Okay, here is the problem.

My wife is "considering" trading in her beloved Honda Odyssey for a Clubman to reduce her gas expenses, but she is concerned about the stiff suspension.

We have more than our share of potholes here in Puerto Rico, and the Odyssey seems to just float over them, and my JWC Cooper S is at times a wild ride. In fact I upgraded to the JWC suspension and that seemed to help the car deal with the worst of uneven surfaces - however still the car turns into a demonic amusement ride with any significant irregularity in the road surface. She does not like that experience. Maybe because she does not have the steering wheel to hold onto.

Any advice on how to order the Clubman for the most compliant ride? I don't want to spoil the car, but also don't want her to buy a MINI that she is literally uncomfortable with.

 

My honest opinon...go drive it, she'll leave her van behind as far as fun, but the ride is a bit stiff compared to a 3500+ weight vehicle. My wife's CR-V is around 3200lbs-ish and very plush compared to the Mini feel. I'm use to the stiffer ride coming from another sports car, but once the sun hits and the wind is coming through the car she'll probably not worry too much about it.

Check out a few of the posts in the area about the sport suspension...and I don't want to sound like an ***, but what does she think? Has she driven your JWC to compare or test driven a clubbie yet?

 

She simply must drive one before she decides but I don't think the sports suspension or larger wheels than standard will give her the sort of ride she'll like - and for that reason the Cooper on 15-inch wheels may suit her better than a Cooper S on its standard 16-inch.

But some drivers used to auto-boxes don't find the manual Cooper an easy drive because it responds best to full use of the gearbox so they prefer the quick response of an automatic S!

 

Just Say NO to the Sports Suspension.
Will she want a Clubman or a Clubman S?

 

Based upon what I've been able to glean from this forum and from miniusa.com; the "sport suspension" option (not package) only gets you sway bars that are 1mm larger in diameter front and back....same shocks and springs. If this is truly the case, I doubt the sway bars would make that much difference in the ride.

 

Advice - number one, the Clubman is completely different from the regular MINI - JCW, or whatever due to its wheel base. Heed the advice given about the 15 inch tires (probably don't want run flats) and don't choose the sports suspension.

Do they have the Clubman available to test drive? Drive both the Cooper and S... I have a Cooper automatic and have absolutely no problem with pick up. The best advice is a nice long test drive over the kind of roadway your wife will be driving.

 

Going from a Toyota Sienna XLE Limited (basically a pimped out minivan w/lexus guts) which is like driving a sofa to work... to a Clubman S (on order).

On the test drive I was so amped, I could have hit a curb and I am not sure it would have felt any more rough than with the minivan on fresh pavement...*

Back to earth (for a second) - the first thing I noticed going from the Clubmans S test drive, back to the van was how incredibly boring and dispassionate a minivan is to drive. The second thing I noticed after the ABS kicked in at the first red light when I tried to stop, is how great the brakes are in the Clubman (my brain was programed after a 15 minute test drive - you do become one w/these MINI's awfully fast..).

In any case, S or no S, I agree, forget about the sport suspension... if you go base, stick w/the 15" wheels, probably a bit smoother ride than the R/F (cheaper too).

*Product alert: The last time I drove a stick was a '95 Nissan Altima 5 speed..., Clubman S test drive was my first experience w/the 6 speed, at first traffic stop threw it into what I thought was first gear and punched it... almost slammed a nice looking Mercedes behind me (the MA made a low whining noise). Reverse in the 5 speed was bottom right, not top left... that was, ah, first gear in that position. All 6 speeds like this or this a UK thing?

 

I agree about the tires. Go with 15-inch wheels and regular tires, which means you would have to say no to the sports package. I have 16-inch run-flats with sports suspension, and it is pretty jarring on city bumps. I used to live in P.R. and I believe a smoother MINI would be perfect there. When you're stuck in el tapón, the MINI will keep you smiling.

 

Clubman S with standard suspension and standard 16" runflats has been a very comfortable ride so far, surprisingly. I'd expect the base Clubman with 15" non-runflats to be even more so.

* Product Alert: It's a "BMW thing".

 

My family and I test drove a non-S with the factory 15" (only size that are non-runflats) tires and wheels and I thought it was a bit rough riding.

Picked up my Clubman and immediately put on 18" tires and wheels w/ non-runflats and couldn't be happier.

I suspect that the factory tires are not the best quality (they probably went with the lowest bidder as far as tire suppliers) but I have had several people compliment me on the ride of my car.

Oh, we also have an '07 Odyssey and I'd MUCH rather drive the MINI. Much more responsive and confident feeling. My wife even commented on how well it rides and drives.

Stick with the non-runflats and see how you like it. You can always go with a higher quality tire if you don't like the factory ones.