Picked up our HC/HC S Friday evening. Full disclosure: bought car for my wife to replace her E500 Benz wagon. She hasn't driven the Clubman until I went to work today. It was THAT much fun.

Ordered with Premium/Sport/Cold Weather/Conven. Packages/Web Spoke Wheels/Nuvi Nav/Auto - wife's choice.

Driving: I now understand the goofy smiles on the all the Cooper drivers. I thoroughly enjoy my '07 A4 6 speed S-line, but the Cooper makes it feel like mush. Great acceleration, nimble steering control and drives like a true sports car. Paddle/stick shifting really adds to the fun. (Can't wait for break-in period to end so I can enjoy "sport" setting - per my MA's recommendations.)

Some ergonomics are not a polished as my Audi, climate control/radio controls, etc. but are acceptable. The customizing of programming features borders on ridiculous, but worked through them. Acceptable sacrifices for $10,000 less car than my Audi.

Sport tires/suspension is surprisingly smooth, despite jockeying around potholes. Those considering whether to get Sport package or not should definitely drive one equipped. Well worth it.

Rearview mirror and barn door viewing requires getting used to. The mirror obscures vision on right side of upcoming intersections. Barn door windows definitely obscure rear vision, but one gets used to it quickly.

Only down side is club door ajar light kept coming on after use. Had to close club door/passenger door numerous times to get the indicator light off. (And, yes we closed club door first.)

Clubman garners lots of attention not only from other Cooper owners, but many others. I guess I've become an evangelist for the Clubman given all the questions I answered this weekend.

Anyone want a 07 A4 6 speed? We might need another Clubman in the family!

Motor On!

 

Thanks Buckeye,
One more week of waiting for my S to arrive and your comments are exactly what I was hoping would be the case - can't wait!!

On the Clubdoor light, I'm guessing there must be a mechanical push-in type switch that isn't being depressed far enough on closing - and maybe adjustable?

 

Thank you for taking the time to write such personal account of your experiences with your wife's new Clubman. Good luck selling your Audi - by the way, what color Clubman are you ordering? Two MINIs are better than one.

 

agreed nice review! ... driving any MINI for the first time is a life changing experience ... people trade in more expensive cars, give up their first born, forget going to work ... its a mess

Post some pics please!

 

My story..... ordered a new Clubman the day before they were available for sale in the US. Our local dealer had them but could not let them go until Saturday February 16th. Test drove and ordered one identical to the Hot Chocolate one in the showroom except I ordered the S. My wife now drives my BMW 6 series convertible! For what the BMW cost I could have bought 3 Clubmans Clubman 10 times more fun to drive

 

My wife has just also taken possession of a Clubman S. I drive a R32 and since that is an AWD car, being behind the wheel of the Mini is a whole new experience.

First, I am shocked at how deceiving the car is in relation to speed. It is so easy to suddenly realize that you are at 80.

What really has caught me off guard is the torque steer, especially as you accelerate into a corner. I haven't had a FWD car in a long time, and when I did it didn't have enough power to really pull on the wheel, so when it happens in the mini it catches me by surprise.

It isn't terrible by any means. The only time it really is an issue comes if you hit a bump during a turn or harder acceleration and the car "hops" on you.

Are there solutions/mods that would lessen that issue?

Outside of that I find the driving experience wholly enjoyable.

 

This may be blasphemy around these parts, but I think I'd have a tough time choosing between my Clubman and a 6-series convertible in the driveway every day. I like small, so the Clubman would probably win out, but it would be nice to know I have a not-too-bad backup car!

 

Coming from an AWD (QUATTRO), front wheel drive certainly requires getting used to. I too, am amazed at how quickly one gets to 50 mph (and beyond). Seems like I'm sitting still and have gone past the "suggested" speed limit.

 

Nah. My neighbor has an M6, and I'd take my R53, much less the Clubbie I've got on order, over it any day. Got sent to the BMW Performance Center out in SC after the ad agency I used to work for won the account and spent a whole day driving M cars ***** to the wall.

The E46 M3 was fantastic...and I'd be sorely pressed between one of those an a Mini...but the M5 and M6 felt like big, bloated battleships. 500 hp is nice and all, but the size, cabin isolation, and overabundance of technology numbed the whole experience.

Then again, I tend to prefer raw, spunky cars to refined, isolated ones. Guess that explains my indifference for all things Lexus!

 

this is signature worthy

 

True, lurch, very true - great copy!

Loved the "bloated battleships" description - that is what I feel when I have the privilege of exercising my friend's Mercedes while he is off enjoying his winter in the islands. I don't enjoy driving it, though it might be handy for a snooze on the side of the road.

 

You don't know the definition of raw and spunky until you have driven a R53 S. The Clubman feels too refined by comparison.

 

Thanks for the review. Felt like I drove it with you..Come on home Moe. On the M. Butterfly towards the Canal...

 

it does if you are used to the R53 and jump right into a newer gen ...

however, jump into an R56 or Clubman after an extended stint with another car brand in between, and the new gen is still pretty raw and spunky.

 

700 miles or so on mine. Have to take it into Mini Service as the mesh sunroof shade continually opens up about 3-4 inches while I drive. It's not the end of the world, but annoying.

Also, is there a way to disable the seat belt reminder until you start driving? Everytime I turn the car on to cool it off (as I live in AZ) the sound comes on and I'm not even moving?

Other than a few minor issue, I absolutely love the car. The torque steer does take getting used to, but its still so fun to drive.