Currently driving a 2020 Explorer which has been great, currently around 40k on it. Have long wanted a Mini, since the R53 debuted.
Wife also has a 2018 Expedition Max, so we're running a bit redundant on 3 row SUVs.
Recently found a pretty clean looking '14 Clubman S 6MT with low mileage [and no sunroof, which is a big plus, IMO].
Looks to have HID headlights, leatherette seats, and maybe an upgrade over the base wheels.
Anything in particular to check out if I decide to pursue it? Clean Carfax & looks to be a 1-owner that lived here in Houston it's whole life apart from originally delivery to a TN dealer, apart from a minor collision [no airbag deployment] on the RF.

Is there a VIN decoder somewhere to see what the options list on it looks like?

Any Clubman owners with kids? I've got 1 still in a carseat [forward facing]. I've been a backseat passenger once in a R53, and it wasn't a very pleasant experience [I'm 6'0"].
How is the extra back seat space for kids & especially with a carseat [rare, as it lives in the Expedition 99% of the time].

 

Nice! The 2014 should be a well sorted car, no real big issues.

I have two kiddos, and have transported both in booster seats in the back of my Clubman. If the little one is still in a strap-in seat, then passenger side might be easier tog et him in and out. The Club door will make ingress and egress much easier.

 

Thanks, was reading things about oil leaks, HPFP & timing chains & wasn't sure if those persisted through the lifespan of the R55. Would hope by the last production year they'd be pretty worked out.

 

My car has an early N18, and I'm still on the original timing chain at 185k miles. I've also never been walnut blasted.

For the HPFP, the N18 changed over to a more robust design in mid-2012. So, again, not an issue on that car.

Can't speak to oil leaks, since, well, British cars... If you do pick up the car, get all the fluids up to date, then oil changes every 5000 miles (I change my oil filter every 10k miles), brake fluid every two years, coolant every 50,000 miles. I do plugs every spring, but I have a stage 2 tune, which is a little harder on them. Everything else should be as needed. Take care of the car, and it will work well.

 

Thanks, that instills some confidence.
Dealer sheet says all 'fluids' [assuming just an oil change] and a new windshield installed.
Houston's huge, and it's probably an hour drive from my house. Want to find out as much as I can before thinking about making the drive.
At only 72k miles, still a baby, and being a 1-owner is a plus.

 

Well, may be a dead idea.
Initial correspondence with the salesman, trade pretty undervalued tocwhere i think it should be. Dont want to drive over an hour each way to get lowballed.

 

That's too bad, I bought my 2014 R55 S with 69k miles on it in a similar spec. The club door is great, the car gets 32 mpg mixed hwy and is way more fun to drive. I've put 60k more miles on it, and only have had to replace the ignition coils, and battery. Of course I have replaced several optional items to make it handle better and get more power, but I've been pleased at how little maintenance the car has needed with regular basic love (oil, fluids, etc).

If you change your mind, I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

 

Still may try to go take a look at it this weekend if they still have it.

Anything in particular to take extra attention to look at?

 

Does it happen to be this one?
https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/invent...7/NONE/DEFAULT

Check all the weather stripping, make sure none of it is cracked or missing. The engine bay weather strip at the front of the hood is askew. Looks like some of the dash switches might be faded. Presents relatively well in the pictures.

The Carfax shows a minor hit in the right front corner. The pictures make it look like the fender liner might not be sitting correctly in that corner, or something isn't quite lined up right. I would check out that corner very closely.

There is supposed to be a filler trim piece on the rear bumper below the license plate. Pictures make it look like that is missing.

Check to make sure the floor mats are included. Also check the trunk area to make sure the cargo cover and false floor panel are there.

 

That's the one. Noted the frontal incident, says no airbag deployment. I do see the panel gap at the hood/bumper join.
Dealer site has a list of work done on it before they put it on the lot for sale [said both front fender liners were replaced] It's a Lexus dealer, so could be that they didn't secure it 100% by the book? They've had it up almost a month now.

What's a set of mats run, if they don't have them, and a 2nd key cut/program?

 

The second key will be costly. You'll need to get it from the dealer.

The floor mats shouldn't be too bad. The fronts share with the R56, and can be had new for pretty cheap. The rears might be a little harder to find, but still shouldn't cost too much. If you don't plan on using the back seat much, might not ever worry about them.

 

Thanks, just thinking of some bargaining options [mats, keys, that rear trim filler] to bridge the $$ gap between my trade equity & OTD final price.

 

It looks like a pretty basic Cooper S spec. Also, pull the oil filler cap and have a look at the condition of the cams. If you see a lot of varnishing, That might indicate longer oil change intervals.

 

Well, it had sold before I could make the trek across the city.

The search continues. Might have a line on a 11 Convertible [not an S, and an auto].