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#2637 of 2671 Discussion back to 40mi commutes [bodble2] by ltq Oct 30, 2008 (8:48 am)
Replying to: bodble2 (Aug 28, 2008 12:35 pm) Regarding 40mi commutes: I have a Clubman S, and it is very smooth at high speed. Not too quiet by today's standards, but even that noise is "fun". I have 16" wheels with RFTs, and will probably get non-RFTs as replacements, since I bought an on-board spare (with reservations: see Wheel & Tire thread). Regarding never buying a Turbo - the MINI S is different, usually no turbo lag. Driven carefully, I get 33+ mpg mixed driving on the Clubman S automatic (the worst mpg combination for a MINI). But I can choose to mash the gas pedal and IT GOES!!!! Of course the mpg also goes (down) too!!! Still, with occassional blasts, I'm easily getting 31+ mpg per tankful in mixed driving. JUST GREAT!!! Replies to this message: bodble2 (Oct 30, 2008 11:55 am) ltq (Nov 01, 2008 11:02 am) bodble2 (Nov 01, 2008 4:09 pm) andys120 (Nov 03, 2008 8:46 am) and 6 more...
#2638 of 2671 Re: Discussion back to 40mi commutes [ltq] by bodble2 Oct 30, 2008 (11:55 am)
Replying to: ltq (Oct 30, 2008 8:48 am) How do you find the rear barn doors? Does the middle post create a blind spot. Despite my 18-year-old son proclaiming the Clubman to be ugly, I find it has a certain appeal --- sort of as an entry-level BMW with a modicum of practicality. The only "dilemma", so to speak, IMO, is that a moderately equipped Clubman S is within about $2K of a BMW 128, or a basic 323, either of which, one could argue, is "more car" than the Mini, and more refined. On the plus side, the Clubman likely performs as well, if not better than, the Bimmers, but offers significantly better mpg, more utility, and is more of an all-season car with the FWD. Replies to this message: ltq (Nov 01, 2008 11:02 am) bodble2 (Nov 01, 2008 4:09 pm) andys120 (Nov 03, 2008 8:46 am) ltq (Nov 05, 2008 12:08 pm) and 1 more... eashley (Nov 05, 2008 2:14 pm) and 3 more...
#2639 of 2671 Headrests block vision - Re: Discussion back to 40mi commutes [bodble2] by ltq Nov 01, 2008 (11:02 am)
Replying to: bodble2 (Oct 30, 2008 11:55 am) Hi bodble2, Many have written everything from horrible to just few minutes to get used to the center blind spot. For me, it was the latter, not as much a problem that I thought it would be. HOWEVER, this doesn't change my (and most others) opinions that a hatch would have been far better!! I tell you what IS a bigger visibility problem that I haven't seen mentioned: the right rear HEADREST. Yeah, the headrest!!! It blocks rear quarter vision a lot when positioned for an adult (the angle depending on the driver's seat position, of course..... I'm 5'8"). Since I put my booster seat there, I simply took off the headrest and put it in the underfloor cargo area. But this is poorly designed. More than a dozen annoying problems with the Clubman S, but ya gotta live with them if you want a "sports car" with utility, great gas mileage, and most "smiles per gallon". Re: Clubman S vs low-end Bimmer - See the Edmunds Inside Line bizzare comparison of BMW 128i vs Clubman S. Reviewer says MINI loses, but make sure you also read the Exec.Editor (Michael Jordan) Second Opinion that goes with it. For me, my next car was REQUIRED to get real-life 30mpg or better, so the Bimmers were never in the running. In fact, almost nothing except econo-boxes, hybrids (but I already have one), and diesels were in the running; and certainly nothing with the sporty attributes and power of the MINI "S" lineup. Replies to this message: bodble2 (Nov 01, 2008 4:09 pm) andys120 (Nov 03, 2008 8:46 am) ltq (Nov 05, 2008 12:08 pm) andys120 (Nov 05, 2008 12:54 pm) eashley (Nov 05, 2008 2:14 pm) ltq (Nov 10, 2008 1:31 pm) and 2 more...
#2640 of 2671 Re: Headrests block vision - Re: Discussion back to 40mi commutes [ltq] by bodble2 Nov 01, 2008 (4:09 pm)
Replying to: ltq (Nov 01, 2008 11:02 am) Thanks for the "heads-up" on the headrest! I'll be sure to watch out for that when I test drive one.
#2641 of 2671 Re: Headrests block vision - Re: Discussion back to 40mi commutes [ltq] by andys120 Nov 03, 2008 (8:46 am)
Replying to: ltq (Nov 01, 2008 11:02 am) Almost all recent cars have a blind spot caused by the RR headrest, perhaps this is exaggerated in the Mini by the relative narrowness of the car and moreso in the Clubman by the additional blind spot in the center. It shouldn't be a problem w properly adjusted side mirrors. Replies to this message: ltq (Nov 05, 2008 12:08 pm) andys120 (Nov 05, 2008 12:54 pm) eashley (Nov 05, 2008 2:14 pm) ltq (Nov 10, 2008 1:31 pm) bodble2 (Nov 10, 2008 3:25 pm) and 1 more...
#2642 of 2671 Re: Headrests block vision - Re: Discussion back to 40mi commutes [andys120] by ltq Nov 05, 2008 (12:08 pm)
Replying to: andys120 (Nov 03, 2008 8:46 am) You are right. I forgot to mention that it is annoying, but with careful adjustment of the side mirrors, the headrest problem is reduced in my Clubman, I am happy to report. And I drive with it off most of the time. But still you'd think they'd find a better solution...... Replies to this message: andys120 (Nov 05, 2008 12:54 pm)
#2643 of 2671 Re: Headrests block vision - Re: Discussion back to 40mi commutes [ltq] by andys120 Nov 05, 2008 (12:54 pm)
Replying to: ltq (Nov 05, 2008 12:08 pm) I did the same thing w our Saab 900S and just removed the damn headrest on that side. Funny thing is I sold it and found the headrest on that side. I keep forgetting to ask the new owners if they want it.
#2644 of 2671 Re: Headrests block vision - Re: Discussion back to 40mi commutes [andys120] by eashley Nov 05, 2008 (2:14 pm)
Replying to: andys120 (Nov 03, 2008 8:46 am) Can't they be removed? That's what I did with my 2003.... Replies to this message: ltq (Nov 10, 2008 1:31 pm) bodble2 (Nov 10, 2008 3:25 pm) bufnita (Nov 14, 2008 2:00 pm)
#2645 of 2671 Re: Headrests block vision - Re: Discussion back to 40mi commutes [eashley] by ltq Nov 10, 2008 (1:31 pm)
Replying to: eashley (Nov 05, 2008 2:14 pm) Hi eashley, Yeah, that's what andys120 and I wrote. We removed the headrests. In my case, no problem since my booster seat went there, but if you want to carry an adult in that position, one really ought to put the headrest back. I forgot which car, but I've seen a MESH headrest one can see through, which would have been a good idea. Or a donut-shaped one like the old Volvos. Replies to this message: bodble2 (Nov 10, 2008 3:25 pm) bufnita (Nov 14, 2008 2:00 pm)
#2646 of 2671 Re: Headrests block vision - Re: Discussion back to 40mi commutes [ltq] by bodble2 Nov 10, 2008 (3:25 pm)
Replying to: ltq (Nov 10, 2008 1:31 pm) The ultimate would be power-retractible rear headrests! How cool would that be, eh? Replies to this message: bufnita (Nov 14, 2008 2:00 pm)