MINI Clubman R55 - Courtesy car / test drive: Motoring Motoring Discussion forum

Motoring Discussion > MINI Clubman R55 - Courtesy car / test drive	Buying / Selling
Thread Author: PeterS	Replies: 35

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New Fri 1 Jun 18 19:35

MINI Clubman R55 - Courtesy car / test drive - PeterS

Yes, I know itâ€™s not an R55,but thatâ€™s the only option on the drop down...

The BMW was in for its first service today, 22,600miles and 23 months after delivery. A very cheap car to run ;)

As MINIs seem to still be available from stock, pipeline and to order for delivery in 8 to 12 weeks, unlike VAG products, I decided to ask if I could have a MINI courtesy car as itâ€™s a possible replacement for the Ibiza. If we do buy one to replace the Ibiza it is most likely going to be a petrol auto, either 3 door or Clubman in Cooper spec. Of course the demonstrator was not available in that spec; the Coopers were all diesel. So what Iâ€™m test driving is a MINI Cooper S auto.

ibb.co/fR5EVy I donâ€™t think anyone can tell itâ€™s not mine :p

Itâ€™s had a few options thrown at it, but theyâ€™ve been relatively restrained. I say relatively; there are only four - a CHILI pack, a Navigation plus pack, a panoramic roof and metallic paint. But that little lot is over Â£5,000. The base car with an auto box is Â£25,500. So today Iâ€™ve been driving a Â£31,000 MINI. Thatâ€™s not far off twice what the SEAT cost, after discount. Now, to be fair CarWow will get just over 14% off a MINI Clubman, so the Â£31k is nearer Â£27k...but still, whichever way you look at it, itâ€™s expensive.

Itâ€™s a quality bit of kit, and feels very substantial. The Ibiza felt solid, but not substantial if that makes sense. Iâ€™m not sure I like the fact that it feels â€˜heavyâ€™. Itâ€™s only 100 or so KGs heavier than the SEAT, but it gives the impression itâ€™s more like half a tonne heavier. I like the interior, but I appreciate it might be over style to some. Easy enough to use, the infotainment system is BMW, the controls layout BMW and the auto gear-lever BMW. The leather seats in this one were high quality - noticeably better than those in my BMW. Hang on... I think they might be optional too... yep, just checked. Another Â£800. Make that Â£6,000 of extras...

Easy to get a decent driving position, though the same annoying adjustment mechanism as manual seats in a BMW. Fine once adjusted if thereâ€™s only one driver, but annoying to change between drivers. A nice chunky steering wheel, and paddle shifts for the gear change if you want them. Thereâ€™s also plenty of room in the back, but the Clubman has a 100mm longer wheelbase than the hatch. The boot is a similar size to the A3s and the Ibizas on first impressions. The stats say itâ€™s larger. I donâ€™t see that. The rear doors are neat enough, but of course do get in the way of rear vision!

The Cooper S has a 2 litre engine that chucks out around 190 BHP. Itâ€™s sounds very rorty when floored, which might get annoying. I must be getting old... actual performance stats are good - 0 to 60 in just over 7 seconds and a top speed of 142. It doesnâ€™t feel that fast though. Brisk, yes, when thrashed, but not quick. Itâ€™s much quicker than the SEAT, but I wouldnâ€™t say it felt it. The biggest disappointment though was the gearbox, which surprised me. Itâ€™s got the 8 speed auto, presumably the same as fitted to BMWs. Iâ€™ve driven a few cars with it; 1, 3, and 5 series and itâ€™s a good gearbox. But in the MINI it felt much more like an old school auto. Even in sport, there was a noticeable delay when floored. Using the paddles to downchange was no better. Very odd. I wonder whether it works better on engines with more torque?

Summary? I like the car but worry that the non â€˜Sâ€™ version (50 odd BHP less) would feel too slow. On the other hand, it might be better suited to the gearbox as more of a cruiser than a hot hatch. I donâ€™t think itâ€™s a very good hot hatch, though it is entertaining. You could do a long journey in it pretty easily I reckon, once youâ€™d got the seat adjusted just so. Itâ€™s a quality bit of kit; expensive, but not bad value. You pay Â£3k more for the â€˜Sâ€™ than the Cooper. And you could save a few grand on options and not miss them I suspect. Thatâ€™d make it a Â£22kish car, which I reckon is very good value indeed. Of course, actually ticking fewer boxes might be easier said than done...