Incoming - well at some point anyway…
Discussion
In common with many people the concept of life is too short was embraced last year when I replaced my everyday car (C63 estate) with a 991 touring. However, my kids are 12 & 15 and show no signs of stopping growing so family trips in my car involve a few complaints. Having said that, a week away in Cornwall last summer as a family of 4 in a 911 reiterated how practical they are.
To avoid a future rebellion it recently became obvious that longer trips away require a more practical solution and my wife’s current car, a Suzuki Ignis - is great around town but less so for a 100 mile journey so not a viable alternative (1st world problems….). As an overall package its great and very spacious for a car with a small footprint. I am happy to drive it and there is fun to be had in being able to extend all 88hp in order to make progress. However, there are downsides: a low rent interior and lack of refinement are the main ones - those factors coupled with a 4 year itch meant the search for a fun, interesting but better built replacement began over Christmas.
A mini has always been of interest and on paper the 5 door hatch looked perfect. The only problem is they are not very big - fine for around town but 4 people, luggage and also wanting to take the dog ruled the 5 door out. Therefore the other end of the range (Countryman) looked the best option but taking one for a test drive it felt huge - no doubt a consequence of the extra height. That left the other ugly duckling of the range - the Clubman. I cannot say I am a massive fan of the looks, but its idiosyncrasies make it interesting and compared to the other options under consideration (Puma, Audi A2, Golf, VW T-Cross, Peugeot 208) it has something about it and received the seal of approval from my wife - helpful given it will be her car. That just left the small matter of which Clubman to go for?
My wife has only ever driven manual cars and aside from my C63 the same goes for me. However, the Countryman we test drove was an auto and that proved a nicer drivetrain than the manual Clubman we also drove. So decision made - an auto Clubman, but which one? Well, coming back to the fact that life is too short, mission creep is inevitable and the most interesting Clubman is only available as an auto, a JCW Clubman is now on order…….
Spec. wise they come with most things but a few boxes have been ticked (mainly cosmetic) and the degree of personalisation is welcome. The many reviews I have read/watched suggest the ride is a little compromised so the std 18” wheels it is, together with the no cost adaptive suspension. Hopefully that makes a difference on typically rubbish city roads. I am hoping that it will be a wolf in sheep’s clothing - innocuous around town when driven gently but beyond nippy and fun elsewhere. The idea of a relatively small car with 300+ bhp is pretty exciting and on par with a 996 (albeit they were a bit lighter!).
I haven’t driven the JCW variant but have bought a few cars based on research alone so hopefully it will live up to expectations. Any feedback from owners is welcomed though as it is always good to hear first hand from others.
Delivery times remain extended so roll on June!
To avoid a future rebellion it recently became obvious that longer trips away require a more practical solution and my wife’s current car, a Suzuki Ignis - is great around town but less so for a 100 mile journey so not a viable alternative (1st world problems….). As an overall package its great and very spacious for a car with a small footprint. I am happy to drive it and there is fun to be had in being able to extend all 88hp in order to make progress. However, there are downsides: a low rent interior and lack of refinement are the main ones - those factors coupled with a 4 year itch meant the search for a fun, interesting but better built replacement began over Christmas.
A mini has always been of interest and on paper the 5 door hatch looked perfect. The only problem is they are not very big - fine for around town but 4 people, luggage and also wanting to take the dog ruled the 5 door out. Therefore the other end of the range (Countryman) looked the best option but taking one for a test drive it felt huge - no doubt a consequence of the extra height. That left the other ugly duckling of the range - the Clubman. I cannot say I am a massive fan of the looks, but its idiosyncrasies make it interesting and compared to the other options under consideration (Puma, Audi A2, Golf, VW T-Cross, Peugeot 208) it has something about it and received the seal of approval from my wife - helpful given it will be her car. That just left the small matter of which Clubman to go for?
My wife has only ever driven manual cars and aside from my C63 the same goes for me. However, the Countryman we test drove was an auto and that proved a nicer drivetrain than the manual Clubman we also drove. So decision made - an auto Clubman, but which one? Well, coming back to the fact that life is too short, mission creep is inevitable and the most interesting Clubman is only available as an auto, a JCW Clubman is now on order…….
Spec. wise they come with most things but a few boxes have been ticked (mainly cosmetic) and the degree of personalisation is welcome. The many reviews I have read/watched suggest the ride is a little compromised so the std 18” wheels it is, together with the no cost adaptive suspension. Hopefully that makes a difference on typically rubbish city roads. I am hoping that it will be a wolf in sheep’s clothing - innocuous around town when driven gently but beyond nippy and fun elsewhere. The idea of a relatively small car with 300+ bhp is pretty exciting and on par with a 996 (albeit they were a bit lighter!).
I haven’t driven the JCW variant but have bought a few cars based on research alone so hopefully it will live up to expectations. Any feedback from owners is welcomed though as it is always good to hear first hand from others.
Delivery times remain extended so roll on June!
I believe "seen through glass" on YouTube ran one for 6 months or so - was a loaner from BMW so maybe not completely unbiased but he had good things to say about it.
https://youtu.be/W8tmQKJ8O2Y
https://youtu.be/W8tmQKJ8O2Y
This video sums of my views pretty much when comparing the M135i and Clubman JCW, the JCW is no doubt more fun but the M135i is more practical and comfortable.
https://youtu.be/rqQALw-nY94
https://youtu.be/BRWutIHmcI0
Ps. We own both in our household.
https://youtu.be/rqQALw-nY94
https://youtu.be/BRWutIHmcI0
Ps. We own both in our household.
Edited by un1eash on Friday 11th February 19:21
Sim75 said:
Only complaint I had with my JCW Countryman was how thirsty it was. Unbelievable - and worse than my neighbours E63
Replaced with an x3 M40i which I adore. And way more frugal.
Ps: Family of 4 to Cornwall in a 911 !! ? Wtf.
Which JWC did you have? I've got a 2020 year with the 306bhp engine, averages 33mpg and is way better than the car it replaced ---- an M240i which struggled to break 30mpg.Replaced with an x3 M40i which I adore. And way more frugal.
Ps: Family of 4 to Cornwall in a 911 !! ? Wtf.
Notsofastfrank said:
I think the 18” wheels will come with runflats, whereas 19” are non run-flats. I have a JCW clubman with 19s and the ride is firm but not harsh, it manages fine on the very lumpy fenland roads where I live.
I love mine, hope you enjoy it.
The configurator lists the 18” as coming with normal tyres. Having endured a 330i numerous years ago with runflats - never again!I love mine, hope you enjoy it.
Tashadog said:
Which JWC did you have? I've got a 2020 year with the 306bhp engine, averages 33mpg and is way better than the car it replaced ---- an M240i which struggled to break 30mpg.
2017 mate, when they first came out.On a run it was fine, good almost, wondered whether it kicked in to 2WD
Around town i'd be lucky to see anything north of 20mpg - and i never drove it hard
I’ve got a JCW Countryman on order. It’ll be our fourth mini of differing flavours.
I’m curious to understand the cost of car tax on it. List is under £40k but with extras it goes over £40k so could attract the extra tax for five years. I can’t see how they’d know the cost of each car sold without it being an admin nightmare.
Anybody got first hand experience?
I’m curious to understand the cost of car tax on it. List is under £40k but with extras it goes over £40k so could attract the extra tax for five years. I can’t see how they’d know the cost of each car sold without it being an admin nightmare.
Anybody got first hand experience?
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