Really? Three days and no one has posted about the MotoringFile review of the clubman?

maybe I just missed it, but if not here it is...

 

I guess most people here love their Clubman and don't really care what someone else thinks about them...

 

Overall, I generally agree the review. Only two points of contention...

The AISIN Automatic - Here's the thing. I LOVE manual transmissions. I love rowing my own gears. But I hate rowing them in traffic. And my wife has no interest in getting proficient with a manual, and for her sake I bit the bullet and ordered the auto. And you know what? It's the best auto I've ever driven. It feels perfectly mated to the engine, with none of the confusion it seemed to suffer in the R53.

I understand - and I think everyone else does, too - it's not as engaging as a manual. No auto will ever be. I hate it when reviews like this spend time bashing the auto because they prefer manual. Great. I do too, but life is full of compromises. I'd rather read what they think of the transmission itself, not how they wish it was something it's not.

The Convenience Package (and Comfort Access in particular) - Far from useless, I've found Comfort Access to be remarkably handy. IMO it's like the Bluetooth option. You don't realize how useful it is until you have it and live with it. I love that I can push a button on the handle and unlock the car, especially when I'm lugging the baby + carseat in my right hand and my key's in my right pocket. Ditto when opening the barn doors to load groceries, dog food, etc.

Not having to put the key into the slot is a bit silly, but honestly, if you're going to forego a key for a start button, why the heck not?

Another benefit that seems to have been overlooked - if your key's in your pocket, there's no way you can lock yourself out of the car (which I did once in my R53 when I closed the hatch and unwittingly left my key resting on my laptop bag).

 

Well, the reviewer owns a Mini now, so he understands the car.
That helps.
This guy didn't get the concept of Convenience Acces, the poor soul.
Should we go back to 8 Track tapes just because we once used them?
Car keys are on the same path as 8 Tracks.

 

I was thinking about this subject this morning. Reviews are for those seeking information. MINI owners are a different type of person and reviews just don't always matter.

 

Other than the fact that Gabe continues to be completely locked into the "MINIs are less fun without a manual tranny" mindset, it's cool.

 

I love my convenience package. It's very convenient.

 

Doogs and I agree with you, too Joep.

 

Well said and enough said

 

I get the concept. I just don't care for it. Apparently, neither did he.

 

Miniclubman,
I work with a dude whose coupe has a Convenience Access package.
Click the unlock, get in and drive off. Sweet! It blew me away.
I loved it before it was an option on the Clubman.

Once you've had it, you'll never go back.
It's like drinking Sammy Adams and then being forced to drink Bud.
It just ain't right!
(That's my opinion and I don' need to hear from Union Local 272!)

 

Y'know, I think you nailed it! I don't feel the need for anyone else's approval, that is for SURE!

 

Thanks Lady G....

I just don't think we (mini fanatics) need approval/validation to own such a hot car! We're unique people....

 

I'm not saying that it's not an attractive or useful option for some, just that someone who doesn't care for Comfort Access should not be accused of "not getting it". The whole point of the extensive options and customization menu for the MINI is to allow each owner to build exactly the car they want. My opinion of an owner who buys a base MINI with no options is the same as my opinion of one who buys a fully loaded "S". They're both right.

 

As miniclubman just wrote:Amen and amen.

 

This is why I love the MINI community - so much passion for these cars. I also loved the Clubman and can't wait to do a week's test of a manual Clubman S later in the year.

In regards to the auto - yeah I'm totally a manual guy I freely admit that. But I really think MINI deserves better than the Aisin. I'm currently testing a 135i with what I would call the best torque converter style auto in the world. There's almost no comparison - it makes the Aisin feel at least 10 years older in technology. Not that the Aisin is terrible - it's just not what it could be.

Anyway thanks for the comments everyone! We always appreciated them.

 

I'm with ya, brother. While I'm content with my Aisin, I'm hoping there's a better option when I buy my next MINI - good to hear about the 135... that gives me hope.

 

Gabe is a well known "Stick Shift Snob".

Hey dude, we all love ya!

 

Very Zen.

towtruck

 

Or one that picks an automatic over a manual or viceversa.