[Ant FR]

Ok, just dropped my R53 in for its service and have been given a dark grey cooper D Clubman, will post my verdict tonight, but already some definite likes and some definite disapointments, and one of those is the engine at the moment, but will give a nice review this evening as will be doing about 180 miles in it before it goes back this arvo, toodle ooooh

[supa-dupa-cooper]

If its Dark Grey are you sure its a D Unless its very dirty or course

[ViscountCharles]

I borrowed a D for a day a few weeks ago. I liked the stop-start, I liked the larger interior and load space, I liked the club door. But the stop-start came with a price - every time it restarted, it reminded me that I was driving a D

[cooper18]

This works great on the Cooper S. I thought it was a gimmick at first ,and that I would switch it off. But I actually do not mind it.

[Ant FR]

Ok,


Well first off the car, It was a 4 week old Midnight Black ( i can;t find this colour anywhere but was on the spec sheet in the car) Cooper D clubman, with chilli, phone connection, computer etc, reverse beeper.

Now the first thing i will say is one major thing for me that ruined this car was INDICATORS. They are not just a pain they are an F-ing knightmare, Why can they just not use the system that VW use it works so much better. The cabin was a lovely place to be though, felt very much like my R53 just a lot newer and a little more well thought out. All the dials were readable, although one thing i struggled to find the clock. Despite having 2 within the dials i miss the clock being in the headlining. Sound wise int he car it was very quiet cruising. I have to say the Aircon is a massive improvement. Mainly because of the vents and how they work etc. seem to give a nicer allround coverage from the blowers. I was impressed. The rear window though took some getting used to, it was almost like driving a Stingray corvette, i did'nt like that and would be surprised if i could put up with that.

Now for the engine. This was a puzzler, now i know my current stead is quicker than most and i suppose i could have got used to it, however the engine was jekyll and hyde, Now i have vast experience of diesels and in fact my last car was a SEAT IBIZA Cupra Tdi. Now firstly there is no getting away from it, the Peugeot Engine in the Cooper D is a raucious unit with lots of top end clatter, you really can;t pretent its not a diesel. And it sounded not much different to my mates berlingo van diesel, esepcially whan i took it throught the McDonalds drive thru. The next problem was the Lag. Now i have never ever driven a diesel especially small one with a small turbo that suffers from lag, It simply dioes not happen in a diesel. So a fair few times i came to a roundabout went to pull away then found that foot to the floor nothing was happening then all of sudden boom it pulled. And this is another thing. The turbo runs out of puff very quickly, for a diesel it feels as if it has a very narrow torque band. Runs out very quickly. I do wonder how much of this could be cured with a remap, however the turbo size and type will limit the results and its never going to be a VAG Tdi engine end of day. now this was the first half of the journey.

For the second half, i found my driving was changing, in teh R53 i drive like a tit, its hard not too with all the go and esepcaially all the noise. Also you have to cane it t get to higher revs where the power is. But after a few hours driving in the Cooper D, well i had slowed down, was driving more smoothly. I even started using the gear guide thingy that tells you what gear to be in to get good economy.

I must say i pulled in to the dealership, and was gutted to be handing the key back, i even found myself pricing up a cooper D , but i have to say it would not be a clubman, I could see no real benefit of having a the rear doors, and to be honest it brings little to the show over the normal hatch. I actually felt a little gutted driving mine back home, until i used the right foot.

Oh and i did'nt get tot he fuel side. I filled the car with 16 quids worth of diesel, and i managed to drive from canterbury to wimbledon and then back the long way through sevenoaks and maidstone all on that fuel. The avarage economy was 60mpg for the whole journey including the caning and taking the long way back.

I can see maybe and R56 on the drive before the end of the year. However it won;t be a clubman.

[humph]

Nice write up Ant. Thank you. Having driven both a Cooper D and hatch I do believe the hatch is a little more spritely. That said I like the feel of the Clubman to drive, feels very planted and safe somehow.

Got to agree about the indicators, really don't like them at all.

[dlpruk]

Glad to see some views from someone with experience of other MINIs but with 5 month's experience of a Clubman D I can't agree with everything Ant says:

The indicators are excellent, but you do need to get used to the "touch for 3 flashes; hold for continuous" feature.

It sounds as if the dealer car had cheap fuel in it as there's no roughness or turbo lag on mine, running on BP Ultimate.

And I don't even notice any visibility issues any more.

[humph]

Quote: Originally Posted by dlpruk (original)

Glad to see some views from someone with experience of other MINIs but with 5 month's experience of a Clubman D I can't agree with everything Ant says:

The indicators are excellent, but you do need to get used to the "touch for 3 flashes; hold for continuous" feature.

It sounds as if the dealer car had cheap fuel in it as there's no roughness or turbo lag on mine, running on BP Ultimate.

And I don't even notice any visibility issues any more.

Not a clubman owner, but have driven three, so bear with me. With the indicators I find the whole feel of the operation lacks something. It just doesn't seem purposeful at all to start with, then getting the continuous seems to take too much effort. Just an opinion.

Have only driven dealer cars so I have felt the lack of power then surge than Ant refers to. Could well just be the fuel, or the fact that the cars are dealer cars and mainly do short journeys. It may be less noticable during proper day to day driving once the ECU has 'learnt' it's occupants driving style.

And my 2p worth on visibility. With the barn doors I think you just get used to checking your mirror twice before making any manouvres; Just to check there wasn't anyone hiding in your blind spot. I have found the club door pillars more of a hinderance to be honest.

I like the Cooper D a lot, in both hatch and Clubman guises.

Once again thanks Ant an intelligent review instead of a "Well it's naff because it's not an S" type review that many would have written.

[Shaun]

I prefer the indicators over the ones in VWs it so much easier to push the switch in the same direction to cancel the signal than having to move your hand to push in the opposite direction.
I drive a VW daily for work.

Not driven the new diesel engine yet only the old 1.4 version so no comments on that only I have driven diesels of all makes mainly the 2.0 litre area ones Ford, VW, Merc, Toyota, BMW etc and dont think I could have one as a dialy driver despite how many miles I have done in them for work I just couldnt live with one. Plus its just not economical enough cost at pump plus dealer premium etc.

If your goingto have an R56 on your drive I would be very impressed if it was a Clubman as they are R55's

Just re read your post the clocks not been up in the headlining for ages so I got used to it in my 55.

Good review though I am an ex S owner wich went like stink the Clubman is much more user friendly though.

[balmy1]

Quote: Originally Posted by Fu Manchu (original)

Not a clubman owner, but have driven three, so bear with me. With the indicators I find the whole feel of the operation lacks something. It just doesn't seem purposeful at all to start with, then getting the continuous seems to take too much effort. Just an opinion.

Have only driven dealer cars so I have felt the lack of power then surge than Ant refers to. Could well just be the fuel, or the fact that the cars are dealer cars and mainly do short journeys. It may be less noticable during proper day to day driving once the ECU has 'learnt' it's occupants driving style.

And my 2p worth on visibility. With the barn doors I think you just get used to checking your mirror twice before making any manouvres; Just to check there wasn't anyone hiding in your blind spot. I have found the club door pillars more of a hinderance to be honest.

I like the Cooper D a lot, in both hatch and Clubman guises.

Once again thanks Ant an intelligent review instead of a "Well it's naff because it's not an S" type review that many would have written.

I lost a POLICE CAR in my clubman blind spot

[dlpruk]

Quote: Originally Posted by balmy1 (original)

I lost a POLICE CAR in my clubman blind spot

I'm sure you were driving responsibly within the local speed limit and were already aware it was behind you!

[balmy1]

Try reading this :-http://www.mini2.com/forum/mini-club...20-beware.html
Barry