I could use some help, and I figured who better to ask than all of you clubman owners. I am in the process of choosing all my options for my new clubman, which should go into production soon. The one option I am having a hard time with is the sport package. Will I regret my choice if I do not select this? The demo I drove had the package, but I have not been able to drive one without. Will I notice that big of a difference?

 

It really depends on the kind of driving you do, and how the two seat styles fit you. For me, the sport seats, fog lights and 16-in wheels were the important aspects, and I hesitated about the suspension, until I had driven both sport and non-sport a couple of times. To my perception, the non-sport suspension was "busier" on the rough winter-pocked streets and freeways here than the sport... making it noisy and distracting to me. I expected the sport suspension to be rough, but to me it felt secure, without being harsh. It's not a cushy ride, but that's not why I'm buying MINI. Others will have their own impressions and preferences!

If you're feeling conflicted, drive them again and again until you're certain (assuming you have time and access). It's your keister in the seat, so you should be happy with your choice(s).

Good luck!

 

Ain't that the truth!

Check out this thread, you may find it helpful: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ghlight=sports

 

We got the sport package and really like it. But again, it's an individual choice. I would really try to test drive a MINI that has it and doesn't...

Donna

 

I love sport driving so the sport package was a must. Someone else posted here within the last few weeks about the difference in feeling between the two and they said there was not much difference at all. There is a night and day difference between my Clubman and my old '05 MC(I'm no privy to the "R" model designations so I continue to refer to it as that). You just can't go wrong getting the sport.

 

I love the Sport package and don't regret it one bit. I was afraid I wouldn't like it as I hated that package in my husband's M3. I found his seats really uncomfortable, but the MINI is an entirely different matter. Even my 85-year-old mom liked the comfort on the 130-mile trip home from the dealer. I was sure she would dislike the seats and the runflat ride, but not one complaint.
Now I'm going to take her on a road trip up to Utah to check out the towns we want to move to.
She is more than happy to take the Clubman instead of one of the other cars. Amazed me as she has a bad back. I'll introduce her to the heated seats if her back gets tired of sitting along the way.

 

I didn't want the sport package but we ended up with it because after spending the money on the rims we wanted, the sport package was only another $250. Why not do it? I worried about the ride too. Its not as bad as I expected. I really paid attention to what I was feeling and how hard it is. Its not that hard. Then again, we are not the 'ricky racer' type, we drive it distances on freeways, not canyon roads. I think alot of what I'm feeling is the 40 series run-flat tires on 17's. I think when the time comes for new tires, I'm going to ace the run-flats, get regular tires and a donut spare.

 

I drove Coopers (not Clubmen, because I did this before any were made) back to back before speccing my order; one with 16s, run-flats and standard suspension; one with 17s, run-flats and sports suspension and much preferred the former on typical UK roads - although the extra harshness of the latter wasn't so apparent on the few "billiard-table" roads we have nowadays.

So I'm sure you'll notice a difference too.

But you may prefer the sport package if you don't have many pot-holes locally or plan to autocross.

 

Yes you will.

 

The sport suspension in the clubman is so much smoother than the non-sport in the coupe IMO. I didn't get the sport package but I got the suspension separately (I will not pay extra for the blue lights). Unless you really want everything in the package, save some cash.

 

Thank you for all the responses. After reading what you all have said, will stick with my gut feeling and add the sport suspension. Living in Utah, I am sure I will enjoy it a lot more on our canyon roads.

 

Didn't order it and I am a very happy camper. There are no track days or autocross planned for this car. The standard suspension and 16" rims/tires afford a very good mix of solid handling and ride comfort. Also, I am not sold on Xenon headlights and neither bonnet stripes. Don't really have a need for the stiffer suspension either. DSC is standard in all Clubmans. To me that is the best safety feature of the car. Fortunately, we don't have a pothole problem here but spending another $1,300+ for bigger wheels, xenons and stiffer suspension could not really be justified. Also we wanted to keep the car well under $30K (And still have an S) after all was said and done. It all depends on your driving style. I feel the standard suspension is more than enough for day to day street driving. But if you have to have the 17"wheels, xenons and plan to attack the cones on weekends, then the sport package may be more than fully justified. If possible, drive a Clubman (MC or MCS) with and without the sport package. That will pretty much help you make the right decision.

 

Whatever you end up with, get DSC. It is an excellent safety feature.

 

DSC is standard equipment in all R55 Clubmans. DSC will become standard from the factory in the R56 hardtops beginning in 2009 MY.

 

I think that you will find that you were glad you did. I grew up in Northern AZ, and really loved some of the canyon roads on both sides of the border. Lake Powell was a must destination in the summer for us and all the roads around there were always a pleasure to twist through.