Countryman vs. Clubman

[Buckman]

Hi. New to the boards. Love my Clubman, been a Mini Fan since I was a kid and my dad (a Brit) took me for a spin in a "classic" he owned way back when.

Like I said I love my Clubman but am afraid it won't co-exist with the new Mini Countryman for very long. Not trying to start a nasty rumor and I''m no expert but a self-described "car geek" friend said this often happens.

Please if someone who knows about these things could answer? The Countryman is all well and good but I am hoping they keep making the CLubman!

Thanks in advance.

[Smooth Criminal]

Well I read on Motoringfile that the next Clubman will be based on the Countryman.

[jrl218]

Personally I am loving the Countryman more and more, picked up a brochure when I went to the dealer... Don't know what MINI plans to do, but they have many cool concepts on the US website, who knows what might get replaced.

[Buckman]

On a somewhat related note - Earlier today posted a pic sent by a friend of a Mini Countryman driving around Manhattan w/ a Classic Mini bolted to the roof. It's in the "galleries" section. Check it out, pretty funny.

[Buckman]

Hey, thanks to who ever added the photo to my previous post!
With the Paceman too, it makes me wonder what the future holds. I guess having a Mini Countryman as the "new Clubman" is not the end of the world.
Happy Friday all ........

[billy.batson]

Last week my wife and I went to see the new Countryman with a view to trading in our Clubman for it. Never seen one before in the flesh. At first sight, both our hearts sank! What a monstrosity! Looks like a bloated parody of the MINI, in fact it is not a MINI at all. What are they thinking of, actually bringing such a thing to market.

After looking at it for 2 minutes we looked at each other, shook our heads and walked away. A few feet away was a beautiful Clubman Soho. What a contrast! Here was a stylish automobile which looks like an instant classic which it surely will be in the future. Just gorgeous to look at, unlike the new Countryman which clearly was designed by a committee.

We are ordering another Clubman, not a Soho in the end because we didn't want that colour, but a red/black Cooper 1.6.

[MINI Sales Man]

Quote: Originally Posted by billy.batson (original)

Last week my wife and I went to see the new Countryman with a view to trading in our Clubman for it. Never seen one before in the flesh. At first sight, both our hearts sank! What a monstrosity! Looks like a bloated parody of the MINI, in fact it is not a MINI at all. What are they thinking of, actually bringing such a thing to market..

One of the reasons was that MINI was losing out massivley to sales of the Golf/Civic/Focus as we couldn't provide a car big enough to compete or that was five doors.

[Galen10]

Quote: Originally Posted by MINI Sales Man (original)

One of the reasons was that MINI was losing out massivley to sales of the Golf/Civic/Focus as we couldn't provide a car big enough to compete or that was five doors.

Exactly the point: I know choice of cars is subjective, and that beauty is in the eye of the beholder etc., but I frankly don't see how anyone could think the Clubman was anything special to look at!

Maybe if it had four proper doors... but as currently configured it's just a slightly bigger ordinary Mini, but without the space or practicality to attract most people who need something bigger.

No doubt Mini will continue making them if they think there is a market, but with the Paceman and Roadster coming up, we can probably expect the Mini "family" to grow...and why not?

If they can retain the driving feel and ambience, the essential "Mini-ness" who cares what purists say about them not being "real" Minis?

[Defender]

I think it will take a little time for the Countryman to be accepted as the Clubman did?
Once they are a common site then they'll blend in a bit more.
I think where MINI missed a point with the Clubman by not have the 'Club door' on both sides, yes it would make it a bit more expensive, but more useful and appealing?

[Buckman]

oh man bummer! I have heard others call the Mini Countryman a "Mini Golf". guess they figure they had to do a 4-door to stay competitive. now I REALLY hope they keep making the Clubman ....

[MINI Sales Man]

Quote: Originally Posted by Defender (original)

I think it will take a little time for the Countryman to be accepted as the Clubman did?
Once they are a common site then they'll blend in a bit more.
I think where MINI missed a point with the Clubman by not have the 'Club door' on both sides, yes it would make it a bit more expensive, but more useful and appealing?

You have to blame the Americans for the Club door only being on the right. For the Clubman to have a Club door on the left it would have meant relocating the fuel tank to the rear of the car which would have been fine in the UK and the rest of Europe but in America it would have failed there crash and impact tests.

I think it's because in the UK/Europe when we do the NCAP crash tests we test for head on collisions and side impacts whilst in the USA they also do a crash test for if you where hit from behind...so if the Clubmans fuel tank was placed at the rear if it did have two Club doors there would have been a higher chance of the fuel tank being damaged...hence why the Clubman only has a Club door on one side.

[Buckman]

Hey thanks "Mini Sales Man" -- I did not know that bit about the club door and fuel tank.
I am warming to the mini Countryman. And now friends keep sending me pics of the "mini on mini" tour - one from Atlanta and two from San Francisco. Which I guess means its working since they have us talking about it.........

[Floor-is]

Quote: Originally Posted by Buckman (original)

Hey thanks "Mini Sales Man" -- I did not know that bit about the club door and fuel tank.
I am warming to the mini Countryman. And now friends keep sending me pics of the "mini on mini" tour - one from Atlanta and two from San Francisco. Which I guess means its working since they have us talking about it.........

Just like you said: you have to get used to it a little.. Just like you probably had to get used to the clubman

I personally don't like the back of the clubman, the way the lights are in the pillars just does not appeal to me. Luckily everybody has a different taste

[Black Tulip]

While always a fan of the classic mini, I had no problem with the new Mini and felt its design was a natural progression from the original car. I have owned a new mini cooper and now a clubman which I feel shares the classic mini DNA. However, for me the countryman is one step too far. It simply doesn't look or feel like a mini. That's not to say it isn't a good car, in my opinion it's just not a mini.

[billy.batson]

They say that they introduced the Countryman in order to compete with the Golf-sized cars. Maybe, but why trash the MINI brand for ever by calling this monstrosity a MINI. It is a parody of a MINI. It would have been preferable, if they need a larger car, to start with a clean sheet of paper regarding styling and use another brand name.

When the original Mini was available it was not a separate franchise but shared showroom space with other marques. We know that BMW own various other British brands such as Triumph and Riley, this new Countryman is about the same size as for example the Triumph Dolomite or even the 2000. Now imagine a modern Dolomite with it's S and Sprint variations and their rallying heritage. There would be a winner! and it could share showroom space with the MINI.

Dreaming even further ahead, a new affordable Triumph roadster using shared Mini components would be a worldbeater, after all Mazda can do it without much heritage at all.

Of course it is far too late now and the Countryman exists, to the detriment of the MINI brand which will never again enjoy the cache of the cheeky little car which it has been for over 50 years.