[qzx372]

I am new to the forum so apologies for maybe repeating a thread. We have just ordered a Cooper Clubman for jan 2008 delivery. The mini hatchback was always too small for our needs but the new clubman adds that much needed extra space and utility to justify the purchase.

Wandering around the web I have encountered numerous negative comments about the club door being on the wrong side for the UK. The reality is that it is on the correct side IMO.

Mum puts two kids in the back of the mini clubman in frankfurt and goes to school. She arrives at school and parks the car. Then she has to get out, walk all the way around the car, open the passenger door, open the club door and let the kids out. The kids can't let themselves out because the front door has to be opened first. Admittedly they arrive on the pavement side.

In the UK, mum parks up. Checks the raod is clear (it won't be because schools are the most dangerous places to be during drop off / pick up). However, when it is, she steps out, shields the door, opens the club door which is immediatley to hand, and escorts the kids onto the pavement.

Job done. What's the fuss??

Need to throw something bulky in the back before driving off, no problem, open the club door throw it in, close the door and drive off.

Just my opinion you understand.

[simeds]

i think if the door is the only thing people can find to moan about, then it must be a good car

[ScoobyDoo]

I have to drive past a primary school everyday to get to work and I can near enough guarantee that if the mother is driving any 3 door car with her kids in the back, they get out of the drivers side and therefore into the road exactly the same as the Clubman.............nobody has ever moaned (as far as I know) about their kids getting out of a hatch MINI drivers side, so why all the fuss about the Clubman.

[Paul]

Is she holding their hands while she closes both doors, club door first followed by main door, or do they wait on the pavement alone, walk around the car unaided?

Besides, whichever side the door is on, Mum still has to walk around the car to get the pavement doesn't she, unless she's just dropping off, so not really too much hassle to let them out the passenger side.

Our little one has always sat behind the passenger seat because it's just easier that way. But each to their own.

Best sollution would be two rear doors instead of one, but that would have been costly and difficult to impliment as, apparently, nobody considered the Clubman properly when designing the platform for the 2nd generation MINI.

[Shaun]

Quote: Originally Posted by Paul Mullett (original)

Our little one has always sat behind the passenger seat because it's just easier that way. But each to their own.

Thats a Legroom thing too though isnt it?
Thats why James sits the passenger seat at the moment by the time I pick up the clubman though we will be using a froward facing seat and in the Clubman hopefully behind the drivers seat via the Clubdoor. This way the passenger can keep a better eye on him too.

[minisoopercooper]

I agree that it doesn't really matter what side it's on. The fact it's there is the main thing and for the first time ever I can easily get in the back of a MINI now.

Virtually everytime I take passengers it's to the supermarket or cinema so we are always parked in a car park - so which side the club door is on makes no difference - if anything it's easier for me as I wouldn't have to walk round to the passenger side to let people out.

[simeds]

so why exactly do you want to be able to get in the back of the car in a car park

[minisoopercooper]

replied to that somewhere less public an no I didn't mean you

[simeds]

people can see too much of a good thing

[Paul]

Quote: Originally Posted by Shaun (original)

Thats a Legroom thing too though isnt it?
Thats why James sits the passenger seat at the moment by the time I pick up the clubman though we will be using a froward facing seat and in the Clubman hopefully behind the drivers seat via the Clubdoor. This way the passenger can keep a better eye on him too.

Not so much a legroom thing, not that the Clubman feels like it gains much in that department either, which again makes it worse being behind the driver from my point of view.

The main reason is it's just easier to have them on the passenger side. The driver can see them and reach them much easier than having them (the child) directly behind.

[Shaun]

Usually all three of us are in the car I rarely go out in the car with just James and I dont like the idea of turning round to check I do have a mirror on the rear headrest though.
I say a legroom thing because theres no way I could drive with the easy base behind me.

[Paul]

Quote: Originally Posted by Shaun (original)

Usually all three of us are in the car I rarely go out in the car with just James and I dont like the idea of turning round to check I do have a mirror on the rear headrest though.
I say a legroom thing because theres no way I could drive with the easy base behind me.

There is the legroom thing too, it's just always been easier for me and Alfie to have him sat on the passenger side. The Clubman was very interesting to us with number two on the way, but there's just no point in changing to it. Either we need a 'proper' bigger car, or if we can make the Clubman work, we can make the MINI work.

[Shaun]

Quote: Originally Posted by Paul Mullett (original)

There is the legroom thing too, it's just always been easier for me and Alfie to have him sat on the passenger side. The Clubman was very interesting to us with number two on the way, but there's just no point in changing to it. Either we need a 'proper' bigger car, or if we can make the Clubman work, we can make the MINI work.

I agree with James when we go to the inlaws bouncy chair, gym, pram (quinny), carseat plus james and a couple of bags were pretty well crammed in. The Clubman will give us breathing space but with two I dont know were we would put stuff I already have to fold the seat down now.
I forgot to add the change to the Clubman is not just a practicality thing if it was I might have got a grown ups car its a big cost saver changing from the S to a Cooper in Fuel, Road Tax and insurance. More toys for James

[mirko85]

uhh.. i love my clubdoor!!!!

[Tigger, Eeyore & Roo]

Quote: Originally Posted by Paul Mullett (original)

There is the legroom thing too, it's just always been easier for me and Alfie to have him sat on the passenger side. The Clubman was very interesting to us with number two on the way, but there's just no point in changing to it. Either we need a 'proper' bigger car, or if we can make the Clubman work, we can make the MINI work.

Well put.

[swamos]

Well Australia is left hand drive like the UK, and the wife has vetoed my clubman plans because she believes it will be all too hard with two kids and only one door