I have ordered a Clubman S- my dealer said it won't be here until December or January. There is only one dealer in Oregon, and their allotment is only 5 a month. My question is about the current Consumer Reports reviews the Clubman and states rear visibility is a problem. I ordered the Backup warning device, but is the visibility a real problem? It also says the headlights are dim, so should I get the Xenon? I am getting almost every option but the sport package, and because of the rain here, getting the all season tires. Thanks for the advice.

My Clubman S will be the Sparkling Silver with black roof and racing stipes and tan leather seats. In December! How do you get yours so quickly?

 

"BS" as to the rear visibility. Or we could say bollucks. This is not an issue - at least not in my opinion. When I took my first test drive I was prepared not to like the barn doors - but within minutes it meant nothing to me.

As for headlights, I have xenons and have had on all of my MINIs. That said, there are plenty who swear by the regular headlights.

I love Sparkling Silver/BLK - saw a regular Cooper with that combo today and briefly regretted my own choice...

I'm shocked/speechless that your dealer says December or January! They must have all their allotments filled up for a long, long time or something. You will get other responses soon...but you might want to consider taking delivery somewhere farther afield if you want to get your MINI in July or at least early August.

Ordered my Clubman - non S - on 2/26 and took delivery on 4/28.

P.S. And by the way, welcome to NAM and the obsession.

 

small markets - small allotments. The Northwest is a waiting game when it comes to the Clubman

 

I think the allotments are the same here in the CT/NY region as well - that number of 5 sounds to be exactly what I've heard from my MA...but maybe that's changed since they're selling like hot cakes out this way.

Hang in there if this is your best choice, mrdunn!

 

I have zero problems with rear visibility. Front visibility can be tough sometimes since the rear view mirror can block my vision and I have to duck and weave sometimes to see around it. I have te Xenons and they work great on mine.

 

I agree. The rear visibility has not been a problem. When you first look in your rearview and see that thick black bar running down the middle, it feels kind of odd. But, you get used to it in a matter of minutes.

In terms of visibility, I have the standard headlights and have not had a problem, even on our dark Maine roads. Flipping on the fog lamps adds quiet a bit of brightness as well.

 

Just bought a previously owned Clubman. Yes, previously owned with 4k miles. Firstly, don't worry about the visibility, non-issue. This car has better visiblity than most compacts. Don't limit yourself to just Oregon dealerships!!! When I lived in Portland, I purchase a car in Kentucky and then had a beautiful ride home;-)

Make sure you get LSD! I think it is necessary in the Turbo!

 

Seriously consider going with another dealer-- shop around for allotments. I would wager that it may be worth the $500 or so that some dealers quote to ship it right to your door.

 

I've had mine for 5 weeks and the rear vis is NO problem, especially when compared to the Cabrio which had almost ZERO rear vis.
Had Xenons on my cabrio and they were ok but not very good in wooded/remote roads - regulars are supposed to be much better for that, Xenons better for City/Suburbs.
I'd also look into other dealers and maybe fly a couple hundred miles to pick yours up and enjoy the ride home.

 

The rear split doors are not much of an issue, but the overall rear view is very narrow, and the rear windows are small. You can only see directly behind the vehicle, not any traffic on either side. The rear view mirror is also fairly small. These are not major concerns to me, but Consumer Reports is correct in mentioning that the rear view is not as good as in some other cars.
As for availability, the MINI factory in Oxford is currently operating at near 100% capacity. There just aren't enough MINIs to go around, and your low-volume Oregon dealer is at the bottom of the MINI supply chain. If you can wait, that's fine, but there are other dealers that can get you a car much more quickly if you're willing to travel to pick up your new MINI.

 

mrdunn - if you consider other out-of-state dealers, check out South Bay MINI, they're one of the vendors in the vendor forum section.

 

Oh miniclubman, you are so rational - I guess my reaction to that mirror non issue is based upon having driven MINIs for the last 4 plus years, so that the Clubman's mirror didn't seem small, etc.

Mrdunn, I hope you do at least check out other dealers and see if you might find your Clubman sooner, as just about everyone's suggested.

 

I concur with everyone that the rear doors are not a visibility problem. I got used to them on the test drive. And they are also somewhat useful at night because they partially shield you from bright lights behind you but not so much as to loose site that there is someone behind you.

I have the standard headlights and they are fine (I drive mostly on country roads at night), not as good as the Ford Explorer's that I just got rid of, but I wouldn't pay extra for the Xenons nor go back to the Ford.

Long delivery time, I ordered mine on 3/17 and took delivery on 4/30. the car was at the port on 4/24 and at the dealer 4/25. It would be a shame to wait til the end of the year for this great car, but better than not having one if you can't get one sooner elsewhere.

 

I don't know if you were planning to order a manual or automatic, but if it's an auto that you're looking for there's one at a dealer in Dallas. I'm not sure of the exact options, but it might be worth checking out.
http://www.miniofdallas.com/VehicleDetails/954712544

 

mrdunn, you are a better person than I. I am going nuts waiting 5 to 6 weeks for my clubman. I think I would go absolutely bonkers to wait 7 to 8 months. Depending upon your plans and situation and if you are driven to get a Clubman sooner I would look around to see if there is another dealer (out-of-state) that could get you a vehicle sooner.

 

Are their any warranty issues if I get a Mini from a dealer out of state and bring it to my local dealer? I have relatives in Las Vegas and Seattle.

 

I believe the warranty is good at any MINI dealership.

 

I don't think there are issues if you purchase a vehicle out of state. I purchased my first MINI in West Palm and had it serviced in Orlando. No problem at all!!!

 

Some owners don't realize, out of State for the Pacific North West, is really out of State. There is 1 dealer in Seattle, 1 in Portland and 1 in Salt Lake City. I live in Idaho (no dealer) so my closest is Seattle (450mi. away) Portland (475) or Salt Lake (550). I ordered 3/15 and am planning on pickup in June. 3 month wait is typical for us with the dealers limited allotment.

 

Yakima Wa here and spoke to at least 10 dealers nation wide.. Lucked out and found a dealer who had just did a dealer trade and was given an open order for the trade.. So I ordered my Clubman S last Friday and it is being built now as we sit here reading.. will be at the dealers by June 15 to june 18 or sooner..Now the catch is will be shipped to the Ny dealer and I pay the shipper to haul it to Wa State.. that could take two or three weeks... But that is better then the Washington, Oregon or Southbay dealer... Catguy

 

The MINI warranty is definitely good at any MINI dealership - but don't take our words for it. Call up MINI USA and get it from the source.

 

MINI warranty is good at any dealership HOWEVER getting a loaner vehicle might be an issue if you did not purchase from your local dealer ... if this is a non issue, order from anywhere. MINI of the HAMPTONS in NY is a good choice for ordering for quick delivery ... at least is used to be on the coupes ... might be a different story now that the Clubmans are trendy.

 

Come to South Florida, my dealer has quite a few in stock. He, like others have said, can build you a car much quicker too. You could then have diagonal, cross-country trip home during the summer.

Just a thought....

Terry

 

Rear visability problem????
Yeah, maybe if there were nothing but Lotus Super Sevens on the road around you. Take a look. Everybody else is still driving big 'ol SUVs. Plenty easy to see. Maybe even ~scary~ easy.

In truth, It' will take some getting used to for me. I've been in BMW 2002s for years. Big greenhouse with LOTS of visibility. When I got the E30 M3, the first few time I went to change lanes I freaked out. At first glance I thought there was a car right on my bumper. It was just the rear wing I was seeing. Moral is- more seat time, you'll get used to it. Humans adapt pretty well. Well, most of us.

 

I'm with all the others on the rear visibility it's small but not as bad as the cabrio. It's funny I just drove back to CO from picking my car up in NY and was telling my wife how bright the Xenon's on the mini are compared to our 05 touareg. I also drove a cabrio with standard lights and thought they did great. As for availability I would give a call to other dealers like I did. I was just in Vegas and know they had a bunch in stock may even have what your looking for. Air fare to Vegas can be found for great prices and you will brake the car in on the drive home. I know from NY to CO shipping was only like 700.00 so not too bad.