MINI COOPER CLUBMAN REVIEW

My car

I'm working through the mini range - starting with a mini cooper hatchback in 2002 then a mini one convertible in 2007 and my current car, a clubman, since September 2008.

The clubman is as good to drive as my hatchback but with better fuel economy. After the joy of buying my first mini where I was presented with flowers and the salesman couldn't be more helpful, the most recent experience was a bit blase - a bit "well we can sell it without trying, buy it if you want to or get lost".. very disappointing!

Getting in and out of the back of the mini clubman is a problem and the "magic door" (as my 4 year old described it when we bought it!) is absolutely useless - partly because its on the wrong side but also because if you try to use it in a supermarket car park, your child gets stuck between 2 doors as the back one cannot open sufficiently wide! We never use it now. Its also quite a squeeze to get into the back and my eldest at 12 years old is now begging me to buy something with "proper doors in the back". The tiny excuse for a middle seat with the awkward pull down seatbelt is almost unusable as a child who is slight enough to fit will need a car seat that doesn't. Talking of car seats - we've had real trouble finding booster seats that fit and that don't obscure the seatbelt lock... & we didn't feel inclined to pay mini prices for the privilege.

So, for me, good to drive, great on my own but compromised with rear passengers.

My car

Bought this car when it was 12 months old and had done 15k miles. Its got a million extras and full leather seats but these are not heated though the windscreen is!?!?! But this is possibly the only bad thing about this vehicle. I do a good mix of urban and motorway miles and consistently get 62mpg and the road tax is now twenty quid. The boot is roomy for a small car and it is nippy and very reliable. I used to drive a high spec 120d BMW which was fast and comfortable and whilst the mini isn't quick at the lights its just as comfy, not that different in size and does have the added economy aspect. High spec economical cars will be the way forward!

My car

I got the Clubman to replace my Cooper hatch at the beginning of the year and although on the surface it's the "same car" it's entirely different: quieter; better riding (and I still specced the Chilli pack and 18" alloys!); better built and seemingly more economical (although my Cooper regularly achieved 38/39mpg). Apart from the Chilli pack + 18" crown alloys I hit the options with Xenon lights + auto operation (Xenons ought to be standard on all MINIs), bluetooth (fantastic performance / connectivity) and double sunroofs (natty operation / excellent airy cabin) and finally PDC 'cos I'm rubbish at parking! I feel about the Clubman the way I did about my first "MK1" MINI (this is my third) I like the quirky looks and I've only seen a couple on the road which is fantastic! Too many hatches in rather dubious colour combos for my liking ... ...

My car

I picked my new Clubman up in January and have loved every minute of driving it. The engine is responsive and the handling is go-kart like, it hugs corners no matter how quickly you turn into them. So far I haven't had any reliability issues and the only time I have seen a dealer was when a stone left a big scratch and dent in the bonnet and the service was very good. The interior is a fantastic place to be and always impresses, fuel economy has been very good on a mix of driving.

I can't say enough good things about the car it has been superb, it makes you smile every time you pick up the keys.