New MINI Clubman Test Drive Review

MINI Clubman
Click to enlarge

The MINI Clubman and Clubman S are the second body variant of the second generation BMW MINI, with the first being the R56 hatchback and another upcoming one being the new convertible. We recently took a spin in the Clubman and did some of the typical lifestyle stuff – a duty that this vehicle is expected to carry out well, since its priced way over the RM200,000 mark. Read our findings after the jump.

MINI Clubman
Click to enlarge

Some MINI enthusiasts might consider the MINI Clubman to be the most pointless and sacrilegious MINI around (old school Mini fans probably think this of all of BMW’s new MINIs). For one, it’s the use of the name Clubman. In the old Mini terminology the name Clubman was used to indicate the newer squarer facelifted Minis while the station wagon version was callde the Traveller. The Traveller name is not used anymore for the BMW MINI station wagon, and in its place is the name Clubman.

However, there are some people who actually prefer the MINI Clubman over the MINI Cooper. Namely yours truly. I find that the MINI Cooper looks abit too cutesy and stunted, like a midget car. The Clubman might look odd as a MINI but once you get past that, as a car on its own its actually quite a looker. I especially like how the rear end looks, especially the S version with its bumper-integrated twin tailpipes.

MINI Clubman
Click to enlarge

We took the Clubman up north to a hot springs, fully loaded with 4 people and a boot load of stuff. Unlike the MINI Cooper which had a 2+2 seating configuration with about the same legroom as an Audi TT except with better headroom (in short, pretty much unusable), the MINI Clubman is a proper 4 seater. There is seriously a good amount of legroom back there, even a tall person could sit comfortably without his knee getting pressed against the front seats. So the MINI Clubman passes as a vehicle for you to get on the road with your little entourage.

What about luggage space? Most of the car’s increased length went to improving the legroom at the rear so the boot has not been increased to very impressive proportions. You can load maybe an estimated 3 sports bags in with room for a couple of other stuff stacked on top of them, as you can see from the photo below. Only one large air travel luggage will fit in there.

MINI Clubman
Click to enlarge

Access to the boot is via two doors split in the middle which swing sideways instead of up. Closing them after accessing the boot can be a little tricky, at least for me. You have to somehow make the two doors meet together a certain way and in the correct order, then only push them close otherwise it’ll threaten to jam up and that can be very alarming especially when you’re handling such an expensive car that’s not yours!

This is the first time I’ve sampled the normally aspirated version of the BMW-PSA Prince 1.6 litre engine. I was frankly quite surprised by how decent the acceleration was, despite the engine having only 120 PS at 6,000rpm and 160Nm of torque at 4,250rpm. This wasn’t some kind of engineering voodoo of course, it was probably thanks to the quick-shifting and responsive 6-speed automatic transmission which helps keep the engine revving high and in its powerband more often. It’s some nice and honest fun and is probably what the Satria Neo could aspire to be. More ratios would definitely help the sluggy Campro out stay in its powerband.

MINI Clubman
Click to enlarge

The weirdest thing about the Clubman is of course, the Clubdoor. It’s on the wrong side of the road! It gives me the feeling of sloppy engineering – BMW engineered this car for the left hand drive market and said it could not fully convert it for right hand drive usage, so the third door for access to the rear bench is on the driver’s side instead of the passenger’s side. I found having to get out and later readjusting the driver’s seat position each time someone had to enter or exit the rear quite annoying.

BMW says this is because it was too costly to relocate the refuelling hardware which was on the left side of the car. But seriously… considering the country this car is built in is a right hand drive country?!

MINI Clubman
Click to enlarge

At the end of the day I must say I enjoyed my time with the MINI Clubman. Its easy to drive, park and the funky design kind of puts you in a good mood. It’s also rather stable at highway speeds but as with all of the new MINIs the soundproofing and interior material quality is not particularly impressive.

It’s also got paddle shifts, and it’s glad to see these aren’t just exclusive to the Clubman S model. BMW should seriously consider paddle shifts across its model range, not just reserved for the top of the line cars such as the 130i and the 530i.

With so many other options available in the market that make so much more sense, this is only for those who must have a MINI (an emotional choice) and with loads of cash to spare. It is priced at RM 225,000.00 and RM 259,000.00 for the Clubman and Clubman S respectively OTR without insurance. There is also an optional MINI Tender Loving Care plan for RM888 similiar to BMW’s Service Inclusive which means you do not have to pay for your MINI’s maintenance for 3 years or 50,000km.

MINI Clubman
Click to enlarge

MINI Clubman
Click to enlarge

MINI Clubman
Click to enlarge

PHOTO GALLERY: MINI Clubman and Clubman S
Click thumbnails to view high resolution photo

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Paul Tan

After dabbling for years in the IT industry, Paul Tan initially began this site as a general blog covering various topics of personal interest. With an increasing number of readers paying rapt attention to the motoring stories, one thing led to another and the rest, as they say, is history.

 

Comments

  • moonier (Member) on Nov 11, 2008 at 9:27 am

    1st
    not my type

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • bmpower (Member) on Nov 11, 2008 at 9:34 am

    after test drive this car.
    I kinda like it.
    maybe because it Weird and Unique.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Nakal (Member) on Nov 11, 2008 at 9:41 am

    Modern classic…nice. but intreior look crowded!! Semak!!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • David9988 (Member) on Nov 11, 2008 at 10:10 am

    frankly, i think this car is hideous.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • 0204 (Member) on Nov 11, 2008 at 10:42 am

    The thing about this car is.. it’s brilliant in Europe. But not the same in here, or by fact the right hand drive country. Cause they haven’t bothered convert the small 3rd Door to the left side, which is the whole point of having a rear passanger door. But ofcourse it would’ve cost alot more to convert the chasis… so they just throw in the car with “reasonable” price and make some money out of it. Which is quite BMW-ish…

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  • daze (Member) on Nov 11, 2008 at 10:53 am

    Quote Paul “But seriously… considering the country this car is built in is a right hand drive country?!”

    yes. built in right hand drive country but design in left hand drive company…
    it think the car are unique…
    and what they selling is not just a car, is a lifestyle.

    still prefer the previous Tokyo motorshow clubman. lolx.
    without the wierd position door which only sound rational for left hand drive.

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  • bolo (Member) on Nov 11, 2008 at 11:06 am

    I am sorry but this new mini looks like a mini hearse.

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  • droll (Member) on Nov 11, 2008 at 11:09 am

    I am freaked out by the rear. With those black strips running down the left and right of the door and along the tail lights, the car looks like it has black eyes (after a tough punch out with a competitor??!).

    The suicide door is just wrong. But mostly……..it’s the hideous price that AB has slapped onto this little thing. Insane. But who’s to complain for the buyers of this would surely have little consideration for spending this money on a car like this…

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  • abtm (Member) on Nov 11, 2008 at 11:18 am

    this is the sort of car that when one drives pass u’d want to get a good look at the idiot that bought it…if u want a small fun to drive car get a mini, if you want more space get sth else…don’t mix tea with coffee

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  • e-nabilll (Member) on Nov 11, 2008 at 12:26 pm

    paul,uve had a recent road test with a gen2/waja cps campro…any comparision with the mini clubman 1.66cc? anyting regarding interior quality as i read from othr reviews its plasticky to the max!

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  • autojohndoe (Member) on Nov 11, 2008 at 1:47 pm

    kinda weird looking…

    but… someone may say the oppose…

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  • autojohndoe (Member) on Nov 11, 2008 at 1:49 pm

    e-nabilll said,
    November 11, 2008 @ 12:26 pm

    paul,uve had a recent road test with a gen2/waja cps campro…any comparision with the mini clubman 1.66cc? anyting regarding interior quality as i read from othr reviews its plasticky to the max!
    ___________________________

    which is plasticky to the max? mini or waja?

    not starting a bashing forum though… just want to know the comparison….

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Wisdom (Member) on Nov 11, 2008 at 2:08 pm

    The seats looks cheap or its just me?

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  • e-nabilll (Member) on Nov 11, 2008 at 2:18 pm

    please la…price for the mini u can buy almost 4 waja ! so it has no rite to have a plasticky interior…dats wat i was refering to..if uve been in the first gen mini year 2002…the interior rattles here n thr…very flimsy

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  • Paul Tan on Nov 11, 2008 at 3:30 pm

    Waja is worse. While the Mini scores no points for a high-quality interior, the Waja’s plastics are even harder and look cheaper and what makes it worse is they’re all misaligned with gaps here and there!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • autojohndoe (Member) on Nov 11, 2008 at 3:48 pm

    haha… e-nabill… i got confused with ur question earlier… thats why im asking…

    cheers!!!

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  • n8cky (Member) on Nov 11, 2008 at 4:24 pm

    Paul Tan said,

    November 11, 2008 @ 3:30 pm

    Waja is worse. While the Mini scores no points for a high-quality interior, the Waja’s plastics are even harder and look cheaper and what makes it worse is they’re all misaligned with gaps here and there!
    ———
    oooo..beware of pro-proton’s.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Xx- Ferrari -xX (Member) on Nov 11, 2008 at 6:13 pm

    think twice b4 buying this !!! unless u r a fan of these cars !!!!

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  • mystvearn (Member) on Nov 11, 2008 at 8:43 pm

    Good review, unfortunately I cannot agree about this is a better car over the normal mini. It has weird proportions.

    Who thought it was a good idea to cut the rear view mirror down the middle just to place two doors. Maybe 2 doors are lighter for mini owners to open it.
    Also, BMW are not making right hand versions because 2/3 of the world drive on the left. Also they hope suckers in right hand countries to buy it.

    Maybe they know that this car will sell in small amounts, so they don’t care. I thought this car was build in Oxford, UK -right hand drive country..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • kei9 (Member) on Nov 11, 2008 at 9:11 pm

    If you want chick style, this is just for you

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  • theanswer (Member) on Nov 11, 2008 at 10:16 pm

    rm225k for 1.6 engine? same price as golf gti rite?

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  • BanyakMasukWorkshop (Member) on Nov 12, 2008 at 12:14 pm

    theanswer said,
    November 11, 2008 @ 10:16 pm

    rm225k for 1.6 engine? same price as golf gti rite?
    ———————————————

    golf gti is now sold at about RM188k brand new from VW

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  • Xx- Ferrari -xX (Member) on Nov 12, 2008 at 8:08 pm

    BanyakMasukWorkshop said,
    November 12, 2008 @ 12:14 pm

    theanswer said,
    November 11, 2008 @ 10:16 pm

    rm225k for 1.6 engine? same price as golf gti rite?
    ———————————————

    golf gti is now sold at about RM188k brand new from VW

    —————————————————-

    or u can even add another RM40K to buy volvo S80 2.5T… worth it !!!!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • varman24 (Member) on Nov 13, 2008 at 9:10 am

    klasik kasi rojak ngan modem.HMMMMM hope sales well

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  • ALPINA Bukard Bovensiepen GMBH + Co. KG (Member) on Nov 13, 2008 at 2:11 pm

    love this car, but i would have a bmw 3-series or audi a4 for the price

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

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