[FONT=Arial]Hi all,

The wheels just fell off my 11 year old daily driver (figuratively), and it's time for a new ride. It was down to a Mini Clubman and the VW EOS. I really liked the EOS, but man, that top is complicated!

Anyway, I've settled on the Clubman S, and I am working out my options list. Any "must haves"? I see that they won't outfit any sport packages until December (worth the wait?)

Is the JCW version worth it? I like extra ponies as much as the next guy, but doing so would mean giving up the automatic transmission (before you ding me on this, my other car is a 98 Z3 with a manual), and I was looking forward to having an auto in my daily driver. Is the auto-tranny worthy of the car? Troublesome or smooth and worry free?

What's the difference between the various bluetooth/ipod/smartphone options? I didn't really see anything that explained them at all. FWIW, I have an iphone. Is it particularly well inegrated, or just charger/audio plug?

Finally, how about pricing? Any wiggle room from MSRP? The dealership here in down (SoFL) seemed pretty eager to place my order, and the wait was only 8 weeks from order to delivery (compared to 12 for my Z3). I didn't see any "market adjustments" on any of the cars.

Thanks guys/gals![/FONT]
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[FONT=Arial]Best,
Richman[/FONT]

 

The Bluetooth USB/Ipod is the way to go, if you go with that make sure you get a MultiFunction Steering Wheel Controls.

Now there is a Smartphone prep, which moves the ipod connector the the armrest, you also need to order a iphone adapter to plug your phone into.
There is no real big advantage of the Smartphone prep for the iPhone.


I have not seen any dealer going below MSRP for a special order car. At least they are not charging 5k over MSRP.

I like the look of the Anthracite headliner. We ordered the sunroof that was a have to option for us. For us 6 speed manual was a necessity.

If you want the sunroof the Connivence Package is the way to go.

 

Richman, read through this thread about accessories/options and you'll get tons of opinions on what people love and/or wish they had or hadn't ordered: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=133186. Here are a couple of threads where people have posted about their opinions on the automatic (both S and Non S) https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ight=automatic and https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ight=automatichttps://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ight=automatic and https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ight=automatic And remember, everyone has got an opinion. Drive each version yourself on a good test drive including local roads and the highway. Consider how important gas mileage is, etc.

If you aren't familiar with Motoringfile, you can read their take on the Auto S here: http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/05/...an-cooper-s-2/ Happy reading!

 

There is no wiggle room on the MSRP. Make sure you get both front and rear fog lights and the multi-function steering wheel. Those are the must haves. Otherwise, you end up with blanks where toggle switches should be, and no cruise control.

 

When I was making up my mind on what Clubbie to order, I drove all 4 possible combinations or Turbo, non-Turbo, Automatic, and Manual transmission trying to make my mind up on what I really wanted.

Non-Turbo
Automatic - Very lazy, slow to move off the line. Manual mode seemed very much like other cars I've driven, where trying to actually shift the transmission manually was more of a suggestion that an actual gear change
Manual - MUCH improved response off the line, but mostly due to your own slipping of the clutch.

Turbo
Automatic - WOW, what a little boost will do to wake up the transmission! Gear changes, at times bark the tires, both in and out of Sport mode.
Manual - Can you say crotch-rocket?

In the end, I chose to go with a Clubman S with the automatic transmission. The deciding factor for me was the amount of traffic we have here in the DFW Metroplex.