I realize that this subject has come up several times before, but I thought I would put a different spin on it. I am torn between the clubman, as a practical gas saving commuter car or the S which will give me the extra power. How would you compare either for a long road trip on the Interstate for two adults? Comfort, fatigue and ability to cope with the truckers, etc. are just a few of the elements I am trying to figure in this decision. I am not a DIY kind of person and do not look under the hood, excuse me bonnet. I am just your average older driver who likes to hold onto a good car for 7 years.
By the way, you guys have been very responsive and helpful as I struggle to finalize my decisions.

 

I find that my Clubman S is very good on an interstate drive and will get upwards of 35+ mpg. I am not worried about the trucks, I just hold my own, and make sure my driving lights are on so that they can see me. As for upkeep, I have had only one issue (High Pressure Fuel Pump) and now that it is fixed my mini drives great! As for comfort of two adults - I am 6'3" and 250 lbs (big boy) and my wife is 5'5" 190 lbs and we have no problem on long trips - 4.5 hours to Durham, NC was a breeze and a pleasure - even though I have a 6 speed Manual and no cruise control! We usually take the Honda Accord - but it turns out we only missed the XM radio!

 

Personal preference... that's all I can say. I'm into saving gas. I ride my bike as much as I can and drive my Clubman when I can't. If you feel you need to accelerate faster, than go for the S. I've never had a problem coping with truckers...I just keep the doors locked so they can't get in. My Clubman is comfortable, and it's way to exciting too put me to sleep.

 

I was VERY torn between the two when I ordered my Clubman. I drove the non-S and found it to be as peppy as I'll ever need for what I'm buying the car for. Economical ttransportation!

Sure, I'd love the extra power of the S, but I know myself well enough that if I went that route, i would end up trying to get more and more out of it, thus defeating the "economical" part of owning it.

I think that the handling of the MINI is just as much a reason to buy as is the power of the S, so it's not like I'm going to be driving a "slug".

it really just bopils down to what you are getting the car for. Additionally, the $3K + that I saved doesn't hurt either.

 

That's a really tough question. I'll be struggling with it soon as I've decided my next MINI will be a Clubman. I'd love to keep the cost down and buying a non S is one way to do that.

 

We decided to go for non S for the Clubman. As far as confort is the same as the S and on our first trip we did a 37 mpg but it lacks of the sprint of the S, still is a MINI .. I am not sure about truckers never had problems but I do have some "uninvited guests " (usually SUVs) on my boot from time to time and with the Clubman doors it feels like they are inside...

One thing I like with the new Clubman is the parking sensors and the little monitor that pops up when you park.. It's a little extra that is worth the $$.

Happy Motoring !!

 

I actually like the Clubman better than the C-S, which has waaaay too much torque steer and wheel spin for my tastes. Much less with the Clubman, which I am considering right now.

 

Another advantage of the non-S: you can get Mellow Yellow, which isn't available on the S.

 

Get the S.

Gas prices will increase around 2-3$ over the non-s model depending on how heavy your foot is and the gas will be into the $4 range through 2009 and by then you will have adjusted your budget to match. I fill up my current car once a week to drive to work and I want the car I want to drive to work.

The economical battle doesn't work when both cars get above 30mpg and over or around 340miles per tank.

Proper driving techniques can offer you 35MPG on the S model depending on again, how you drive.

My 2.3L mazda has a bunch of torque steer...just hold the wheel and work with your veicle.

If you absolutely need to save $3000... get a MCS instead of a MCCS unless you need the extra room.

But I do have to ask, if you aren't going to get under the hood and tinker, is the S really for you? I'm not bashing someone who wants a turbo over a non-turbo, but there are more mechanical related items you need to be aware of with a turbo as well as additional costs which may be involved in the maintenance...so...just thoughts.

Have you driven them both? Might make your choice right there.

 

Thanks for the input. I have driven both clubman and clubman S with an automatic and frankly, other than the rate of acceleration it wasn't radically different on the open road. I guess I am having a difficult time convincing myself about the clubman because so many of you on this site seem to have selected the S and appear very satisfied. Nevertheless, saving $3,000 is very attractive, that would be about 2 years worth of gas at today's rate of $4.00 per gallon.

 

One other consideration not yet mentioned is the fact that "S" cars generally seem to bring more money in the resale market than do the "non-S" cars. If you generally trade cars every few years, you'll end up getting more for the "S" if history proves an indicator. Additionally, if you're leasing, there shouldn't be that much of a difference because the residual will be greater on the "S".

 

I can get well over 500 miles on a tank. (Manual Clubman)

 

If you're concerned about highway driving, neither the base Clubman nor the "S" will have any issues. If you frequently like to put your right foot to the floor and feel a rush of power and acceleration, get the "S". If you like to take every turn as quick and tight as possible, get the "S". If you want to save a couple of thousand dollars, and get a few more miles per gallon, get the base.

 

To clarify....

The number was 30MPG I suggested, the Mini will push the 40MPG limit on both sides..figure over 400 to 450mpg with either the he manual or the auto on the S model and around 450 for the auto and pushing 500 for the manual on the non turbo...give or take the fuel grades or amount of crap in the fuel at any given time...and how fast the car went from fillup to fillup...

 

Shamus, you must remember that this site is but a sliver of Clubman ownership. Want to check out a more European and less S "driven" forum: http://www.mini2.com/forum/mini-clubman/, though it's still just a small sliver of insight into ownership. Most people do not frequent Internet sites based upon their cars.

Go for another test drive and take the cars on some back roads or something. I described my recent MINI Run with my automatic MCC https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...6&postcount=44 - over Pennsylvania mountains, hills, valleys...around amazing twisting turns...never a problem, never an issue to keep the pace following plenty of MCS versions. If the non S, automatic has plenty of power - then the manual must be even better.

Experience them both in non highway driving and decide from the big picture on each.

Happy trails!

 

Otra,
Thanks, you actually addressed my concern about the Clubman. I just needed a little more input before I could rest with my decision.
Your trip up through the mountains of Penn. were exactly what I was thinking about as I love to drive from Maryland up to Maine every summer for two weeks. Unfortunately, according to my dealer, I probably will not be able to do it this year in my new MCC since he has not yet even given me a production number.

 

Shamus Kay - I am at the same decision point. One additional input for you. For reasions I can not explain , both my wife and I believe the S version to be both quieter, and more composed on the freeway, when compared back to back with the non S. We have had several independent test drive sessions with both cars, in both transimission options and come to the same 'impression'. Our focus is on short (up to 400 mile) trips and can not seem to resolve the ride and noise impression. There will be comments about whether the test cars had sport or non-sport options, Run Flat tyres or not, sunroof or not, but it did not seeme to matter in developing "our' impression'. We find our test drive results counter intuitive and the S version may win the toss even though I really wanted to see long term happyness in a non-S. The one thing we agree on is that the Sport seats are more comfortable that the standard seats. I believe you have to get a sport seat that has some,or all, leather to get adjustable Lumbar support. happy shopping - ajm

 

You're welcome shamus.

I think the big thing in all of these decisions for everyone to remember is that it's a very personal decision - whether it's S vs non, sport seats vs regular, leather vs cloth, halogen vs xenon, auto vs manual, sun roof vs non sun roof, runflats vs nonrunflats, all season vs performance, sports suspension vs regular...ad nauseum.

For every person such as moe-jiller, who swears by the sports seats I bet we can show just as many who can't stand them, etc.

So much about buying these cars comes down to individual tastes, ability to spend money, previous driving experience (as in the different kinds of cars one has owned or liked) and more.

Hang in there, and perhaps the old saying "Make your decision and make it right" is one to bear in mind. Damn the torpedoes and full speed ahead!

P.S. If not this year, then perhaps next year, Shamus, you ought to consider joining a MINI caravan to MINIs On Top! http://www.minisontop.com/

 

I was at the same descision point a couple of weeks ago and chose to go with the S even thogh I set out to buy the non S. My choice was based on several of the reasons listed above and back to back driving along the same route.

The perceived quieter running of the S is something I noticed as well. There is a very good reason. The S exhaust pipe is filled with a turbo which in most cars reduces the noise. Since it has gobs more torque it is not necessary to down shift in many situations to get the acceleration needed. Therefore the non S for the same performance requires more shifting and more engine rpm and buz.

 

I average over 39 MPG. 39*14 Gallons = 546 on a tank. So, like I said, well over 500 miles.

 

DRIVE both engine sizes with the family and see if the Clubman has the acceleration and power you need.
Maybe you, the Mrs. and a Sales Dude will be the correct weight.
The S has a ton of acceleration and lower MPG.

 

I had both in the generation 1 cars. The difference is to get the base model to pull you have to shift and let it rev out quite a bit, with the S you just GO when you hit the gas and you can shift sooner since the car pulls throughout the rev range. You don't have to hold it in a gear to get it to pull, make sense?

 

I looked at various forums before ordering my Clubman. I would say that 80% of the engine problems that people experienced were on S models. Granted, many were related to the previous supercharged engine, but the new engine has it's share of issues including high temperatures melting various body parts and the unsettling noisy cold weather startup. My thought was why pay the extra money upfront, the extra money in gas, and invite potential trouble for a few extra horsepower. I went with the non-S and have no regrets. I just changed out the grille to an S version to get the look without the cost and issues.

 

After reviewing the responses in this site, the answer to me is that with an "S" I have two cars. If I drive conservatively then I have an economy car. However if I drive with the Sport Button ON, I am having fun. 2 for the price of 1

 

We went though this same debate when we ordered our Clubman several weeks ago. We went with the base model for several reasons. We really do not need the extra acceleration. Also the cost of ownership for the base should be lower. In my experience turbo charged cars have a higher cost of ownership in the long haul (I know some one will debate this but this has been my experience so far). Also the base will save you some money to start with. You sound like me that you want to keep the car for a relativley long period of time so the resale value does not matter so much.