MINI Clubman information

MINI Clubman information

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Discussion

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

53 months

Monday 18th July 2016
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As the above car isn't too popular I have been struggling to find many guides as to buying one online.
We are in need of something more practical than the 3 series as we have a baby on the way and also a dog now so I've had a look around and we're getting a clubman.
We will get the 1.6 Diesel as we don't need anything "sporty" as we have the TT as a second car.

Is there anything to look out for in these then?

Any advice welcome.

eybic

9,212 posts

173 months

Monday 18th July 2016
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What kind of era are you looking for? I used to love them when I was selling them, they would be my first choice as far as a demo goes. They aren't actually that much bigger than the hatch in terms of internal space.

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

53 months

Monday 18th July 2016
quotequote all
eybic said:
What kind of era are you looking for? I used to love them when I was selling them, they would be my first choice as far as a demo goes. They aren't actually that much bigger than the hatch in terms of internal space.
It's more boot space rather than internal space. No way we can get everything we need in the hatch as my Uncle has one and I have tried and failed..

It'll be the R55 that we get.

eybic

9,212 posts

173 months

Monday 18th July 2016
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GravelMachineGun said:
It's more boot space rather than internal space. No way we can get everything we need in the hatch as my Uncle has one and I have tried and failed..

It'll be the R55 that we get.
Those are the ones I sold and yes, the hatch boots are stupidly small with the Clubman offering a much more reasonable load space. I can't give you any things to look out for but I guess they're similar to the R56.

mon the fish

1,412 posts

147 months

Monday 18th July 2016
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Check the rear doors for rust - peel back the rubber seals. The doors rub against each other.

Ours did this, and other ones I've looked at since are the same

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

53 months

Monday 18th July 2016
quotequote all
mon the fish said:
Check the rear doors for rust - peel back the rubber seals. The doors rub against each other.

Ours did this, and other ones I've looked at since are the same
Any mechanical weak points?
Or did you not have a diesel?

mike9009

6,918 posts

242 months

Monday 18th July 2016
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GravelMachineGun said:
Any mechanical weak points?
Or did you not have a diesel?
Hi

I have a 2007 Cooper S Clubman, which I have owned for five years. From what I have read the diesel engines are pretty robust and I haven't heard any horror stories about them. (The Cooper S is a different story - although mine has been very good.) If the Cooper S is a consideration the timing chain can be problematic. Also, I have needed the thermostat housing replaced too (£200). I get 40mpg on A road and B road commute - I have even managed 50mpg on a leisurely motorway commute - so don't instantly dismiss the Cooper S.

My 'club' door required repair after some water intrusion whilst wading through some flooded roads last winter. The stereo is poor in terms of sound quality (if the basic one), but there are a few 'upgrades' which can help.

Check if the tyres are runflats and their condition. It can be expensive for new replacement ones. Negotiation point.

We have used ours with two kids (they are now three and six years old) so it is possible to use one. Check your buggy fits in the boot, some of the bigger ones are a struggle to fit diagonally across - plus it limits carrying other stuff in the boot. We have a MINI roof box which eats up the bigger things when we are going away for longer stays.

HTH

Mike



IJDW

21 posts

168 months

Monday 18th July 2016
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Have a 2008 diesel right now after buying it off my parents quite cheaply. Didn't set out to keep it too long but I actually quite like it.

The back seats fold flat so it's really quite practical as long as you don't need to carry more than one passenger at the same time. My golf clubs fit in length ways with the seats down and my big dog easily fits in the back. Headroom isn't great for him admittedly.

Turbo went on mine at 86k ish but I don't think that's a common problem. It's on 88k now. Seems a bit harder on brake pads compared to other cars I've had. No rust issues (yet) and I'm in northern Scotland. Also had a spring snap last week which was a tad annoying but all sorted now and driving well.

Great fun to drive anyway, like a little go kart. Always happy to get back in it after driving bigger cars for work etc. Feels quicker than the figures suggest.

Will probably look to sell soonish to get a sporty petrol but it really is a good car. Highly recommend them. Seems to average over 50mpg however I drive. Oh and £30 a year to tax is something I'll miss.

mon the fish

1,412 posts

147 months

Tuesday 19th July 2016
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GravelMachineGun said:
Any mechanical weak points?
Or did you not have a diesel?
Ours was a Cooper petrol. No mechanical issues, would still have the car if the dealer hadn't taken 12 goes trying to fix the doors (runs in paint etc...) eventually traded it in as was fed up with the hassle

ian_c_uk

1,234 posts

202 months

Thursday 21st July 2016
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We had a 2008 Petrol Cooper for four years, did around 80k iirc.

No issues, used as "family car" with three daughters (aged 9, 7, and 5 at the time - two booster seats)

Boot is "enough" - underfloor space is great for coats etc - as stated it's very "useful" with seats down, and often used as a little van for electricals / servers etc.

I went for sports suspension *but* kept the little 15"s with non runflats - great on Michelin Energy, rubbish on Pirelli equivalent.

It was comfy enough for 200mile Mway journeys, and brilliant fun cross country.

We swapped it for a Skoda Superb, which was perfect but dull, so I talked my wife into running the "family car" and bought another Mini, a Coupe Cooper S.

The "clubdoor" is perfect for bay parking with small children, as you naturally get out then open for children - however it is possible to make the perfect tripwire with the front seatbelt!

Highly recommend, and I still think they look great.



Edited by ian_c_uk on Thursday 21st July 11:02

Sheetmaself

5,665 posts

197 months

Friday 22nd July 2016
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If you can settle for a petrol cooper clubman our old one is for sale at mini dealer in Derby really nice spec very different from most. It was bought as an insurance payout from our four week old clubman which was rear ended at a closing speed of around 60mph four adults and one under one year old infant. All walked away with minor injuries so very strong and safe. As you can tell we were that impressed with how it dealt with the crash and looked after us we did not hesitate at all to replace it with another. This one is only for sale as we have bought the new version.

If interested i will let you know which one.