Article Comments - 2008 BMW 128i vs. 2008 Mini Cooper S Clubman

16 messages, Last post on Aug 29, 2008 at 4:31 PM

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What is this discussion about? BMW 1 Series, MINI Cooper Clubman, Car Comparisons, Coupe, Hatchback

Comparison Test: 2008 BMW 128i vs. 2008 Mini Cooper S Clubman - Season the Mini with a few options and it costs about the same as the BMW 1 Series. Both are known for being fun to drive and both are designed to hold two people comfortably but can accommodate four if the need arises. (more)

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#6 of 16 The choice for me is very simple by longhorn31 Aug 14, 2008 (10:28 am)
My daily driver is a 2003 330Ci, manual, sport package. I love it. I'm 55 YO and have owned many BMW's, starting with a 1979 528i that was a lot of fun. My wife and daughter drive Mini's (both Coopers with automatics) and I've spent many hours driving them. I have a 2009 Cooper S Clubman on order. Here's why: 1. Gas mileage. I have a long commute. 2. Back seat access and comfort. I want to be able to haul four people around without problems. The 330 and the 1 series just don't cut it... 3. Fun to drive. The 330Ci has two personalities. On my commute, I drive relatively sedately. On other occasions, I drive for fun. The 330 is so fast that it's hard to find those occasions (other than track days). The Mini is more fun to drive because there is more driver involvement...so I can have more fun on my commute - get my "fix". Also, the Mini takes me back to my Austin Healey and Triumph days..... 4. Hauling capacity. I haul my road and mountain bikes and other gear in my 330. The Mini will be just that much larger and handier. No complaint about the 330 though, and I assume the 1 series would be okay, but would be slightly smaller than the 330, so it would not work as well. 5. Ergonomics. The 330 has some problems here. The clutch: lonooooong throw (have an aftermarket pedal), clutch delay valve (removed), self adjusting so the engagement is very fuzzy. The accelerator pedal: my large foot hits the panel above, the pedal is way too sensitive - no back pressure, the mapping is just too uneven for me. The shifter: super notchy and very long throws (I have a short shift kit, but that made it even notchier). All of these things are manageable, particularly with my modifications, but they still are a barrier between the driver and the car and thus detract from the fun. I know that some of these issues have been fixed in recent years, but not all of them, so the 1 series probably has some problems. I've always wondered why very few reviews mention these issues. The Mini has some of the same faults, but not to the same degree for some reason. I agree with the concern about a domestic manufacturer not producing a car like the Mini.....but even if one of them did, it would have to be fantastic for me to switch. I really like the communities that have grown around BMW's and Mini's. I'm a long time BMWCCA member.
#7 of 16 Scoring Goof Fix by jjacquot Aug 14, 2008 (6:44 pm)
I regretably goofed in feature scoring on this test. As MpowerF1 says above, the Mini does offer an iPod specific connection as an option -- one which our test car didn't have. This option gives it one more point in in our feature scoring which isn't enough to change the overall result of the test. Josh Jacquot Senior road test editor
#8 of 16 test drove a clubman S today by edward78 Aug 16, 2008 (7:03 pm)
i wanted to drive a cooper s but the clubman was all they had... based on all the critical acclaim i was expecting more... i wasnt really impressed by the power... maybe it was because the ac was or maybe its the linear delivery of power... i just did not feel like the car was quick (and i have driven some slow cars as of late)... inside the components felt kind of cheap disappointing
#9 of 16 by bahollings Aug 18, 2008 (1:19 pm)
I test drove both vehicles and unlike the writer of this article, came to a different conclusion. I was leaning towards the BMW until driving them both. I purchased the Clubman S and couldn't be happier.
#10 of 16 Re: Article Comments - 2008 BMW 128i vs. 2008 Mini Cooper S Clubman [KarenS by ltq Aug 21, 2008 (9:22 am)
Replying to: KarenS (Aug 12, 2008 11:46 am) Generally well-done article. But once again, it's obvious that it's subjective on which car is "better", because there are so many factors that are weighted differently for each person. To me, great fun and so much power 28mpg for the Mini canNOT be matched by anything else on the market, and BMW1 doesn't come close. Rear seat room for adults is also a big factor for me, BMW1 loses again. But what it comes down to, is the old idea of a "sports car". A "sports car" does NOT need to be fast, and enormous fun can be had at low speeds - for example the old Fiat 124 Spyder (abominable by the objective numbers) was an incredible "sports car" for many. In this example, a drop top makes absolutely no sense by ANY numbers, losing on all categories except headroom. By the numbers just doesn't cut it. By this criterion, like the 3-series, the 1-series is fast & efficient, but NOT a "sports car"; but the Clubman is!!! The fact that it has acceptable mpg (soon, any car that isn't capable of around 30mpg will be a negative image and embarrassing to be seen in - what!!??! Pay that much $$ to be embarrassed in a Bimmer?), reasonably practical, and fun at LOW speeds makes it an easy winner in this comparison. Replies to this message: roadburner (Aug 21, 2008 5:22 pm)
#11 of 16 Re: Article Comments - 2008 BMW 128i vs. 2008 Mini Cooper S Clubman [KarenS [ltq] by roadburner Aug 21, 2008 (5:22 pm)
Replying to: ltq (Aug 21, 2008 9:22 am) (soon, any car that isn't capable of around 30mpg will be a negative image and embarrassing to be seen in - what!!??! Pay that much $$ to be embarrassed in a Bimmer?) Both of my current track rats(a 1995 3 Series and a 2007 Mazdaspeed 3) get reasonably good gas mileage, but I would never select a car based on whether it offends the sensibilities of the tree-hugging eco-weenies. As a matter of fact I'm currently looking at several cars that pack at least 330 bhp under their hoods. IIf I buy one I'm getting a vanity plate that reads "12 MPG" and a bumper sticker that reads "Hybrid Vehicle: Burns Gas AND Rubber"...
#12 of 16 Invalid Comparison by beemerhead Aug 22, 2008 (11:23 pm)
I actually have owned members of both models. I currently own a BMW 128Ci and I have owned three Mini's. I just sold a 2007 base Mini hardtop. The only way this comparison is valid is if you are deciding which to buy with your $30k+ money. Having owned three Mini's the Clubman is simply the model that makes the Mini more practical if you have more than two passengers and some gear. That also means you don't autocross your Clubman. You buy a regular S or JCW to do that. So doing extreme accelerations and comparing an I-6 with an I-4 is really invalid with such a gas miser as a Mini. Mini's and 1-series are bought for different feels and purposes. I bought my 128 convertible as a practical cross-country roadtrip car that handles well, gets good mileage and has the topless joys of a convertible. It would be inappropriate to compare the 128Ci to a loaded, ready for track 135. Different cars with different goals. If you buy a Mini, you are purposely buying a car with loads of personality which is reflected in the two tone exteriors, interiors, switches instead of knobs, mulitcolor interior lights, dish sized speedometer, etc. And even if they're a bit annoying, that's why you got it...to be distinct. It's a different car. In fact, it's the most cheerful car I've ever owned and I miss them to be honest. Having said that, I love my 128Ci and have a stellar review of it here on Edmunds. It is a wonderful car with a different purpose. In the end, this comparison is rather invalid. If you're interested in both, then you have to take a hard look at what you want the car to do and the very subjective but most satisfying aspects of the "feel" you want to have in the car and from the car. Personally, as an owner of both models, you can't go wrong unless you mismatch your purposes and car, including the options you order, e.g., don't hope for a comfortable Mini cruiser and get a sport supsension. Get an automatic with regular suspension. Both cars are quality and will hold their value wayyy better than American cars and most others. Compare the 1-series to Audi A-3 or 4's and the Mini to...well there's nothing really like it, lol! Replies to this message: tslbmw (Aug 29, 2008 9:03 am) bodble2 (Aug 29, 2008 2:22 pm) tslbmw (Aug 29, 2008 4:31 pm) bodble2 (Aug 29, 2008 2:35 pm)
#13 of 16 Re: Invalid Comparison [beemerhead] by tslbmw Aug 29, 2008 (9:03 am)
Replying to: beemerhead (Aug 22, 2008 11:23 pm) beemerhead, Great post! Both cars are definitely great for DIFFERENT reasons. I choose an 08 Clubman S with the sports pkg and LSD b/c it is just flat out fun. But the reasons you stated for buying the 128Ci are spot on. My only thought now is whether or not I should have ponyed up $8K more for a 135i with the sports pkg.... a seriously fun car without the MINI's personality..... Replies to this message: bodble2 (Aug 29, 2008 2:22 pm) tslbmw (Aug 29, 2008 4:31 pm)
#14 of 16 Re: Invalid Comparison [tslbmw] by bodble2 Aug 29, 2008 (2:22 pm)
Replying to: tslbmw (Aug 29, 2008 9:03 am) Two common complaints about the Clubman S are the blind spot created by the middle post in the double back door, and the ride. What has been your personal experience with those 2 issues. Have the complaints been overblown? Replies to this message: tslbmw (Aug 29, 2008 4:31 pm)
#15 of 16 Re: Invalid Comparison [beemerhead] by bodble2 Aug 29, 2008 (2:35 pm)
Replying to: beemerhead (Aug 22, 2008 11:23 pm) I'm kinda surprised you would consider the 1 series to be lacking in personality. After all, we're not talking about a Honda Civic or Accord! If you say the 3 series is lacking in personality, I can perhaps see that (a bit), since the 3 series has "matured" at the risk of being somewhat more bland. But I've always viewed the 1 series as the frisky, funky little brother to the 3 series, and also the next step, or half step up from the Mini, if you consider the Mini to be sort of a hatchback variant of the 1 and 3 series. Perhaps you're defining personality to mean "quirky"? If so, then yes, the Mini certainly is that!