For The turbocharged 1.6 engine provides real hot hatch performance. It's refined, too, and returns a creditable average economy. Plus, the Chili pack brings some neat styling add-ons.
Against The Clubman starts to look really expensive when you are paying this much – and still have to raid the options list.
This version costs several thousands more than the non-turbocharged S, and given that Clubman buyers will want function more than fun, that's too high a price to pay.
The biggest mistake to make with the Clubman is to think that it's some sort of estate. Truth is, it's only a little more spacious and practical than the standard hatchback.
That said, the reasons for buying a Clubman rather than the conventional hatchback are sufficiently different that we think the most basic Cooper is all the Clubman you need, whereas there are strong arguments for choosing the Cooper S in the standard hatch. Ignore the less powerful Clubman One, though.
Whichever you buy, consider taking out one of the two very worthwhile low-cost fixed-price servicing packages: tlc and tlc xl. The £150 tlc covers you for a first service visit (oil service and micro-filter), brake fluid service after two years and a second service visit (oil service, micro-filter, vehicle check, spark plugs and air filter). Meanwhile, tlc xl costs £380 and covers a further brake fluid service, plus third and fourth services.
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