Interesting review. This car really embodies MINI's whole struggle to define itself given its need to be fun, playful, practical (enough), comfortable, and--well--mini all at the same time. The name brand seems like it can be an albatross whenever MINI wants to enlarge a car. Given that I'd want one with almost no options, and that I miss my old Cooper Hardtop, I'm keeping this model (with or without the "S" and with or without ALL4) on the list in the event that VW makes a generous offer on the wife's VW JSW TDI. They'll probably make it compelling for us to buy another VW, but we'll see. The coming Civic Hatchback and the Mazda3 5-door are up on the list too. Wife will want the Honda, but we'll have to check out that sharp Clubman. Maybe the fun ride (coming from the JSW TDI) will sway her. Thanks for yet another great review!
+Ike n meek Fair point in many cases lately. I'm always impressed when a manufacturer can make a new gen model a bit bigger while also making it lighter and more pefficient. This one is just so dramatically bigger than its predecessor that it really doesn't seem fair to compare it to the old one. I of course question whether showing a decrement in fuel economy in a car with the same name will hurt it. Maybe those who don't want to take the full step from the old Clubman to this new one should stop off at the (fairly) new four-door Cooper Hardtop, unless they just need those barn doors!
Uno 1 I don't know about reliability, but my family had no issues at all with our 2009 Mercedes-Benz E350 4Matic. Maybe we just got lucky and got one of the few good ones. Maintenance was a little more expensive than mainstream brands though.
+Drift King Agree, and I'd like to think I'd not get carried away with options myself, but presumably they charge that much because they can...it's what the market will bear.
It absolutely looks good than the earlier edition, but with that kind of option/s you'll probably end up broke except if you're too rich and wanna burn some cash. That's the main problem with German cars, yes they look good with that premiumness in mind and have great engineers but they don't do it with their cars - meaning they care more about burning your pocket than reliability satisfaction. Too much option/s that are standard with other brands (both non/luxury), too expensive parts, labor and maintenance that leads to long term reliability issues.
That's a damn nice Mini, it is beautiful inside and out. I don't think the price is that bad to be honest.
Interesting review. This car really embodies MINI's whole struggle to define itself given its need to be fun, playful, practical (enough), comfortable, and--well--mini all at the same time. The name brand seems like it
can be an albatross whenever MINI wants to enlarge a car.
Given that I'd want one with almost no options, and that I miss my old Cooper Hardtop, I'm keeping this model (with or without the "S" and with or without ALL4) on the list in the event that VW makes a generous offer on the wife's VW JSW TDI. They'll probably make it compelling for us to buy another VW, but we'll see. The coming Civic Hatchback and the Mazda3 5-door are up on the list too. Wife will want the Honda, but we'll have to check out that sharp Clubman. Maybe the fun ride (coming from the JSW TDI) will sway her.
Thanks for yet another great review!
I bought the same exact one. AWESOME.
Super review, I'll be getting a 2017 based on this with all4
Are you kidding me .... I'm a kid at heart and 37 years old I want something like that
Great review!
When you consider a Mini at $38k, some people would think the Clubman has a John Cooper Works.
+Billy Sou Yeah, and sane people would buy a Focus RS instead.
Mini vehicle, maxi costs, I'll pass thanks. Great review, regardless.
I think a Rolls Royce offers even more customization optiones than the Mini, but just a little bit more expensive :P
definitely a step back if it's overall mpg is 3 miles less than previous models
But it's a much bigger car in almost every dimension, really similar to the old Clubman in name only.
+Andrew8126 most cars are much bigger than their previous gens and are either more fuel efficient or the same
+Ike n meek Fair point in many cases lately. I'm always impressed when a manufacturer can make a new gen model a bit bigger while also making it lighter and more pefficient. This one is just so dramatically bigger than its predecessor that it really doesn't seem fair to compare it to the old one. I of course question whether showing a decrement in fuel economy in a car with the same name will hurt it. Maybe those who don't want to take the full step from the old Clubman to this new one should stop off at the (fairly) new four-door Cooper Hardtop, unless they just need those barn doors!
Mini charges too much for options. It kinda gets absurd how fast you can price it up.
+Drift King That's true.
Uno 1
I don't know about reliability, but my family had no issues at all with our 2009 Mercedes-Benz E350 4Matic. Maybe we just got lucky and got one of the few good ones. Maintenance was a little more expensive than mainstream brands though.
+Drift King Agree, and I'd like to think I'd not get carried away with options myself, but presumably they charge that much because they can...it's what the market will bear.
It absolutely looks good than the earlier edition, but with that kind of option/s you'll probably end up broke except if you're too rich and wanna burn some cash.
That's the main problem with German cars, yes they look good with that premiumness in mind and have great engineers but they don't do it with their cars - meaning they care more about burning your pocket than reliability satisfaction. Too much option/s that are standard with other brands (both non/luxury), too expensive parts, labor and maintenance that leads to long term reliability issues.
Mini isn't so mini anymore and this Clubman treads a thin line between characterful and butt ugly.
Brazil 🔰