Tuesday 3rd September 2013

Mini Cooper D Clubvan: PH Fleet

The PH Clubvan is proving its worth as transport, less so in the whole cargo carrying thing

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So it appears the Mini has done a rather unbelievable 2,027 miles with mostly other people at the wheel. Time to discover just what few other members of the PH team have a made of the ‘van.

Van doors have their uses...

Almighty leader of the Techies Phil had taken plenty of positives from his Mini adventures. He praised the diesel’s torque for urban work (something I would concur with) and its general feeling of solidity. He was less complimentary about the Clubvan’s lack of actual space and the ride, which we’ll come back to.

Oliver used YH13 UWD to join the supercar convoy to Wilton House, a job it took to with relatively little fuss. He did report the fuel economy as “not so great” during his valiant attempts to keep up though...

So with a few weeks (and many miles!) having passed since I'd last properly used YH13 UWD, a drive more telling than my urban commute seemed appropriate. Fortunately, an event at the Heritage Motor Centre in Gaydon was the perfect opportunity to reveal a little more about the Mini.

In hallowed company at Wilton House

This rather contradicts what I’ve previously said, but the ride was a bit of an issue. It isn’t intolerable but it just lacks a bit of sophistication; progress can get quite bouncy and uncomfortable with a few undulations. That can get a bit tiring with some motorway miles to do, so Lord knows what 17s would be like...

Having spent some time in more sporting cars, the Mini’s seats were exposed as rather lacking also. They’re just flat and unsupportive. Having said that, the Mini was actually quite refined slogging it up the M40. The 1.6 diesel is punchy enough to allow decent overtaking ability whilst staying pretty hushed and, given the shape of it, wind noise isn’t the problem you may expect. Over-the-shoulder visibility remains a bit of an issue though...

Have you seen the PH Mini? Let us know!

Perhaps I’m too busy looking for blindspot bicycles, but there doesn’t seem to be many PHers recognising the Mini. I know you’re out there, so please wave or come and say hello at the pumps (admittedly the van isn’t there much with its 46mpg average) if the chance arises.

With a move to more permanent accommodation imminent, the Mini will have chance to puts its van credentials to the test properly; not only is there a rather horrible trek around London and over to Ipswich to face, the Mini will also need to take quite a lot of my junk. Full update next time, but I’m not too confident given Phil had to take BOTH wheels off his bike to fit it in...

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Fact sheet:
Car: Mini Cooper D Clubvan
Run by: Matt, others when bikes need carrying
On fleet since: June 2013
Mileage: 5,156
List price new: £19,575.50 (Basic list of £14,275 +VAT plus £400 for Midnight Black paint, £1,700 for Media Pack, £55 for Storage Pack, £50 for space saver spare, £105 for leather two-spoke steering wheel, £60 for velour floor mats, £45 for warning triangle and first aid kit and £30 for front passenger airbag deactivation switch. All options prices inclusive of VAT.)
Last month at a glance: Mini works its way round the PH team and they're (mostly) impressed

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Previous reports
Mini gets run-in the PH way; to Le Mans!
Urban grind shows Mini at its best

[LouD86]

Be rude not to as the S/S

[jeremyc]

What, no mention of the remote opening rear door (singular)*?

*thanks to Switch for the expert demonstration.

[2saabs1yamaha]

Saw the van parked up a couple of weeks a go driving from Dorset to mid-Wales. Graphics on the side look great!

[Dalto123]

I mentioned in the Sunday Serive thread that we spotted you on the way back on the M40 - you returned the wave to us (red Micra with PH Smiley)

[Pheedbak]

jeremyc said:

What, no mention of the remote opening rear door (singular)*?

Is it wrong to try and hit the nice man from Dominos with the door when he rocks up outside my house? I dont think so really...

[Garlick]

Dalto123 said:

I mentioned in the Sunday Serive thread that we spotted you on the way back on the M40 - you returned the wave to us (red Micra with PH Smiley)

And yet I ignored you

[jimmy156]

46mpg seems a bit low, i know this is the cooper and its a "Van" but our MINI one hatch petrol is averaging about 51mpg.

[Dalto123]

Garlick said:

And yet I ignored you

You did indeed Mr Garlick...




...But I forgive you

[charged]

I was wondering if I'd see the photos popping up, I spotted the PH mini a few weeks ago as these images were being taken, I was in my Mother's Prius and the tog snapped us quickly as we drove up the private road, my mother didn't like this, stopped, reversed and challenged the poor tog. Sorry again about that. You picked a great location though and there are some great driving road around the area..

Keep up the good work!

[charged]

I was wondering if I'd see the photos popping up, I spotted the PH mini a few weeks ago as these images were being taken, I was in my Mother's Prius and the tog snapped us quickly as we drove up the private road, my mother didn't like this, stopped, reversed and challenged the poor tog. Sorry again about that. You picked a great location though and there are some great driving road around the area..

Keep up the good work!

[jamespink]

This is not, NOT a van. Its a small car with the back windows covered. Its very small, impractical, not very frugal with a poor ride. Any of our Partner vans costing a fraction of the mini is better. Shocking little thing. (nice graphics though)

[jamespink]

This is not, NOT a van. Its a small car with the back windows covered. Its very small, impractical, not very frugal with a poor ride. Any of our Partner vans costing a fraction of the mini is better. Shocking little thing. (nice graphics though)

[Dan Trent]

charged said:

I was wondering if I'd see the photos popping up, I spotted the PH mini a few weeks ago as these images were being taken, I was in my Mother's Prius and the tog snapped us quickly as we drove up the private road, my mother didn't like this, stopped, reversed and challenged the poor tog. Sorry again about that. You picked a great location though and there are some great driving road around the area..

Keep up the good work!

Hello, that was me! Sorry for spooking your mum; was just checking me lighting levels and all that. Got the pic if you want it!

Dan

[charged]

Dan Trent said:

Hello, that was me! Sorry for spooking your mum; was just checking me lighting levels and all that. Got the pic if you want it!

Dan

Hey Dan, I'm good for the pic thanks! ha ha No need to apologise at all.. I was slightly embarrassed by my Mother's reaction actually! If you'd have come further up the road you could have witnessed our family collection of MR2s, here's an old picture:



Cheers

Ollie

[DanielSan]

I didn't even notice at the S/S it was a van, just thought it was a normal clubman that had its LM stickers left on

[stain]

Taking off the runflats improves the ride enormously

[MrBurt]

Do not get this car/van. To expensive, no carrying capacity. Do not understand why pistonheads are running it.
Who would spend their own money on this, not many, just the odd trendy florist in London maybe.
There are loads more interesting main stream motors out there that I'm sure the PH community would like to know about.
It does not have to be a 50 k + German continent crusher to get people's interest.

[Tomatogti]

I saw you at Le Mans but maybe that's cheating.

[TrivsTom]

When and why are you in Ipswich? Might have to spend the day driving around to see if I spot you..

[only1ian]

charged said:

Hey Dan, I'm good for the pic thanks! ha ha No need to apologise at all.. I was slightly embarrassed by my Mother's reaction actually! If you'd have come further up the road you could have witnessed our family collection of MR2s, here's an old picture:



Cheers

Ollie

Dan do you have nightmares like this after your mr2 experiences...?