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After owning a 2009 MINI HT 6-Spd and comparing to the Clubman S 6-Spd I own now I would never own another regular MINI. The difference in power is night and day and it makes it so much more fun to drive. I came from a new 3/4 ton truck back to a MINI and I don't regret it at all.
Well, yesterday afternoon, I had the opportunity to drive the 2009 JCW Clubman. Boy, was that nice! Not lacking in acceleration!
Now, the downside. There were two owners, and the first one bought and serviced the car at this Mini dealer. I will credit the service tech that I spoke with for some very honest answers and opinions.
Timing chain tension & timing chain
The tensioner was replaced on this vehicle around 20K miles. It now has 46.5K. The tech stated that the timing chain on these will stretch, and the dealer charge for replacing it runs around $1,800. The chain on this Clubman has not been replaced, YET. He went on to say that the information on this site stating that oil changes should be done every 5k or 6k miles is absolutely correct, and the owner should not go beyond 6k miles, period. Any issues with lubrication will cause problems with the tensioner and the life of the N14 engine, as members of NAM already know. Nice to have such blunt talk from him.
Intake port carbon
Cleaning these has not been done. This is regular maintenance, and they charge $980.
Thermostat housing
This was replaced at 43k miles. He stated that this is an item which will need replacing periodically.
At any rate, great car to drive, but his comments simply serve to reinforce how maintenance intensive the N14 engine is in comparison with the N18. As much as this car would be a nice addition, and for someone who is a maintenance fiend, I don't want to be driving around in something that would always make me wonder if it will get me home. So, nice to drive, but not a good long term choice. Sigh.......
Unfortunately, did not have time to drive a Paceman S. This will be done next week, likely.
It's after 10pm, and am still at the office, so need to sign off and motor on.......
Not to push you towards our dealer, but this came through a couple weeks ago. It is an Automatic, but in good shape from what I saw. Its sitting about 150 ft from me.
Appreciate the lead, Jaque! Very nice looking car. But, like you pointed out, it is the automatic transmission, and I'd like to have this in a manual, just to add to the fun factor. Thanks to all, and will continue the search. FWIW, LCranston
As I've been continuing to look, there have been a few observations I've made....
1. Mini makes it VERY difficult to use the MiniUSA website to try to find inventory. You cannot select all and do a country wide search for used vehicles. I've had to key in zip codes for other cities and then select 500 miles in order to cover the country in a patchwork fashion.
2. It is impossible to search for new vehicles on the above basis, using their website. I've not seen anything to allow for this, and in calling MiniUSA HQ, they said it doesn't permit. (Color me Huh???????) Not consumer friendly.
3. My local dealer really isn't interested in trying to obtain new or used vehicles from elsewhere.
4. I was told by a dealer in Florida that I could not purchase a vehicle from him without physically being there, due to new federal laws/regulations that have become effective. He is the only one to make this comment. Color me skeptical on this.
Anyhow, wanted to share these experiences, in case they might help others, or spark interest.
LCranston;
I'm not sure about #3: most BMW and MINI dealers have someone whose job it is to locate new vehicles at other dealers and negotiate with them to get that car for a customer. That is the job my first BMW sales guy now has at the MINI dealership in Seattle.
When he was doing that work here in the SanFran Bay Area I saw him do "trades" up and down the West Coast. He did have access to inventory, probably still does with MINI. I suggest asking at several local dealerships to find this resource.
Thanks for the comments, Clubby! I'm envious about your having access to people who want to go the distance in selling you a vehicle. I would have thought the local dealer would have had the same attitude, as well. BUT, the local Mini dealer has basically told me that they really can't do it. I had some serious doubts about that, but had no way to refute their claim. My impression is that they only want to push 2016 material, along with the occasional trade in. Nice people by and large, and good service department, but definitely NOT proactive or consumer friendly in regards to tracking down a vehicle I'd like to buy.
Thanks for the comments, Clubby! I'm envious about your having access to people who want to go the distance in selling you a vehicle. I would have thought the local dealer would have had the same attitude, as well. BUT, the local Mini dealer has basically told me that they really can't do it. I had some serious doubts about that, but had no way to refute their claim. My impression is that they only want to push 2016 material, along with the occasional trade in. Nice people by and large, and good service department, but definitely NOT proactive or consumer friendly in regards to tracking down a vehicle I'd like to buy.
Anyhow, motoring on for now.....
LCranston
The luxury car market has been hit by 'exporter' buyers who ship US spec cars out of the country illegally to other parts of the globe. So, after getting grilled by Federal investigators, all the new legal issues and court cases have made many dealers gun shy about sales they wouldn't have given a second thought about a few years ago.
Straw buyers are being paid a small amount of money to pose as the buyer since they have a legal local address and identity. Then once bought, the vehicle is quickly shipped out of the country.
So, potential out of state buyers are being given a wide berth by many dealers even if you mean well and are genuine.
I found a Clubman S Bond Street edition listed as a 2013 and put down deposit yesterday. Just joined the Forum and will post some pictures after I pick it up.
No reason to even consider a Justa Clubman. S or JCW or you will regret everytime you drive the car. Good luck on your search.
Boy, do I Disagree completely with that statement with the new models, at least as far as justa vs S. I haven't driven a JCW version. That was more true with the 2nd gen engines because the low end grunt (torque curve) of the non S, sans turbo was obvious and significant. So much so, that I did buy a 2008 Clubman S instead. The low end of the turbo 3 is awesome, so much that I was underwhelmed when I drove the S. Certainly not worth $3k extra, so I bought my 2016 as a justa but optioned how I wanted with cross stitch leather sport seats, tech, premium, and cold weather packages.
Boy, do I Disagree completely with that statement with the new models, at least as far as justa vs S. I haven't driven a JCW version. That was more true with the 2nd gen engines because the low end grunt (torque curve) of the non S, sans turbo was obvious and significant. So much so, that I did buy a 2008 Clubman S instead. The low end of the turbo 3 is awesome, so much that I was underwhelmed when I drove the S. Certainly not worth $3k extra, so I bought my 2016 as a justa but optioned how I wanted with cross stitch leather sport seats, tech, premium, and cold weather packages.
It is quite obvious the statement was for Gen 2 models, however IMO it is true for the new ones too. If you like performance you should get the higher horsepower car. Plain and simple. A car is never fast enough!
LCranston--
Not sure where in the mid-west you are located but I had a helluva time finding a Clubman as well. I ended up driving to KY to pick mine up after a local factory JCW slipped through my fingers and have had no regrets! She was well cared for.
You'll find one! Be patient and be up to travel! It will be worth it in the end.
GLWS!
Well... I sold my black Justa 2012 Clubman today for $10,800 to broker. Base trim with only leather seat option and 23,500 miles. I bought a white silver 2011 S Clubman with 15,400 miles for $13,750. Options include Winter package, xenons, ralley lights, roof rack, extra wheels with like new Blizzack snow tires, Harmon Kardon, maybe more I forget. I missed the turbo 300 hp Volvo I had, so glad to be back in the turbo fold.
So, not wonder when I'll hit.. oil feed line leak, HPFP, carbon, and other turbo joys lol
EDIT: Some mpg figures. I have a 41 miles route that is mostly 55/60/65 mph roads with 5 stops, 3 small towns of 25/35 mph with usually 3/5/2 stops respectively. In the Justa trying *very* hard I got 48/49/50 mpg. I can't recall the mpg just normally driving it. In the S trying *very* hard I got 42.3, and driving some what conservatively as I normally do I got 35.3.
On a toll way at 75mph cruise control for an hour I got 37.5mpg
Last edited by cargusjoh; Jun 30, 2016 at 09:40 AM.
We decided on a non JCW clubman S for my fiance as her "practical" small car, an 03 JCW for my "fun" car, and my big old land rover discovery 2 for our real "practical" car. The minis were purchased at private dealers, the JCW from a high end dealer (honestly, for MINIs, I'd suggest sticking to luxury car dealers. you'll pay a premium, but since these are essentially small luxury cars in, if nothing else, costs, they'll be more willing to get work done that needs doing)
