New Daily Baby Wagon - Clubman Cooper S
Discussion
Welcome to build/project/blog for my Clubman Cooper S. This my first Mini and I'm pretty happy with it. I'l start by admitting it was a pure impulse buy, I didnt go looking at lots of different cars, I didnt have an ideal spec in mind I bought it because I needed to buy a car ASAP and I liked the look of this one.
I bought it from a friend of mine who runs a dealership, after going to test drive a VW Tiguan I saw this Mini did a deal and bought it instead. I have no idea about Mini's or what kit they came with but this one is red (that's my favorite) and it has a heated front screen which, after owning many Fords I can tell you is the single greatest invention in the motoring world EVER. It only has 30k miles on it and has FSH from BMW.
I picked the car up yesterday and on the short drive home we had a bit of a bonding session, gave it a drink of V power and I was pleasantly surprised at just how quick this little car is and how well it handles....Oh and in Sport mode the exhaust pops and crackles are brilliant!!
Realistically I probably should have bought a JCW as I've bought a JCW bumper and wheels for it but oh well.... Its a project and I like tinkering so I'm happy to spend and modify it.
initial plans are to de-chrome it, JCW bumper, JCW wheels, Fresh fluids, fresh brake fluid and braided lines and just give it a damn good clean. Its also got horrible cream trim inside that I'd like to replace with black so I'l be hunting down some new trim thingys as well! Oh and I also need to work out a Golden Retriever will fit in the back!!
Only picture I have so far is one from my friends advert. But I'l grab some as I go doing bits.
media by Jay Hardy, on Flickr
I bought it from a friend of mine who runs a dealership, after going to test drive a VW Tiguan I saw this Mini did a deal and bought it instead. I have no idea about Mini's or what kit they came with but this one is red (that's my favorite) and it has a heated front screen which, after owning many Fords I can tell you is the single greatest invention in the motoring world EVER. It only has 30k miles on it and has FSH from BMW.
I picked the car up yesterday and on the short drive home we had a bit of a bonding session, gave it a drink of V power and I was pleasantly surprised at just how quick this little car is and how well it handles....Oh and in Sport mode the exhaust pops and crackles are brilliant!!
Realistically I probably should have bought a JCW as I've bought a JCW bumper and wheels for it but oh well.... Its a project and I like tinkering so I'm happy to spend and modify it.
initial plans are to de-chrome it, JCW bumper, JCW wheels, Fresh fluids, fresh brake fluid and braided lines and just give it a damn good clean. Its also got horrible cream trim inside that I'd like to replace with black so I'l be hunting down some new trim thingys as well! Oh and I also need to work out a Golden Retriever will fit in the back!!
Only picture I have so far is one from my friends advert. But I'l grab some as I go doing bits.
media by Jay Hardy, on FlickrDepends what dog you have, the boot is bigger than that of a standard Mini but its not massive.... I've gone from a 2012 A4 Avant to the Clubman.
With the seats down there is actually quite a lot of room. I'm hoping my 5 month old Golden Retriever will fit in without having to saw his legs off!
We'll be using the car for holidays in the UK as well, I think with dog and luggage I'l need a roof box.
With the seats down there is actually quite a lot of room. I'm hoping my 5 month old Golden Retriever will fit in without having to saw his legs off!
We'll be using the car for holidays in the UK as well, I think with dog and luggage I'l need a roof box.
I really like these.
We had an r53 cooper S hatch which made me realise how good these MINIs are and is the most fun car I’ve ever had.
I Test drive one of these before eventually buying a 197 Clio and it was a close thing. The one we tested was black with black roof and the wife said it looked like a hearse for dwarves and she didn’t like the gear change. Which sealed it in favour of the Clio.
It’s an itch I’d still like to scratch though. Supposedly they ride better than the hatch’s due to a slightly longer wheelbase?
We had an r53 cooper S hatch which made me realise how good these MINIs are and is the most fun car I’ve ever had.
I Test drive one of these before eventually buying a 197 Clio and it was a close thing. The one we tested was black with black roof and the wife said it looked like a hearse for dwarves and she didn’t like the gear change. Which sealed it in favour of the Clio.
It’s an itch I’d still like to scratch though. Supposedly they ride better than the hatch’s due to a slightly longer wheelbase?
steve-5snwi said:
They ride and handle much better on 16's, also do the dog bone mount with a poly upgrade.
Is that the rear engine mount?? Will look to get that done on my MCS if it's a DIY task. Also very tempted by some 16s for the road, already use some 16s for the track and it rides really well.Do slightly regret not having the Clubman version... and this sort of thread doesn't help!
Good choice! Had a Cooper D clubman on an 08 plate for a couple of years. Fantastic handling, just chuck it in to bends and it goes round, but also very comfortable. I ditched run flats and went with some decent ‘normal’ tyres, which improved the ride no end. Only negative was when ABS pump went (out of warranty). Landed a bill of £2200! Thankfully I’d taken out a warranty when buying the car (cost me just under £500) but they covered £1700 of it. A known weak point from my research at the time. I’d still have another one, because it was such a good drive. Some say the suicide door is a poor design, but I liked the quirkyness of it. Apart from the ABS debacle, it was relatively cheap and reliable transport. Enjoy!
Hi
I sold my 57 plate MINI Clubman S last year after almost six years ownership. It was a good family car (4 and 8 year olds).
What age is yours? Watch out for the oil consumption (mine would use a litre every 900 miles or so. Some horror stories about timing chains - but mine was fine.
Only 'real' issue I had was the thermostat housing failing (at about 50k), but only a £200 fix. My club door also failed to open, again less than £100 to fix.
Otherwise very good.
Only slight annoyance was the stereo..... Radio boost from memory which was really poor quality wise. Difficult to upgrade as it is built into the dash. I found the easiest upgrade path was swapping the F/R stereo outputs, upgrading the front speakers and adding a parrot kit with ipod harness. BMW/ MINI had a habit of handicapping the basic stereo to make the upgrade sound better. The front speaker output from the stereo had the bass frequencies clipped. PITA and I now have the same issue with my BMW!!
Tyres might be a topic for debate too. I actually liked the car on RFTs (unusually) as I felt this gave the car a greater delicacy and feedback. (I swapped and changed in my ownership, too). Modern runflast seem to be better than the original incarnations too.
Keep an eye out if you have a sunroof. Needs a good clean and lube before the winter months - otherwise it will jam slightly through lack of use.
Others have found the rear door latches can rust - mine seemed okay if this respect.
I still have a MINI branded roof box, if anyone wants it? Useful when the kids were younger and a pram was needed on longer trips away.
Really enjoyed mine....
HTH
Mike
I sold my 57 plate MINI Clubman S last year after almost six years ownership. It was a good family car (4 and 8 year olds).
What age is yours? Watch out for the oil consumption (mine would use a litre every 900 miles or so. Some horror stories about timing chains - but mine was fine.
Only 'real' issue I had was the thermostat housing failing (at about 50k), but only a £200 fix. My club door also failed to open, again less than £100 to fix.
Otherwise very good.
Only slight annoyance was the stereo..... Radio boost from memory which was really poor quality wise. Difficult to upgrade as it is built into the dash. I found the easiest upgrade path was swapping the F/R stereo outputs, upgrading the front speakers and adding a parrot kit with ipod harness. BMW/ MINI had a habit of handicapping the basic stereo to make the upgrade sound better. The front speaker output from the stereo had the bass frequencies clipped. PITA and I now have the same issue with my BMW!!
Tyres might be a topic for debate too. I actually liked the car on RFTs (unusually) as I felt this gave the car a greater delicacy and feedback. (I swapped and changed in my ownership, too). Modern runflast seem to be better than the original incarnations too.
Keep an eye out if you have a sunroof. Needs a good clean and lube before the winter months - otherwise it will jam slightly through lack of use.
Others have found the rear door latches can rust - mine seemed okay if this respect.
I still have a MINI branded roof box, if anyone wants it? Useful when the kids were younger and a pram was needed on longer trips away.
Really enjoyed mine....
HTH
Mike
steve-5snwi said:
They ride and handle much better on 16's, also do the dog bone mount with a poly upgrade.
I wont be going down to 16's... It's looking likely I'l be going up to 18's, even on the cars current 17" wheels they look a bit small and like its on casters. Dog bone mount is a mod I'm planning on doing at some point in the very near future.df76 said:
Do slightly regret not having the Clubman version... and this sort of thread doesn't help!
I've heard that a lot, even on the Mini forums most people wish they had gone down the clubman route.Jonesy1972 said:
Only negative was when ABS pump went (out of warranty). Landed a bill of £2200!
Ouch!! I'l keep an eye on mine and make sure its ok!Got myself a set of 18" JCW wheels over the weekend, I planned to buy a set of these but for a little while yet but.... ebay and too many beers always gets results. Got them for absolute steal so I can't complain to much.
One thing I didn't realise though is just how far it is to Norwich from Leicester, the A47 just keeps on going!!
Anyway, wheels. They need a refurb and 2 new tyres but I'm looking forward to getting these on.
Next up, JCW front bumper and then looks at suspension options, spings or coilovers.
s-l1600 (1) by Jay Hardy, on Flickr
One thing I didn't realise though is just how far it is to Norwich from Leicester, the A47 just keeps on going!!
Anyway, wheels. They need a refurb and 2 new tyres but I'm looking forward to getting these on.
Next up, JCW front bumper and then looks at suspension options, spings or coilovers.
s-l1600 (1) by Jay Hardy, on Flickrsteve-5snwi said:
alfboden said:
This will be really smart with a few choice mods. Genuine question do you think you could fit a 2.4m length of timber in and close the boot doors?
I doubt it, unless you laid the passenger seat flat and the wood had some flex. I've just order 2 new tyres for the JCW wheels and once they arrive they'll be off for paint. Going to stick with the black, I have a history of black wheels on everything, just something about silver than doesn't appeal to me.
Also gave the car its first proper good clean over the weekend and it came up really well, I spent ages removing the glue left behind from the bump strips the previous owner had applied to the doors.
Before: - Not sure why they it was on the rear of the rear door as it opens in a suicide way....
Untitled by Jay Hardy, on FlickrDuring:
Untitled by Jay Hardy, on FlickrNot finished pictures as by the time I was done it had started to get dark and very cold!
Wheels stashed away in my home made wheel rack... can't believe how much these cost to buy, It cost me NOTHING to make at work!
Untitled by Jay Hardy, on FlickrGassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff