Mini Clubman R55/56 Cooper S - anyone have lived with one?
Discussion
I have owned plenty of R53 cooper s hatches which I loved.
Now need a larger car for the dog and was thinking about a Clubman cooper s rather than going down the typical estate/touring type cars.
We also live somewhere with a small parking space so the size of the clubman appeals.
Has anyone lived with one and can share the experience?
We would look for a 2008 model.
Now need a larger car for the dog and was thinking about a Clubman cooper s rather than going down the typical estate/touring type cars.
We also live somewhere with a small parking space so the size of the clubman appeals.
Has anyone lived with one and can share the experience?
We would look for a 2008 model.
Yes, I currently have a Clubman JCW having owned an R53 Cooper S previously.
Large enough in the back for two young children when required; wife has the main family wagon.
Boot is large enough for everyday use, significantly larger and more practical than the hatch.
Still drives like a MINI (go-kart type handling, etc) and feels more comfortable on a motorway cruise.
I've been toying with the idea of selling mine after 4 years but I'm struggling to find a suitable replacement (that I can afford).
Currently advertised in the JCW classified here infact
Large enough in the back for two young children when required; wife has the main family wagon.
Boot is large enough for everyday use, significantly larger and more practical than the hatch.
Still drives like a MINI (go-kart type handling, etc) and feels more comfortable on a motorway cruise.
I've been toying with the idea of selling mine after 4 years but I'm struggling to find a suitable replacement (that I can afford).
Currently advertised in the JCW classified here infact
The fuel consumption in the R56's really appeal after living with sub 30's on the R53's.
Hoping to find one that hasn't got runflats, as otherwise its a large expense to fork out straight away.
The budget was around £7k. If I had more ££, I would definitely be interested in stretching it for one like yours.
I have heard the ride is better on the clubmans to the hatches based on the ever so slightly longer wheel base. Did you find the same?
Also - I loved the supercharger on the R53's. Are you happy with the power delivery on the R56 and do you find it just as good/fun?
Hoping to find one that hasn't got runflats, as otherwise its a large expense to fork out straight away.
The budget was around £7k. If I had more ££, I would definitely be interested in stretching it for one like yours.
I have heard the ride is better on the clubmans to the hatches based on the ever so slightly longer wheel base. Did you find the same?
Also - I loved the supercharger on the R53's. Are you happy with the power delivery on the R56 and do you find it just as good/fun?
Had my JCW clubman for 6 months and done 9k in it, including taking 3 of us to the ring and back again!
The clubman has a slightly longer wheelbase(apparently) so gives much better comfort on the motorway. Main issues I have is the seatbelt and the suicide door getting trapped between the door and seat and also the pillarless doors meaning any rain on the roof is going into the window if you open it!
I love mine, not been the most reliable of cars but I think mostly down to the previous owner than anything else. I would recommend going to a dealership and having a sit and a drive of a couple, the SD is a cracking motor but usually come with very basic specifications from what I found when I was looking at one.
The clubman has a slightly longer wheelbase(apparently) so gives much better comfort on the motorway. Main issues I have is the seatbelt and the suicide door getting trapped between the door and seat and also the pillarless doors meaning any rain on the roof is going into the window if you open it!
I love mine, not been the most reliable of cars but I think mostly down to the previous owner than anything else. I would recommend going to a dealership and having a sit and a drive of a couple, the SD is a cracking motor but usually come with very basic specifications from what I found when I was looking at one.
I have a Clubman S Auto as my commuting car. It puts a little fun back into a dreary commute. I currently have nonRF winters on it. When the RF summers gets low I'll switch to nonRF especially as the Clubman can have a spacesaver spare in the boot floor.
Common faults are the death rattle which my specialist say is overrated. Anyone who comments about the rear barn doors and Clubdoor being on the wrong side are regurgitating car mag articles. For me the Clubdoor is on the correct side and I like the barn doors. The engine likes a slug of oil each week. I buy Castrol Edge from Asda for £30/4litres on offer or from Euro Car Parts for £34 (non offer).
Common faults are the death rattle which my specialist say is overrated. Anyone who comments about the rear barn doors and Clubdoor being on the wrong side are regurgitating car mag articles. For me the Clubdoor is on the correct side and I like the barn doors. The engine likes a slug of oil each week. I buy Castrol Edge from Asda for £30/4litres on offer or from Euro Car Parts for £34 (non offer).
Just to offer a slightly different take on the Clubman, I bought a 2010 Cooper D in 2013 as my girlfriend had the hatchback and I loved the Mini handling and fun factor. I needed a little more space so went for the Clubman.
Firstly, there was alot to like about the car. I still like the Clubman in essence. The experience of owning one however was seriously tainted for me by the constant loud rattles, buzzes, squeaks and creaks that came from just about everywhere you can think of.
For some people it might not be an issue but I found that the noise was very intrusive and after numerous visits back to the dealer, they basically admitted no more could be done and in the end I changed it for a 1 series.
I may have been unlucky but all I will say is that every MINI courtesy car that I had also rattled like a shed full of rattly things. All of them had a great deal fewer miles on the clock. The difference in build quality between the old style MINI and the latest incarnation is night and day in my experience.
The car also had 15" rims with non runflats too.
Firstly, there was alot to like about the car. I still like the Clubman in essence. The experience of owning one however was seriously tainted for me by the constant loud rattles, buzzes, squeaks and creaks that came from just about everywhere you can think of.
For some people it might not be an issue but I found that the noise was very intrusive and after numerous visits back to the dealer, they basically admitted no more could be done and in the end I changed it for a 1 series.
I may have been unlucky but all I will say is that every MINI courtesy car that I had also rattled like a shed full of rattly things. All of them had a great deal fewer miles on the clock. The difference in build quality between the old style MINI and the latest incarnation is night and day in my experience.
The car also had 15" rims with non runflats too.
I bought a clubman jcw for the exact same reasons as the op, I wanted something a bit different but that is still nippy and fun.
I like the car, really like it in fact. I would agree with the above comment about annoying buzzes, I have one under the dash and it drives me insane. No other rattles though and it's on 56k miles. I have kept my run flats for peace of mind as i need to get around without worrying about a tyre pancake situation. They are hard but I'm used to quite harsh ride so it doesn't bother me.
I'm glad I got a 1 year mini cherished warranty, think I've used it 3 or 4 times now. Twice for timing chain tensioner/timing chain, once for cam cover oil leak and maybe one other occasion. I'll be getting a decoke this year as this seems to be something they need after 30k miles and maybe some catch cans to help prevent this in future.
So it is flawed, but I like that it's fast and it's different to any other car on the road at the moment. Just look out for the issues and check history before buying and out should serve you well.
And my dog likes it.
I like the car, really like it in fact. I would agree with the above comment about annoying buzzes, I have one under the dash and it drives me insane. No other rattles though and it's on 56k miles. I have kept my run flats for peace of mind as i need to get around without worrying about a tyre pancake situation. They are hard but I'm used to quite harsh ride so it doesn't bother me.
I'm glad I got a 1 year mini cherished warranty, think I've used it 3 or 4 times now. Twice for timing chain tensioner/timing chain, once for cam cover oil leak and maybe one other occasion. I'll be getting a decoke this year as this seems to be something they need after 30k miles and maybe some catch cans to help prevent this in future.
So it is flawed, but I like that it's fast and it's different to any other car on the road at the moment. Just look out for the issues and check history before buying and out should serve you well.
And my dog likes it.
Edited by Don Phil on Friday 20th February 18:45
I've just bought a Clubman SD manual for use as my commuting car. So far I'm averaging close to 50mpg and it is sooooo much better to drive than my shed of a Passat.
It may not be as quick as my other toys and the JCWs mentioned on here, but I'm really pleased with it, there's plenty of torque from the engine and I don't find the diesel in any way noisy or intrusive.
There's enough space for all three (SWMBO and 14yr old) of us, I have a few toys on mine and range with the SD is over 400 miles. I'm actually looking forward to taking it over the Alps and into Italy this summer.
Good as it is, I won't be getting rid of the 997 or Cerbera though.
It may not be as quick as my other toys and the JCWs mentioned on here, but I'm really pleased with it, there's plenty of torque from the engine and I don't find the diesel in any way noisy or intrusive.
There's enough space for all three (SWMBO and 14yr old) of us, I have a few toys on mine and range with the SD is over 400 miles. I'm actually looking forward to taking it over the Alps and into Italy this summer.
Good as it is, I won't be getting rid of the 997 or Cerbera though.
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