Hello everyone. This is my first post on this forum though I've long been a follower and long been waiting to get my first Mini. I will of course be getting a Clubman (hence my posting in this sub-forum) and I can't wait. Still despite ALL my research I would love it if anybody could help me out with a few things and offer some advice.

Before I ask some questions though I should tell you that I finally did my first ever test drive of a new car and it was my dream... a Mini Clubman. I went to the local dealer last Friday and tested the Cooper, Cooper S, Clubman and Clubman S. I went in wanting the Clubman (brown sheep my behind) and the test drive made it even more so. The sales rep who helped me seemed to know less about the car than I did, but I didn't want to let that on. Anyway, I have a fair amount of questions based on this experience and some of the research I've done.

Oh, and before I get to the questions, here is what I'm looking at getting for sure unless somebody here disuades me:

-Hot Chocolate/Hot Chocolate roof/Black rear trim (or maybe all Black)
-Cold Weather Package (Wisconsin)
-6 speed automatic
-16" bridge spokes with all season tires
-Automatic AC
-Leather Sport steering wheel/w multifunction
-Center arm rest


1 Have you bought a Clubman in the past 3 months or so? If so, did the dealer negotiate with you at all? (I plan on ordering my car since they have nothing with the options/color I want).

I can afford to pay cash for a new Clubman, but I'm always looking for a deal. So I checked on a few used ones (from used car sales, not the authorized dealers) and there was no budging on the price. So has anyone had any luck with the actual dealers? Any advice? Should I say I can pay cash? Do you think they'll take my 96 Camry ("fair" condition, $1100 according to Kelly Blue Book) in trade? I plan on ordering my car, so do they budge on those or any of the packages/options?

(Normally I wouldn't ask as I know they don't negotiate much, but they got this recession goin' on.)

2 So I tested both the Clubman and the S. The S was almost too fast. Well I'm sure I'd get used to it, but it was fast. The Clubman was fast enough though. Anyway, the engine seemed louder on the S. Is that right or were my ears playing tricks on my Dad and I?

3 Also, the Clubman seemed a smoother ride than the S model. Now it did have only 15s on it as opposed to 16s. Is that down just to the tires or rather the car itself? Neither had sport suspension.

4 I'm going to get 16" bridge spoke tires. If I were to get an S I'd go for 17" crown spokes. Anyway, with the 16" bridge spokes, are the tires expensive to replace? I'm assuming I'll pay more than I do with the Camry. If anybody has an ideas though it'd be nice to know and any recommendations of online retailers who sell them.

5 Do you have a sunroof? If so, is it really that bright? It was sunny on Friday and I didn't think it was that bright, but I've read things on here. If you think it is too bright, any solutions you've found? Also for those of you who have test driven both, did you notice a big difference in outside noise/sound between a model with a sunroof and one without?

6 Please explain to me Dynamic Traction Control. I've read the site and it's still sorta Greek to me as to what it does and why I'd want it.

7 I wouldn't mind the Sport package, but I'm really trying to cut back on stuff I don't need/want. So as far as the Sport seats go, are they that much better? That's the only other thing in the Sport package that really makes me want it other than the rims. Even with just the Sport seats and rims it's still $500 cheaper. So should I really spring for the Sport seats?

8 So do I really need Xenon headlamps? I know they're probably much better since folks who have them blind me at night when they're coming my direction. Still... and are they expensive to replace?

9 So how does this whole USB/Bluetooth gig work? OK, I sorta get it and maybe I should explain what I need from it. I'm fine with just charging my cell phone at home and not talking hands free. However I have a Microsoft Zune 30 and want to hook it up to the Clubman. So I know it has an auxillary, but does this USB/Bluetooth work with a Zune (or any non-iPod)? It'd be nice to charge the Zune while driving, but first and foremost it's about playing the music in the car. I just want to know if I can control the Zune with the steering wheel and/or radio.

10 OK, so I read the thread about tires. Still, do I really need snow tires in winter? I've survived for years with my front wheel drive Camry. I'm assuming my Clubman will be better than that.

OK, I think that's about it. Sorry for the long post, but I'd love to hear from whoever. Thanks in advance!!!

Sorry, only time to respond to one a few, not all...

- I got the dealer to budge on price a little, but their reasoning was "because you're a return customer". Not sure how sincere that reason is.

- No, of course you don't need the Xenon headlamps, the STD headlamps are just fine. However, having said that, if you do get the Xenon you'll see a NOTICEABLE difference. I'd get them again, if that tells you anything.

- Sunroof is not too bright. Besides, each panel has its own mesh screen that can easily slide over it to dim even more. I LOVE the mesh. I use it all the time to get the wind in my hair, but shield some of the sun's rays from my head.

- Clubman is definitely smoother ride than my Cooper 2006. It's built like a tank and bumps are far less noticeable.

Hope this helps,
Spike

First off WELCOME to NAM and hoep you find these forums to ge of great assistance through out your ownership.
Great color combination. I am partial though that is what i have. except mine is an S

Trans - either way you will have fun

Better off with dedicated snows - more on that later.

Leather sport wheel in hot chocolate iw wonderfull in my car

Center arm rest vary greatly but i love mine.

have had mine a year, but i just saw a tv commercial about MINI having a big sales, did not listen very well though, if i hear it again i will send you mroe details.

Trade in really depends on the dealer but if they will not give you what you want for it then put it on Craigslist, eBay or something like that.

The engine will be slightly loader on the S as there is a turbo. But it sounds great.

The Non S will ride smother due to the suspension. The S has a stiffer suspension. 17" over 16" tires will also make some difference and then the S you drove most likely had runflat tires where the Non S may have had Non Runflat tires, they also make a difference.

16" to 17" non runflats there will be a slight difference and 16" to 17" Runflats there will be a slight difference. but Non runflat to runflats there will be a 20% to 50% increase in price depending on brand and type (summer, snow, all season). Best place I have found to get tires is www.tirerack.com Best prices and when you talk to them they know what they are talking about, IMHO.

I have the sun roof and i am gonig bald and had not problem wiht it last year, No burned heard or anything like that. As you may have seen it is slightly tinted glass and has the mesh rolling cover. Although i wish it had a full cover sometimes but it is not neccessary. If you wnat to cover it during the day while you are not in the car there is a vendor here called Stratmosphere (sp?) tha make removable sunshades for MINI's, check the vendor section.

i am sure someone can explain this in more detail but the short answer is: it basicaly take over control of the brakes, and power to make sure the car does not loose traction. I.E. if on ice an your press the gas pedal to the floor in a non DTC car one wheel (or more) will spin and the car does nto realy move. With DTC the car will recognize the spin long before you know about it and will reduce engine RPM and apply brakes if needed to make the drive wheels turn slow to get teh car to move. I live in Massachusetts and travel all over New England and love the DTC although with real snow tires it very rarely kicks in.

If money is tight then skip the sports package if not get it, ride will be a little stiffer though. I do not mean to sound rude hear but on the seat issue, go sit in them again and test your but size tot he size of the seat. some folks have larger butts than ohters and find the sport seat to constricting. I love my sport seats. they keep me from moving around when doing the twisties.

Xenon's not really needed but as ohter have said there is a big difference and i for one will not do with out them from now on. Yes they are more expensive to replace but i have heard that they also last longer, not sure if that is true though.

Bluetooth - allows hand free talking on the phone. I know you said you don't care either way but most states are putting laws into affect to make hand free a requirement, but it can be done with a bluetooth ear piece for less. But i love that fact i or my passanger can select the phone info and address book on the radio screen. I have had this in a couple of other cars and it is just so much easier than having to pick upthe phone to dial a nubmer. Jsut be ware that if you do not get NAV then voice dialing is not the greatest in the MINI. there are only 20 slots for manually set up voice dialing tags. NAV cars mostly use the voice diling in the phone to do the dialing so with NAV you can usually dial anyone in your phone book but it that worth $2k, i don't think so.

USB - Only an iPod can be controlled with the radio controls. Your Zune would work just as it does not for music selection. The volume would be controled by the MFSW though as the Zune would not be controling the volume. It will charge via the USB though which can be of use. But a cigarette lighter charger would be much cheaper.

IMHO snow tires are the way to go. I have an extra set of winter rims and snow tires to make it easy to change them over. I then run summer tires formMid April to late November.

Snow tire are designed for snow. I had all seaons on my BMW and it went OK in the snow but i did have problems with some hills near my house. When i changed to Snow tires onthat car i can go anywhere without problems. On my MINI i put snow tires on and have been able to get up hills that 4-wheel drive trucks had problems on. I know i could not have done that with all season tires.

Until you aactually drive the difference you will not know the difference. But after you have driven with SNOW tires you will never go back to all season tires again.

Well if you tink of anything else just come back and ask. After youget thecar you surely will come back to ask questions though. Just remember everyone has their own opinions here, and all of those opinions are valid.

Good luck with your purchase, and when you get it post pictures please.

Blaugrana,
Lots of questions, some answers!

Its possible that your ears were playing tricks on you but the S does have a deeper rumble than the just-a-cooper.

If neither of them had sport suspension, then I think that its the tires. I don't believe there's a chassis difference but someone can correct me here.

Have a sunroof, love the sunroof.
I'm near Boston and let me tell you, its nice to be able to let more light in on gray, dreary days. Now that we've been living with it for a year, I do plan on putting a light tint on the roof to tone it down, but nothing close to Limo Tint.
As for noise, most road noise comes from the wheel wells and the sunroof can't really affect it.

I'm gonna point you to another post on the subject.

Like everything else, personal choice
I find that the sport seats are comfy enough and do a good job of keeping my butt in place in the corners.

Need them? probably not.
But like spike, i have them and would get them again. It is a delight to flip on the high beams in a dark country road and literally turn it to daylight.
Since the Cooper/Clubbies are so low to the ground, we don't really blind too many people. As for replacement, don't know.


Nope. Our zunes will not talk to the USB because the car's USB controller is looking for a Mass Storage Device, ie a flash drive, with simple folders and playlists to navigate.
I do not know if it will charge via the USB, but i expect it will. I did not choose the option and went with a regular cigarette plug charger and the ProClip bracket in order to keep the Zune at radio level on the dash.


If you're camry made it through on all-seasons then you'll be fine.
The lower ground clearance of the clubbie will test your local plows though.

didn't get a clubman... just the regular S, however, it got it this past weekend. I was going to order one with a may production date and get delivery in june. Perfect timing to turn in my old Honda lease. However, Mini is running a special finance deal. 1.9/36m, 2.9/48m, 3.9/60m. I did the Mini Select Financing so i got a really good low payment. Sure I have a 13K balloon payment, but all indications are the residual will be good enough that i will probably have enought equity for a downpayment on my next Mini. So i took the deal and found a car on the lot I liked. In the end I'm saving close to 3k in interest. enough that I don't mind parking my Honda in the driveway for a few months to collect pollen.

I am just glad to see Microsoft sold at least one Zune. I've never seen one before, it must be like seeing a wooly mammoth or a saber-toothed tiger.

Do you work for Microsoft?

I read an article that no iPhones/iPods are allowed in the Gates' house. But his wife said she is a little jealous of hers friends that have iPhones.

Wow, thanks for the great responses guys! I really appreciate it. I have to get to work, but keep them coming. I'll reply tonight when I get home. Real quick though:

So basically DTC is like DSC but a little less controlling/intrusive, correct? I think I'd be fine with DSC if that's the case.

Welcome to NAM!!

I have a bunch of pics in my gallery of the Tuscan interior as well as the Tuscan steering wheel. Feel free to check it out when you have time. I love my Clubman.

Looking forward to having a new member of the Hot Chocolate owner's club! We RAWK.

Of course she's jealous. The Zune is a freaking turd. But not only that, everyone and their brother either has an iPod or an iPhone. Can't Bill just admit he lost at least one battle? Let's just admit Apple won the mp3 player battle and make something else. That's what I can't stand about Microsoft, their drive to lose untold amounts of money to make products no one wants. Why make a Zune?

@blaugrana-
Go for the HIDs esp. if fyou live in some very outlying areas, the boonies, BFE, etc. The illuminate the road like nothing else plus they have a long life, much longer than standard incandescent bulbs and draw less from yer electrical system. My lsat 2 cars have had HIDs and I love them.
mind you I don't own a clubby yet but I couldn't do without the sport seats. I like to feel securely planted in the seat and the standard seats just don't do it for me. (i've tested both the S and justa; just waiting until the markety settles a bit before i pull the trigger).
After driving a S auto and a justa auto I really like the cooper better honestly. The S is fun but i would never utilze its full potential and feel the cooper is just as capable in the twisties. plus the auto lets my wife enjoy it too!
You have a pretty good spec going there! Ultimately getthe car YOU are going to be happy with and have no regrets.
cheers
JON

Welcome to the Club(man)!

Others have given great comments so I can only add my own personal preferences: love the sport seats (try out the different seats at the dealers, I did ), I would be hard pressed to buy another car without the xenon lights (driving my husband's car at night w/o xenons confirms that, the difference is night and day ), I have the sunroof, though I live in Seattle and we've only had 2 sunny days since I got the car in Nov (okay, three), so no problems so far.

If it works with your phone, I highly recommend the Bluetooth (or I recommend buying a phone that it works with -- it really is that worth it IMO)!

I've gone to the track with my car (two driving classes) and I personally recommend the LSD if you have any inclination.

Good luck with all your decisions. I remember this phase (I got mine just under 5 months ago) and as hard as the wait is (I waited 4.5 months for mine), making all the decisions was the hardest part for me. I have absolutely no regrets though and I'm sure you'll love the MINI that becomes YOUR MINI.

I picked up my new MINI about 9 days ago.

1) Many paid close to MSRP for their MINI based on some other postings I have seen. I paid about $600 less.
2&3) I only tested the S and it did not seem that loud to me. It has a nice tone. It has a stiff suspension but mostly I find it fun to drive and it's fine for long commutes.
4) From what I read on other posts, the run-flat tires have a somewhat short life and are expensive. I have the 17" Continentals. MA estimated they would get about 25-28K miles life.
5) I love the sunroof(s) ! I also like that you can flick the switch and it will open them to the full vent position without having to hunt and peck for that sweet spot.

Gotta go for dinner...not time to run thru the other questions but let me say that if you add in all the options, the cost can climb easily above $30K. I like the xenon headlights ! Actually, I like all the options I ordered. They are not necessary. You will love your MINI regardless.

Hello there! The sunroof is great but it does tend to get hot in the car. I read on a blog that the blogger had used something called ZippeShade's and they are really useful to block out the heat from the sunroof. I bought mine from MossMini.com and I think they work great. Look into it. It's a cheap solution to the bright sun.

Thanks! I'll have to revisit the sunroof. Actually my Camry has one and I use it whenever I can (here in WI).

Thanks. I already did before my first post. I've been reading here on and off for over a year.

You are partial to? I'm assuming you meant the Hot Chocolate and not the Black. Yeah, I love it. Really would love to have the brown leather seats too but I can't bring myself to spring for that in a car.

Yeah, the automatic was fun. It was actually sorta weird for me to have a 6 speed. Still it shifted soooo smoothly on its own. Only thing I noticed in the one I drove was that it took a second for it to go when I would put the pedal to the floor.

Yeah, I know the snows are better. It's just that I figure I can get by with the all seasons considering I have a Camry with no special tires and no DSC.

If I went for the chocolate leather interior I'd do the steering wheel too.

Yeah, I have to have that armrest.

Please do. I don't see any commercials for the Mini. Only thing the dealer's site is showing is financing but I don't need that.

Yeah, I figured that too. Wasn't a big difference and it didn't sound bad, but I thought I noticed something.

Nah, I think they both had all seasons. I'm pretty sure I asked him. Who knows though, he didn't seem to know a ton about the car. He didn't even know the non S comes in brown. Good to know that tires also make a difference. Didn't know that runflats make a difference.

Thanks!!! I was asking "our mechanic" about tires and he said that I was probably the only person he encountered who ever asks about that. I'm counting on paying more for tires with a Mini than I do with the Camry, but it's good to know about a site like the one you mentioned.

It's more about the noise factor than too much light. Love my sunroof currently though so I'll likely get it now.

But doesn't DSC take care of this as well?

Sadly I have no butt! I think they were sport seats in the cars I drove so I'll likely get them. I'll have to ask though and test them again.

After reading posts I'm going to get them.

I still don't know that I get how it works. I assume I don't need the armrest portion of the whole hookup. Still I'll have to sort out how it all works. I've really never used Bluetooth.


Thanks. I'll have to look into prices.

Thanks again.

Thanks! The DTC info really helps.

As for the Zune, so you have one and use it in the Mini? I assume that the sound from the Zune goes through the auxillary port? Where is that located?

Quick note on tires,

Putting snow tires on my '06 MC turned it into a BEAST! It just LOVED the snow and I had a blast in it. Snow tires on a MINI are simply AWESOME. So much so, that when my wife went into labor in January, I was fully planning on taking the MINI to the hospital rather than our other car. Much more confidence with that ride in wonky winter conditions. However, winter weather wasn't that strong that week so we took the bigger car to accommodate all the stuff.

Anyway, snow tires are amazing on a MINI. That's all you need to know.

Spike

Yeah, saw that financing, but I'm just going to pay for it right away. I figured maybe if I'm paying cash they'll cut me a deal.

OK, I need to be shorter with my posts.

wampa - I'm not going to get into an mp3 pissing contest as I want to keep this about the car. Still, there are plenty of Zune owners out there and Zunes are as good and some would say better than their iPod equivalents. I think iPod has great designs at times, but when you get down to the equivalent devices and what they actually do then they're not much different. The best mp3 player that was out when my model came out was the Zen Creative or the Archos equivalent. The Zune and iPod weren't better than either of those.

LadyGodiva - Wow! Nice looking car. Mine should look similar and I can't wait to join the club. Oh, and I know that folks name their Minis. I already have a name.

reACTION - Totally agree on the standard Clubman. S was nice and I plan to drive it again, but the standard had a lot more ooomph than anything I've ever had.

OLarryR - Good to know you got some sort of savings. I'm hoping to save $1000 and get something in addition outta my trade. We'll have to see.

minijclub28 - Thanks for the shade tip.

Seriously guys, thanks for the great responses. Sorry I don't have time to respond to them all.

New questions!!!

11 Do you have the invisishield protection? Does it work? Can you see it (see the lines)? Can they cover the whole hood?

12 So say I actually get an iPod (touch, no point in getting any other iPod). Do I need the USB thingy if I get the iPod adapter? Man this tech stuff is tough.

You are just wrong. A Zune is good for two things: laughing, and filling up garbage dumps.

BLAUGRANA,

11 Do you have the invisishield protection? Does it work? Can you see it (see the lines)? Can they cover the whole hood?

I think what you are talking about is what they sometimes refer to as a "Clear Bra". It's about an 8 mil thick clear film that adheres to the body and is made by 3M and a couple of other mfrs. It prevents the bumpers, plastic headlight housing and part or whole bonnet from getting chipped by road grit thrown up at the car when mainly on the highway/traveling at fast speeds.

If you do a search in this website on "Clear Bra" you will come up with those that have experience with it. I am same boat as you. I am trying to decide if I should get it. I picked up my MINI about 1 1/2 weeks ago. My MA did not push the film purchase on me but while I was waiting for him, I glanced at a looseleaf on his desk and it featured the film and it's benefits. I asked my MA about it and he showed me a used MINI out front that had it partially covering the bonnet (hood). You had to look closely to see the film edge but it is visible. It did not detract from the body color in any way. My MA indicated a local place applies the film for them. The dealership had a list price of something like $400, $800, $1200 depending on whether you had just the bumpers and headlight housings done or added partial or full bonnet. He indicated the dealership would probably come down $100 - $200 on those prices.

When I searched in this website on it, most people said is was very good. Some indicated there was some yellowing or the edges/seams become more noticeable with time. But probably 80-85% had good things to say about it and a few had multiple cars that they had treated with it.

There are places locally that you probably could get it done for less cost and I found one place on-line that sold it as a DIY kit, though, it takes some effort and time especially if it's first time applying it. Personnaly, I probably would get it doen with the dealership if I decided to have it done. Also, if after several years or more, it did become somewhat detracting in appearance, it apparently can be taken off. Then you have your original body paint underneath and a fresh new lease on it's life for more years to come.

But here is the dilemma:
1) It's not like I had this on other cars. On other cars, any pitting/chips, I just used touch-up paint. I can't recall any car that I owned that ever had such a deteriorated hood that this product was a must. If I did go for it and laid out the big bucks, then I would feel that it was then a must for the product to perform and if it did not, then I wasted my money. It's like paying in advance for the expectation that the product will perform.

2) On the other hand, if I go for it, then I would not be thinking about paint chipping every time I am on the highway with my new car. I would be satisfied that I have an 8 mil film on there for protection !

So...what to do....and if you do it...the sooner the better so as not to suffer any paint chipping in the meantime.

Let me know what you decide...I'm curious.

Just had one comment to offer here. Snow tires... get 'em.

This year in my area, we had record snowfalls and there were days when I couldn't get out due to ground clearance issues with the MINI, but when the roads were plowed and people with 4WD failed to realize that it 4WD doesn't do you much good if your tires are bald, Viola and I went everywhere.

My favorite anecdote involving snow tires and my car was that during the start of our big snow storm, I was driving up hill toward my house. There was a gal in an Escalade that couldn't get enough traction to go up the hill and I noticed that she had all seasons on her car that were bald. There was a Tahoe that had slid off the road. There was another SUV who was desperately trying not to kill itself and there I was, motoring along up the hill with no problems and the handling to be able to avoid the other drivers who were having issues.

4wd... Who needs it when you have good snow tires and a MINI?

I'll have to check it out at the dealership. I'm not going to get them if I can see the lines and I don't like the idea of the yellowing. Also the price doen't thrill me. The whole bonnet is what I want and the nice thing about would be that you couldn't see any lines. I don't know...