Curious to know if the third door on the right side of the Clubman intended for North America and Europe markets will be on the left side for Great Britain, S. Africa, Australia, Japan and the like. It would seem to be awfully dangerous on the right-hand drive versions to have your only passenger entrance/exit on the street side.

Anyone out there heard if the suicide door will be fitted to the appropriate side of the car for the different markets? Thanks for any reply. Long live the R50/53!

 

The suicide door will be on the right hand side in all markets.

 

having the suicide door on the driver side too would be handy for someone in a wheelchair if they want to put it in the backseat....but I guess it will not be an option

 

The reason the 3rd door is only on the right side has to do with the configuration of the gas tank and the gas filler door and tube.

 

Yup. There's some criticism in the UK over the location, but MINI has found a way to "sell" it on both sides of the pond. I've read a couple articles about the benefits of the club-door being on the right side, despite the location of the driver.

 

My 2000 chevy silverado has the suicide door on the passenger side and I hate it! If youre gonna give me just one suicide door give it to me where I need it at least. I want easy acces to the back from my door. Dont wanna have t walk all the way around the car to throw a book bag on the back seat.

 

I guess I see your point, but with the rear "barn" doors, you can just throw it in the back... it's still just opening a door! If that was really the most important feature of a car, I suppose I'd be shopping for a sedan.

 

You know, I saw this in Car and Driver in the preview for the car, and I would agree with it:

"On right-hand-drive British models, this Clubdoor, then, is on the driver's side, which is convenient for placing baggage in the rear seat. Our setup is better for rear-seat passengers."

After all, when I'm already sitting in the car, or about to get in, I'd rather just jump in or stay sitting there and tell those rear seat passengers to go in on the other side.

 

I guess then that rear seat passengers will exit curbside in the U.S. and street side in the U.K. if they are just being dropped off.

 

OMG! Spurvis!?!?! Are you thinking about a Clubman? That will be my next car! I think I will trade in Dobby :( for a Clubman. I love the R53...but it's just not feasible with Ben. It is getting really hard to get him in and out of the back now. And besides. The MINI is getting too common on the road. I need something a bit more unique. Drive it for a few years until it catches on with the rest of the soccer moms. I'm just now starting my research on it.