As an American, and as a business owner who services these for a living, I would kill for one of these. Wrap it with my buisness logo, and daily it as a billboard. We only got 50 stateside. Of which maybe 30-ish were actually sold to the public. The rest stayed with their respective franchise stores for internal use.
I bought one of these from new and love it I have the petrol cooper and it averages around 43mpg and is a little pocket rocket I would have loved to have specked it more than I did but choices were limited It has leather heated seats, upgraded sat nav and entertainment system which I have not seen on any others It has been 100% reliable and I will never sell it as it is pretty rare
Spending time in the UK, I realized that in many ways the Mini fills an analogous place there to the Mustang in the USA. They're commonly quite customized and individual and seem to be a center in each case for modding culture.
5 year old video but I agree 100%. I'm a mini person (own a '63 estate) and as I could not find a decent minivan I bought a 2011 mini clubman cooper. It's lovely!
Jay, some constructive criticism, I would suggest you do a little more editing in your reviews. Your commentary is brilliant but as it is fairly long and very detailed, it needs some cut-ins pictures or graphics or inserted video clips to better illustrate your points. Like when you said your father had a Clubvan in the 80's, that would be a good time to show a picture of that car. Love almost everything else though. All the best!
If I had a picture of his original van, I would have put one in but I don't think one exists! I've been attempting to break up the talking bits lately, hence using the different angles etc... This is a bit of a different video because it isn't a traditional review. We lost so much time trying to film this as the USAF decided it would be a good day to train so we had jets circling for about an hour and ruining 3/4 of my takes!
Ah alright, reasonable enough. Well, once again, your commentary is brilliant; I can totally see you as an original Top Gear presenter (the series before the trio) or Fifth Gear presenter. A little more editing to break up the talky bits and it think you are on to a winner!
You're doing great! I don't need flash, and whistles to keep my attention. It's why I like your reviews best. I like the long, detailed reviews. For nerds, by nerds!
JayEmm on Cars To each their own I suppose but they didn't get much of that either considering the £21,000. I'd love to know where the money was spent. If you're going for all show and no go, why bother with performance suspension and break parts? Race seats in a near standard engined vehicle is silly.
+stuart cole I did see the invoice for the work, seats and stitching were a few grand, same for stereo, same for JCW body kit, suspension, 2k on brakes plus fitment and the wrap. It adds up quick
They sold over 3000 of these?! I honestly thought they would've barely broke 1000 vehicles sold. Keep in mind, I'm assuming that they've never sold these outside the UK as I didn't even know they existed. James, I get what what you mean by opening up the market to little boutique shops if they had offered them with a wider variety of options. But in reality, how many little boutique shops in the UK would buy these suddenly because they can option them with cool wheels in a flashy red colour? I don't think that many. I think this car/van was doomed from the start. I don't believe there's a market for such a vehicle. Companies that actually want a van will go out and buy a real van that probably costs less, and definitely works better for their purposes. Love your videos BTW! Always get excited when I see a video of yours on my subscription feed.
+Mohamed Alnouri The thing is it wouldn't really have cost MINI any more to offer these options because they were the same parts as the regular cars. My point is that the people who would have bought them then got put off by the poor customer service and lack of options
all accurate stuff, don't forget most company owners can buy one of these and claim 20% VAT off and write down the value over time saving more off the general tax bill, ends up being almost cheap. Also, Jay did you take a look at my car review channel ?? ! :)
I just gave this video a like just after 18 seconds because I liked how that guy followed the subtitles. I hope that the rest of the video is as entertaining as the beginning.
We had a clubman estate 2012 and there was tbh more luggage space in the Cayman 🤷🏽♂️but if we put the back seat down it was probably the same as a regular hatch back but the access was limited by the rear doors but it did have 3 doors which was unusual and very much loved by my wife, So as I can only assume that bmw hit there target customers. Really well put together and no issues whatsoever so I can assume the van is the same as it’s almost identical.
I tried to buy one when they were current and I guess they'd changed the salesperson policy by then as the first person who was free came to help me try and get all my work gear in one- sadly it wouldn't all fit which is where it fell down for me, but it is a Mini so not a huge surprise!
Liam Rousselle any pros and cons you can think of? I'm in the market for one and I've read different stories so it's pretty daunting to jump in without many pros. Btw it's an 08 s Clubman.
You are absolutely right that BMW don't really understand the van market for all the reasons you give. But this ex-demonstrator is plain daft: £21,000 of options - but still no sunroof! And I would question the mental state of anyone who places a carbon WRAPPED exhaust tailpipe in their Must Have list of options.
+Grahame Pearson I think the exhaust might be actual carbon, but maybe the video didn't make it clear. The car was given 21k of upgraded AFTER it was sold. None of these things were offered by BMW. Carbon effect exhaust has become quite popular now. The M4 I drove had carbon surrounds
I ended up buying the clubman just because I couldn't find a clubvan anywhere The 1.6 engine is good and I totally agree with how you feel about the car
Original Mini Van, cheap economical van to get to work in with a couple buckets of tools or whatever. This Clubvan, to expensive for most and to small to get enough stuff in that you need to carry now, was only ever going to appeal to the weirdo market and be a niche product so to not offer all options and customisation was stupid, could have been a low unit but high profit product.
We leased one for 3 years, regretted letting it go. Picked it for these reasons; 1) Commercial lease so via the business 2) We didn't actually need a van, more a second car and that's fine with 2 seats 3) Car lvl of comfort 4) Insurance and tax and fuel costs low 5) Fun and fairly unique car for a second 'run around' vehicle I agree the mistakes were; a) The dealer network didn't know how to handle them, Sytner Mini bumped us to their commercial lease dept, who usually work with BMW's in Wycombe, they had no clue b) Lack of colour and options, but that didn't bother us c) Like you I feel they hadn't really researched the 'van' market so gave up... There are a lot of used Clubvans around now, and due to low sales volume they will become cult cars/vans. We replaced it with a Cooper S hatchback, and also have a Paceman. When the Paceman lease is up we are seriously thinking about buy a used CLubvan, now if only I can find our old one, it only did 10k miles....
+David Banes Yup exactly that, they are a great way for a business to have a pool car or run about which is also practical, can do van duties, without someone getting stung for company car tax.
I work fore a BMW subsidiary and I can tell you profit is king! in BMW land. so adding something to a car that only a few will want just won't happen. Also no one in design or marketing has ever gotten their hands dirty in a job so wouldn't have a clue what is required from a van :-)
This modified Clubvan is my absolute dream car with 1 exeception... if I had the money - I'd make an engine swap to an SD and remap it (~ 170 - 180HP) ! regards from Germany
As soon as they combined the cooper name with clubman in 08, and without the distinction of “estate” or “panel van”, i felt something was wrong. Bmw didn’t understand mini.
Correction! 3x colours: white, blue and black. Green was never released as they could not colour match the window fills to the body work. They where cancelled after less than 16 months on the market. It came to market at the end of the R55 body life and replaced by the third gen bodies.
I purchased mine new thanks to the tax classification as a commercial vehicle. The rules for car derived vans means that MINI are required to delete the rear window and install the divid
Such a shame wasn't aware they stopped making this van was looking to buy one always thought they looked cool 😎 automatic option as well , just bought a 1 litre fiesta sport its OK but common as muck Would never put it down as a failure
I think you're right ✅️ they'd have got the cultists involved with a factory spec available. The low Kurb Weight is attractive if you want a JCW engine and a very quick little car
As a Mini Clubvan owner I thought here's another brain dead review similar what only Doug can do. Yes it was a marketing disaster which is good news for people like me buying a secondhand one with 20K miles for less than £10K. As you say they really missed a trick with these little vans as they are light weight and could have put some really special engines in them. I was interested to hear that the re-map only produced a fairly small increase in power I had a Celtic re-map on mine which along with a K&N filter pushed it up to 150BHP. The ride was terrible so I had the Tein EDFC active coilover system fitted which is superb plus a big brake kit with 6 pot callipers and big discs on the front and 4 pot callipers on the rear with big discs. I had planned to put a Cooper S engine in mine but quite like the diesel until that is it eats its cam followers and blows up like only N47 BMW engines do.
The wife is on her 4th mini two of which have been the new 4 door clubman. (Standard 3 pot cooper and now cooper s) I have a real appreciation for the older clubman and clubVan. Both cool, but clubVan really cool 😎😎
The PSA Engines BMW used to use in Minis are among the worst designed engines of all time. Specially the turbo petrol ones. And the gearboxes are dreadful, lurchy pieces of crap.
It may be a PSA engine,but Peugeot does not build it.....BMW is licensed to build it....which explains why the BMW built versions are garbage. Similar to the old PRV V6. Yes that engine was installed in many vehicles and built in the same plant, but Peugeot used the highest grade machining and metallurgy compared to the units installed in Chryslers, Volvos,DeLorean, Renaults, etc. FYI...the MINI does not sell well anymore(globally speaking).....many vehicles are simply dumped on dealer lots....and if they (the dealers) don't accept them....what do you think the chances of getting a large quantity of USA built crossovers and other high-demand and very profitable niche BMW Ms, convertibles,etc. ?
I think you overestimate their popularity. In the UK they're hugely popular, however in Europe as a whole BMW sells about 7 times as many BMW's. It's a popular car, but it's only really a big seller in the UK. Rest of the world it's more a cool alternative.
I understand, and that's fair enough. I'm not disagreeing with you, you make great points. But I think they're unique to the UK which can go to explain why BMW doesn't bother. Perhaps they should since that's one of their largest markets with the mini.
So basically, because it only came in 4 colours and no option for a sunroof, it was a commercial failure? Really...?! ...sure it wasn't because there's bugger all space in the back?
+John Perkin Lot of other vans that sell well with less or similar load space. It was too expensive as a plain van, and not customisable for the boutique crowd
It’s a shame you don’t like the mini brand in general. To be honest I can’t find a similar modern car that offers handling, compact size, fun and a premium feel like the mini does. I have driven a variety of different cars over the years, none of which puts a smile on my face as much as my Mini Cooper 2004. I’ve heard the 2nd generation isn’t as fun. You should try the 1st gen 1.6 supercharged. I have watched quite a few of your videos jay and then went on to search a video of you reviewing the mini hoping you’ll be singing it’s praises, but this is all I found. I am surprised you don’t like the new minis. I thought they would be up your street so to speak. I know they aren’t any lotus, but they still drive great.
JayEmm on Cars I think you are great though and I love your channel. You know your stuff! Its refreshing to hear someone that has an opinion. There are too many journalists out there that are are too scared to say what they really think 👍
I reckon you should test-drive the Citroen Berlingo 1600 Auto - Turbo Diesel. Great little 'drive' that would equal the #Mini you're driving here - even the 'Turbo-Drag' kicks in the same - just as you try and beat that bus bearing down on you as you crosss that junction - and as your car just WON'T pick up in a hurry from standstill - but accellerates like hell after 30mph - The handling/steering is pretty TAUGHT as well ;-)
Literally just discovered these after not being happy with my insurance renewal. Went on autotrader selected insurance group, selected group 3 insurance and fastest acceleration for that class 10-12 seconds. 3 results, 2 of these mini clubvans 1.6 D and a Dacia sandero 1.2 ambiance🤣 as if a 1.2 72hp dacia does 0-60 in 10.4 as it claims on the app i highly doubt that. think il stick with what I got which is considerably faster than both and probably just as good on fuel and better on tax
Have you driven a first gen BMW MINI (2002 to 2006) with the supercharged engine? For a car with four real seats its one of the more fun things you can drive at legal speeds. I've driven the old Mini and its a riot but its a 50's design that will fold up like a sardine can in an accident. For a collector car to be drive twice a month on Sundays, maybe, as a daily, no way. I agree the brand lately can't figure out its focus: is it design, luxury, or fun. With the recent generation they're not really doing any of it that well. This "van" was intriguing but its an oddball right from the start. I'd love to see you in a well sorter R53 or R56. For those who don't speak BMW chassis, those are the first and second generation Coopers.
I've owned 5 old mini's in my time and to say they fold up like a sardine can is rubbish. They didn't fold up, that was the problem so you absorbed the impact and not the car.....5th gear tested one in a crash. Because it was a labour intensive design to build, at one point BL/Rover were losing money on every one they sold it had to go.
+clanmac66 I don't think it was the design which was the problem, but the fact it costs nearly as much to make a small car as a big one and they priced it brutally low.
You just got to look at it, everything was welded hence the seems at the front, rear and around the roof. (No bolt on panels) The windows had to be fitted by hand....no bonding or robots. It just took too many man hours per vehicle. Modern cars are designed with manufacture as part of the process, not an after thought! The mini was the only reason way BMW bought the Rover group and got rid of the rest. What is funny is the Mini van was a 'Mini van' They never did a Clubman van, The Clubman was the replacement for the original mini.
I think the problem was BMW revealed the car in green with sign writing all over it so it looked like a canal boat. That put the British press off it so also the customer (TopGear anyone?). If the concept car was a better colour and without the silly fake logos and branding, cool rather than traditional, it would have been a hit even without the extras. Yet I think the extras would have come if it did sell first round like the Gen1 hatch. Throw in an "S" engine and you'd have a "van" doing 0-62 in 6 seconds, aka a cool van. Keep the supercharger and it would have been quite exotic, as would all "S" Mini's rather than the Peugeot turbo they got. Prices didn't help. Gen1 could be pretty basic (which imo is good for a Mini) so pretty cheap. But BMW keep piling up the toys and tech over the years, pushing up the prices and making them some what premium for what is a small run about. I'm getting a 1st gen Clubman Copper S soon, may turn it into a van. Just a shame it never came out when they used supercharged engines. All new Mini's look too bug eyed for me like they're trying too hard to stay fashionable. Much prefer older: better looking and simpler.
I really dislike the new minis. I feel like they just made them different, for the sake of being different. The first gen, were spot on with the styling.
I'm part of the crowd who's not a fan of the new Mini but I agree they are nice to drive especially the 1.6 diesel and Cooper S, my main problem with them is they are just so big I parked my Volvo V70 next to a Clubman the other day and no word of a lie the Mini is almost the same size.....
I have a 2008 JCW hatch and love it. I am not fond of the Clubman or the other models, but the hatch is sweet. They are great fun to drive. It is difficult for me not to smile when feeling full boost into a tight corner.
BMW trying it on again, people forget the MG Xpress, the hot hatch van that failed to capture the young or pretty much anyone despite it being actually quite a good motor.
Don't worry rumour has it Reliant are starting production of a funked out Supervan (Regal). Seriously you are correct. It is easy to add a sunroof or a better stereo on a off line production area. BTW. Hope you did not get a fine for driving that car with illegal 'plates 😈
I totally agree. As a work van it's too small and to expensive to even consider. But as a small company vehicle to advertise their present its perfect. And there's plenty of companies out there that would be willing to pay such a price for such an eye-catching billboard. And plenty of people with more money than sense that I'm sure would have liked the opportunity to buy such a vehicle. I think the comparison to Apple is spot-on as most of their latest products are way overpriced and so restricted compared to what you can buy from their competitors but people still buy them by the shed load.. because they are cool and carry that cachet of quality. Just like the mini. Ps I'm not a fan boy, and I don't like the new mini as it is not mini. And would never by one because I have more sense than money..... well to be honest I'm skint! But if I wasn't...... i still wouldn't buy one.
I tend to disagree about BMW producing an expensive version. I think if a boutique business wanted one. They would get them sign written to the personal business.They could have spent £18k on a base van and another few grand getting exactly how they wanted it to look. Agree re options though. no fathomable reason you couldn't have all the bits from the top of the range models.
You smashed it mate tums up! i am not a mini man i always go for big bonnets and sport back and rear wheel drive train but this Mini has something which i always wanted to experience a small little run around what do you suggest for a Normal size mini than the country man Long wheel base? cheerz
First thing is that BMW should be sued under the trade descriptions act. None of that range can possibly be construed as a 'Mini'. In fact, it is now one of the largest saloon cars on the road. Second thing is that it goes against everything that the original Mini stood for. Wouldn't touch one with a barge pole!!
Largest saloon cars on the road. Firstly they don't make a saloon. And how do you work out largest? Everything has grow in size.BMW can't make a 150 mph "Hatchback" keep its occupants safe, without lots of safety kit around them.
I quite like the standard Mini, but that does nothing for me. All fur coat and no knickers, seems like what a former Max Power reader who has come into some money would do.
You do realise this was a limited number production run? So few options and once they sold they sold. So it was never meant to be a commercial success!!
I WOULD like that Mini but whoever owns that it has done what I absolutely HATE when it comes to car modifications - putting the bodykit and copying the look from the the hot version (in the case of Mini it's JCW) when it's only got a crummy engine (i.e a terrible 1.6 diesel) If this had a JCW engine, I might like it.
I thought the one you showed in the video was modified, wasn't it? Point being, if the modifying team could be bothered to fit a JCW bodykit on it, why not go the whole hog and fit the JCW engine in it too?
+GAMERS UNITE It was modified, but at the end of the day it was still a van so the engine choice made sense in that respect. Also, you might laugh, but I have taken this van on track and it was great fun!
Can you buy a VW transporter with a factory fitted sunroof? A van is a van not a car and IMO they should have made the Clubvan more basic and leave any tarting up to the owner.
Personally think BMW's biggest mistake is putting fake engine sound in their M cars
I’m here from the future, and I am afraid there are many many mistakes which trump that one.
@@adogmcdizzle tru
As an American, and as a business owner who services these for a living, I would kill for one of these. Wrap it with my buisness logo, and daily it as a billboard. We only got 50 stateside. Of which maybe 30-ish were actually sold to the public. The rest stayed with their respective franchise stores for internal use.
But whats the Doug score?
VisioningHail all of this for $76,000, oh wait that's the wrong video!
Check his new video (by the time I sent this reply).
@@MatthewK421 Lmao I'm watching it right now.
Never seen or even heard of the clubvan.
Neither had I and I thought I had a good knowledge if Mini's both classic and the BMW versions
Same here,but maybe they weren’t available in Belgium... 🤔
I bought one of these from new and love it
I have the petrol cooper and it averages around 43mpg and is a little pocket rocket
I would have loved to have specked it more than I did but choices were limited
It has leather heated seats, upgraded sat nav and entertainment system which I have not seen on any others
It has been 100% reliable and I will never sell it as it is pretty rare
Spending time in the UK, I realized that in many ways the Mini fills an analogous place there to the Mustang in the USA. They're commonly quite customized and individual and seem to be a center in each case for modding culture.
Old message, but same here in America. And I would kill for a Clubvan across the pond.
Love my 2009 clubman it has rear seat, sunroof, turbo engine, you can put rear seat down and actually haul things if you want.
5 year old video but I agree 100%. I'm a mini person (own a '63 estate) and as I could not find a decent minivan I bought a 2011 mini clubman cooper. It's lovely!
Jay, some constructive criticism, I would suggest you do a little more editing in your reviews. Your commentary is brilliant but as it is fairly long and very detailed, it needs some cut-ins pictures or graphics or inserted video clips to better illustrate your points. Like when you said your father had a Clubvan in the 80's, that would be a good time to show a picture of that car.
Love almost everything else though. All the best!
If I had a picture of his original van, I would have put one in but I don't think one exists!
I've been attempting to break up the talking bits lately, hence using the different angles etc... This is a bit of a different video because it isn't a traditional review. We lost so much time trying to film this as the USAF decided it would be a good day to train so we had jets circling for about an hour and ruining 3/4 of my takes!
Ah alright, reasonable enough. Well, once again, your commentary is brilliant; I can totally see you as an original Top Gear presenter (the series before the trio) or Fifth Gear presenter.
A little more editing to break up the talky bits and it think you are on to a winner!
You're doing great! I don't need flash, and whistles to keep my attention. It's why I like your reviews best. I like the long, detailed reviews. For nerds, by nerds!
engared Kardations need to edit their whole show out
I think the review, opinion bits and filming are all fantastic.... Just the sort of motoring show I like to watch.... Keep it coming...
£21,000! TWENTY ONE THOUSAND POUNDS!? And it still has a virtually standard engine. Someone got shafted.
+stuart cole Someone preferred looks over performance.
JayEmm on Cars To each their own I suppose but they didn't get much of that either considering the £21,000. I'd love to know where the money was spent. If you're going for all show and no go, why bother with performance suspension and break parts? Race seats in a near standard engined vehicle is silly.
+stuart cole I did see the invoice for the work, seats and stitching were a few grand, same for stereo, same for JCW body kit, suspension, 2k on brakes plus fitment and the wrap. It adds up quick
dont think the extras you mentioned are "silly" at all
all show no go is the phrase that comes to mind
I’m pretty certain that the Diesel engine in the later r56, r55, clubvan is a short stroke BMW only engine, not the earlier PSA/Ford unit.
It is. The PSA engine was actually pretty good too but doesn't take kindly to neglect. At least the turbo is easy to get to though!
They sold over 3000 of these?! I honestly thought they would've barely broke 1000 vehicles sold. Keep in mind, I'm assuming that they've never sold these outside the UK as I didn't even know they existed.
James, I get what what you mean by opening up the market to little boutique shops if they had offered them with a wider variety of options. But in reality, how many little boutique shops in the UK would buy these suddenly because they can option them with cool wheels in a flashy red colour? I don't think that many. I think this car/van was doomed from the start. I don't believe there's a market for such a vehicle. Companies that actually want a van will go out and buy a real van that probably costs less, and definitely works better for their purposes.
Love your videos BTW! Always get excited when I see a video of yours on my subscription feed.
+Mohamed Alnouri The thing is it wouldn't really have cost MINI any more to offer these options because they were the same parts as the regular cars.
My point is that the people who would have bought them then got put off by the poor customer service and lack of options
They sold 50 of them doug told me
In the USA they imported 50
all accurate stuff, don't forget most company owners can buy one of these and claim 20% VAT off and write down the value over time saving more off the general tax bill, ends up being almost cheap. Also, Jay did you take a look at my car review channel ?? ! :)
I just gave this video a like just after 18 seconds because I liked how that guy followed the subtitles. I hope that the rest of the video is as entertaining as the beginning.
Thanks!
With a JCW engine it would be brilliant
+Jamie Todd Definitely
Jamie Todd they definitely did that
Jamie Todd they did.
Now it’s a reality!! And it’s a super car!!
For that reason this video and the comments of this idiot is garbage !
Ridiculous suggestion... I like it!
We had a clubman estate 2012 and there was tbh more luggage space in the Cayman 🤷🏽♂️but if we put the back seat down it was probably the same as a regular hatch back but the access was limited by the rear doors but it did have 3 doors which was unusual and very much loved by my wife, So as I can only assume that bmw hit there target customers. Really well put together and no issues whatsoever so I can assume the van is the same as it’s almost identical.
I need that car, like that car is legit my dream and I didn't know it existed till this video 😳
I tried to buy one when they were current and I guess they'd changed the salesperson policy by then as the first person who was free came to help me try and get all my work gear in one- sadly it wouldn't all fit which is where it fell down for me, but it is a Mini so not a huge surprise!
Why not just get a Cooper S Clubman and convert it to a van 🤷🏻♂️🤔
was completely prepeared to discount this, but am 6 minutes in and loving it
I own a Mini Cooper Clubman S. I love it. I don't have any criticisms of it. In the US the Clubman was quite popular. So....
Liam Rousselle any pros and cons you can think of? I'm in the market for one and I've read different stories so it's pretty daunting to jump in without many pros. Btw it's an 08 s Clubman.
A very professional presentation, really liked the points you are making, Top Gear move over.
I agree too expensive for a commercial vehicle.
The reason that van didn't sell is very apparent when you opened the rear doors.
You could put more in the back of a 1 series.
That's not a Mini, it's a Maxi. BMW need to stick to BLMCs original names otherwise they end up with a ridiculous mini
Without doubt these will be very collectable in 10-15 years
+nick holt Yeah I reckon so, especially the petrol ones which will probably be legal for longer
I completely agree with you. A miniVan with a pano roof would be awesome!
You are absolutely right that BMW don't really understand the van market for all the reasons you give. But this ex-demonstrator is plain daft: £21,000 of options - but still no sunroof! And I would question the mental state of anyone who places a carbon WRAPPED exhaust tailpipe in their Must Have list of options.
+Grahame Pearson I think the exhaust might be actual carbon, but maybe the video didn't make it clear. The car was given 21k of upgraded AFTER it was sold.
None of these things were offered by BMW.
Carbon effect exhaust has become quite popular now. The M4 I drove had carbon surrounds
Jesus wept. A 1.6 diesel.
You could have a plethora of awesome cars/vans for the price of the upgrades alone.
I ended up buying the clubman just because I couldn't find a clubvan anywhere
The 1.6 engine is good and I totally agree with how you feel about the car
Hoping someone from Mini/BMW watches this! Definitely can see how it could attract plenty of customers.
Love your reviews Jay especially your JDM series - keep up the great work.
Thanks Lewys
A very cool Wagon!!! I love my Mini GP2! I have not seen a " Minivan" in the US. Thank you for the info.
Original Mini Van, cheap economical van to get to work in with a couple buckets of tools or whatever. This Clubvan, to expensive for most and to small to get enough stuff in that you need to carry now, was only ever going to appeal to the weirdo market and be a niche product so to not offer all options and customisation was stupid, could have been a low unit but high profit product.
+Daniel Gray Precisely
We leased one for 3 years, regretted letting it go. Picked it for these reasons;
1) Commercial lease so via the business
2) We didn't actually need a van, more a second car and that's fine with 2 seats
3) Car lvl of comfort
4) Insurance and tax and fuel costs low
5) Fun and fairly unique car for a second 'run around' vehicle
I agree the mistakes were;
a) The dealer network didn't know how to handle them, Sytner Mini bumped us to their commercial lease dept, who usually work with BMW's in Wycombe, they had no clue
b) Lack of colour and options, but that didn't bother us
c) Like you I feel they hadn't really researched the 'van' market so gave up...
There are a lot of used Clubvans around now, and due to low sales volume they will become cult cars/vans. We replaced it with a Cooper S hatchback, and also have a Paceman. When the Paceman lease is up we are seriously thinking about buy a used CLubvan, now if only I can find our old one, it only did 10k miles....
+David Banes Yup exactly that, they are a great way for a business to have a pool car or run about which is also practical, can do van duties, without someone getting stung for company car tax.
I work fore a BMW subsidiary and I can tell you profit is king! in BMW land. so adding something to a car that only a few will want just won't happen. Also no one in design or marketing has ever gotten their hands dirty in a job so wouldn't have a clue what is required from a van :-)
+Bite Size Happened to Mercedes too, the legendary build quality they became famous for is now just a legend
This modified Clubvan is my absolute dream car with 1 exeception...
if I had the money - I'd make an engine swap to an SD and remap it (~ 170 - 180HP) !
regards from Germany
BMC (BL actually) had the same blinkered view in the 70s. A 1275 GT Clubman Estate would have been excellent, but no can do!
Very cool. And ANOTHER excellent video!
As soon as they combined the cooper name with clubman in 08, and without the distinction of “estate” or “panel van”, i felt something was wrong. Bmw didn’t understand mini.
Correction! 3x colours: white, blue and black. Green was never released as they could not colour match the window fills to the body work.
They where cancelled after less than 16 months on the market. It came to market at the end of the R55 body life and replaced by the third gen bodies.
+James Worley Yeah real oddball product, even by MINI's standards
I purchased mine new thanks to the tax classification as a commercial vehicle. The rules for car derived vans means that MINI are required to delete the rear window and install the divid
Such a shame wasn't aware they stopped making this van was looking to buy one always thought they looked cool 😎 automatic option as well , just bought a 1 litre fiesta sport its OK but common as muck
Would never put it down as a failure
The diesel was a BMW motor in the van, only the early R56 diesels had a PSA unit, unlike petrol units in the petrol R56 which were all PSA.
+Puy Lentil Ah really? The guy who supplied it told us it was the PSA lump. I didn't even know BMW had a 1.6 diesel
I think you're right ✅️ they'd have got the cultists involved with a factory spec available. The low Kurb Weight is attractive if you want a JCW engine and a very quick little car
As a Mini Clubvan owner I thought here's another brain dead review similar what only Doug can do. Yes it was a marketing disaster which is good news for people like me buying a secondhand one with 20K miles for less than £10K. As you say they really missed a trick with these little vans as they are light weight and could have put some really special engines in them.
I was interested to hear that the re-map only produced a fairly small increase in power I had a Celtic re-map on mine which along with a K&N filter pushed it up to 150BHP. The ride was terrible so I had the Tein EDFC active coilover system fitted which is superb plus a big brake kit with 6 pot callipers and big discs on the front and 4 pot callipers on the rear with big discs. I had planned to put a Cooper S engine in mine but quite like the diesel until that is it eats its cam followers and blows up like only N47 BMW engines do.
The wife is on her 4th mini two of which have been the new 4 door clubman. (Standard 3 pot cooper and now cooper s) I have a real appreciation for the older clubman and clubVan. Both cool, but clubVan really cool 😎😎
The PSA Engines BMW used to use in Minis are among the worst designed engines of all time. Specially the turbo petrol ones. And the gearboxes are dreadful, lurchy pieces of crap.
Have you considered giving the 1.6 ecoboost a try with the C-max I got to drive one and absolutely loved it.
It may be a PSA engine,but Peugeot does not build it.....BMW is licensed to build it....which explains why the BMW built versions are garbage. Similar to the old PRV V6. Yes that engine was installed in many vehicles and built in the same plant, but Peugeot used the highest grade machining and metallurgy compared to the units installed in Chryslers, Volvos,DeLorean, Renaults, etc.
FYI...the MINI does not sell well anymore(globally speaking).....many vehicles are simply dumped on dealer lots....and if they (the dealers) don't accept them....what do you think the chances of getting a large quantity of USA built crossovers and other high-demand and very profitable niche BMW Ms, convertibles,etc. ?
I think you overestimate their popularity. In the UK they're hugely popular, however in Europe as a whole BMW sells about 7 times as many BMW's. It's a popular car, but it's only really a big seller in the UK. Rest of the world it's more a cool alternative.
Everything I do generally has to be from a UK perspective.
I understand, and that's fair enough. I'm not disagreeing with you, you make great points. But I think they're unique to the UK which can go to explain why BMW doesn't bother. Perhaps they should since that's one of their largest markets with the mini.
What's up guys, Scarce here
It’s a cool car. Just bought my second Clubman, love them
Did they sell only 3370 of them globally or was that just the ones in the UK?
So basically, because it only came in 4 colours and no option for a sunroof, it was a commercial failure?
Really...?!
...sure it wasn't because there's bugger all space in the back?
+John Perkin Lot of other vans that sell well with less or similar load space. It was too expensive as a plain van, and not customisable for the boutique crowd
It’s a shame you don’t like the mini brand in general. To be honest I can’t find a similar modern car that offers handling, compact size, fun and a premium feel like the mini does. I have driven a variety of different cars over the years, none of which puts a smile on my face as much as my Mini Cooper 2004. I’ve heard the 2nd generation isn’t as fun. You should try the 1st gen 1.6 supercharged.
I have watched quite a few of your videos jay and then went on to search a video of you reviewing the mini hoping you’ll be singing it’s praises, but this is all I found. I am surprised you don’t like the new minis. I thought they would be up your street so to speak. I know they aren’t any lotus, but they still drive great.
I will be doing more MINI stuff in future
JayEmm on Cars I think you are great though and I love your channel. You know your stuff! Its refreshing to hear someone that has an opinion. There are too many journalists out there that are are too scared to say what they really think 👍
Cheers!
I reckon you should test-drive the Citroen Berlingo 1600 Auto - Turbo Diesel.
Great little 'drive' that would equal the #Mini you're driving here - even the 'Turbo-Drag' kicks in the same - just as you try and beat that bus bearing down on you as you crosss that junction - and as your car just WON'T pick up in a hurry from standstill - but accellerates like hell after 30mph - The handling/steering is pretty TAUGHT as well ;-)
+Peter Moring Interesting. Most Citroens have very light and woolly steering
So you're going to check one out then?
(It's not 'that' embarrassing - Honestly - You could wear a hat and scarf of course :-)
Literally just discovered these after not being happy with my insurance renewal. Went on autotrader selected insurance group, selected group 3 insurance and fastest acceleration for that class 10-12 seconds. 3 results, 2 of these mini clubvans 1.6 D and a Dacia sandero 1.2 ambiance🤣 as if a 1.2 72hp dacia does 0-60 in 10.4 as it claims on the app i highly doubt that. think il stick with what I got which is considerably faster than both and probably just as good on fuel and better on tax
dude you are funny. subscribed!!!
+SIMBARASHE MOTSI Thanks!
Sad thing was that the original ones from the 60s actually sold well and even some police forces actually used them.
Have you driven a first gen BMW MINI (2002 to 2006) with the supercharged engine? For a car with four real seats its one of the more fun things you can drive at legal speeds. I've driven the old Mini and its a riot but its a 50's design that will fold up like a sardine can in an accident. For a collector car to be drive twice a month on Sundays, maybe, as a daily, no way.
I agree the brand lately can't figure out its focus: is it design, luxury, or fun. With the recent generation they're not really doing any of it that well. This "van" was intriguing but its an oddball right from the start. I'd love to see you in a well sorter R53 or R56. For those who don't speak BMW chassis, those are the first and second generation Coopers.
+Michael Cohen I never got to try one but my sister had an R53 Cooper S convertible. Drank fuel like it was going out of fashion
I've owned 5 old mini's in my time and to say they fold up like a sardine can is rubbish. They didn't fold up, that was the problem so you absorbed the impact and not the car.....5th gear tested one in a crash. Because it was a labour intensive design to build, at one point BL/Rover were losing money on every one they sold it had to go.
+clanmac66 I don't think it was the design which was the problem, but the fact it costs nearly as much to make a small car as a big one and they priced it brutally low.
You just got to look at it, everything was welded hence the seems at the front, rear and around the roof. (No bolt on panels) The windows had to be fitted by hand....no bonding or robots. It just took too many man hours per vehicle. Modern cars are designed with manufacture as part of the process, not an after thought!
The mini was the only reason way BMW bought the Rover group and got rid of the rest. What is funny is the Mini van was a 'Mini van' They never did a Clubman van, The Clubman was the replacement for the original mini.
+clanmac66 I guess that is what happens when a car designed in the 50s lasts into the 1990s
can say I very much agree with you
I think the problem was BMW revealed the car in green with sign writing all over it so it looked like a canal boat. That put the British press off it so also the customer (TopGear anyone?). If the concept car was a better colour and without the silly fake logos and branding, cool rather than traditional, it would have been a hit even without the extras. Yet I think the extras would have come if it did sell first round like the Gen1 hatch.
Throw in an "S" engine and you'd have a "van" doing 0-62 in 6 seconds, aka a cool van. Keep the supercharger and it would have been quite exotic, as would all "S" Mini's rather than the Peugeot turbo they got.
Prices didn't help. Gen1 could be pretty basic (which imo is good for a Mini) so pretty cheap. But BMW keep piling up the toys and tech over the years, pushing up the prices and making them some what premium for what is a small run about.
I'm getting a 1st gen Clubman Copper S soon, may turn it into a van. Just a shame it never came out when they used supercharged engines. All new Mini's look too bug eyed for me like they're trying too hard to stay fashionable. Much prefer older: better looking and simpler.
I really dislike the new minis. I feel like they just made them different, for the sake of being different. The first gen, were spot on with the styling.
Having a sunroof on a commercial van sounds like a horrible idea.
I'm part of the crowd who's not a fan of the new Mini but I agree they are nice to drive especially the 1.6 diesel and Cooper S, my main problem with them is they are just so big I parked my Volvo V70 next to a Clubman the other day and no word of a lie the Mini is almost the same size.....
+Wet Lettuce I completely believe you, they are not small at all
When will the make a pick up ?
what's with the ralliart badge on the plate?
Awesome advice, you're incredible
it is not available in the US
I have a 2008 JCW hatch and love it. I am not fond of the Clubman or the other models, but the hatch is sweet. They are great fun to drive. It is difficult for me not to smile when feeling full boost into a tight corner.
My favourite car commentator....I know it's not so much fun but maybe once a month .....maybe eh .
BMW trying it on again, people forget the MG Xpress, the hot hatch van that failed to capture the young or pretty much anyone despite it being actually quite a good motor.
Totally agree, definitely should have done a JCW version.
Love the van, did any of those come to the USA? Im waiting for the pickup truck version having seen an original one in Colorado some years back.
They made only 50 for the US, so it's kind of one the rarest vehicles in America, unfortunately.
Don't worry rumour has it Reliant are starting production of a funked out Supervan (Regal).
Seriously you are correct. It is easy to add a sunroof or a better stereo on a off line production area.
BTW. Hope you did not get a fine for driving that car with illegal 'plates 😈
Is that filmed at Stafford Park at the beginning of the video?
I totally agree.
As a work van it's too small and to expensive to even consider. But as a small company vehicle to advertise their present its perfect.
And there's plenty of companies out there that would be willing to pay such a price for such an eye-catching billboard. And plenty of people with more money than sense that I'm sure would have liked the opportunity to buy such a vehicle.
I think the comparison to Apple is spot-on as most of their latest products are way overpriced and so restricted compared to what you can buy from their competitors but people still buy them by the shed load.. because they are cool and carry that cachet of quality. Just like the mini.
Ps
I'm not a fan boy, and I don't like the new mini as it is not mini. And would never by one because I have more sense than money..... well to be honest I'm skint! But if I wasn't...... i still wouldn't buy one.
I tend to disagree about BMW producing an expensive version. I think if a boutique business wanted one. They would get them sign written to the personal business.They could have spent £18k on a base van and another few grand getting exactly how they wanted it to look. Agree re options though. no fathomable reason you couldn't have all the bits from the top of the range models.
You smashed it mate tums up! i am not a mini man i always go for big bonnets and sport back and rear wheel drive train but this Mini has something which i always wanted to experience a small little run around what do you suggest for a Normal size mini than the country man Long wheel base? cheerz
So true! I'm totally agree
The Mini, is retro! and the Mini Van, is built retrospectively to the original Mini Van!
Undertakes could have bought it as a mini hearse for children's funerals.
Just due to the - not so surprisingly - fact you don't understand quite nothing does not mean all the others do as well....
First thing is that BMW should be sued under the trade descriptions act. None of that range can possibly be construed as a 'Mini'. In fact, it is now one of the largest saloon cars on the road. Second thing is that it goes against everything that the original Mini stood for.
Wouldn't touch one with a barge pole!!
Largest saloon cars on the road. Firstly they don't make a saloon. And how do you work out largest? Everything has grow in size.BMW can't make a 150 mph "Hatchback" keep its occupants safe, without lots of safety kit around them.
I've actually never even seen a Clubvan before I'm in America
+Integra DIY I am not sure it was sold there
A JCW van.....i would've gone in debt for that!
Agreed with everything you said, loved the vid!
I quite like the standard Mini, but that does nothing for me.
All fur coat and no knickers, seems like what a former Max Power reader who has come into some money would do.
Ha I was thinking of buying this exact van on auto trader for the business near Tamworth right? 😂👍
i actually love the clubvan, I wish we had them here in Canada so I could buy one.
You do realise this was a limited number production run? So few options and once they sold they sold. So it was never meant to be a commercial success!!
+James Lindsay A very odd choice by MINI then
Mini is a manufacture not a model now hence why there is a fleet. Nothing confusing about that.
Hows it going english doug demuro?
The van wasnt the failure but the engine design. Plastic chain tensioner.
My parents just bought one 😂
I WOULD like that Mini but whoever owns that it has done what I absolutely HATE when it comes to car modifications - putting the bodykit and copying the look from the the hot version (in the case of Mini it's JCW) when it's only got a crummy engine (i.e a terrible 1.6 diesel)
If this had a JCW engine, I might like it.
+GAMERS UNITE Problem is they never offered that engine in the van
I thought the one you showed in the video was modified, wasn't it? Point being, if the modifying team could be bothered to fit a JCW bodykit on it, why not go the whole hog and fit the JCW engine in it too?
+GAMERS UNITE It was modified, but at the end of the day it was still a van so the engine choice made sense in that respect.
Also, you might laugh, but I have taken this van on track and it was great fun!
Can you buy a VW transporter with a factory fitted sunroof? A van is a van not a car and IMO they should have made the Clubvan more basic and leave any tarting up to the owner.
Load of crock, mines on 110k and is still giving these new emission friendly cars a good show. The W11 in first gen was a good engine!
What if BMW launch the Rear Wheel Edition? just like all BMW are rear wheel drive, WHY not mini? does it cost them more to built rear wheel drive,
completely agree with everything u said man
I can sort of understand the attraction to diesel engines but I personally don't like them.
One other thing about the mini van and another new mini is that it's fucking massive
Youd be better off just buying a regular Clubman S and refitting the back windows with the panels and taking the back seats out