R55 Should I consider a Clubman to replace my E46 330i?
#1
Should I consider a Clubman to replace my E46 330i?
I have an 02 330i with only 46k miles and I love it but even with snows I'm not real confident with it in the winter. I would prefer an AWD or fwd with snows.
I've read through some threads on driving the Clubman in the snow and it sounds like it would be fine with a good set of tires. I read some things about a limited slip, is this only an option on the JCW or do all S's get it?
Also this would be my daily driver and I would be using it to pick my kids up. How hard is it to get the kids in and out of the back?
Have any of you come from a BMW to the Clubman?
I've read through some threads on driving the Clubman in the snow and it sounds like it would be fine with a good set of tires. I read some things about a limited slip, is this only an option on the JCW or do all S's get it?
Also this would be my daily driver and I would be using it to pick my kids up. How hard is it to get the kids in and out of the back?
Have any of you come from a BMW to the Clubman?
#2
Moderator
iTrader: (3)
From '03 330Ci to '09 Clubman
I went from a 2003 330Ci to a Clubman S.
Separate set of snow tires for each car - no problem with either, but the Clubman is a little better. FWD and not as much power. I've lowered my Clubman, so I really have to watch it when we have fresh snow.
I don't have kids, but if yours aren't too big I think the Club door would work very nicely. I carry adults in mine occasionally and it's easier to get in and out of than my Coupe.
I have the old-style mechanical LSD on mine....not sure about the new models....although I think the electronic limited slip is available on all of them.
One thing to note is that some of the odd (to me) ergonomics on my e46 carried over to my R55....for example, the back pressure on the accelerator pedal is very light on both of them (go over a bump in the middle of a fast corner and it can jar your foot enough to change your engine speed...was never a problem in previous BMW's...e36, e28, e12)....however, one thing that did not come over is the excessively long clutch throw on my e46 - the R55's is normal. The e46 steering feel was much, much better than the R55.... the R55 drive-by-wire throttle mapping is just weird and annoying....the R55 steering wheel is very skinny...the e46's was "just right."
Separate set of snow tires for each car - no problem with either, but the Clubman is a little better. FWD and not as much power. I've lowered my Clubman, so I really have to watch it when we have fresh snow.
I don't have kids, but if yours aren't too big I think the Club door would work very nicely. I carry adults in mine occasionally and it's easier to get in and out of than my Coupe.
I have the old-style mechanical LSD on mine....not sure about the new models....although I think the electronic limited slip is available on all of them.
One thing to note is that some of the odd (to me) ergonomics on my e46 carried over to my R55....for example, the back pressure on the accelerator pedal is very light on both of them (go over a bump in the middle of a fast corner and it can jar your foot enough to change your engine speed...was never a problem in previous BMW's...e36, e28, e12)....however, one thing that did not come over is the excessively long clutch throw on my e46 - the R55's is normal. The e46 steering feel was much, much better than the R55.... the R55 drive-by-wire throttle mapping is just weird and annoying....the R55 steering wheel is very skinny...the e46's was "just right."
#3
#7
Moderator
iTrader: (3)
i wear extra large gloves, so they're somewhat large. Another factor could be that I was taught to hold the steering wheel at 9 and 3 (I'm old - got my first license in 1968), and all modern cars, including MINI's are designed for drivers to hold the wheel at 10 and 2. i just can't get comfortable with that....and the steering wheel spokes at 9 and 3 bother me....
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#8
Wow, 46k on an 02???!! Nice. I too went from the e46 330i to the Clubman S. I actually still have the E46, but thats besides the point. Interesting that there are a number of us e46 to MINI converts. Guess we are cut from a similar cloth! Love the Clubman. One of the best sticks I have driven and I wouldnt mind the auto because it is also one of the best I have driven.
Anyhow, I have only had the Clubman for one winter and I had no issues with the snow here in the Midwest. Snowtires are a must for me though. Having kids shouldnt be an issue with the clubdoor. It might actually be better safety-wise since you know 99% of the time which door they are getting out of. The only thing is, opening the passenger door and clubdoor is a bit of a hassle from the rear seats if there isnt anyone in the front passenger seat to open the door first.
Anyhow, I have only had the Clubman for one winter and I had no issues with the snow here in the Midwest. Snowtires are a must for me though. Having kids shouldnt be an issue with the clubdoor. It might actually be better safety-wise since you know 99% of the time which door they are getting out of. The only thing is, opening the passenger door and clubdoor is a bit of a hassle from the rear seats if there isnt anyone in the front passenger seat to open the door first.
#10
As for the Clubmans, the pre-2011 turbos had issues with timing belt rattle and carbon buildup which is expensive to resolve. It seems like the post 2011 N18 engines have been reengineered a bit to resolve these issuse, but it is still too early to tell in my opinion.
#11
#12
As for clutches, my buddy is a mini tech at the local dealer.. He said clutches don't fail often... It's people who can't drive them or hard launch the crap out of them that are the issue.. Most last 100k or better.
#13
I looked at the Countryman S really carefully before going the Clubman route. The countryman was underpowered and not as responsive as the smaller MINIs, plus the body roll was too much for me.
As for the Clubmans, the pre-2011 turbos had issues with timing belt rattle and carbon buildup which is expensive to resolve. It seems like the post 2011 N18 engines have been reengineered a bit to resolve these issuse, but it is still too early to tell in my opinion.
As for the Clubmans, the pre-2011 turbos had issues with timing belt rattle and carbon buildup which is expensive to resolve. It seems like the post 2011 N18 engines have been reengineered a bit to resolve these issuse, but it is still too early to tell in my opinion.
Previous to the clubman I was most driving a "99 A4. I loved that car, but needed to move on.
#15
I went to the MINI dealing expecting to purchase a countryman S. Despite folks expressing concerns, I thought this was the right vehicle for me. After test driving both cars, I searched for reasons to buy the countryman. For me, the clubman's handling and looks won me over. Thought long and hard. Came across a great deal for a 2011 clubman (22K on it). Six months later, I am still as happy as could be.
Previous to the clubman I was most driving a "99 A4. I loved that car, but needed to move on.
Previous to the clubman I was most driving a "99 A4. I loved that car, but needed to move on.
#16
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ms-tune-s.html
Also, given the choice of the 08 or 11, I'd go with the '11 because of the possible problems with the '08 as discussed above....
#17
Of course, price is always an issue -- That said, I would go with the '11 if only for the mechanical issues you initially presented in this tread.
#18
Not sure if you can still get a warranty thrown in with the '08...if it comes with one, it might cover you for a few years in case those mechanical issues pop up. Then you could go with the cheaper '08.
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