Hey all! I'm trying to decide between an R55 and an R56. Do you have any regrets getting the Clubman? Do you wish you had gotten a regular Cooper? (I want to post the same thing in the R56 forum).

A little about me - 90% of my driving is just me, or me and wife. 10% we drive other people as well (backseat). Mostly city/neighborhood driving in Los Angeles. Don't usually tote around too much stuff.

I liked the idea of the Clubman for those times we do drive friends around. But it's kind of rare too.

Any thoughts?

 

Only reason I've regretted not getting the R56 was because there are more parts available and the R56 actually gets the ero kit. Other than that, not a chance. Adults actually fit in the back, it has WAY more cargo space, and is more stable at high speeds.

 

my only regret ...the mini roadster is so cool!

 

Like you, I am the only one in the car 90% of the time. 6'4" and NO problems with head room or leg room. Love it.

Regrets.....NONE

Just enjoy it.

 

We have both and the extra room in the Clubman comes in handy. Besides the fact that two adults can fit in the back seat without you having to apologize to them, there is more room in the boot (handy when shopping). I think that the Clubman is just as enjoyable to drive as the R56.

 

I went from an R56 to an R55 and I like the R55 much better. The extra room is nice. My dogs had to be coached into getting in the back of the R56, but just hop in the back of the Clubman. And though I could put my golf clubs and pull cart in the back of the R56 it’s much easier in the Clubman.

I also haul my grandkids around on occasion and the half-door is a major plus getting the kids in\out of the kids seats in the back seat.

 

If you have not made your mind up, check out the countryman s. It has more room than the clubman but it is bigger and heavier. If you drive it, you will see that you will need the turbo to really enjoy it.

 

i have a CM and Clubman.... the Clubman is WAY more fun to drive and I would also say it has different (I think better) storage capacity than the Countryman.

Countryman is awesome overall but Clubman got great utility and fun factor.

I am looking at selling my 2012 Clubman to get a JCW Roadster...... why.... becuase I dont need utility and I want more fun factor. Its like Crack Cocaine.

 

I DO like the Roadster a lot more than I thought I would. It has a HUGE trunk and unlike the Coupe which looks a bit off (probably because it looks like a convertible but isn't) the Roadster looks just right. If I ever get rid of the Clubbie, it'll be for a JCW Roadster, I think.

 

Just that I didn't get it early! 70% of the time I drive alone (but not any more, we started to use it for "mini" vacations almost every weekend!) but the extra space is great. After three years of ownership, I am still amazed by how much space the clubman have compare to the regular mini

 

Not a chance. Had a loaner R56 while I was waiting for the paperwork to clear before I picked up my Clubbie, difference is night and day. I've got a 5yo and a 1yo in seats that fit just fine in the back. Plus the 5yo thinks the little door is really cool.

wingnut

 

I love my Clubbie, have had a loaner Justy a couple of times and could not wait to get my Clubbie back

 

Not at all. This car is marginally bigger with much more space. Ask my buddy with his R56, he regrets not getting a Clubbie.

 

It was the barn doors that sold me on my Clubman.

I leave the back seat folded flat all the time, so I always have a large flat cargo area, it makes for a fun grocery getter. I cut out a piece of black vinyl carpet runner to cover the floor of the cargo area, to keep the carpet nice.

Dave

 

I kind of regret getting the car at all. It's the only car I have ever bought that the center armrest is an option you need to pay for. My first car, a Hyundai had more standard features. I like the car yes. My timing chain tensioner did go out on me once. It's a blast to drive but I miss my BMW. I don't think I could have gone with a regular MINI. I love the extra room.

 

After having my Clubman for almost 4 years now, there are no regrets. Even with the longer wheelbase, it's still a very small car.

 

I'd have paid extra to NOT have the center arm rest parking-brake/shifter interference device.

The Clubman makes a MINI a functional vehicle. I almost bought an R53 as a 3rd car, but got the R55 instead (keeping the fleet at 2) because I can actually put Klipsch Cornwalls in the back (should I find a pair at a garage sale for $50).

 

With the rear seats folded down, the Clubman can haul a lot. I found a set of JBL 4412's on ebay for $240 and they fit nicely in the back.

 

Sounds like a man after my own heart! :-)

Speaking of 'stereo', the first 'Clubman' I was acquainted with (a mossy green 1960 Morris Minor Traveler) had speakers mounted in the barn doors, that made nice music inside the car, and when opened up, provided a nice 'picnic sound system'.

 

Idaho, you say...

 

Ya, that's how we still roll in Idaho

 

I went from an R50 to an R55 and it really is a different animal altogether. Going back and forth from my parent's home in St. Louis to school up in Des Moines is something I could not have done in an R50,53,54,56...Really, what are you looking for with this vehicle? Do you need more space for hauling, do you want to go fast, are you looking to have fun? The Clubman tends to be a better highway car than the other MINI's. It's slightly louder inside because of the Club-door. The barn doors sometimes get to people, especially the divider when driving. I think one of the best aspects of the clubman is the flat folding rear seats and if you are short like me, that means even more room. None of the other MINI's have that.

 

I don't have any regrets getting the Clubman over the R56, mainly because of the backseat. I sometimes have to take friends home from school or just driving around w/a full car and it definitely comes it handy then.

 

My only regret is not getting the ultra-rare Clubman JCW

 

i had the hatch for 4 years and now the Clubman for 4 more ... both are fantastic.

but if it's just you and the wife and no kids ... stick with the hatch. it's more than enough and much more tossable