[Paul]

Having driven the MINI for over six years, in all it's derivatives, it was certainly a refreshing change to get behind the wheel of a MINI that is completely new, something very different. The MINI ...Read full report

[Paul]

As ever, if you're after any more in depth answers or details, let me know and I'll try and answer here.

Brief video tour going online in a moment too.

[Snowie]

Thanks for the really good, open minded & factual write up.

As with anything really new based on an existing and known design it is allways going too be a big change to get used to.

There will be the early adopters, those that can be converted and of course the knockers (who will no doubt make their voice heard)

Personally from what I have seen and heard so far the Clubman should be a success - I would certainly consider one!

Alan

[Paul]

I'll put my hands up and say it's not perfect, there's a lot of things you could and many people will no doubt comment negatively on, I know I have in the past. But IF you take the positives, there's a lot of them to be found. Once I started looking at it purely as a MINI, but a bit bigger and a little more practical, it was really, really good fun.

And it's also great to have a new member of the MINI family, and I can't deny that fact alone makes me warm to it, as it's nice to have diversity.

The "Club Door Debate" was done to death at the launch, and it was pretty tiring. It's not going to change, and it's one of things I think you'll not convince people off either way. I personally think it's not the best solution, it should be on both sides, or not at all in my view. BUT, once you step beyond that (if you can) and just take it at face value and play around with it, you can hopefully enjoy it for what it is, not what it isn't. (If that makes any sense at all).

[:: Jon ::]

just been viewing your pics and its looking good..

I see they have finally made a set of 17" 5 spoke alloys too

the only thing i still dont get is why they called it the "clubman" and not the "traveller"

[ScottyB]

It's got some quirks.. and definitely open to criticisms.. but I think it looks great

[swamos]

Quote: Originally Posted by Paul Mullett (original)

The "Club Door Debate" was done to death at the launch, and it was pretty tiring. It's not going to change, and it's one of things I think you'll not convince people off either way. I personally think it's not the best solution, it should be on both sides, or not at all in my view. BUT, once you step beyond that (if you can) and just take it at face value and play around with it, you can hopefully enjoy it for what it is, not what it isn't. (If that makes any sense at all).

Did you get any feeling that they might "fix" the mistake in the future and add another door?

[ontheroadagain]

Thank you Paul for your very thoughtful review. Not having seen it, obviously, I can only hazard a guess that I'll agree with all of your observations. Naturally, when it comes to the states, I will attend the opening, etc., and probably test drive one. That said, my initial reaction to your honest review leaves me thinking that it probably will not be my next vehicle given what seems to be the cost for a comparable MINI...

So glad that you were able to spend the time you did driving the MINI Clubman - and report back.

[Vanwall]

Great review, Paul, and no punches pulled - I like that honesty. I used to drive both a Countryman and a 'Burb, both with barn doors, and after a while, you learn how to work with the split door bar in the rear-view mirror. I'm a bit disappointed in the cargo soft-cover - it looks a little cheesy and clumsy. I'm glad the LSD is available in the Clubman, I was thinking about that option. Is the interior noise any "boomier" than a coupe? overall, the best set of pics I've seen yet - great work!

BCNU,
Rob in Dago

[Tigger, Eeyore & Roo]

A nicely balanced review I read it with particular interest as we cancelled our own order for the "Traveller" after having seen the early pictures and bought an R53 instead; although it looks better than I expected, I'm now very happy that we did the right thing.

I've nearly always prefered estates to hatches and always prefered hatches to saloons. I've just counted up and I've had 12 estate cars, 2 hatches (both MINI's ) and no saloons at all!

The Traveller (I can't bring myself to call it "Clubman", it's such a rubbish choice of name ) is certainly different but, judged purely as an estate, it's pretty impractical An extra 100 litres of space isn't anywhere near enough to compensate for the extra length of the car Though it will be good news for anyone who wants to take the dog with them!

To put the extra 100 litres in perspective, the roof box that I now use instead for camping trips holds 440 litres!

Tigger.

[Rakey]

nice write up Paul

[Hat]

nice write up as always but i can't help feeling a bit dissapointed that there aren't any surprises or reveals

[Paul]

What kind of surprises or reveals?

[Shaun]

Good pictures Paul and a proper honest picture of the boot space.

[Washy]

Good review Paul...looking forward to seeing one in the flesh now....

[Hat]

Quote: Originally Posted by Paul Mullett (original)

What kind of surprises or reveals?

maybe some exclusive clubman options or accesories. if its just going to be exactly as the hatch but with one exclusive colour then thats a bit of a dissapointment. what happened to the roof-mounted spotlamps that were on all the show cars? i would have though there would be some 'lifestyle' type accesories to go with the car

[mad brummie]

cracking as ever Paul Do you know when they are gonna be hitting the dealers so we can see them in the flesh?

[dalboyne]

Excellent review Paul - no punches pulled.

I note the fact the Club Door was doen to death at the launch - that is not a good thing when they are already on the defensive on Day 1.

But the big question I have is: do they expect to sell the Clubman mainly to exisitng MINI owners who need more space, or do they think they will reach a whole new market with the car?

Ian

[murattaner]

Quote: Originally Posted by Tigger, Eeyore & Roo (original)

To put the extra 100 litres in perspective, the roof box that I now use instead for camping trips holds 440 litres!

I am beginning to think more and more like this, too. We also use a 450-lt roof top box.

I have been waiting for the Clubman for more than I can remember, but now I am leaning less and less toward the Clubman compared to the hatchback.

When I first saw the pictures of the car a few months ago, one word popped in my mind: "fragile". Not for the car itself, but for some features, including the club door itself. Now Paul seems to confirm this by using the word "clunky" in his review.

Thanks again Paul for your excellent review.

[Paul]

Quote: Originally Posted by dalboyne (original)

Excellent review Paul - no punches pulled.

I note the fact the Club Door was doen to death at the launch - that is not a good thing when they are already on the defensive on Day 1.

But the big question I have is: do they expect to sell the Clubman mainly to exisitng MINI owners who need more space, or do they think they will reach a whole new market with the car?

Ian

I mention in the review they expect about 80% (or rather aim for that figure) of Clubman buyers to be new to the brand. I think it's being viewed as a possible alternative to other premium hatches such as the Audi A3 (the only one really mentioned by name).