Deadlocked / Can't decide
Deadlocked / Can't decide
Author
Discussion

Kaktus

Original Poster:

75 posts

112 months

Friday 11th October 2019
quotequote all
Countryman JCW or Clubman JCW.

Both same size, clubman actually has a bit more boot space than the countryman. Both handle identically (have test driven both a few times now). Countryman feels heavier on the road, clubman feels low down. Both are bullet fast so no sluggishness whatsoever. Clubman has a bit more of a rumble to it. Countryman probably feels a bit more insulated but I'm just reaching at this point trying to find a way to differentiate.

And then we have the options and colours....

I Love this:


Ignore the red top, this would be the equivalent in the countryman (thunder grey with black trim)


I'm not sure about this, the black trim looks too much of a contrast to the white?


Or just regular white with chrome exteriors


I'm completely deadlocked - I like both cars and can't decide which to get and what colour combo looks the nicest. It doesn't help that both cost almost the same (1k difference) and both look great and drive exactly the same for all intents and purposes. Would love to hear as much input from others as possible please.

IceBoy

2,455 posts

250 months

Friday 11th October 2019
quotequote all
I've driven both and can confirm the Clubman is the sportier slightly more agile machine. I also think it feels faster as you are closer to the ground.

The countryman package is better, room, height etc but I just cant get over the looks......to me a baby hippo....but that is a personal view.

The clubman just look soooo right.

Iceboy

Summit_Detailing

2,430 posts

222 months

Friday 11th October 2019
quotequote all
Clubman for me, Countryman looks fugly.

Cheers,

Chris

Roboticarm

1,666 posts

90 months

Friday 11th October 2019
quotequote all
As above, I'd go clubman. Looks way better, will handle better and there was an original clubman that this is a hint towards, there was never an original mini suv / hippo

Kaktus

Original Poster:

75 posts

112 months

Saturday 12th October 2019
quotequote all
So I took both for a test drive today again and I can't get over the feeling that the Clubman is 'wobbly' if that makes any sense? According to the sales rep apparently quite a few other people who've test driven both said the same thing.

I don't know how to describe it, it's like the car is unsure of itself. It's fast but compared to the hatch it's...not a stable, tort feeling. I am at a loss because none of the reviews ive seen on youtube have mentioned anything like this. It's so frustrating tbh because I really want the clubman but without it feeling like the hatch drive I don't see what the point is? This is also with non-adaptive suspension which means it is as tort as it's ever going to get.

Reluctantly, I think I'm defaulting to the Countryman as it feels much more planted on the road.


iphonedyou

10,406 posts

186 months

Sunday 13th October 2019
quotequote all
Taut.

Honestly, if you've already had a 'few' test drives in each then taken another yesterday and still have concerns, maybe they're not the cars for you.

Edited by iphonedyou on Sunday 13th October 09:45

Pistonheader101

2,206 posts

136 months

Sunday 13th October 2019
quotequote all
Countryman for sure, clubman has horrendous proportions

loskie

7,080 posts

149 months

Sunday 13th October 2019
quotequote all

Pica-Pica

16,541 posts

113 months

Sunday 13th October 2019
quotequote all
If you can’t decide - spin a coin.
If you are unhappy with the result, your decision is made.

TXG399

134 posts

162 months

Monday 14th October 2019
quotequote all
Having driven both, the Clubman is the obvious choice. They definitely do NOT drive the same.

Kaktus

Original Poster:

75 posts

112 months

Monday 14th October 2019
quotequote all
TXG399 said:
Having driven both, the Clubman is the obvious choice. They definitely do NOT drive the same.
Have you driven the new JCW's or are you referring to the FWD S models? Someone I know with a Clubman S said when he took the new JCW for a test drive it felt completely different to the S which he describes as being almost like the Hatch. He said the JCW felt disengaging for him which is exactly how I've felt driving them. Feel like im starting to go mad.