Article Comments - 2008 MINI Cooper S Clubman First Drive and Full Test

14 messages, Last post on Mar 20, 2008 at 10:34 AM

You are in the MINI Clubman Forum. Your Host is pf_flyer

What is this discussion about? MINI Clubman, Hatchback

First Drive: 2008 Mini Cooper S Clubman - Mini is not really an appropriate name for this car, because plainly it isn't mini at all. It's still small, but its overall length of 155.8 inches represents a stretch of 6.3 inches, enough to push the Clubman into an altogether different class. Aside from the 3.1 inches added within the wheelbase, the front overhang has been extended by 0.6 inch and the rear overhang goes up by 3.5 inches. (more)

Full Test: 2008 Mini Cooper S Clubman - Bottom Line: Maybe not the giant-size Mini you expected, but the Clubman brings useful increases in space and comfort without sacrificing a bit of the fun.(more)

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#5 of 14 How many seats? by zephyr_7 Sep 13, 2007 (11:12 am)
If you go to the Mini international site and watch the little flash video on the Mini Clubman, it shows that the Clubman will be available with an option of 2 or 3 rear seats. I feel that the Clubman might be an awkward approach from Mini, for introducing a more "practical" vehicle. The Clubman isn't going to be as popular as its smaller counter-part, but still a reasonable success. If I didnt already have a Mini Cooper S, I would have seriously considered buying the Clubman instead.
#6 of 14 Clubman may actually turn out great by pf_flyer HOST Sep 13, 2007 (11:41 am)
Heck I might even wind up liking what Mini has done. It was just that "Mini" brings up a certain image in the mind. I'd probably have a similar reaction if Cadillac came up with their own rendition of the Smart car.
#7 of 14 Clubman is in the Mini tradition by minicarfan Jan 14, 2008 (4:47 pm)
The Clubman is in the mini tradition. I lived in England in the early 70's and drove a used Mini that was based on the "Traveler" model which is very similiar to the new Clubman being discussed. The model I had was a "Traveler" without the side windows, no back seat, and the same dual back doors as the new Clubman. It was a Mini in delivery van form. The one I bought was an old used British Post Office delivery van. (paid USD $350.00) It ran great the whole time I had it, it handled like a sports car, I loved driving it, a lot of fun. It had great interior space, great gas milage, a extremely well designed car. I am sure the new Clubman version and the today's Mini will both be just as fun to drive, I don't think the Clubman will detract in any way. And for those who need a little extra space it will let them join the pleasures of the Mini world. Replies to this message: alltorque (Mar 19, 2008 1:38 pm) ksmoto (Mar 19, 2008 9:13 pm) british_rover (Mar 20, 2008 5:51 am) alltorque (Mar 20, 2008 10:34 am)
#8 of 14 Full Test Available! by KarenS HOST Mar 12, 2008 (9:58 am)
Full Test: 2008 Mini Cooper S Clubman
#9 of 14 $33,000, for a MINI??? by miniclubman Mar 13, 2008 (4:20 pm)
I'm a big fan of the Clubman, I have one on order, but $33,000 for a Clubman is way over the top!. Thats BMW 1-Series territory! Yes, the MINI options can add up very quickly, and there are a lot of them, but a well optioned Clubman S can be had for around $25k - $28k. For $33k, there are just too many other very tempting choices! For bargain hunters, you can get the base Clubman with lots of options and still be well under $25k! Replies to this message: ksmoto (Mar 14, 2008 8:58 am)
#10 of 14 Re: $33,000, for a MINI??? [miniclubman] by ksmoto Mar 14, 2008 (8:58 am)
Replying to: miniclubman (Mar 13, 2008 4:20 pm) I had a Test Drive Yesterday in the Beautiful New Clubman. It Is a WOW for Sure. I agree totally with You on the 33k ... The dealer I was at had (8) in stock 22k -26k range that were Awesome. 33k is ... no no need to go that high. You can still have it all and keep it around 25k. I am happy to say I am a Proud Owner of a 2007 Mini Cooper. Brand New. She is Beautious! She comes Home on the 19th after her Bonnet Stripes are Added. Pepper White! Black Roof and Mirror Caps She has Cold Weather Package, Premium Package, Sport Package, All the Added Chrome interior... has the Beautiful Gloss Black interior additions. Dual Sun Roof. Ipod hook up. 23k MSRP After Taxes etc... Out the Door 25,800.00 I feel like a kid at Christmas!! Happy Motoring
#11 of 14 Re: Clubman is in the Mini tradition [minicarfan] by alltorque Mar 19, 2008 (1:38 pm)
Replying to: minicarfan (Jan 14, 2008 4:47 pm) The model I had was a "Traveler" without the side windows, no back seat, and the same dual back doors as the new Clubman. It was a Mini in delivery van form. The one I bought was an old used British Post Office delivery van. (paid USD $350.00) It ran great the whole time I had it, it handled like a sports car, I loved driving it, a lot of fun. It had great interior space, great gas milage, a extremely well designed car. Ah, the good old days. Was it a red one (ex-Royal Mail), or a dark green one, (ex-Post Office Telephones) ? Either way it was an 850cc bog standard device and all the better for it. Truly chuckable. BTW, the Traveller had rear side windows and the Countryman had rear side windows and wood trim on the outside. What you had really was the Mini Van. There was also the Mini Pickup. About 8:00 a.m. one Sunday morning - after an all-night party - six of us were in one of those little vans, (light green and rust), scampering around London looking for breakfast. To say we had had a few drinks would be a massive understatement; and that's possibly the only state in which 6 adults could be persuaded to mount such an expedition, (driver, front passenger + 4 "bodies" in the back). Of course, we were all much younger then and knew we were immortal. The MINI isn't in that mould somehow - far too grown-up. Or perhaps we grew up. A few weeks later, 4 of the same crowd went on a similar sortie in, (on ?), a Lotus 7.............in the rain. Oh, the follies of youth. We didn't plan on making 60, (years), but somehow we all did. Guess it goes to show that God has a sense of humour. Replies to this message: ksmoto (Mar 19, 2008 9:13 pm) british_rover (Mar 20, 2008 5:51 am) alltorque (Mar 20, 2008 10:34 am)
#12 of 14 Re: Clubman is in the Mini tradition [alltorque] by ksmoto Mar 19, 2008 (9:13 pm)
Replying to: alltorque (Mar 19, 2008 1:38 pm) I picked up my New Child Today ... So so HAPPY They had in the Service area a Elder Mini Cooper for Show from the 60's Good LORD it was so Small ... had the Wood Panels .. Flat Green paint .. On the Side it was Written on a Document - I am Valued at 40k. I am not for Sale ~ I am Mini Cooper History. And Yes she Was Perfect.
#13 of 14 Re: Clubman is in the Mini tradition [alltorque] by british_rover Mar 20, 2008 (5:51 am)
Replying to: alltorque (Mar 19, 2008 1:38 pm) How did you ever get four people in/on a Lotus 7? I think I would pay money to see that. Replies to this message: alltorque (Mar 20, 2008 10:34 am)
#14 of 14 Re: Clubman is in the Mini tradition [british_rover] by alltorque Mar 20, 2008 (10:34 am)
Replying to: british_rover (Mar 20, 2008 5:51 am) 4 in a Lotus 7 is easy...........ish. Driver, normal passenger, the other 2 sit kinda side-saddle on/in the limited cargo space with their legs hanging over the rear of the car and bodies twisted to try and look to the centre and hang on to each other/anything. Rear suspension was on the bump-stops and steering was a little "light". The Ford 1500cc + twin Webers coped pretty well, from memory. I gues the two most important words for this sort of idiocy, (which I would now call it), are a) Youth and b) Alcohol. If you want a third word then Stupidity would seem appropriate. This was back about 1969/1970 and London, in fact whole U.K., was much more easy-going and fun in those days. Maybe write a book about our late-60's experiences, one day. Problem is that if I hadn't been there I'd have trouble believing they happened. Same Lotus 7, just two of us going to Oulton Park to watch motor racing and it's raining. Take the hood or take food etc ? Hoods are for sissy's on 7's so we took an umbrella instead. Passenger in charge of umbrella. Every time car stopped in traffic - up went the brolly. Car moves off - brolly down and rain goes right over the top of the screen at 20+ mph. Bingo, perfect solution and we made lots of friends on that journey........including one Policeman who said he was sure it was illegal but couldn't think why and it gave him such a laugh he would let us off. Yes, the World was a better place. Recently had a silly 15 minutes and fancied a used Lotus Elise, (old age does that to you). Managed to get into the thing - just, (roof on), but had to crawl out on hands and knees; or try and remove the roof. Not very elegant; just an old guy looking stupid. My Volvo S60 D5 is much more practical. Have a great Easter.