I've been lurking here for a while now, and now that my new Clubman is days away from being in my hands, I wanted to ask a couple quick questions related to my build, and general use.

1. Somehow my order got messed up, and it didn't get placed with the LED headlights that I wanted. If I want to go back and update those later, are they easily interchangeable? Or are the LED and non-LED headlights not interchangeable?
   
2. My Clubman will have the automatic start/stop option. I remember learning that the hardest thing on an engine is starting it; will having this feature enabled stress my engine? I'd rather protect my engine than get the slight bump in fuel economy.
   
3. What are the restrictions related to engine break in? This is my first new car, so I've never had to consider this before.

Thanks!

 

Congratulations on ordering your new Clubman. Looking forward to seeing photos!

The dealer might be the first source for how to resolve the LED issue. There are aftermarket lighting products. Perhaps one of our sponsors like ECS can give you options.

That said, since it appears you have an ordered car, if the 'messed up' order is the fault of someone other than you, there may need to be some price adjustment to compensate you for any additional costs incurred to rectify the issue, if it can be rectified. If you were given an opportunity to review your final build sheet and you approved it with the error then that weakens your case only just a bit. If you and the dealer had a clear understanding that LED's were to be included, then even if you failed to catch an omission on the build sheet, it's still on the dealer because the dealer is the expert on all the build codes and it is unreasonable to expect the customer to audit the dealer's work. So there may be some deal making opportunities here if handled politely and firmly.

The flip of a switch cancels auto stop/start and keeps it canceled until the switch is moved. And stop/start does not kick in in Sport Mode.

The Great Break In Debate can be explored on other threads in NAM and other sites. The Motorer's Guide says for the first 1,200 miles don't use launch control, don't go over 100 MPH, and avoid full load or kick down if you have an auto trans. There is also a 300 mile brake bed in period and it is suggested that one drive 'conservatively' for the first 200 miles to break in tires.

Many feel oil changes should be sooner than your car will tell you. Some feel that's old school and you can go a year/10,000 miles (or when the car tells you) on new car oil.

The greatest challenge during break in is to hold back because these cars want to rip.

 

A few notes as well, I too am expecting a new Clubman in the next 2 weeks or so.

1) For the headlights, I would expect either the dealer to upfit you to your order or give some form of compensation. If the goal is to replace the headlights yourself, expect more compensation as the parts for you will be vastly higher than the dealer cost to replace.

2) Starting a car isn't as bad as it used to be. New starters barely resemble to starters from 10+ years ago. I still am not a fan of the feature. Especially with a manual.

3) I believe in the break-in period, my R53 was broken in...on the way to the track! I pretty much stuck to the 10K mile interval with oil changes and the car is still running 13 years later with 223,000 miles. Everyone bases their experience on their own minuscule control group so I would say do as you please. The next poster will probably say go ahead and rip right from the factory.

 

Thanks for the mention, the LED options are here for the clubman. No bulb warnings to worry about either. We have back up, glove box, and front parking lights.



https://www.ecstuning.com/News/MINI_F54_Clubman_Ziza_Lighting_23562/

 

Dealer fault, LED's should be demanded! They are worth it IMO.

Auto stop/start, I accidentally engaged this and it scared the crap out of me. Never used it on purpose.

The only new MINI we have is a lease so oil didn't get changed. If I bought new and intended to keep it long term I'd spend for a change early on. Probably not needed with newer manufacturing tolerances but old habits. . .

 

I think it's virtually impossible to change the stock headlights to the LED's. If that's the dealer's fault I seriously would make them order you another car and when they get yours they can sell it like any other cars they have in inventory. People who have those lights swear by them too. There's nothing really to the break in period, just drive it like you drive it. As they said you can easily disable the start/stop feature and it stays off until you turn it on. I think it was to help with European gas mileage claims and sort of bled over to this country. I drove a car with it and it's kind of creepy IMO.

 

I would have to agree with TheBigNewt, if it's the dealers fault, they should order another car for you. IMO the LEDs are a must have. I got them along with the full fog package that turn at low speed. LOVE THEM!

As far as the stop/start feature, again, that can be switched off. I never use it and it is really disconcerting to use with a manual transmission.

Engine break in? Several thoughts here....1st, with todays synthetic lubricants there is no wear-in like there used to be with conventional oil engines. Over time, in an older engine you would see actual wear in the cylinders. A new engine with synthetic should never see this. In addition, the tolerances are so tight on engines these days, compared to older engines, you need a synthetic oil to provide the necessary lubrication. As a comparison, I had a 1999 Honda Civic Si which I ran 100% synthetic from day one, never had an issue with oil leakage for the 17 years I owned the car. At the same time, the wife was driving a 1998 Dodge Caravan with the big honkin V6. I tried to run full synthetic and the engine leaked like a sieve. New vs. Old. The point is, synthetic is so much slicker than conventional, which is one of the reasons they lubricate so much better and should never wear.

 

Why no love for stop/start? I use it all the time when driving in traffic, even in sport mode. I find it's nice to have a bit of peace and quiet at stop lights because the idle on the MINI's 3-pot mill is not always smooth. But yeah, the switch to the left of the ignition turns the feature on or off as needed. Engaging green mode turns it on automatically, and if you turn the feature on or off in any other mode (sport, mid) it will remember the setting for next time you use the car. The only minor annoyance is to remember the light on the switch is counterintuitive: when the light is on, the car will not stop automatically. If you want the stop/start feature enabled, flick the switch so the light is off. Essentially, the indicator light is for the feature being disabled

 

Thanks to everyone for the responses, they're super helpful!

I talked to the dealer yesterday regarding the LED headlights. Unfortunately, I'm not able to wait an additional 10 weeks for a car, as mine is currently held together with duct tape and prayers. I definitely plan to lean on them to make the problem go away, as this should have been covered at time of order. It's supposed to arrive today for prep and check, so depending on my schedule I might have a new Clubman by EOB tomorrow!

(I watched the Italian Job last night in preparation!)

 

Congrats on the soon-to-be ride and good luck on getting something out of the dealer. I take it the option is not included in the price of the car?

My car is on the boat, hoping for end of month delivery.

 

It wasn't so at least I'm not paying for something I didn't get!

 

tagger-on-person here: Thanks for the discussion about the engine on/off feature. I have to turn it off while pulling into my garage, otherwise the engine stops while I am creeping to reach my STOP point. (automatic, cuz it's not a new car, and that's what it had). But I'm undecided about whether I like it otherwise. I wondered about the wear and tear on battery and starter. I guess that's an unresolved question, for the long term.

By the way, it *does* kick in even in Sport mode, unless you flip the switch, OR turn it off in the options setup. (Did that accidentally, then turned it back on till I decide what I think of the feature.)

Deb