Just wondering how many of you have multiple minis in your family. Does anyone have his and hers of different models (or same models for that matter)? Anything you miss by having very similar vehicles?

My fiancé picked up a 2012 Countryman a week or two ago and after driving it around, I think I’m in love. I honestly don’t remember the last time I had that much fun driving. Her is the All4 “S” model with the 6 speed. Now that I’ve driven that, my V8 Jeep Grand Cherokee gas hog feels like a tank and it’s getting about 13.5 mpg being super gentle with the throttle. I don’t want to steal her thunder by getting a new car right after she did (I’ve done this in the past, the aftermath isn’t pretty!) but I have started poking around the concept of finding a Clubman S of my own. I’d still like to be able to road trip in the car with our two dogs and the Jeep allows that, plus the Jeep can go offroad for hunting and field trials and such which I’m not sure I want to give up, not to mention the ability to tow a trailer if we moved and the confidence to drive through as much snow as I want. However, driving is a(n expensive) chore in that vehicle now and find myself a much happier person when I get to play with her car.

I guess I’m kinda wondering if it’s possible to operate with two small vehicles in the house like a Countryman and a Clubman and if there’s anything you miss by not having a workhorse type vehicle in the family. Some honest feedback and input would be great!

 

we are about to make it a multi-MINI household.

currently have a 2006 MCS. we are looking at trading in my saab 93 for either a Clubman S or a Roadster S. Money currently being saved and it will all depend what is available once we have the money in hand.

what will be great is being able to easily fit both cars in our one car garage. currently we can with some finagling (for winter snowstorms or when leaving on vacation) but 2 minis would make it simple

 

We went from an all Mazda family to currently having two Clubman S (2008 and 2009) and my Hardtop S (2008). It's actually kinda cool to have similar cars because in the case of something like the Bently manual, the initial cost immediately becomes easier to swallow and now pays off three fold. Engine-wise the parts are the same (all N14 engines), so diagnoses becomes easier, and they're all equally optioned, or close to it, so again diagnoses of problems becomes immensely easier than it would be if there were only one MINI in the family.

 

2003 S
2005 S
Just sold a 74

Someday will have a Countryman.

Nik

 

We have 4. Grand daughter, son, son-in-law, and me, grand father.

 

These aren't in my immediate household...but they are family:

Me: '04 R53 Indi Blue/White
Sister: '06 R53 Hyper Blue/White
Cousin: '05 Hyper Blue/Black

FWIW - my uncle had a MK1 Cooper...that's the car that got me interested in Minis and MINIs in the first place.

 

We have 2. A 2013 MCS hardtop and a 2013 Countryman S All4.

 

Me, my son and his mother all have 'em.

Son - 2007 S
Me - 2008 S
Ex - 2011 FJCW

 

Hoping to be soon. Bought an 06 MCS Cabrio last month. Getting ready to replace DW's Honda Civic with another.

We do have 4 Subarus...

 

We have two MINIs, both hardtops, they're our only cars. The only problem we have is if we want to give more than one person a lift. Its a bit tight to get 4 people in a MINI, we've done it with one of our smaller friends sitting behind me (me driving), but I had to move the seat a bit more forward that I'd like.

If we want to give more than one person a lift, we can just take both MINIs then we have space for 4 others in comfort. We did have a problem trying to fit one of our larger friends behind our really very large friend. Rvlf complained there wasn't enough room in the front seat.

We've also had no problem with the cargo capacity even of just the hardtop. With the back seats down there's a lot of space back there, a Clubman would give you even more. There was enough space in the MINI to accommodate us when we moved out during a remodel. If we really need to haul a lot, like furniture from Ikea, we hired a truck.

 

My order for a Cooper S Roadster will make mine a MINI Multi-Household. Already have a 2013 Cooper S Clubman, BRG, Black Roof & Black Leatherette interior.

 

We have two:

2012 - MCS
2013 - MCa

These are our first MINIs and depending how they treat us, could be looking to get a Countryman All4S in the future.

 

This is exactly what I was looking for. Any idea how the Clubman would comepare when it comes to that rear legroom? I sat in the back of the Countryman while the salesman was going over all of the features/quirks about our first MINI and I had plenty of room back there. I know the Clubby is two doors, but didn't know if the longer wheel base helps that out.

 

Yeah, I'll admit I wasn't a Mini fan, I was more of a Honda fan. Wife wanted one instead of BMW and when we were looking we test drove a BRG Convertible S. That day we came home with Princess Di ('11 JCW Convertible). Ever since then I had car envy (I had to drive the Minivan). Last Christmas we got Ginger ('13 JCW Roadster). My kid is going back to college and we're toying with the idea of getting her a Clubman... so yeah, we're now a Mini family.

 

ME- 03 S
Son- 03 S
Wife- 07 S

 

Has anyone found any real issues or limitations by having only small vehicles in the stable? Anyone move from a bigger car/suv/pickup that could chime in? I'd be going from a mid/full sized SUV and want to make sure I make an informed decision. Thanks!

 

Only limitation I've found is not being able to take wood to the dump after having to replace our fence.

 

The wife's 2010 Horizon Blue MCS (auto trans)


My 2009 Astro Black Metallic MCS (6 spd)

 

It sounds to me like you are looking for 2 seperate cars. 1) a fun economic daily driver and 2) something to haul stuff in. It really depends on how much stuff you haul and how often. The Countryman might let you do that, but it definitely wont be like a mid-suv in terms of cargo space. So if you dont haul that much stuff, the Countryman will suffice. With the Clubman, you will be hurting for space coming from a mid SUV.

On the other hand, if you haul significant amount of stuff, but not often, then maybe a two car situation with a nice MINI and a cheap beater SUV will work.

Having said all that, I am a small car daily driver kind of guy and found the Countryman too SUV-like and the Hardtop too small, so the Clubman S was just right for me.

 

I went from a GMC Sierra ext-cab 4x4 my 05 S. Talk about a HUGE difference in vehicles. My wife has a '12 Elantra, which isn't big either, but it will fit a 10ft 2x4 with the back seats down and one of those big over the couch pictures from Ikea(separately of course :P ) .

Honestly, it sucks not having a truck anymore. I had to rely on friends with trucks to move(or pay out the *** to rent one). I can't rent equipment to do yard work anymore(i.e. a plugger/aerator) and forget about taking anything to the dump. You will have to really think about buying flowers and top soil and mulch in the spring, too. The only off road driving I do is when dirt happens to be on the road after a massive washout storm. 95% of the time it's great and not an issue. You just have to come to terms that kind of stuff.

On the other side: Real friends will help move(how often does that happen anyway?). Put a sheet down on the folded back seat and you can put flower/bags of seed/much in. A neighbor with a truck would probably we willing to go halfs to rent equipment to do yard work or a pressure washer. If you are that worried about the 5%, don't sell the Jeep if you can afford not to.

 

I have a Clubman and the GF has a Hardtop. I am 5'10" /165 and sitting in the back of each, I would definitley say the Clubman gives me more legroom and is reasonably comfortable. I definitely feel cramped in the Hardtop and would not want to ride back there for more than 20 minutes.

 

I think the Clubby has 4" more of legroom. My usual test is to adjust the driver's seat so I'm comfortable, then try and sit in the back seat behind it. That doesn't work in the hardtop, but I can fit like that in a Clubby.

 

2013 JCW Roadster

2013 Countryman S

Both Midnight Black. 80 lb black lab prefers the Countryman

Sent from my iPhone using NAMotoring

 

My thoughts are that if you need to haul.... Hire someone to deliver, rent something to haul, or make friends with a person with a SUV.

 

Our mix of a roadster Snd a countryman works well. Went from a Lexus RX to the Countrymsn without feeling much difference. Smaller than that we might have with the only other car being the roadster

Sent from my iPhone using NAMotoring