Wow!!! Talk about reviving an old thread! It's been years since I posted on here I'm amazed I still remember how to do it
I have since sold the '05 DS MCS about a year & a half ago, it was an extremely tough choice for me to make but I needed to move on. I miss my little R53 though & I'm sure I will be in one again (a MINI if not an R53) in the future at some point.
Nice upgrade to the 2020 clubbie, how do you like it?! I was heavily considering getting into a new Clubbie (2023 MY) as well earlier this year (JCW Untold edition) but I am pretty bummed you can no longer get them in manual so I have been trying to get something else in manual.

 

I like the front end of the LCI2, your combo is classy.

 

I love my 2020 Clubbie. I waited for the 2020 to come for the front grille design. Found it sitting at the now gone Cleveland MINI. Leather, 8-speed automatic which I wanted as I had tired of clutching and shifting, and it has all of the buttons and toggles. I don’t have lane departure, but everything else. We figured it might be last new vehicle I’d purchase. It’s a little wider and heavier, but can still scoot and handle the curves. Tours on trips real nicely. When I retire in a couple years I’ll likely be more into fixing up an older one up and staying away from new ones.

 

@ToBFree I agree - Your Clubman is beautiful!
I love the Clubman. I've been looking for low priced R55 ("1st Gen" manual) for some time now.
I'd like to retire (not sell) / store my 04 DSM R53 before I hit the 100k mark and start a new project restoring an 2009 - 2014 Clubman.
I prefer the vertical taillights and the styling of the earlier model.
I did happen upon a listing for a DSM R55 w/black stripes which ironically matched my R53...
Unfortunately the deal killer was that the motor was blown.

Nevertheless - Glad to see you've stuck with a Mini