[adams]

Hi guys, my r53 cooper s went in to get rid of the airbag light warning a couple of days ago. I was given a cooper clubman with high spec (sunroof, chilli pack bi xenons, auto air con etc etc) It was a pepper white/black with a lot of checks.

Bet you are thinking here we go again more slagging off lol, but as this was my first drive in a new new MINI i kept my mind open. And i have to admit it was a FANTASTIC car. I couldn't beleive how far the game has moved on in some respects. The looks of the clubman are (as has been said) like marmite, love it or hate it. It grew on me put it that way

So i got my seat sorted, pulled off and the first thing i noticed- very sweet new unit underneath the bonet. It had 3000 miles on, so i gave it a trip or too to the red line, and yes obviously it wasnt like my s, but it certainly went well enough to make you think is there any point in anything else? I got 40 mpg around town (just like my s, yeah right lol), i fit a overnight bag and 31 big ass laptops in the boot without the seats down (just like my s ). I was really very impressed. Loved the sunroof aswell! The handling on the new mini is totally fantastic. I went out for lunch, and the road was quite so i took a detour to a large roundabout, and went for it hoping for the best! Grip was amazing, really good feedback as well. Also no jarrining from the potholes. Got back turned off the sport button, and wey hey i actually have a turning circle lol

The only negative was i would like a temperature gauge, and perhaps an anolouge fuel gage. Apart from that, faith has been restored in the r56 and the r55. Who would of thought it. Message to doubters would be take it for a test drive

Still not selling s quite yet though, will have to try to drop the supercharger habit lol

Any of you agree with what i have found?

[KPKalle]

That's a good write-up I've promised myself to take a Clubbie out for a test drive at some point. Not that I'm in the market for one just yet

[NickyJ]

We're lucky in our family to have the best of both worlds, I've got my S and my other half has a Dooper Clubman

They're such different cars to drive, mine is loud, rattly and a bit cramped but so fast, whereas the Clubbie is smooth and pretty quiet with loads more space, but not as quick off the mark. I enjoy driving them both, but like you I love that supercharger

[adams]

Cheers, yeah i know what you mean it is really quite but i did notice in the petrol cooper a nice throaty exhaust not at certain points. Thanfully im not in that marktet yet either KP lol. I think i might be tempted to spec a new s after the summer is out what do you rekon lol?

[KPKalle]

Why not spec a new S? I already drive an R56 S and love it to bits (Previously owned an R50 Cooper and driven R53 Ss on several occasions )

[adams]

Thats what i was thinking, i would like to drive one first although im sure it will be good! My s has the grey/black recaros in the front with the back bench to match, will miss thoose if she has to go! Does the new s feel faster? Is there any noise from the exhaust? Everyone noticed me in the clubman lol!!

[Tunster]

I took out a Clubman S (as there wasn't a hatchback S available) when I went to my dealer to test the MINI "S" engine out. I couldn't believe how refined it was to drive! Especially in comparison to a Cooper S I drove the next day. Regardless of the extended chassis, they've managed to keep many of the highlights that the hatchback retains. It was very nippy, the "S" engine pulled it like a dream and in some sense was far more sensible than the R56 S I own now.

If I require more space in future, I may consider a JCW Clubbie in the future. Since driving and seeing a Clubbie in the flesh, I am growing to liking them very much!

[KPKalle]

Yep the new S feels faster, smoother and the exhaust pops and burbles nicely

[adams]

Kool and the gang!! Clubman s anyone haha nah not for me, could be a new s in the pipline though!!

[daro911]

Quote: Originally Posted by Tunster (original)

I took out a Clubman S (as there wasn't a hatchback S available) when I went to my dealer to test the MINI "S" engine out. I couldn't believe how refined it was to drive!

If I require more space in future, I may consider a JCW Clubbie in the future. Since driving and seeing a Clubbie in the flesh, I am growing to liking them very much!

Own a pair of MCS's one hatch (mine) one Club (hers) and have to conclude the extra inches are well worth having. I like the look of both so no issues there and the fact the longer slightly softer riding Club is as much fun on the tarmac as the hatch if you need the extra space go for a Club.

In fact even if you don't still go for the club

[Tunster]

Quote: Originally Posted by daro911 (original)

Own a pair of MCS's one hatch one Club and have to conclude the extra inches are well worth having. I like the look of both so no issues there and the fact the longer slightly softer riding Club is as much fun on the tarmac as the hatch if you need the extra space go for a Club.

In fact even if you don't still go for the club

I don't quite have enough money to own both at the age of 21 . I've only literally had my S just over 3 weeks . However, if my situation changes in 2/3 years time when I can chop in the my current S, then the clubbie may well be a huge consideration.