[clubmanlover]

Ok, brief history -- have now owned 3 minis -- cooper on launch (blue, white roof), cooper s (red, white) and currently black cooper s convertible.

Love the clubman and want a bit more space (certainly more than in the drop top)

So, since im being practical -- was thinking i should save myself a few grand and go for cooper clubman not cooper s clubman....

BUT -- I can prob just about afford the difference -- SO -- will I miss the pace of the S? Havent driven new models for longer than basic test drive -- WILL the the cooper feel sluggish? OR is it simply fun to drive and since I dont regularly hit the motorways WILL i care about not having the S after a few weeks?

If i get the Cooper -- id spec it up fairly high to get the toys i enjoy in my current car -- so we're only talking a difference of around £2,500 -- ADVICE??? (please).....

[DaFlake]

You'll miss the power in the S...... Besides, it sounds like you have already decided as you say "it is only a 2500 pound difference".

Either way, enjoy it.

[mella yella fella]

have you considered the diesel option??

Iknow it,s a dirty word to some folk but it 's got the same torque as the S,and should do nearly twice the mpg

i know they're a little less refined,but the pulling power is amazing!!

[clubmanlover]

Ok so the phrase "only" two grand may have given away slightly the fact that i may be edging towards yet another mini taking cash i havent quite got.....!!!!!!!!

But honestly though -- im prepared to be grown up if someone who has made the switch back can tell me its the sensible thing to do!!!!

(cooper spec -- pure silver, black roof, black bonnet stripes, chilli pack, heated seats, clear indicators, xenon heads (may ditch those), heated mirrors, pdc)

(s spec -- dark silver, black roof, chilli pack, heated seats, pdc, heated mirrors, fluid silver)

Love both cars, heart says go for the s, heart also loves look of cooper but includes a bit more financial sense!

Forgot to say hello everyone and can't wait to get my Clubman, whichever I go for -- used to belong to this site when I had my first cooper post-launch, but havent been back for many years - great to see its going strong!

[I love MINI, Laura]

Welcome and why haven't you been on here before? You've almost had all the models!

I say Clubman Diesel. Its pretty nippy and great on the fuel and tax. Give it a test drive and see for yourself!

[Banana Panceyette]

I would suggest that you get a longer test drive before making any decisions. I've gone from an R50 Cooper to an R53 MCS and then to my current car, a GP.

I would never have considered going back to a Cooper but the GP had to go into the garage for a couple of days and I had an R56 Cooper loan car. I actually got really attached to it and it was perfect for MINI driving around the B Roads - it made me realise that I wouldn't really miss the power at all (probably just the supercharger whine! but you wouldn't be getting that in your Clubman S anyway!). And as others have said, the Diesel has a crazy amount of torque so don't rule it out either!

[DaFlake]

Quote: Originally Posted by Banana Panceyette (original)

I would suggest that you get a longer test drive before making any decisions. I've gone from an R50 Cooper to an R53 MCS and then to my current car, a GP.

Oi, when did you get the GP?

[Roadrunner_1]

I had a cooper for a year then moved on to a cooper s. Once I felt the power that the cooper s had I would never go back. I took my old cooper down to Monanco in 2006 full with camping equipment and passenger. To be honest the weight and the lack of torque of the cooper made it very difficult to overtake....this is where I think you will see the biggest difference with the cooper/ clubman S. Maybe have a look at the dooper as it does have some very good pulling power especially in the mid range.

[Banana Panceyette]

Quote: Originally Posted by DaFlake (original)

Oi, when did you get the GP?

Did you not know?? 23rd November Absolutely love it but that loan Cooper really rocked too

[DaFlake]

Quote: Originally Posted by Banana Panceyette (original)

Did you not know?? 23rd November Absolutely love it but that loan Cooper really rocked too

Why am I always the last to hear these things... I thought we had something special you and I....

Back to the thread....

I would check the diesel, we don't get those in the USA so I have no idea on how good they are or aren't.

[Tubby]

I was in the same predicament (almost) having had a Cooper for a few years, but having got too used to the limits of its power.

I thought about four options:

R56 Cooper spec'd up
R56 Cooper S with a couple of toys
R55 Clubman Cooper semi-spec'd
R55 Clubman Coper S full-on 'poverty spec'

Finally got round to going to the garage to test drive and the petrol Cooper R56 was out already, so they offered a run out in the Dooper while I waited...bloody hell it's good!

So, finally went for a Clubman Dooper with a full-on spec (broke the bank a bit, but hey - I'll enjoy living on beans on toast for a while! )

I arrives at the garage 22nd, I pick it up next Friday - hooray!

I'd say test a Dooper - the new petrol seems a little tamer than my facelift '54 Cooper so it might be a big step off the Cooper S you're currently used to.

WHatever though, and others have said - enjoy!

M

[clubmanlover]

Thanks for all the advice -- heading to dealer tomorrow (fri) lunchtime to go for longer test drive and place the order -- will let you know what i choose --- and all the exciting spec (plus annoying waiting time !!!)

[Tigger, Eeyore & Roo]

I'm glad you're taking the long test drive; I had a R56 Cooper petrol for a loan car for two day's while my R53 S was in for work.

It's very smooth, very economical and very sensible; if that's what you are looking for then it could be worth looking at an even more sensible 207 estate at the same time...it'll certainly be better value.

If you really enjoy driving the current S then I think that all the toys in the world on a standard Cooper will not mask the fact that it will not be the driver's car that you're used to. I'd go for the S with only the extras that you simply can't live without

[Shaun]

I have just done R53 Cooper S to Cooper Clubman not really missing the power theres a noticeable change but no hangups about swapping.
For me the S was too much cash I I have comfort and spec to compensate.