I'll just say it. The Clubman S feels like a Toyota Camry in comparison. I'm not trying to spur any coke vs pepsi debates, as Im sure this has been said before... In fact, I've read it. I just have to comment because my personal experience was far greater than I ever imagined.

The steering is really loose. The suspension is slinky. The throttle note is muted. Interior materials cheapened.

There were a few decent qualities. The engine grunt was pronounced, and there was some seat of the pants torque. Seemed to have a very spirited engine, and enough to keep me interested. But...

Its just not the entire package that is the R53. I just felt so disconnected from the road... Yes, my loaner was an auto, but the transmission was not even a factor. Maybe I need to try the R56 JCW w/ the stiffer suspension, but I just felt disappointed.

Any thoughts?

 

same feelings... a new justacooper would make a great daily driver but for having fun my R53 is way more entertaining.

 

The R56 and R55's are a joke to me. I have driven them all and prefer my R53. Of course once the new Buick Regal GS comes out, my R53 might go. Nah, I'm keeping her, but will definitely get the Buick. Anyway, it seems somewhere down the line, MINI gave up the sporty feel of the R53.

 

+1 I just feel like it became so much more bland, and I feel like the interior controls (like the radio and a/c controls) look like toys. I dont think the styling looks sporty either. Nothing against R56/55 people, but ill stick with my R53

 

My feeling is MINI buffed off all of the sharp edges when they switched to the R56. More homogenized & yes somewhat bland to appeal more to the mass market.

 

Exactly... The suspension is a bit harsh on the R53, and I could see a few complaining about that. But, at least it performs well.

Hows the R56 JCW? Maybe thats the car I need to check out. The steering was the most noticeable. The go-kart feeling was GONE in the clubman - Just the loose steering of a mini-van.

 

I had the same experience the first time I drove a '07 Cooper S, when my '06 JCW Cooper S was in for work at the dealer. At the time I compared the '07 to a PT Cruiser and really caught some angry responses here in this forum. So....I won't do that again. Let's just say, you comparing that car to a Toyota Camry was generous. Every time I have my car in for service, the manager of the service department sees that I get a new Cooper S as a loaner. Have not changed my opinion! Could be that the '06 will end up being a classic.

 

Hey now! Lets not ruffle any feathers

 

+1 BMW/MINI sold out to appeal to a larger customer pool and forgot about all of the initial purchasers who made MINI what it became. They need to give back to the avid MINIacs and offer at least one model that maintains the look, feel, and sound of the R53, R50 MINI.

 

Anyone have experience with the R56 JCW? I think I'll schedule a test drive.

 

Guess I'm in the minority here, but since I own both an R53 and a Clubman S, I have fairly extensive experience driving both of them. Maybe it is just something lucky on my part, but our Clubman still has every bit of the go-kart feel of my MCS when I push it. Of course, it is the "family" car, so I don't push it as often as I do Stanley. We bought the Clubman for the extra room since we have two kiddos to accommodate and knew we would be giving up some of the feel of the MINI, but surprisingly, it wasn't as much as I expected. I've taken both cars on the Dragon and the Clubman performs admirably. I do plan on upgrading the sway bar and I added an ALTA CAI, but otherwise the car is still tons of fun and should NEVER be compared to a Toyota Camry!!

 

My feelings on the subject are well documented on this forum. I'd lusted after a MCS since 2002 and in 2007 drove an '06 and based on all the hype ordered an '07. When the '07 came in I took it for a spin, got my deposit back and the hunt for an '06 was on. I've never doubted my decision for a moment.

Sad part is, if MINI continues down the current path, this will be my last MINI.

 

I lusted over MINI since 2002 because I HAD 2 ORIGINAL AUSTIN Minis in 80's (back in Europe)... And I loved those cars...
I test drove "new" MINIs when they came to Canada, and I was hooked again... Now, few years forward and (in 2009) I finally got my R50 (auto)... Loved it again... Past February lease was up, and I returned it as I wanted 6speed...
Here comes my BROWN SUGAR, 2008 MCS Clubman. Great ride! Yes, I would prefer that MINI did not change styling and handling since 2002 but, people get over it!
I would actually prefer to see brand new 1988 Mini (original) made by BMW.... But, no luck....
I can't stand all these "street racers" putting down 2007+ MINI cars. You don't like them? Don't drive them. Period. Keep your 2006- cars and put a smile on your face. Don't grim!
I admit: I was like you while driving R50, but once I started driving R55 I was still more than happy... I was converted...


End of rant

 

So you're saying you dont feel a difference between the two car's steering and suspension at all? Dont get me wrong, I like the clubman. I thought it was fun to drive. BMW definitely gave it a less stiff suspension and looser steering, there's no denying it. Its not about pushing the car or being a "street racer" either.. you can tell the difference driving very slow.

And before this thread gets out of control I just want to say that I would buy an R56 if the R53 wasn't available. They are great cars

 

Agreed. I've driven a couple of the newer minis. One was an S both were auto. In everyday driving you can tell the difference quite easily. I'm always very happy to be back in my 06. when the time comes I will buy a newer one but I will hold off that day as long as I can

 

I'll agree that the suspension feels stiffer in the R53, but I can't tell a difference in the steering stiffness at all between my two cars. Of course, that is my opinion, which is what you were looking for. Given the choice between a Camry and a Clubman, there is not a doubt which car I would take for a multitude of reasons. I don't feel disconnected from the road in the least. As a matter of fact, as I said in my earlier post, I have been pleasantly surprised at how much feel the R55 has compared to my R53. I thought there would be a drastic difference -- I just haven't experienced it driving them both regularly.

 

Uhhh, dude, I've owned 5 classic Minis in my time even exporting one back to the states. I sold her in 2006 when my wife and I were expecting our daughter. So please don't come in here acting like you're the only one who has driven a classic Mini. And quit with the street racer comments please, you don't know me. I don't like the '07 and up MINIs and guess what? I don't drive them. The only thing you said that makes sense and that I agree with is they should still make a classic Mini and sell it. End of my rant.n

 

I agree with you, and plan to keep my R53 JCW until the wheels fall off.

 

I've driven a couple. Pretty much like a V6 Camry.

 

lol

 

Drive one with the Sport or JCW suspension, which are both extra cost options, even with the JCW mini, which is rediculous, but that's another thread somewhere. The R56s and Clubmen seem to drive better on 17's, whereas the R53s seem to work best on 16's (IMHO, YMMV, yes looks are a factor, but I'm talking dynamics). Leave the Sport button "on". It should default this way. Too bad you can't "sport" the steering and leave the jumpy throttle on "regular", but that's likely another thread too.

They're actually not bad, a really good second place to our R53's, but definitely second. They are not Camrys, or Buicks, just a lil' softer than the admittedly harsh R53. The R56 sport suspension, and pressing that ol' Sport button, does help.

 

I didn't realize the sport button changed the steering. Do Clubman S's have the sport suspension as standard or an option? Maybe I just need to try a Cooper S with all the goodies... and a 6 speed would help.

 

There's no way around it. The R53s are an enthusists dream. The R55 and 56s were created to bring on a mass appeal and start getting more MINI followers. A step behind their original planning, which was to keep aselct type of owner. Now, anybody can go get a MINI and look at how NAM is now. It's funny how MINI has gone down. As I was running in formation one morning one of my troops who could careless about cars, asks me as we pass a yellow R56 "Hey, why does that MINI look like a 4x4?" Say what you want about Buick, but the Regal GS is looking more and more like my next car. Especially at the rate MINI is going.

 

I wonder if the issue here could be down to tires?

Like mistertripps, I owned an '03 JCW and an '09 Clubman S at the same time and put plenty of miles on each. Each had their strong points. I liked the sound and feel and torque of the JCW engine better than the turbo motor, but I appreciated the better fuel mileage of the Clubby.

Likewise I liked the steering better in the JCW, but the ride quality of the Clubby is so much better, and I thought it would give something away in the handling, but the second time I took it to the track once I was used to the difference in feel, it was almost as quick, even tho it has less hp.

The quietness and smoothness of the Clubby really makes it more enjoyable to drive, especially on long trips.

I'm driving a new Corolla right now while my Clubby is in the body shop for some minor repairs, and I can tell you - there is no comparison between the two. That's not damning the Toyota, it is built for a different market, and as a low cost transportation module, it does it very well.

But it's no Clubby.........

 

That was the biggest mistake of the R53, putting a s/c on it. A four cylinder should never use a s/c. Chevy made the same mistake with the first Cobalt SS'. Then they got with the program and turboed them. I guess it's just all in your liking, but the way things are going, I'll be rebuilding my R53 before getting a newer MINI. I was just going to trade in my R53, but my wife actually hinted at keeping it. We'll see how much the Buick costs first.