment. My sister and her husband recently purchased a new 2008 Chevy Impala LS sedan and the car comes with a pretty respectable factory stereo with XM satellite included. This is an $19K family sedan. Why BMW/MINI still thinks it is OK to charge extra for Sirius radio on a $30K + MINI???

 

That would be nice. But the OEM Sirius option is way better than a little tuner hanging off your dash. On the other hand I much prefer portable GPS units to the factory nav option.

 

The factory Mini HiFi Stereo in word....... SUCKS

My wifes 04 F150 middle of the road model has a stereo that sounds ten times better. I'll be heading over to see my friends at JL Audio here locally to see what they can do for me with the PITA integrated head unit. I REALLY dislike that I can't put a different tuner in the car :(

 

Wrong on both counts, I travel about 75 mph on the highway, and it probably was my city mileage that never went past 24 MPG, but I know I NEVER hit 33 or 34 MPG like I did yesterday, and this motor is just breaking in. I never saw it in the 30-32 MPG and I used the cruise control as well!

 

Hmm OK I accept that. (Sorry for my rough post from earlier today.. I needed coffee!)