Ok So right now I am having a very hard time deciding on a few options and maybe some experience from the knowledgeable group on this site will help.
I currently drive a mazdaspeed3, insurance on it is very high, and I just had the factory turbo replaced after it failed, and now i'm looking at trading it in/selling it and still have something fun to drive, that will also be better on gas and cheaper for insurance. I feared that coming from the more powerful mazda that I would need to go the JCW route to feel satisfied in the mini family.

The closest dealer is about 45 mins away, and on Friday I made the trek up there and got to take a spin in a mcs demo vehicle. I really wanted to drive a clubman s but they didn't have any used in a stick, other than a jcw, and I wanted to try the regular s to compare the two. Unfortunately, traffic was an absolute nightmare (everyone out doing holiday shopping) and so even tho the salesman took me to some "less crowded" roads, I still didn't get too much of a chance to push the car very hard. Because of the traffic situation, I decided to not even drive the jcw because I didn't think I would get the chance to see what it really has.

Going in I was still considering a regular cooper or coop jcw, but once I was actually able to sit in them and play around, I don't think the minimal cargo load of the regular cooper will work for me, at least not without a roof rack for my bike and/or snowboard. They have a great condition jcw in the showroom with about 79k on the clock, asking just under $18k, which is right around what i'm looking to spend. Unfortunately the JCW clubman they have is a little steep, (24.5k)

I did have fun and I enjoyed the way the regular mcs handled the turns we took, and honestly, i'm not going to track this thing or end up modding it probably much, if at all, so is the jcw just going to be overkill? I always have liked "exclusive" or rare cars, (don't see many mazdaspeed3's around here) and that is part of the additional allure of a jcw for me I believe.

Anyways, there is a Laurel Sport Clubman that is within a reasonable distance for me to consider, although too far to just go and test drive without being committed to buying it if I like it, and honestly I LOVE the way the LSE clubbie looks, although I wish it had the pano sunroof. The price point is spot on for me and I should be able to get it a little lower. There is also an 08 non factory jcw clubman slightly farther away (2 states) that has the jcw kit added on, and has a similar amount of miles. It is also dirt cheap, as in just lowered below 14k. At the price, along with the fact that it has the jcw kit, I am considering it, but I don't quite like the looks as much as the LSE. Finally, a pretty long haul away I saw a factory 09 JCW clubbie that is at a bargain price considering it has slightly more miles than the LSE but is only about $900 more. My concern is the increased price of consumables on the jcw, is it really going to be worth it for me being that honestly I'm only gonna use the car for driving to and from work along with backroads driving whenever I get the urge, which is usually whenever the weather is nice. Both jcw's are colors that I like or think are "ok", but I think I like the looks of the LSE best. I always read on here that people that have the jcw's after the regular s versions say they will never go back, and so i'm wondering do I take the plunge right away or go with the lse clubman?

ohh and also it looks from the pics on the dealer's site that the LSE clubbie's previous owner has an alta side tube replacing the muffler and also some sort of heat shield and possibly jcw air intake box as well, so it could have been driving slightly harder, or maybe they just knew some easy, good mods to improve it without going crazy.

Thanks in advance

 

Well since your options seem to be right as far as price, then I would consider mileage, and finally actual model.

The JCW has about 25 more horsies/torque which isn't earth shattering. My clubbie s is mighty fun to drive!

Seems like you really like the laurel edition, so I'd go with that one.

 

I owned a 2010 Mazda Speed3 and I loved it. I just bought the Clubman S and it is not as fast, but much more composed. There was something about the Speed that was always frenetic. There was no way to just kinda cruise in it. The clubman actually feels like it has more room in the backseat for my kids, too.

 

If you're worried about insurance expense, it may be worth checking with your agent about the difference to insure an S versus a JCW. If I remember right, the Laurel Sport edition was limited to 100 units in the Clubman, then another 100 each in the hardtop and the convertible. There aren't too many JCW Clubmans out there, but I'm pretty sure that there's more than that for any model year. If you really want a stick, the factory JCW guarantees you a manual transmission prior to the (I think) 2013 model year. The Clubman is the most useful of the MINIs, but is also a sleeper; not many folks are really aware of its existence. As for the sunroof, my personal 2-cents' worth is to skip it. There are several threads here about sunroof squeaks and leaks. Good luck!

 

thanks for the responses guys. Titleist how long have you had the clubman and have u had any reliability issues pop up yet? aside from the turbo it's been mostly just oil changes and stock wear and tear replacement stuff for me with the ms3. I know from what i've read on here that i can prepare for at least something to go bad, and expect more than just oil changes and go in a mini, but the potential to get a "bad" one seems to be pretty high and it has me a little weary to take the jump. There are some regular clubman s' available that are mininext certified and i know that would be "safer" but none of the minis i really want are cpo.

oh and charlie, i did look into it, the jcw would be slightly less than what i pay now, not as much of a discount obviously, but still cheaper. It would cost me the same as i pay now to insure a 2007 cayman s lol. silly

 

I have not had any problems with my Mini... but I've only owned it less than a month. The PO didn't have any problems with it either, after looking at all of his receipts, the car has been solid. I did transfer his 7 yr/100k mile warranty though. I hope that I don't regret buying this car because I really do love it. It's one of my cars that I can see holding onto for a long while.

I take a lot of what I read on forums with a grain of salt. Especially after being on the Mazda forums for a while (talk about a bunch of boys with no ability to talk themselves out of a paper bag). And, hanging out on thecarlounge for over a decade. I haven't made up my mind about the Mini forums yet. It's very polarizing. Either love or "WTF DID I JUST DO?!?!?!" reactions. All you can do is go into it with an open mind, know what COULD be in front of you and enjoy life. If the car is a real POS, I won't have a problem punting it to the curb.

 

point taken, and thanks, that's a good way to look at it. I kinda like the idea that the laurel sport has some basic mods done to it as I think it was probably somebody who was into it and those people tend to make sure everything is working well, as opposed to say an older person who thinks it's cute but only takes it in when they get a cel or a service message.

I might go pull the trigger this weekend depending on what they offer me and what I can talk them down to.

 

LOL @ the car lounge.

I look at it this way;

No car is perfect.

I know the defects in the Mini R56(+) Chassis and the N18 motor.

I was able to get THE car I wanted.

I fix my own stuff.

I'm use to "unreliable" brands like Audi and VW.

I am convinced that some of the defects with the Mini I read about on this forum come from owner related issues (Ie, beating the crap out of the car, driving while its lost all its coolant, smoked clutches at 20K and then crying about it..).

Sure, issues like carbon buildup, stupid-long oil change intervals, T-stat housings, turbo oil feed leaks, oil leaks, timing chains.. yes, these are all real defects. I DO feed bad for people who buy one of these.. used.. at 30K with no idea what they are buying.. But.. it takes, what an hour to read about a car online before you buy it? I for one would *avoid* the 2007-2010 R56(+) Chassis like the plague.

Its a fun car, its not common like other cars on the road, it suits my needs, my kid and wife like it, I like it. No its not perfect, yes, there are things I added or changed, other things I wish I could change..

I test drive a 2013 Speed (twice) before buying the Mini.. I liked it, but at 27K, no sunroof.. and no heated seats.. killed it for me.. Yes, its MUCH faster than the Mini.. its also less poised.. And frankly, I like the Clubman better.. much better style wise.

 

I got my Speed3 for $22.5k out the door. Loved it, but my wife wanted a large vehicle for the kids. The Mini is way more composed.

 

Yeah, I mean I enjoy my speed but honestly I do get bored at times and I think that's part of me wanting to mix it up. I love the look of minis and I especially like the unique quirkiness of the clubman. I know the speed is def faster, and honestly with the cooler weather lately this thing has been pulling hard. I do like the kick u back into the seat torque in the ms3 and the ease I have passing anyone no matter what speed I'm at. But honestly in terms of 0-60 times and stuff like that, I never go to a drag strip, I'm not gonna be tracking either car, and so I think the clubman s will still have enough giddy up to keep me happy. Honestly the reliability worry is the ONLY major concern that has lead me to not having a mini in front of my place right now. I did see a jcw clubbie that has about 53k on the clock that from the carfax has had the intercooler pump replaced around 33k, also plugs replaced at that time (seems early) and boost control solenoid replaced and timing tensioner/guides replaced at 26k. Should I be concerned that it is a problem mini or is it the type of thing where now that those are all out of the way, it should lead to less problems in the future

 

that's a great price otd, paid 18k for my with 32k on it in nov 2011, so either I overpaid or u killed it on that deal. I've always like the looks of the 1st gen better though, aside fro the hood scoop on the gen 2's. Honestly bang for buck it's hard to beat the ms3 in this market. I was also considering holding out for a mk 7 gti which look great imo. or even going to an frs/brz since I honestly don't need the backseats ever really. I don't know if I could handle the drop in hp and torque that the frs/brz offers. I wanna drive one to see if I fall in love like some of the mags seem to insist on.

 

Alright, looks like tomorrow should be the day I am going to drive home a new to me laurel sport edition clubman. Driving up to the dealer, finalizing the sale of my car on the way and so without a car I will be hoping to go in, test drive and if all goes well purchase a beautiful clubbie.
I was thinking of getting a euro plate for the front as I've always loved the look of them and was toying with some possible ideas for the plate
right now i'm between

MaXIMINIuS
MiNiTMaN
SoLoWDoLo
BustaBus

also considered
SMaLLHauL
SWaG'NWaGN

also curious as to what colors would look best on the front of a laurel sport

 

Alright, things went as planned and yesterday I drove home with a new to me mini laurel sport edition clubman s, and here it is!


and then this happened the first time I parked in a parking lot lol

 

Looks great!

NEVER FAILS THAT THE BIGGEST GIRL ASKS TO DANCE.

 

That is sweet!

 

haha that's a good one.
btw I came across a fellow mini owner on the drive home from the dealer, and I was worried that my first experience might leave me disappointed (still talking about the car) but luckily I had my first mini wave returned.

 

Great looking car - enjoy!