New to Mini Ownership - I bought a Clubvan

[Boatbuoy]

Hello All,

Long time PH'er here. Just thought I'd touch base in a new area of the forums following my acquisition of a 2013 Clubvan. I'd been on the hunt for the right spec/colour combo for about 6 months when the right one came up for sale just half an hour away from me.

Absolutely loving it so far. It's a great car with loads of character, and generates plenty of interest. Already having a bit of fun with the addition of some decals.



Cheers,
Olly

[Challo]

Boatbuoy said:

Hello All,

Long time PH'er here. Just thought I'd touch base in a new area of the forums following my acquisition of a 2013 Clubvan. I'd been on the hunt for the right spec/colour combo for about 6 months when the right one came up for sale just half an hour away from me.

Absolutely loving it so far. It's a great car with loads of character, and generates plenty of interest. Already having a bit of fun with the addition of some decals.



Cheers,
Olly

Looks very cool, and the colourway is great. Any reason for getting a clubvan rather than a clubman?

I think they are better with a remap.

[Boatbuoy]

Reason for a Clubvan as opposed to a Clubman;

1) Most of the time it’s just me in the car, so not having a 2nd row of seats isn’t an issue. But still having cargo carrying capacity is essential.

2) I wanted something interesting/fun/quirky.

3) I didn’t want a used car that was just going to tank in value. The difference in prices between ’vans and ‘mans is really interesting.

[Rh14n]

They're great fun. This was our dog's funky mode of transport for a few years. Loved it. The only problem is the difference in road-tax!

[Boatbuoy]

My old boss bought one for ferrying his dog around in. Perfect for that.

Yep, VED is a bit frustrating. I might try and persuade the DVLA to re-classify it. But compared to the Land Rover Disco Sport that I'm currently shelling out an eyewatering amount for each year, it's fine.

[whytheory]

Factory xenons? Must be rare option on Clubvan? Then again they're hardly common to begin with...

Don't know much about them, remember PH ran one themselves at the time and thought they were very cool.

What engine? What is the price difference between 'vans and 'mans?

Certainly looks well in those colours.

[Boatbuoy]

Yep, it's definitely a rare spec'd car. Xenons, heated leather seats, infotainment pack, etc, etc.....

It even had the standard fit roof rails deleted and the Clubman spoiler fitted instead.

It's got the 1.6D (N47) engine.

80,500 on the clock when I got it.

Vans seem to be selling for 2 to 3 times more than equivalent millage / age Clubman's, which are often much more highly spec'd.

[DaveyBoyWonder]

As a Clubman owner, I really fancied a Clubvan when I wanted a new project to run alongside the Clubman (which is our daily) and our camper. Then I saw the prices and I just couldn't get my head around them. Reasonably tidy looking Clubmans for £3k. Equivalent van would be £8k+.

Bought an R53 instead

[Rh14n]

Yes, they are quite pricey still. Mine was well-specced with the heated leather seats and infotainment package too and was great fun to drive.
They weren't built for that long and so are becoming quite rare. I imagine that a tidy one will keep its value very well.

[Boatbuoy]

Rh14n said:

I imagine that a tidy one will keep its value very well.

That's the plan

[DaveyBoyWonder]

That said, decent Clubmans seem to be on the rise as well. Owned ours (2008 Cooper, low mileage, almost every option ticked) for 2 years now and going off AT prices, its worth £2k more than what we paid for it at least. I'd hazard a guess that the stuff floating around for £3k are all base spec, high mileage things with issues.

A decent specced, well looked after Mini will always command a decent premium.

[skilly1]

I seem to remember you can have one as a company car with no BIK charge as it classed as a commercial vehicle.

[mike9009]

Someone on PH had a very similar looking van. I'll try searching.

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Link added - not sure if it is the same one??? But high spec...

Edited by mike9009 on Saturday 9th October 08:17

[Boatbuoy]

Yep, that’s a very similar van. Thanks for the link.

[Ilovejapcrap]

Pic of rear inside please

[Boatbuoy]

Ilovejapcrap said:

Pic of rear inside please

Not my actual vehicle, but this is the load space in a Clubvan

[BIRMA]

Great little vans, here's mine I bought it just over 3 years ago with 20K on the clock. I then went about changing the suspension system to the Tein fully active coil-over system, put a big brake kit all round extended the wheel arches and had a re-map plus K&N filter. Decent turn of speed now but can carry bugger all for a van. The suspension system is very smooth and comfortable when driving steady then when you put your foot down it all tightens up and holds the road really well. Note my sticker about the N47 engine in these, although mine seems to be fine.





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|https://thumbsnap.com/JwsvthtV[/url]

[Boatbuoy]

That’s a pretty cool van. Some interesting modifications you’ve done there. I’m going to keep mine standard, the decals will be peeled off eventually.

Love the humour with the engine stickers. The key seems to be regular oil changes and a chain replacement at the right point in the engine’s life.

[Huntsman]

Clubvans are supercool.

[Boatbuoy]

Huntsman said:

Clubvans are supercool.

….as are classic British motorboats!

Edited by Boatbuoy on Sunday 10th October 09:54