I've had a 2019 Clubman S Iconic since June 2019, bought used from the dealer with 18K. It's an ideal balance of luxury, sportiness, and quirkiness. I added the Dinan Sport plug-and-play myself to gain about 30 HP and additional torque. I wish I had the DCT instead of the Aisin 8-speed, but can live with Aisin. Recently drove to and from FL straight through, 14 hours each way, had zero soreness or stiffness on the ride or when stopping twice for gas. And I'm over 60, so that's saying something about the seat comfort.
Love the new format. This channel is so underrated! Thankfully, Mini’s bringing back the manual trans this year after them not being available for a bit. I can’t imagine getting a Mini without a stick.
Alex Pascutiu I hope they will improve the reliability of the clutch in the manual Clubman and Countryman. My MINI tech told me the Clubman and Countryman use the same clutch as the 3/5-Door, they rarely see clutch last more than 100k km. Due to the increased weight from the larger vehicle, the clutch has to deal with more stress.
... Apparently MINI did, but it (probably) backfired on them. So, with sales down due to prospective buyers (like me) who want a manual (especially in the "hot" cars (Cooper S and JCW) passing on a MINI because they were auto only, they are bringing 3 pedals back to lure in the enthusiest driver who wants to drive the car vs just ride in one.
For the pre-2019 Clubman JCW, the Golf R spanks it practically in every way. However now the 2020 F54 JCW has both the All4 and 301hp upgrade, its only $2~3k premium over the Golf R is easier to swallow, not to mention it is larger in the back for passengers and cargo.
Old review, but I have have a 2016 clubman going on 5 years. 6 speed Stick S with every option and I continue to believe that is the best car I've ever owned. Unique, tons of personality, sporty, practical and comfortable. I DIY, so I can keep an eye on fluid changes and service, so don't need to pay for BMW service costs. And its been a very reliable car. Arguably better than some previous Japanese cars. I'm 6'2" and drove both way from MA to FL to bring my son to school. We fit everything in and on the optional roof basket. It was a great road trip car. Also owned a Golf R for sometime and the mini has so much more personality and refinement. Also would say you're steering experience was due to snows. I have Conti DWS Plus and steering is good. Love it!
I currently have a green 2019 Mini Cooper S F55 and I absolutely love it. It turns heads and it’s so much fun to drive. It’s unique and has a great engine!
I've had 2 MINIs and did a 6,000 Mile road trip in each. No problems with seat comfort. Some road noise issues. They are more fun to drive in all circumstances than a VW GTI/R. I'm a middle-aged dude. Now driving a Golf R, but I'd go back to a MINI. It's nice to drive a car with personality in all conditions. VWs are only fun being driven hard. In my experience.
We got it (after our son took our '16 GTi SE which replaced my VW New Beetle) exactly because it had more personality and not a dime a dozen. Almost the same performance as the GTi, memory seating, same external size, great fun to drive.
I haven't driven one but the shifts didn't sound very snappy to me, from the video. Sounded like a normal torque converter in terms of speed and crispness.
My dad drives a 2019 Clubman JCW. He custom ordered it so he could get a 6-speed manual; it was the last year they offered it. At just 10,000 miles, one of the synchros in the transmission went bad. MINI replaced the whole transmission under warranty. It would have cost $14,000 without the factory warranty!
Holy crap! That’s very lucky it was under warranty! Here in the UK, manual Mini’s are more common than automatics so it’s hard to tell but it’s pretty unheard of any of the transmissions failing or going bad.. who knows. I wish you dad good luck and enjoyment with his car though! :)
@@TheTopher Is it with this other guy as well? I prefer the solo videos, I feel like he kinda detracts from the overall vibe. If it is w him it is what it is I guess
I dunno what this guy's standards are, but we sat in and test drove VW next to Subaru next to Mini and the Clubman was hands down better feeling and better looking than all of them... I realize a GTI exists and it's inferior to what BMW is now producing
I just got a low mileage 2017 manual S All4 for really cheap. I need a wagon\hatch and I know GTI is a better car but I couldn't get myself to like the style. Agree with what you say the Clubman is a great sporty daily; also agree that fake engine noise is bad. With better tires the steering feel improve a bit but not enough.
I would totally buy a stripped down, tiny, minimalist mini with a 5 or 6 speed manual and a NA 3 cyl. Modern minis are WAAAY too expensive. I drove one and was not impressed. The new Subaru impreza is just as fun to drive, way more practical, more fuel efficient, better resale value, and dare I say will be more reliable. It's slower and has a CVT (in any trim beside base or sport), but those are hardly flaws.
Are mini that much MORE EXPENSIVE than gti? seriously the issue is that mini are WAY more high end but not THAT much more expensive. Also mini looks great and fun, golfs look too young, I just got into my 30 and not sure I want to go golf as it feels like a teen car.
To me its a question of look and feel, mini looks fun, classy, different and they feel karty (also the infotainment / interior is the only one you will find that is completly fun oriented). The GTI to me looks like a "im 18 yo and this is my first car that mom and pop bought me" looking car and it blands in with all other cars too. Also, mini feels karty, gti feels like all other normal hatch even borderline like all other sedans (veloster N, golf gti, "mazda3ish" too, aka not like the older hatchs)
FYI, there’s no way you can get a clubman S all wheel drive for 30 some thousand. I priced many & they are $42,000 on up. You also cannot drive them in the snow. All that said, I have had 2 & I’ll take them over my Carreras & BMWM series anytime!
Fun, funky hatchback, drives a Turbo dct kia Soul. I would definitely if you had the chance to try and drive a turbo soul. The characteristics are so different compared to the normal average soul.
Not against you, but building on the 2020 tech comment. You'd think camera manufacturers would make their devices in such a way that you don't get the Led flicker from screens or lights.
Yeah, it’s a tough one to get right sometimes with the camera frame rate, ambient light at that time of the day, and the screen refresh rate. Gopro does have manual shutter settings as low as 1/50s, but didn’t mess around with that on this video.
I have to agree with you, I think Mini's are marketed towards women who want something fun to drive to work everyday. For example my next door neighbor has a soft top mini that she uses as her daily driver and loves it. She's like 50 and works 45 minutes away at a hospital just to give you an idea of who she is lol
GTI = Yawn fest and you see them everywhere. This is coming from someone who owns a GTI and is now heavily considering getting a Mini instead. JCW seems to be worth the splurge though over the S.
...and Land Rover too. Most ppl lease these cars to keep payments down and don't see them past 3 years or 40k miles. So they are always in a new car and never see the car long enough to experience an issue.
The F series is super reliable. Unfortunately the reputation from the ones in the early 2000s precedes. I had one past 200k km and another at 180k and no engine problems. The engine was so good that Toyota uses a form of it in their new supra.
Like @@carcreationsyt said, new cars are a waste of money...... the loss of value in the first 20k kilometers/12 months is ridiculous. Nowadays, you're better off looking out for a leased car. Usually a whole lot cheaper, and the few miles/kilometers driven shouldn't hurt that much. I want to drive a Clubman one day, but I'll definitely buy/lease a used one/demonstration vehicle.
Cool car, but price too high and reliability too low. Those two combine to negate the premium feeling interior bits and cool features. BMW's other products may be fine as leasemobiles, but these need to compete with other choices that are also nice..bur wont break your wallet out of warranty.
@@unboxivity yeah exactly My dad was a mecanic and he hated working on mini coopers... But it's a nice car if you have the money to pay the car and to buy the parts lmao
Also that engine bay is super cramped. So forget working on this car yourself without taking our 3 engine components before getting to the thing you need to fix.
... You would have to buy a used 3series to get it for less than $40k. You can barely get a 2series for under 40k. BMWs are priced to be leased, not owned. As long as BMW can move new cars and get money for them, price is of no concern since 90% are leased.
Wrong. I'm a 23 year old guy and drive a Cooper S, my car absolutely SPANKS much more expensive cars in the twisties, at autox, and through traffic. We also have a few MINI clubs where I live and we always organise events, drives, and track days. It is still an enthusiast car, just not for an average American that needs a full size truck or a 700 hp V8 to compensate for his slightly below avg dick.
@@FurkanCemTurfanda I'm a 27 yr old dude that drives a countryman S 2020. I bought it because it's great to drive, comfortable, has personality, is reasonably cheap in fuel - but still has the size and versatility to handle life. Essentially it has everything you'd need from an SUV, but you get to have fun and genuinely enjoy the car.
Furkan Turfanda haha yeah. Also 23 and I can keep up with a BMW 235i, Camaro, mustang. You name it. They are always so surprised to see that I am still beside them. Lol
Charlie's Channel, Daily Motor: ruclips.net/channel/UCw3Dp6cTx78WSIdMKJF252A
Written thoughts: thedailymotor.com/reviews/new_car_reviews/2020-mini-cooper-s-clubman/
I've had a 2019 Clubman S Iconic since June 2019, bought used from the dealer with 18K. It's an ideal balance of luxury, sportiness, and quirkiness. I added the Dinan Sport plug-and-play myself to gain about 30 HP and additional torque. I wish I had the DCT instead of the Aisin 8-speed, but can live with Aisin. Recently drove to and from FL straight through, 14 hours each way, had zero soreness or stiffness on the ride or when stopping twice for gas. And I'm over 60, so that's saying something about the seat comfort.
Which Dinan did you get? What's wrong with the 8 speed
I absolutely love my S. It’s so much fun to drive.
Love the new format. This channel is so underrated! Thankfully, Mini’s bringing back the manual trans this year after them not being available for a bit. I can’t imagine getting a Mini without a stick.
Alex Pascutiu I hope they will improve the reliability of the clutch in the manual Clubman and Countryman. My MINI tech told me the Clubman and Countryman use the same clutch as the 3/5-Door, they rarely see clutch last more than 100k km. Due to the increased weight from the larger vehicle, the clutch has to deal with more stress.
... Apparently MINI did, but it (probably) backfired on them. So, with sales down due to prospective buyers (like me) who want a manual (especially in the "hot" cars (Cooper S and JCW) passing on a MINI because they were auto only, they are bringing 3 pedals back to lure in the enthusiest driver who wants to drive the car vs just ride in one.
Yayyyyy!!!!
I love how funky this car looks.
For the pre-2019 Clubman JCW, the Golf R spanks it practically in every way. However now the 2020 F54 JCW has both the All4 and 301hp upgrade, its only $2~3k premium over the Golf R is easier to swallow, not to mention it is larger in the back for passengers and cargo.
Old review, but I have have a 2016 clubman going on 5 years. 6 speed Stick S with every option and I continue to believe that is the best car I've ever owned. Unique, tons of personality, sporty, practical and comfortable. I DIY, so I can keep an eye on fluid changes and service, so don't need to pay for BMW service costs. And its been a very reliable car. Arguably better than some previous Japanese cars. I'm 6'2" and drove both way from MA to FL to bring my son to school. We fit everything in and on the optional roof basket. It was a great road trip car. Also owned a Golf R for sometime and the mini has so much more personality and refinement. Also would say you're steering experience was due to snows. I have Conti DWS Plus and steering is good. Love it!
I currently have a green 2019 Mini Cooper S F55 and I absolutely love it. It turns heads and it’s so much fun to drive. It’s unique and has a great engine!
The Mini Clubman {JCW, daBEST} is for those who what a refined balance of daily, eye-catching, performance.
TheTopher’s main catch phrase, “We’ll get into that later!”
I've had 2 MINIs and did a 6,000 Mile road trip in each. No problems with seat comfort. Some road noise issues. They are more fun to drive in all circumstances than a VW GTI/R.
I'm a middle-aged dude. Now driving a Golf R, but I'd go back to a MINI. It's nice to drive a car with personality in all conditions. VWs are only fun being driven hard. In my experience.
Luke Tymowski How was the maintenance on the Mini? That’s what’s stopping me. I had an X5 which maintenance has turned me off on BMW’s.
Idk a GTI is just dull. It probably drives amazing, but to ME it doesn't feel special. It doesn't speak to me.
That interior is stunning!
We got it (after our son took our '16 GTi SE which replaced my VW New Beetle) exactly because it had more personality and not a dime a dozen. Almost the same performance as the GTi, memory seating, same external size, great fun to drive.
DCT is really interesting choice IMO. BMW uses torque converter transmissions on their non M cars. I wonder why they don't use it on MINIs.
I haven't driven one but the shifts didn't sound very snappy to me, from the video. Sounded like a normal torque converter in terms of speed and crispness.
@@larphraulen i have dct in my new cooper s 2019 and its quick asf
You do get the 8-speed automatic on the JCW Version
I love mini because it has so many buttons. Even roof has buttons it’s like a plane cockpit
My dad drives a 2019 Clubman JCW. He custom ordered it so he could get a 6-speed manual; it was the last year they offered it. At just 10,000 miles, one of the synchros in the transmission went bad. MINI replaced the whole transmission under warranty. It would have cost $14,000 without the factory warranty!
Holy crap! That’s very lucky it was under warranty! Here in the UK, manual Mini’s are more common than automatics so it’s hard to tell but it’s pretty unheard of any of the transmissions failing or going bad.. who knows. I wish you dad good luck and enjoyment with his car though! :)
I wish you could test hardtop 1.5L 3 cylinder with manual. That engine sounds very lovely.
I have one right now, just filmed a video 👍
@@TheTopher Is it with this other guy as well? I prefer the solo videos, I feel like he kinda detracts from the overall vibe. If it is w him it is what it is I guess
I want to take one of these and turn it into a lifted off road build.... Is that a good idea?
You guys makes me want to get a MINI so bad. 😅
I like the looks!
I dunno what this guy's standards are, but we sat in and test drove VW next to Subaru next to Mini and the Clubman was hands down better feeling and better looking than all of them... I realize a GTI exists and it's inferior to what BMW is now producing
took me forever to realize the center screen worked as an rpm band.
I just got a low mileage 2017 manual S All4 for really cheap. I need a wagon\hatch and I know GTI is a better car but I couldn't get myself to like the style. Agree with what you say the Clubman is a great sporty daily; also agree that fake engine noise is bad. With better tires the steering feel improve a bit but not enough.
A turbo wagon that weighs less than a GTI, could there be a better vehicle? The JCW with 302 hp perhaps 😁
3200 Is more than a GTI...
I would totally buy a stripped down, tiny, minimalist mini with a 5 or 6 speed manual and a NA 3 cyl. Modern minis are WAAAY too expensive. I drove one and was not impressed. The new Subaru impreza is just as fun to drive, way more practical, more fuel efficient, better resale value, and dare I say will be more reliable. It's slower and has a CVT (in any trim beside base or sport), but those are hardly flaws.
Center console piece is a bit much but it is very sporty
The 2 door Mini for more sportiness.
I kind of like the video game sounds piped in from the engine
I love that you referenced Doug Demuro on this one haha
6:00 Who is the intended buyer? /lists points/
Long-term video: I am the intended buyer. /lists same points/
Are mini that much MORE EXPENSIVE than gti? seriously the issue is that mini are WAY more high end but not THAT much more expensive. Also mini looks great and fun, golfs look too young, I just got into my 30 and not sure I want to go golf as it feels like a teen car.
To me its a question of look and feel, mini looks fun, classy, different and they feel karty (also the infotainment / interior is the only one you will find that is completly fun oriented). The GTI to me looks like a "im 18 yo and this is my first car that mom and pop bought me" looking car and it blands in with all other cars too. Also, mini feels karty, gti feels like all other normal hatch even borderline like all other sedans (veloster N, golf gti, "mazda3ish" too, aka not like the older hatchs)
I wonder how straightpipes would respond to the side sun visors
i agrree, i think the scrolling is backwards too! when i got my mini i kept scrolling the wrong way lol.
FYI, there’s no way you can get a clubman S all wheel drive for 30 some thousand. I priced many & they are $42,000 on up. You also cannot drive them in the snow. All that said, I have had 2 & I’ll take them over my Carreras & BMWM series anytime!
I love Minis, too. Why would you take this car over Carreras & BMWM series? Just curious as to your personal preferences.
Did you have a bad experience in snow? I drove mine up my mountain with so much snow that we were plowing. It just motored through!
I love GTI's; but I don't want to drive in the Henry Ford of interior colors. And no radio volume knob? C'mon VW.
I love mini
Fun, funky hatchback, drives a Turbo dct kia Soul. I would definitely if you had the chance to try and drive a turbo soul. The characteristics are so different compared to the normal average soul.
Not against you, but building on the 2020 tech comment. You'd think camera manufacturers would make their devices in such a way that you don't get the Led flicker from screens or lights.
Yeah, it’s a tough one to get right sometimes with the camera frame rate, ambient light at that time of the day, and the screen refresh rate. Gopro does have manual shutter settings as low as 1/50s, but didn’t mess around with that on this video.
Global shutters are still in development. It's not an easy task
I have to agree with you, I think Mini's are marketed towards women who want something fun to drive to work everyday. For example my next door neighbor has a soft top mini that she uses as her daily driver and loves it. She's like 50 and works 45 minutes away at a hospital just to give you an idea of who she is lol
Cars are genderless...
buildmorefarms100 *marketed*
Neluf 😂
I WANT A MINI COOPER PLEASE I WANT IT SO BAD A RED ONE !
I still prefer the Mini Countryman.
Love this video, you guys should do more videos together!! ☺️♥️
GTI = Yawn fest and you see them everywhere. This is coming from someone who owns a GTI and is now heavily considering getting a Mini instead. JCW seems to be worth the splurge though over the S.
Looks like a old man car .but I think I'm get one😝🤞🤞
Haha! In person they look a lot less “old man car”
id take out the silencer of my cooper s and sounds insane
idk if this was after I requested this but if it is, thx
Prefer the solo videos but it is what it is
Mini got rid of the manual for all models in 2020. Why didn't you mention the JCW of this clubman is 4wd with 300hp?
MT will be available soon
Concordia isw días ellas
tbh I am surprised this brand is still in existence consider how much people complain of its reliability but then again so are Maserati.
...and Land Rover too. Most ppl lease these cars to keep payments down and don't see them past 3 years or 40k miles. So they are always in a new car and never see the car long enough to experience an issue.
The F series is super reliable. Unfortunately the reputation from the ones in the early 2000s precedes. I had one past 200k km and another at 180k and no engine problems. The engine was so good that Toyota uses a form of it in their new supra.
For $40 grand, I'd go with something more reliable. Minis are notorious for crapping out after a few years of ownership.
Americans: 25-30 MPG is great. Everybody else: Wtf it does not do 50-60 mpg.
minis buyers are now middle aged white women or young black females lol (i own a 2018 mini cooper s counrtyman)
The mini is for someone who wants to drive a Mario cart car in real life
Ansiedad sería helada
The Cooper JCW has an 8 speed not a dct. Car enthusiasts...lol
i don’t know to be honest i wouldn’t give 40k for a cooper. idk that car to me doesn’t seem like a 40k car i would say more like 25k
Drive one for a few days.
Never buy new. I just got one that I would argue is just as good as a new one for around 16k
Like @@carcreationsyt said, new cars are a waste of money...... the loss of value in the first 20k kilometers/12 months is ridiculous. Nowadays, you're better off looking out for a leased car. Usually a whole lot cheaper, and the few miles/kilometers driven shouldn't hurt that much. I want to drive a Clubman one day, but I'll definitely buy/lease a used one/demonstration vehicle.
@@grey_tracer5283 Exactly, mine is an ex leased car.
Cool car, but price too high and reliability too low. Those two combine to negate the premium feeling interior bits and cool features. BMW's other products may be fine as leasemobiles, but these need to compete with other choices that are also nice..bur wont break your wallet out of warranty.
👍💗
No one that wants a mini wants a GTI.
can i have a red mini copper please please please please I JUST WANT A RED MINI COOPER ILL LIVE INSIDE I DONT NEED ANYTHING IN THIS LIFE PLEASE
I just don’t see the appeal of these. Just my opinion
Yeah for $30,000 dollars I feel like you could get something better, no hate though
$40k!
Think you'd have to drive one, they're a lot of fun, very "go-kart".
Richard Hammer yeah I didn’t like them till I drove one. Now I am on my 5th...
I love this car
But i don't think it's reliable
It's a nice car but it's unreliable and expensive parts but if the car makes you happy you pay for it
@@unboxivity yeah exactly
My dad was a mecanic and he hated working on mini coopers...
But it's a nice car if you have the money to pay the car and to buy the parts lmao
My 2014 Mini turbo was very reliable....have you ever owned one?
Also that engine bay is super cramped. So forget working on this car yourself without taking our 3 engine components before getting to the thing you need to fix.
buildmorefarms100 i didn’t say every mini
But this one is just unreliable
Strange car for women = MINI.
For ~40k I would buy BMW 3 the cheapest trim or 2 used cars.
... You would have to buy a used 3series to get it for less than $40k. You can barely get a 2series for under 40k. BMWs are priced to be leased, not owned. As long as BMW can move new cars and get money for them, price is of no concern since 90% are leased.
MINIs are for middle aged women who want to differ and are still fun or atleast think they are. In short, my mother
Wrong. I'm a 23 year old guy and drive a Cooper S, my car absolutely SPANKS much more expensive cars in the twisties, at autox, and through traffic.
We also have a few MINI clubs where I live and we always organise events, drives, and track days. It is still an enthusiast car, just not for an average American that needs a full size truck or a 700 hp V8 to compensate for his slightly below avg dick.
Middle age women tend to go for base model Coopers or Countrymans.
@@FurkanCemTurfanda I'm a 27 yr old dude that drives a countryman S 2020. I bought it because it's great to drive, comfortable, has personality, is reasonably cheap in fuel - but still has the size and versatility to handle life.
Essentially it has everything you'd need from an SUV, but you get to have fun and genuinely enjoy the car.
Furkan Turfanda haha yeah. Also 23 and I can keep up with a BMW 235i, Camaro, mustang. You name it. They are always so surprised to see that I am still beside them. Lol