R55 Clubman musings and questions within.
Discussion
Hello MINI lovers.
I've been recently pondering the merits of adding an R55 CLubman to the fleet. With 3 MX5s, a Suzuki Jimny and a 1979 proper mini between me and MrsHorneyMX5 we're missing something of a load hauler and vehicle to transport the pensioner parents in comfort.
I have been offered back my old FN2 Civic Type R wehich could fulfill this role, but tax and insurance on that mean quite a large amount of monthly outlay on something that will get little use.
I've always loved the look of the Clubman over all the other iterations of MINI so far and for some reason it recently surfaced on my radar as an option. If I were to buy one I'm swaying towards a Cooper. The S appeals from a performance point of view but MPG, Tax and insurance will be a bit high. The D is appealing from a running costs perspective but diesel seems to be the new Ebola and I might use it for work occasionally. I don't want to be banned from cities in 12 months time. That leaves the Cooper as a happy medium.
Anyway to the point of this thread. The specs are bewildering and I don't trust what Autotrader and eBay say. I therefore have a few questions.
1) Do they all have stop/start?
2) Do they all have Bluetooth hands free? They all seem to have a phone button on the dash.
3) Do they all have AC? It's hard to tell which style of knobs and display in the centre console are AC/full climate/just blowers.
4) Cruise. Does this only come with the multi function steering wheel?
5) Do they all have the ability to play music off my iPhone either by Bluetooth or a cable?
I think that's it! Thanks in advance.
I've been recently pondering the merits of adding an R55 CLubman to the fleet. With 3 MX5s, a Suzuki Jimny and a 1979 proper mini between me and MrsHorneyMX5 we're missing something of a load hauler and vehicle to transport the pensioner parents in comfort.
I have been offered back my old FN2 Civic Type R wehich could fulfill this role, but tax and insurance on that mean quite a large amount of monthly outlay on something that will get little use.
I've always loved the look of the Clubman over all the other iterations of MINI so far and for some reason it recently surfaced on my radar as an option. If I were to buy one I'm swaying towards a Cooper. The S appeals from a performance point of view but MPG, Tax and insurance will be a bit high. The D is appealing from a running costs perspective but diesel seems to be the new Ebola and I might use it for work occasionally. I don't want to be banned from cities in 12 months time. That leaves the Cooper as a happy medium.
Anyway to the point of this thread. The specs are bewildering and I don't trust what Autotrader and eBay say. I therefore have a few questions.
1) Do they all have stop/start?
2) Do they all have Bluetooth hands free? They all seem to have a phone button on the dash.
3) Do they all have AC? It's hard to tell which style of knobs and display in the centre console are AC/full climate/just blowers.
4) Cruise. Does this only come with the multi function steering wheel?
5) Do they all have the ability to play music off my iPhone either by Bluetooth or a cable?
I think that's it! Thanks in advance.
Hope this helps a bit....
1) Not the Automatics.
2) Pretty sure not as standard, but comes with Chilli pack iirc.
3) Chilli pack gives Climate. A/C if not.
4) You need the multi function steering wheel for Cruise.
5) Our LCI R56 has an Aux input (post mid 2010). Pretty sure this was standard.
You're right, it is a minefield!!
1) Not the Automatics.
2) Pretty sure not as standard, but comes with Chilli pack iirc.
3) Chilli pack gives Climate. A/C if not.
4) You need the multi function steering wheel for Cruise.
5) Our LCI R56 has an Aux input (post mid 2010). Pretty sure this was standard.
You're right, it is a minefield!!
HorneyMX5 said:
1) Do they all have stop/start?
2) Do they all have Bluetooth hands free? They all seem to have a phone button on the dash.
3) Do they all have AC? It's hard to tell which style of knobs and display in the centre console are AC/full climate/just blowers.
4) Cruise. Does this only come with the multi function steering wheel?
5) Do they all have the ability to play music off my iPhone either by Bluetooth or a cable?
I think that's it! Thanks in advance.
1) Defiinitely not on the automatic. Probably most manuals on the LCI upgrade have it. Pre LCi - maybe not.2) Do they all have Bluetooth hands free? They all seem to have a phone button on the dash.
3) Do they all have AC? It's hard to tell which style of knobs and display in the centre console are AC/full climate/just blowers.
4) Cruise. Does this only come with the multi function steering wheel?
5) Do they all have the ability to play music off my iPhone either by Bluetooth or a cable?
I think that's it! Thanks in advance.
2) You're right nearly all have the phone button but for a lot of cars the bluetooth was an optional extra. Check carefully. Most vendors will think button automatically = bluetooth
3) Very rare to find one without a/c. Climate control has a digital display. The non-Climate version will have a a/c snowflake on the winged button around the airflow direction selector.
4) Yep. Only with MFW. Possible to fit a secondhand MFW and have it programmed in.
5) Bare minimum they should at least have the Aux In headphone jack hole. The LCI should have a USB slot next to it. Look in the cubby hole in front of the gear lever (top right).
Check for rust on the rear barn doors around the 2 handles and where the first barn door opens and rubs against the 2nd barn door. Shouldn't be serious but get an appropriate amount off the selling price to deal with it.
vikingaero said:
Check for rust on the rear barn doors around the 2 handles and where the first barn door opens and rubs against the 2nd barn door. Shouldn't be serious but get an appropriate amount off the selling price to deal with it.
Cannot emphasise this enough - we had to get rid of ours due to this, as after 12 attempts the dealer still couldn't fix it.Runs in paint, still rubbing etc. Peel back the rubbers and look closely
I had one for almost six years (Cooper S Clubman) and had very few problems.
Therostat housing failed - but this is particular to the Cooper S engine (I believe). The only other 'real' issue was the clubman door failed to open but £90 to BMW solved the issue.
If you like your music, the basic stereo is somewhat lacking and difficult to upgrade as it is pretty integrated - so look out for cars with the factory upgrade.
Getting in and out of the passenger side seat 'might' be difficult for 'pensioners' but my parents in law managed (both 80+)
The only reason I moved on was boredom and I wanted something new (to me).
Mike
Therostat housing failed - but this is particular to the Cooper S engine (I believe). The only other 'real' issue was the clubman door failed to open but £90 to BMW solved the issue.
If you like your music, the basic stereo is somewhat lacking and difficult to upgrade as it is pretty integrated - so look out for cars with the factory upgrade.
Getting in and out of the passenger side seat 'might' be difficult for 'pensioners' but my parents in law managed (both 80+)
The only reason I moved on was boredom and I wanted something new (to me).
Mike
My clubby is a Nov 2010 car and has the N18, the diesel feel softer. Even at 6'4" i find the driving position so much better than larger cars. I've had mine coming up to 4 years, I have it service by anyone but use genuine parts. I tend to get it serviced just over a year, I cover around 3000 miles a year now, Its had 2 sets of plugs and all filters. I run a sports cat which sounds great although the emissions light is on permanently.
If i keep it then i'll remap it, lower it, and fit a new exhaust and upgrade the stereo. I'm struggling to find what I should replace it with, the only options at the moment are a Focus ST or Megane RS250.
You do need to lose the runflats, i run Uniroyal RS3 and TD Pro Race 1.2's If you look at one with a sunroof make sure it opens, mine has a great spec, panroof, chilli, roof bars, media pack, heated screen, folding mirrors and its laser blue.
Minis shouldn't be diesel powered only petrol and prices ... on the clubman its driven by spec and you can ask pretty much what you want for them. I reckon in 4 years 30k i've lost 5k.
If i keep it then i'll remap it, lower it, and fit a new exhaust and upgrade the stereo. I'm struggling to find what I should replace it with, the only options at the moment are a Focus ST or Megane RS250.
You do need to lose the runflats, i run Uniroyal RS3 and TD Pro Race 1.2's If you look at one with a sunroof make sure it opens, mine has a great spec, panroof, chilli, roof bars, media pack, heated screen, folding mirrors and its laser blue.
Minis shouldn't be diesel powered only petrol and prices ... on the clubman its driven by spec and you can ask pretty much what you want for them. I reckon in 4 years 30k i've lost 5k.
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