Primary use of MINI is for commuting and occasional errands around town, etc.
I"m 5'6" in height and my Previous vehicles owned: 86' Toyota Celica, 92' Honda Prelude, 93' Toyota Corolla, '95 Mazda 626, 98' Nissan Frontier, 2002' Honda Civic Cpe, 2007 Honda Civic Sdn.

I've had my PW MCC w/ AT for 2 days and 130 miles, day/night driving...

Things that I really like: LIGHTS! I just love my XENONs! really like the interior Ambient Lighted Colors and just really like the overall look/feel of the interior at night, really, really cool and different!..Did I mention the XENONS!... the rear fog i got to fill my toggle switches and front fogs as well, would do it again.

The Physical Car INTERIOR:
The sports seats feel firm, but very comfortable, slightly snug but not too snug..they just feel good (cloth seats). The cloth checkers on the seat are not in your face visible, just subtle, just right. The Arm Rest: I've used it and just not as 'normal' feeling as my civics was, feels a bit out of place/location, definitely feels like afterthought, but I would still rather have it than not. The doors are hefty, I wish they had a healthy "THUNK" as the honda's,toyotas, etc. One thing of interest that I never noticed in my test drives prior to order months ago: THE WINDOWS: the windows go slightly down when door opens and then push themselves up when closed (FEELING very apprehensive of that..but taking it in stride for now..) For the exception of the plastic toggles, I do feel that overall there is a very good feel and balance overall as far as the comoponents/dash, etc.. the flow is good. I have the AH (anthracite Headliner)....I"m glad I have it, I really do feel that it just adds a bit of "wow" to the interior look, plus I prefer dark interiors so works for me, works very well!... nothing to say/add about the clubman rear doors that hasn't been said, PERIOD!..cool they are!..now the rear view mirror w/ barn doors, if you don't focus on the black bar and focus on rear traffic, it's nothing major at all, just like driving a full size van, etc....if you don't focus on rear traffic and just keep looking at the rear door, um, sure....gonna be a problem. I think it's awesome that both sun visors have mirrors AND are lighted!...important for some folks!..the interior MAP lights are very bright and work great, just enough light to see whatever u want to see etc.

The TIRES and NOISE:
I think and feel that car itself is very quiet interior noise, much more than my 07' civic sedan which was loud interior on hwy. NOW, the MINI runflats are somewhat loud, thats what I think. Besides the engine noise, which i feel is intentional to add to the MINI experience adn that works very well as well, ESPECIALLY when u push that DARN SPORT BUTTON!...and I only have a JUSTA!... again, i think the cabin interior noise is really good, i think the car tires carry unnecessary noise into the cabin. my 2 cents; It's not a big deal, but just enough for me to definitely want to consider getting 'regular' tires...but probalby won't happen...(at least for now).....

CLUBMAN DOOR:
no complaints, so far does what it suppose to do, allow easier passage to backseat area.

The engine/Transmission:
The engine/trans per the sale sheet are made in France. Engine sounds fine, a lil loud if your standing outside and first few seconds, u can hear it doing it's thing. ANYONE HEAR OR NOTICE A "WHISTLING" SOUND WHEN IDLING??? Transmission, very smooth shifting, most times you can't tell/feel the shift!.... NO PADDLE SHIFTING yet..still new, etc.... just A/T and sport button usage..

A/C; works GREAT!..easy to use(just regular a/c)..the only thing is the low air speed setting, is just a tad too 'fast' and thus is just a tad bit too loud...for me on low , if the low setting could just be 1 more speed lower, it would be pretty good for me, but a/c works real good so far.

RADIO: i have regular radio, i always use/have factory systems on my cars. The MINI one works fine, could be better, but not bad and have heard worse. The buttons on the face are akward, but once u set yuor stations you'll use your MFSW (which I recommend as a must!)....NOW: the infamous volume button!... heres' my take on this... it makes sense to be where it's at if your someone, like me or even a stick shift person, you can reach up w/ your finger and just move the volume when your hand is on the top of the transmission handle.... otherwise than that, it's a learning lesson, no big deal..

SPEEDOMETER: it's big, it works and it's big. enuff said.

TECHNOLOGY: this car really has alot of 'flexibility' in options of what you liek adn want to do: car autolocks, or not, daytime lights, or not, 1 blink or 3, regular time or military time, etc. etc, .... I'm impressed ....

THE DRIVE!; I feel very, very confident and comfortable that I'm in a safe and competent vehicle, no concerns..........................yet.

THE STUPIDITY SYNDROME!: ???what u say??? ...ok....even though your MA might spend 1+ hour going over the car stuff w/ you, u just can't remember everything!....I turned on intermittent wiper......and drove for miles trying to figure out how to turn the darn thing off!!!!......and yes, i did finally figure it out....but ..... felt stupid to be going 65mph and fighting wipers being on during a clear day for miles and miles....

The MINI is charge for now...I"m working on wrangling it in.......and learning how to drive it...it is a very different experience and exposure thus far...was the wait worth it?...at this time, the answer is "YES"..

Why?...well think about it, besides being able to afford the car itself (vs. a focus for example), your also committing yourself (and family) to wait for 2, 3, 4 months for a car that YOU 'built' w/ YOUR wants......not what the factory just pushed out or a dealer might have just put on.... YOU ordered what you have on YOUR car...all for less than $35K....

new car feeling aside, I'm glad I chose to give MINI a try and move away from Japanese cars....NAM is a great forum, great folks and I'm looking forward to sharing and reading as time goes by....
I have busy weekend planned w/ PRIMA BANANA and BLACK WOW !...

 

Thank you EDJD for you posting. Great job. Makes me want to spend the time writing my initial thoughts on my mini when it arrives.

Thanks again. Loved the post.
ocarroll
also a pw/pw clubman.

 

edjd - Nice. The windows do come down a bit, that's just the way they are, I wouldn't give it much thought.

We replaced our run-flats pretty quickly for a few reasons, but honestly, I'm not noticing a huge difference. Both have been fine for me - run-flats are just a bit more stiff of a ride.

 

The windows come down to release the air presure so the doors close easier.

 

Thanks.

 

Congratulations on your new Clubman! One comment, you said the car was "under $35K". I'd say way under, based on you build specs at the bottom of your post. $35K is JCW territory!

 

Or someone who likes LOTS of options. (No one I know, for sure! )

 

While I don't doubt that this is a benefit of the feature, the real reason the windows roll down upon opening the door and roll up after closing the door is to assure a better water-tight seal since the windows are frameless.

 

The automatic transmission does naturally make a faint, high pitched whistling noise at idle.

Glad you're so happy with your Cooper Clubman - we're very fond of ours too.

P.S. Re that whistling sound...if it is more than faint, or changes...you might want to read this thread https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=104287 I had a problem at one point but it was not at idle...it was while driving and it was very loud...turned out to be a mirror cap that was defective...so it was wind noise that was quite obnoxious.

 

Nice write up on your first impressions. It sounds as if you will be very happy with your Clubman. I just brought mine home Monday. I've only driven it a few miles from the dealership to my garage. The Mini was so perfect -new- I decided I was not going to drive it until I got the road block put on. Scheduled for this Monday so I can actually start enjoying the car then. After waiting 9 weeks for delivery, a few more days of idle time seems like nothing. Enjoy the new wheels and be safe. Dan

 

Really... I thought this was because the windows are frameless.

 

Danny,what is the"road Block"?

 

skid plate?

 

Yes, it's easy to run up the price on the MINI site! I guess if you keep checking those little boxes, you can get to 35K, and beyond!

 

Road block=clear bra? I skipped it, and glad I did..the dings I now have, thanks to www.pave80.com , are quite large, and a clear bra would have been useless. Every day, a pebble/rock hits my windshield..so far no bullseyes, but it WILL be a bad day when it does happen!

 

As Alphawave said, Road Block is the clear film put on the hood and front bumper. There are some threads on it if you search around. As I said I'm not driving my Clubman until I have it installed. I know that the first stone chip on the hood will drive me over the edge. My current street car looks like it was sprayed across the front with stones. Living in the Northeast, Winter brings salt trucks and highway travel can be car abusive. Maybe I'm being a little too OCD but I'd like to keep the Clubman looking good. My sister has one on her 2005 Mini and her hood still looks great. Dan

 

I have never heard that term "road block" used before - a new one on me. Here is a thread that might be helpful: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=133244

 

Yes, this does happen. It took me months to notice all the little details/functions on my Cooper, things I continue to appreciate...be fascinated by...and even be entertained by 1.5 years after I took delivery. It was sort of a mind-meld that developed w/ the car the more seat-time I had. It is a dream to own. Beyond all this, though...beyond all the quirky features and very useful gadgets/displays....is the drive....plain, simple and directly spectacular. And all this with 39-40 mpg city. Automotive money well spent? Oh, you betcha!!!!

 

gr8 statement go kart ride!
in essence I do feel that there is just alot of stuff in the car, alot to look at and do that it'll be hard to get bored w/ my new MINI clubman, even over time as you have expressed.....I get the feeling that there will always be something interesting to experience, etc... and that DARN SPORT BUTTON!...

 

great post! thanks for sharing your experiences

 

Whenever I push it I feel like I'm going over to the dark side!!!

 

I have to say after seeling Apple the two things I love most about the BMW is the Cabin is super quit no noise at all, and love my AC, love the fact i can chose how much air comes out of which vents on auto

 

Club Door Stinks...

Whenever it rains, my door sticks. I have to take it to Morristown Mini to get it unstuck.

 

slight growl moment thus far:

gas pedal roominess, not a big deal but worth mentioning...you don't have any wiggle room to the right side of the gas pedal.......and fuel........what to do?...
I emailed my MA to ask.... so the book says 91 octane preferred....but in Texas area, only limited to 87/89/93 octane for the most part...I did put in 89 octane this mrng, again, I have a justa model, so I think 89 should be more than fine.... wtg for MA response...

speaking , of just got this in from my MA:
QUOTE:
From what I understand, the premium fuels have detergents which clean the fuel injectors...and the lower fuels do not. I have had 2 MINI's in my life and have used nothing but 93 octane. My fiancé has a 2008 cooper and she has used 89 and 93 octane, and no problems. I would recommend using the 93 and if you do use the lower fuels...put a Techron additive in your tank once a month.
There are not any warranty issues, it says in the manual that you can use 87 octane, your safe.
UNQUOTE

 

I always use 93 m'self.