MINI Cooper Forum banner

Want to change from Cooper S Hatch to Clubman

2K views 3 replies 2 participants last post by  mike1967 
#1 ·
Hi All,

I currently have a 2003 Cooper S. Not much wrong with it (age related things) but want to change it.
Main reason is London pollution zone but also hatch is a bit small.

I have narrowed it down to 3 cars.

1. 2008 - 2011 Clubman Cooper S Automatic
2. 2008 - 2011 Clubman JCW Automatic
3. Or if I stretch not related to this threat 2014 Cooper S Automatic.


For 1 and 2 are there any things I should pay special attention to when buying one?

I want a Clubman with electric roof, AC, leather all out, nice ot have the cool radio with GPS but not a must.

What is the fuel economy like on them in comparison to 2003 cooper s?
 
#2 ·
any newer engines size for size these days tend to be improvement on running costs as emission laws force better mpg as this is part of getting them through, auto will always use slightly more fuel than a manual but its it mouch of a difference, the autobox do wear see them with 70k more than cars with 40k, expensive to repair and very big job to change, also bmw/mini say sealed for life on gearbox,,, hmmm to polite this is wrong oil and filter changes on auto gear box 30-40.000 miles i would keep to especially if using as city car start stop all day long as this gets oil and bands hot and wear more and loads oil with worn particles that wear out bearing etc.
i've had cooper clubman great car can put roof box on them adds space
 
#3 ·
Thx Mike.

In few places that I have been reading about gearboxes from Mini it seems like:

2003 onwards 6 speed manual - OK
2003 onwards 5 speed manual - No Go
Any DVT or any similar with gears at wheel till 2014 models - No Go on used as do not know of fluid was changed
Any 5 speed full automatic (not DVT or similar) - No go till 2008 (some 2009)
Any 5 speed full automatic 2009 model (not late register 2008) is OK

Does that seem right?

What about automatic on 2014 2.0 Cars are they ok?
 
#4 ·
the 6 speed gearbox in early cars are a lot better than the 5 speed yes without a doubt but like any gearbox some do fail lack of service oil changes or low oil of heavy mapped cars will wear any gearbox out faster, the 5 speed is not a if it fails its when even after fitting a recon box its still when,
cvt gearboxes have been used in a lot of cars and most seem to have common problems at common mileages, so comparing a 2008 one with a 2014 one if were like for like cars engines etc and used the same with same service and driven the same with the same mileage might be able to get some perspective on them, but from where i sit with them and seen the bills people get when they fail i would not want the risk,, ie manual gearbox can find secondhand £300 or could rebuild it for £200 in parts plus labour, to a cvt that no garage i know of would even try and strip and repair one as so complicated needs a specialist £800-£1200 for a recon unit maybe plus the £600-£1000 in labour,, and its like the early 5 manual box not if it goes wrong its when...
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top