MINI as a brand still isn't self-sufficient, and relies heavily on parent company BMW to design and engineer the vehicles.

I'm not sure MINI is even making much money right now, even with the demand we see today. The question does have to be asked as to what BMW will ultimately do with the brand. I hope they stay true to the current philosophy and make interesting, incredibly fun, competitive vehicles. If they add a few 'other' vehicles to the mix, that doesn't bother me, so long as the core MINI remains true.

 

wanna talk about slow, drive my xB with the ac on, now that is slow but I have never felt like my life was within inches of being snuffed out by other traffic wanting to get past me...

 

Can someone please explain to me what a "heavily optioned" Clubman has to do with acceleration? I'm confused, does having the MFSW, iPod/Bluetooth, PDC, racing stripes...etc bog down my acceleration? Or am I missing something?

 

Depends on the options... I think for the 02 models there was about a 200 lb range of weights depending on the options selected. For my car this is a bit more than a 7% potential increase in weight. If you look at it via power to weight ratio, that's like 9 hp or so for a base Cooper.

Matt

To the OP, really the best way for you to know is to go do another test drive with AC on and off and see what you think. You'll be the one driving it.

 

Things like Sunroof, xenons, 16's, leather, the added speakers and amps of the hi-fi....all weigh more thus changing acceleration speeds. Sunroof being the only really major hindrance that you would notice though.

 

Driving the Clubman may just take a bit of adjustment from other vehicles that you have driven. The power band is there, but you have to learn when to shift; or downshift...miss the best timing and your engine can be "gasping for breath".

I have found that I get the best gas milage if I can be in the highest gear possible without lugging the engine. (Pretty obvious, but for me; it took some changes in my habits)

I enjoy my Clubman. It has plenty of power.

 

It is an interesting point though...a Clubman has more access for more people and more room for more stuff. All that potentially adds up to more weight. Still, I think the Cooper is far from dangerously slow, and the new engine that is in the Clubman has much more torque than the first gen Cooper engine.

In a potentially tricky traffic situation (like the author describes) anything short of a rocket can be too slow. If you are used to driving a Cooper, you'll be fine. Besides, in a small car (like a MINI) there is no substitute for using your head. If the situation is iffy (like the one the author describes) just wait for a more suitable openning in traffic.

 

My Clubman is fully loaded with everything except Sirius and Park Assist.

And it ain't slow to accelerate.

It's not the first off the line, but it's not the last either.

 

I was laughing at what Parkerton wrote. I've had no problems accelerating in the Clubman with or without options of any sort.

 

[QUOTE=JGS;2454827]
I have found that I get the best gas milage if I can be in the highest gear possible without lugging the engine. (Pretty obvious, but for me; it took some changes in my habits)

QUOTE]

I've always been confused by the term lugging. What does it mean? (I assume the engine is struggling) Can you lug the engine above 2k rpm?

 

I thought stripes were supposed to make me faster, not slow me down.

Alright, guess it's back to the dealers since my Clubman is *heavily* optioned (now I know where that comes from). My poor MA.

 

Reldieh, Darthsmall (whose name I love) is an S correct? The writer was referring to a justaClubman.

 

Originally Posted by wampa
Just remember. Adequacy is not the same as badassity.

Great comment!

Absolutely great comment...I laughed out loud! We have a manual S on order, but that's because I often feel the need for speed. We test drove the S, non-S, manaul, automatic...it's really about personal preference.

 

Ahhh...

tuh-MAY-toh, tuh-MAH-toh...



Well, here's a testament for ya- I love my MINI, and being an auto does NOT slow it down!! Of course, being an S helps

 

It's when you put too much a load at too low an RPM. For the mini, I'd say that the limit is probably about 1200-1500 RPMs... But you'll know it when it happens. The engine bucks a bit (or a lot). When it happens, shift to a lower gear to get the revs up.

Matt

 

I bought a Clubman S and am glad I went for the turbo. I live in the mountains and the car has plenty of zip for accelerating up hills. Acceleration is great and the sport button gives the boost when needed. I think the turbo is well worth the extra money.

 

I am not going to look up the specs of a 2002 "stripper" Jetta, because I don't feel like investing too much time arguing about this anyway since we all think MINIs have fine acceleration.

But my wife had this Jetta with the stock engine and auto trans and I thought I was going to die every time we pulled out across the intersection in front of our old house. It was 4 lanes and my heart stopped every time. That thing was slow as molasses. And then the auto would downshift only after I kept my right foot planted for a solid 7 seconds trying to avoid the Hummer coming my way.

Wow I hated that car. What a turd bucket.

So I can see how the author "could" say something like this, especially if he is not used to driving a car like that. If I drove a 550i BMW and wanted to downsize and tried a Justa, I would probably think it was slow as $&^%^&. Know what I mean?

 

I am trading my 2001 Sentra SE for a Clubman. The SE is slow off of the line, but once you hit the power band - good night! Getting into traffic is more than just sheer speed. You need to pay attention and know when.
When I test drove the Clubman it was a manual and I had no problems pulling in or out of traffic around Pittsburgh.

 

In defense of justa auto's, I have no problem merging/passing whatsoever...the only 'problem' I have in on inclined on-ramps, which would test ANY automatic...kickdown seems a tad slow for my liking. Consequently, I simply throw on Sport mode...problem solved. I enjoy a few extra miles of Mini pleasure per tankload, and don't miss the S..others are free to enjoy their S's, and while I doubt I'd finish first, I'd have no difficulty keeping up. 'Dangerously Slow' is reserved for the other traffic that surrounds us!

 

I'm on the lookout for Justa MINI's obstructing traffic. I'll report back just as soon as I spot one.

 

I think it's worse than that for this particular author, his other car's an E46 M3.

 

Then of course a Justa would feel "dangerous". In certain traffic prone areas I would say the same thing.

 

Smart! Smart! Smart! Smart!
No rocket car will help you if you don't have any brains!
I am driving a 1995 mercedes e300d which has a 3l 6cyl non-turbo diesel and that does 0-60 in about a week , but i have never had any problems merging into traffic or any things of that sort and i drove a LOT.

 

OK that cracked me up!!

 

I really do not think that the acceleration on the Mini Cooper Clubman is that bad. I mean for what the car is it seems to accelerate pretty well. By no means is this car dangerously slow. Coming from a faster car you do have to watch out a bit though.