Mini Clubman reviews please. Worth a look or don’t bother?

[seadragon]

5 year old or so, not new one.

I please need some advice as real owner reviews seem to differ from online ones from what I have seen so far and I want to get some more from current/previous owners.

I didn’t really want to go down the Mini route, as I tend to avoid being a clone lost in a crowd, but the Mini seems to suit what I need in reality and the petrol mpg figures seem pretty fair.

I have a colleague who had a regular mini hatch and had nothing but problem after problem with it, costing her loads of time and money, she couldn’t get rid of it quick enough. I had heard similar stories from others too and I assume buying BMW Mini parts are expensive too, as well as servicing.

I am looking at other similar vehicles too but the BMW Mini Clubman seems more like a driver’s car than the others, which really appeals to me, also that it is low to the ground like a regular car.

Any views much appreciated, thanks

Edited by seadragon on Thursday 8th May 11:57

Edited by seadragon on Thursday 8th May 11:59

[eybic]

What age are you looking to get? And what model? I used to sell MINI's and the Clubman was my favourite. It just seems to handle better than the hatch and is a bit more practical in terms of space. It is quite a Marmite car in that people either think they look cool or crap.

[seadragon]

sorry just realised, around 2008ish and looking at Cooper.

I agree about the Clubman, I personally think it is by far the best looking of the Minis, unlike the Countryman, which I think is totally shocking (except for the really sporty ones)

Edited by seadragon on Thursday 8th May 12:02

Edited by seadragon on Thursday 8th May 12:03

[eybic]

I can't really comment on their reliability as I only ever drove ones less than 3 years old but in terms of the MINI range, I would opt for a Clubman pretty much every time.

[ian_c_uk]

I had a 2008 petrol Cooper Clubman as a company car for 4years (was supposed to be 3, but they dragged out replacing).

It was great fun to drive on "my type" of roads, which are pretty bumpy / poorly surfaced country lanes - fwiw I went with stock (15") wheels and sports suspension. The sport button was a bit of novelty in throttle response, but the heavier steering was appreciated.

I regularly did 350mile round trips in one day and found it comfortable enough as a cruiser. MPG, I averaged around 43 based on fill ups, as always computer slightly optimistic.

In the first four years / 80k, it didn't need anything other than servicing. It did need 3x new windscreens though, a combination of fairly upright screen and many motorway miles. (I haven't experienced the same on cars since, doing the same runs)

Like you, the image of MINI actually put me off. I ordered without any stripes / coloured trims etc. We used it as a five seater with daughters aged 9 / 7 / 5 at collection, this was "okay" - by the time it left us they were 13 / 11 / 9 and we had outgrown it somewhat!

The "club door" was on the right side for the retail parks / car parks etc, ie get out and open rear door, but the seatbelt being mounted to this did trip a child a couple of times. The rear doors are great, and with the seats folded it was often used moving a surprising amount of IT kit.

I'd happily have another, maybe a Cooper S, but that's only as I had the Cooper for four long years.

[chrispmartha]

I had a Mini Clubman Soho edition, it was a great little car and to my eyes the best looking Mini available.

Surprisingly a lot of room in the back with the seats down, unsurprisingly not a lot of room in the back with the seats up, the suicide door is useless as week but all in all a great little car.

[chrispmartha]

I had a Mini Clubman Soho edition, it was a great little car and to my eyes the best looking Mini available.

Surprisingly a lot of room in the back with the seats down, unsurprisingly not a lot of room in the back with the seats up, the suicide door is useless as week but all in all a great little car.

[0llie]

Many 2nd gen MINI issues stem from the pre-LCI Cooper S (petrol).

Clubman doesn't have any model specific issues that I'm aware of, and the Cooper drivetrain appears to be strong.

[Pistachio]

great little/big car, we have one 2008.
Things to look for.
Leaking water into rear wheel well
Build up of grit on rear wipers due to vertical rear glass - solved by pinging them to let dirt,dust drop
Side extra door dodgy door interior release due to lower lock issue but solvable with a bit of WD40
Also sometimes belt does not retract properly for driver when door opens
Bonnet release catch hard to find but it is on right hand side
Thats all so far apart from that with the diesel great fuel economy and excellent rear legroom over hatchback.

[24lemons]

I bought a 2010 Clubman Cooper D in September. I wanted something fun to drive, something that stands out from the crowd and fairly economical. I'll list the positives first,

Good MPG (typically around 55)
Low road tax (£20)
I like the looks both inside and out, it's got character.
Barn doors are useful
Great to drive

I really want to love this car however;

The interior is the most shoddily put together I've ever experienced. Rattles, buzzes, creaks, you name it it's got it!!
It's been back to the dealer 4 times to try and fix the noises it makes. It really lets the car down unfortunately.

[Justayellowbadge]

We have 2010 Cooper S.

Very happy. 17" rims with runflats were a mistake for London, but otherwise it is a great little thing.

[Miglia 888]

From my profile: Great fun to drive + longer wheelbase = better ride comfort, big enough for four with luggage, and 60mpg+

Get one without sport suspension, and 15" or 16" wheels for a decent ride. Our Clubman rides on 15" pepperpots with 65 profile tyres, and is as close to a limo as a MINI can get. The Clubman is so much fun to drive, we now have two MINI's in the fleet.