After lurking for over a year, I finally picked up a 2012 JCW Clubman to replace my e46 330ci vert. The car is amazingly fun! I find that it reminds me a lot of my e46, with many of the controls in the exact same places.

I think it's funny how all the reviews say the ergonomics are horrid on the car. The moment I jumped in, I was immediately comfortable and knew where all the controls are. Pretty funny, I don't remember anyone complaining about e46 ergonomics, but they all pick on the Mini!

Here's a pic of my ride so far. Mods have already started with tinted windows, stubby Craven antenna, Bridgestone RE960As RFTs, and Koni FSD on the way!

 

Great Clubbie! I don't get it either, but I also love my sunroof which seems to be pretty unpopular as well. Enjoy the ride!

 

I don't think the ergonomics are bad... Just NOT NOR MAL.

I love my sunroof.

Car looks sharp! Gotta be super rare being a R55 JCW.

 

very nice find! I never heard of peopel complaining about ergonomics of the MINI. Some people have disagreements with the quirky design, eg huge speedo, low forward roofline making it hard to see traffic lights sometimes, toggle switches, etc

 

Thanks for the compliments everyone! Funny, I don't like sunroofs in my car, and this was one of the few JCWs out there with no sunroof.

I was referring to all of the car reviewers who complain that design prevailed over form with this car. I find everything perfectly functional. I even like the factory nav interface, which is very similar to my e46 nav -- obviously more advanced on the mini.

I truly believe the R55/56 is the spiritual successor to the e46, despite being fwd. All of the new BMWs are bloated crap these days.

 

The ergos work very well for me. After being out of my '05 MCS Hardtop for several years, I was astonished to remember how well I fit in these cars, and how well they fit me, when I got into my '13 MCS Clubman. I'm 6'4", for what it's worth.

As for the sunroof, I ordered my car without one because of the headroom intrusion they cause.

Yeah, I think the toggle switches are a little funky, but who cares? You get used to that and realized that this is all part of the car's charm, as is the weird location of the speedo.

 

The location of the speedo was almost a deal-breaker for me...on the test drive, my 7 year old daughter had great fun telling me when I was going too fast. Tough to set a good example when the truth is right there for all to see. The controls were very different, which I'm sure I'll get used to, but I think when a car company deviates from industry norms, criticism is to be expected.

 

I have the sun roof and find it useless, I never drive with the AC off. The seats are rock hard IMO, I'm a big guy, 280 6', and find the seats very uncomfortable, strange my Miata fits me better than the Mini. Other than that I like most of the quirks of the Mini.

 

Retro in appearance and amazingly cool.

 

It's part of the personality. If I didn't want something engaging and quirky and preferred something more seamless and forgettably utilitarian, I would have stuck with Honda.