I own a 2009 Clubman S (auto) with 20k miles that recently went in for service. The dealer gave me a loaner, a 2009 Coupe S (auto) with 10k miles. They have the same wheels and tires. I don't know if it is tire pressure or suspension differences, or programming, but the coupe feels "heavier" and better planted on the road with much less torque steer. My Clubman has a harsher ride and the steering feels "lighter." Also, in normal auto mode if I downshift with the paddles the Coupe takes much longer to revert to normal mode (upshift) than my Clubman. It may be that I have the sport suspension and the coupe doesn't (I don't know how to determine that), Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated, particularly on how I can get my Clubman to behave more like this coupe. Different tires?

 

I am sure the difference in the ride is that you have the sport suspension that is tighter and harsher as you put it.

I'm no expert by any means, but in escence, you drove 2 very different cars, with different suspensions and different wheel base lengths. They will perform differently.

 

Thanks for your feedback. I'm guessing from viewing different posts that the best way to get an improved ride and "heavier" steering feel is to replace the runflats with. Michelin Pilot Sports or Yoko Avids.

 

Conventional wisdom would tend to suggest that, all things being otherwise equal (i.e., both vehicles with the same suspension and tires), a Clubman should ride and handle a little better than a Hardtop because of the longer wheelbase.

You almost certainly have something different about your Clubman compared to the loaner Hardtop: suspension and/or tires. Either or both can make a marked difference in how the vehicle handles/rides.

Many folks on the forum have stated that the ride quality of the OEM run-flats is very harsh; if you've got run-flats, that could be a big part of what you're noticing -- even if your Clubman has a base (non-Sport) suspension...

 

Wheels and tires are the same. I can only conclude that I have sport suspension (I bought mine used so have no documentation on options provided) and the loaner does not. I can't explain the difference in transmission programming or the significantly less torque steer. o Either way, I'm looking forward to replaced my stock runflats with Yoko AVIDs.

 

I run Hankook Ventus V12 Evo's on my clubman with 17" wheels 215-45-17

I really like them, great grip and just a really good overall tire for the Money.

The yokahama s-drive is highly rated on these cars as well.

 

You're right about the tourque steer, it's one of the reasons Jeremy Clarkson dislikes the Clubman, and likes the Coupe.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/dri...cle3082414.ece

 

That article is from Dec. 2007.

The same torque steer applies to the coupe as well. Most here will agree.

I don't notice the torque steer that much as I don't drive my MINI that aggressively very often.

 

My point is the torque steer seems much more pronounced on my clubman S with sport package than the cooper s without sport package. If i'm in sport mode and take off from a stop at full throttle the torque steer is intense and makes it hard to maintain control. The same acceleration with the coupe is manageable.

 

Interesting, although I'm too cheap to pay...

http://www.motoringfile.com/2010/08/...retrofit-poll/

 

I noticed when I drove a Clubman loaner that they have a lot of body roll in corners too.

 

I had a Clubman and I thought the ride was a bit smoother from the slightly longer wheelbase. However the coupe seems to handle much better, tighter steering and turning. I like the coupes ride much better overall.

 

sounds like apples and oranges due to suspension options.

 

I don't think the suspension is any different IMO. Nobody has ever given me a straight answer, stock or aftermarket, what the difference is between the two, if any, as far as spring rate, or shocks.

Comparing as close as possible, my JCW Clubbie weighs ~188lbs more than the HB, and since the cars are pretty much identical from the doors fwd... well I'll let you do the math where you think that extra weight is.

That extra weight, and longer wheelbase would explain a better ride quality, and why the front end would be feeling "lighter" than a HB. Shorter wheelbase gives you a better turn in, and quicker response to steering inputs. Longer wheelbase is less so, yet more stable at higher speeds. Granted the wheelbase from a Clubbie to a HB is only 3", but the overall length is 9" longer.

I wish I would've gotten the HB for this reason, yet I do like the rarity of a Clubman, let alone it being a JCW. I just feel like I'm driving a "small car" in a Clubbie. In a HB, I feel like I'm driving a MINI.

 

my wife drives a 2010 clubman. I have a 2009 Clubman S with sport suspension. They have noticeably different ride and handling, tho my ride has smoothed out considerably since i switched from runflats to yoko 205/50/16s.

 

In my experience the Clubman S has a better ride than the Coupe S, and the Coupe S handles more like a slot car than the Clubman S. With the modifications I made to my Clubman S the handling is very, very close to the slot car feel of the Coupe S (and better in some ways than stock).

I have personally found that torque steer is a huge issue in every MINI I've ever driven, no more or less so between the two body styles.

 

Thanks for your comments. Turns out my Clubman S does not have the sport suspension option. With the Yokohama AVID Envigor 205-50-16s the ride and handling are excellent and far better than with the runflats. Less torque steer too. And smoother ride than the coupe.

 

Wait, Clubman S withOUT sport suspension?

 

It is my understanding that the S comes with a beefier suspension than non-S but ALSO has an even beefier "sport suspension" $500 option. I don't have the latter.