I recently took delivery of a 2008 Mini Cooper Clubman, the "stretched" version of the Mini. Made by BMW, assembled in England, and tough to get in the US, this car is well worth the effort to obtain. As with the standard (and quite small) Mini, the 5-door Clubman is available with Standard and "S" trim. The Clubman S adds a powerful turbocharger to the 118 horsepower base motor, handling enhancements, and more to the base Mini Clubman. I've driven the S, and its' even more powerful cousin, the John Cooper Works (JCW) edition, and they are true screamers...but not reviewed here!


The Big Picture

The Clubman adds just over 9 inches to the overall size of the Mini, yet still maintains very pleasing proportions. Most of the room is added behind the rear seats, making the cargo space actually useful. Three inches are added to rear legroom, and really make a big difference. The "club door" is a passenger-side suicide door that aids access to the rear seat, and was quickly mastered by my 8- and 9-year olds. The rear hatch becomes two slick barn doors on the Clubman, easily opened and closed, with real space behind the seats, and a trick hidden storage area below the floor. The rear seats fold down for very surprising and useable space...you've got to see it to believe it!

Powertrain

Like the Mini, the Clubman comes standard with a 4 cylinder 1.6 liter engine, delivering 118 horsepower. It's no screamer, but delivers good power and excellent economy. When paired with the standard 6 speed manual transmission, it will return better than its advertised 37 miles per gallon on the highway, and close to 30 in the city. Expect 3 mpg less with the automatic. Power delivery is smooth and quiet, and shifting is excellent. If you have to have an automatic, I recommend the S model -- its significant power boost more than makes up for the "oomph" you lose with an automatic. My wife loves shifting, and we see highway mpg of 40 or slightly better most of the time...on regular fuel. Mini recommends premium fuel, but allows regular. Economy and power are better with premium, but just a little.

Handling

Think go-cart. I love driving this little thing, my wife even more so. The base model, on 15-inch tires, rides smoothly and reasonably quiet. Add the Sport package, with larger wheels, lower-profile tires, and stiffer shocks, and the ride can get very firm. It's fun...but firm. Run-flat tires, 17" wheels, and the S model can get downright rough...and still fun! Bottom line is you can't go wrong, but try each version to be sure of what you're getting. Stability control is standard on every model, as well as 4-wheel anti-lock brakes; dynamic vehicle control is optional.

Safety

The afore-mentioned controls, coupled with lots of airbags, seat-belt pretensioners, and a very strong structure result in 4- and 5-star crash ratings all around. It may be small, but it is also very tough.

Little Things

Here we go...this car is a blast to own. Agile handling, fun-to-drive quotient, and good power make this car great. The many standard features make it comfortable, and the excellent economy make it quite green. There are quirks, as with any British car... the auto-up auto-down window switches are located low on the dashboard center stack in front of the gearshift. I've yet to get used to that. The speedometer and stereo/computer displays are housed in a rather large (giant) instrument in the middle of the dash. My kids call it the "Clown speedometer," and while easy to use...it's big! Rear visibility in the Clubman is hampered by tiny exterior mirrors, and the window frames of the rear doors, but is still fine. They are hard to get...average wait time from ordering to delivery is still up to 6 months...and worth it. Options, like xenon headlights, leather, a massive two-piece sunroof, navigation, and countless others, can quickly drive the price surprisingly high. Oh, you won't be sorry, but it may shock you. Be a little cautious when selecting options, and you'll be fine!

Popular Packages

Minis are available with a plethora of packages, like Sport, Cold Weather, Convenience, Premium, and more. The best place for information on this is the Miniwebsite, where you can easily "build" your own quickly and easily. See http://www.miniusa.com for all the details. That's a great place to see all the color combinations, as well.

Is it right for you?

It is for me. As school transport for two pre-teen kids, it is ideal. There is plenty of room for them, their backpacks, lunchboxes, and the occasional science project. It's safe, and they love the ride and large back seat. They, and everyone else, also love the looks -- it's a cute little car. Probably the best testimonial? After a two-day road trip from Los Angeles to Seattle, my 73 year-old father loved it so much, he's looking for one. That's universal appeal, from a car we'd never even considered before!
Amount Paid (US$): 21,700
Condition: New
Model Year: 2008
Model and Options: Clubman, 6-speed manual, Cold weather package, Convenience + package