Cooper S or Clubman S
Discussion
Hi All, first time on the Mini forum, used to be part of the TVR community - no jokes please!
I need some ideas.
I am trading in my 07 525d Sport for either a S or a Clubman S. I have 2 5yr old kids, but will just have them in the car for short journeys and the school run.
How important are the options? I know I need Chili pack, but what else is a must? I have been looking at a few 56/07/57/08 models but all are so different in spec I am getting to the point of buying new, but then the price just goes sky high with the spec I put on.
Also, does the LSD really make alot of difference? I have driven both cars, but with no LSD, only in cooper spec and I could not get out in the 'sticks' to push them harder.
My other car is an NSX, so I have the performance when I want it, but I am looking at the S/Club S as I still want to enjoy my driving instead of feeling that I have too little power.
Al
I need some ideas.
I am trading in my 07 525d Sport for either a S or a Clubman S. I have 2 5yr old kids, but will just have them in the car for short journeys and the school run.
How important are the options? I know I need Chili pack, but what else is a must? I have been looking at a few 56/07/57/08 models but all are so different in spec I am getting to the point of buying new, but then the price just goes sky high with the spec I put on.
Also, does the LSD really make alot of difference? I have driven both cars, but with no LSD, only in cooper spec and I could not get out in the 'sticks' to push them harder.
My other car is an NSX, so I have the performance when I want it, but I am looking at the S/Club S as I still want to enjoy my driving instead of feeling that I have too little power.
Al
almack said:
Hi All, first time on the Mini forum, used to be part of the TVR community - no jokes please!
I need some ideas.
I am trading in my 07 525d Sport for either a S or a Clubman S. I have 2 5yr old kids, but will just have them in the car for short journeys and the school run.
How important are the options? I know I need Chili pack, but what else is a must? I have been looking at a few 56/07/57/08 models but all are so different in spec I am getting to the point of buying new, but then the price just goes sky high with the spec I put on.
Also, does the LSD really make alot of difference? I have driven both cars, but with no LSD, only in cooper spec and I could not get out in the 'sticks' to push them harder.
My other car is an NSX, so I have the performance when I want it, but I am looking at the S/Club S as I still want to enjoy my driving instead of feeling that I have too little power.
Al
I've recently gone through the same process.I need some ideas.
I am trading in my 07 525d Sport for either a S or a Clubman S. I have 2 5yr old kids, but will just have them in the car for short journeys and the school run.
How important are the options? I know I need Chili pack, but what else is a must? I have been looking at a few 56/07/57/08 models but all are so different in spec I am getting to the point of buying new, but then the price just goes sky high with the spec I put on.
Also, does the LSD really make alot of difference? I have driven both cars, but with no LSD, only in cooper spec and I could not get out in the 'sticks' to push them harder.
My other car is an NSX, so I have the performance when I want it, but I am looking at the S/Club S as I still want to enjoy my driving instead of feeling that I have too little power.
Al
As an ex-R53 & MCSC owner I initially looked at the Clubman S to replace my wife's Meriva. THe good bits are that there's more room in the back and the boot is more practical. I couldn't get past the looks though, and neither could she. The 3 dr is on the wrong side for the UK, so that kind of negates it's point.
Compared to the hatch it's a real marmite car. This is also reflected in the residuals, as a like for like spec MCS & Clubman will see the Clubman c1500 less than the hatch, despite costing c1500 quid more when new.
We ended up with a MCS hatch.
Equipment wise definately go with the Chilli pack. The car will be un-saleable s/h otherwise. Mine came with full leather and web-soke alloys, which set it apart from the other cars on the Cherished site.
Other than Chilli, the only other option I 'd go for is the Multi-function Steering Wheel (mine doesn't have this), as this adds cruise control & radio controls.
Watch for interior trim options as unless you are buying new, you'll find some "odd combinations" on the Cherished site too.
I bought a 57 plate car for a 4k saving on the new price. There are cars out there at a good price, but finding them is tricky allowing for the above.
Mine also has LSD, can't say I drive it hard enough to warrant it's spec.
Get yourself over to www.mini2.com
You'll find lots of useful info over there.
HTH
Robert
Edited by wobert on Friday 8th August 12:07
Dont get to caught up on the packs quite as muh as Robert says, a peper pack will be fine if you don't NEED the chilli pack, just make sure it has a/c
Clubman cooper is a little more easy going in terms of ride, the suicide door is on the wrong side, but its still usefull for chucking stuff in the back ect.
Clubman cooper is a little more easy going in terms of ride, the suicide door is on the wrong side, but its still usefull for chucking stuff in the back ect.
Can't get Pepper pack on an S can you?
As for the door being on the "wrong" side, I'm not so sure. I generally find myself parking in car parks, or if it's at the side of the road, it's very rarely so busy and has so little room that I have trouble getting out on the driver's side. So most of the time it would be perfectly usable.
And even if you can't use it, the other side has a folding/sliding front seat like the normal hatch.
It is easy to trip on the seatbelt getting out of the clubdoor though!
As for the door being on the "wrong" side, I'm not so sure. I generally find myself parking in car parks, or if it's at the side of the road, it's very rarely so busy and has so little room that I have trouble getting out on the driver's side. So most of the time it would be perfectly usable.
And even if you can't use it, the other side has a folding/sliding front seat like the normal hatch.
It is easy to trip on the seatbelt getting out of the clubdoor though!
blank said:
Can't get Pepper pack on an S can you?
As for the door being on the "wrong" side, I'm not so sure. I generally find myself parking in car parks, or if it's at the side of the road, it's very rarely so busy and has so little room that I have trouble getting out on the driver's side. So most of the time it would be perfectly usable.
And even if you can't use it, the other side has a folding/sliding front seat like the normal hatch.
It is easy to trip on the seatbelt getting out of the clubdoor though!
Sorry didn'teven twig As for the door being on the "wrong" side, I'm not so sure. I generally find myself parking in car parks, or if it's at the side of the road, it's very rarely so busy and has so little room that I have trouble getting out on the driver's side. So most of the time it would be perfectly usable.
And even if you can't use it, the other side has a folding/sliding front seat like the normal hatch.
It is easy to trip on the seatbelt getting out of the clubdoor though!
No you can't.So yes with the S get the pack.
Interesting topic. I currently drive an S Works hatch but starting a family, I'm thinking about trading it in & going for the new S Works Clubman when it comes out later this year!
The new S Works Clubman looks like its going to be a cracking little car that should give me the best of both worlds KIDDY carrier & B road blaster......
................
The new S Works Clubman looks like its going to be a cracking little car that should give me the best of both worlds KIDDY carrier & B road blaster......
................
Hi All,
I just picked up my ex dealer demo Clubman Cooper S on Friday to go alongside the Volvo C70 and I absolutely love it. It is only 5 months old with nearly every optional extra (even exterior colour coding and JCW 18" alloys) on it bar sat nav.
It has the slippy diff fitted and this really does make a difference in the corners and from full bore starts-no torque steer at all.
Driving experience wise it is as much fun as the Focus ST and Honda S2000 that preceeded it. I would even go as far to say it feels quicker than the Focus.
I have just completed a round trip to York (around 240 miles) and I was suprised at how nice it was to rack up the motorway miles in. It is not as much of a mile muncher as the Volvo, but it really would be a viable proposition as an only car.
When my wife and I were choosing the car at the dealership we took along another couple and their child just to test out how practicle the MINI clubman is. We could get all 5 of us in the car admittedly 3 in the back was a squeeze but legroom all round was fine.
I would say go for the clubman. They are not as common as the standard hatch and I for one enjoy the quirky love or hate looks!
I just picked up my ex dealer demo Clubman Cooper S on Friday to go alongside the Volvo C70 and I absolutely love it. It is only 5 months old with nearly every optional extra (even exterior colour coding and JCW 18" alloys) on it bar sat nav.
It has the slippy diff fitted and this really does make a difference in the corners and from full bore starts-no torque steer at all.
Driving experience wise it is as much fun as the Focus ST and Honda S2000 that preceeded it. I would even go as far to say it feels quicker than the Focus.
I have just completed a round trip to York (around 240 miles) and I was suprised at how nice it was to rack up the motorway miles in. It is not as much of a mile muncher as the Volvo, but it really would be a viable proposition as an only car.
When my wife and I were choosing the car at the dealership we took along another couple and their child just to test out how practicle the MINI clubman is. We could get all 5 of us in the car admittedly 3 in the back was a squeeze but legroom all round was fine.
I would say go for the clubman. They are not as common as the standard hatch and I for one enjoy the quirky love or hate looks!
my view on this for some time has been: if you're considering a clubman s just buy a 5 dr golf gti... (although obviously new the golf is about to become the mk6).
you get all the same sorts of stuff in a more useable car...
if you really can cope with the std car then do go for the coopers.
you get all the same sorts of stuff in a more useable car...
if you really can cope with the std car then do go for the coopers.
We have tried all the options but I personally prefer the Clubman for meeting all our lifestyle requirements. Sure, our S's are fun cars to drive, not least with the added bits and bobs we have on them, but to satisfy our needs in terms of travel, fuel economy and space on a personal level, the Clubman wins hands down and we go to tha majority of places in it.
I agree with the comment about it being a Marmite car - it truly is... but a lot more people are coming round to the idea.
I'm just now waiting for more news on the 'Crossman': a 4x4 MINI alternative might tip the scales for far more families looking for the quirky space that kind of MINI Vehicle could offer
Emma
I agree with the comment about it being a Marmite car - it truly is... but a lot more people are coming round to the idea.
I'm just now waiting for more news on the 'Crossman': a 4x4 MINI alternative might tip the scales for far more families looking for the quirky space that kind of MINI Vehicle could offer
Emma
Edited by Lohen on Thursday 18th September 08:53
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