Mini Clubman [R55] Cooper S
Discussion
Well, after selling my Jag S-Type R [my STR thread - https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&... in December and then posting a bunch in Car Buying, I finally decided on and found an R55 Clubman Cooper-S auto. Autos are rare as hell, especially an N18.
So quite different to my Jag; but as the main aim was to buy a smaller and cheaper car to run as a daily, but at the same time be something fun and a bit different, I think I've done well
Only owned it a few weeks. Seems to be a good one [fingers crossed]. The plan isn't to do much to it, but I need to tidy up the 'de-chroming'; I'm not a fan of the alloys so may change them [I'm liking the idea of bronze]; and I wouldn't mind a fruity exhaust I guess!
Here's a few pics from the day I picked it up from the dealer...
So quite different to my Jag; but as the main aim was to buy a smaller and cheaper car to run as a daily, but at the same time be something fun and a bit different, I think I've done well
Only owned it a few weeks. Seems to be a good one [fingers crossed]. The plan isn't to do much to it, but I need to tidy up the 'de-chroming'; I'm not a fan of the alloys so may change them [I'm liking the idea of bronze]; and I wouldn't mind a fruity exhaust I guess!
Here's a few pics from the day I picked it up from the dealer...
The majority of owners do do it...I prefer the black look to mind you, so I won't be going back to chrome. The tape is starting to peal on the belt-line though and hasn't really be applied as tidy as I'd want it. Just got to decide the best method [tape/wrap, paint, or find out if Mini supply OEM replacements].
Welcome to R55 ownership.
I've had mine since September last year, so nearly a year, absolutely love it, I have a thread on it on here.
You probably already know this but there are a few things to keep an eye on, timing chain rattle being the most important.
If it hasn't already been done get rid of the run flats, make sure you keep an eye on the oil level and coolant level.
What audio does yours have?
I've had mine since September last year, so nearly a year, absolutely love it, I have a thread on it on here.
You probably already know this but there are a few things to keep an eye on, timing chain rattle being the most important.
If it hasn't already been done get rid of the run flats, make sure you keep an eye on the oil level and coolant level.
What audio does yours have?
BUG4LIFE said:
The majority of owners do do it...I prefer the black look to mind you, so I won't be going back to chrome. The tape is starting to peal on the belt-line though and hasn't really be applied as tidy as I'd want it. Just got to decide the best method [tape/wrap, paint, or find out if Mini supply OEM replacements].
Look at Kill-all-chrome.Cheers guys.
I'm not sure what audio mine has, I'll have a look at the spec. I'd love to do what you've done to yours
Yep, I've heard of Kill-All-Chrome. I'll definitely have a look at what they sell re de-chroming. I'll also going to buy the dip-stick they stock, as the OEM one isn't the easiest to 'read'.
Bobberoo said:
Welcome to R55 ownership.
I've had mine since September last year, so nearly a year, absolutely love it, I have a thread on it on here.
You probably already know this but there are a few things to keep an eye on, timing chain rattle being the most important.
If it hasn't already been done get rid of the run flats, make sure you keep an eye on the oil level and coolant level.
What audio does yours have?
I'm hoping, due to it being an N18, there's less of a risk on timing chain issues, but of course it's something to listen out for. I saw on your thread you mentioned yours developed a bit of a rattle, that ended up not being the chain?!I've had mine since September last year, so nearly a year, absolutely love it, I have a thread on it on here.
You probably already know this but there are a few things to keep an eye on, timing chain rattle being the most important.
If it hasn't already been done get rid of the run flats, make sure you keep an eye on the oil level and coolant level.
What audio does yours have?
I'm not sure what audio mine has, I'll have a look at the spec. I'd love to do what you've done to yours
Yep, I've heard of Kill-All-Chrome. I'll definitely have a look at what they sell re de-chroming. I'll also going to buy the dip-stick they stock, as the OEM one isn't the easiest to 'read'.
okv3 said:
A Hampton special edition no less, they were very rarely specified as a Cooper S never mind as an Auto as well. Very nice.
Yep, a Hampton. A previous owner of the car stated 14 sold in his for sale ad a few years ago! It's lost its bonnet stripes at some point, which is fine with me as I think I prefer without. It should have Hampton stickers on the rear side windows too, but are also missing. I think, being the spec it is, it should hold its value well. The dealer had quite a few enquiries, I was just 'lucky' to the first!Pistom said:
Great choice for the reasons you've given. It would be good to see interior shots too.
There's known common issues, some of which may well have been fixed at least once by this age.
I'll take a few interior shots and post them asap. Pretty decent place to sit...I'm 6'6" and appreciate the low driving position. I was looking at Abarth's but kept reading how high you sit [and that car would have been too small in reality].There's known common issues, some of which may well have been fixed at least once by this age.
BUG4LIFE said:
Cheers guys.
I'm not sure what audio mine has, I'll have a look at the spec. I'd love to do what you've done to yours
Yep, I've heard of Kill-All-Chrome. I'll definitely have a look at what they sell re de-chroming. I'll also going to buy the dip-stick they stock, as the OEM one isn't the easiest to 'read'.
Yeah, mine turned out to be water pump tensioner, not overly expensive but a pain nonetheless.Bobberoo said:
Welcome to R55 ownership.
I've had mine since September last year, so nearly a year, absolutely love it, I have a thread on it on here.
You probably already know this but there are a few things to keep an eye on, timing chain rattle being the most important.
If it hasn't already been done get rid of the run flats, make sure you keep an eye on the oil level and coolant level.
What audio does yours have?
I'm hoping, due to it being an N18, there's less of a risk on timing chain issues, but of course it's something to listen out for. I saw on your thread you mentioned yours developed a bit of a rattle, that ended up not being the chain?!I've had mine since September last year, so nearly a year, absolutely love it, I have a thread on it on here.
You probably already know this but there are a few things to keep an eye on, timing chain rattle being the most important.
If it hasn't already been done get rid of the run flats, make sure you keep an eye on the oil level and coolant level.
What audio does yours have?
I'm not sure what audio mine has, I'll have a look at the spec. I'd love to do what you've done to yours
Yep, I've heard of Kill-All-Chrome. I'll definitely have a look at what they sell re de-chroming. I'll also going to buy the dip-stick they stock, as the OEM one isn't the easiest to 'read'.
okv3 said:
A Hampton special edition no less, they were very rarely specified as a Cooper S never mind as an Auto as well. Very nice.
Yep, a Hampton. A previous owner of the car stated 14 sold in his for sale ad a few years ago! It's lost its bonnet stripes at some point, which is fine with me as I think I prefer without. It should have Hampton stickers on the rear side windows too, but are also missing. I think, being the spec it is, it should hold its value well. The dealer had quite a few enquiries, I was just 'lucky' to the first!Pistom said:
Great choice for the reasons you've given. It would be good to see interior shots too.
There's known common issues, some of which may well have been fixed at least once by this age.
I'll take a few interior shots and post them asap. Pretty decent place to sit...I'm 6'6" and appreciate the low driving position. I was looking at Abarth's but kept reading how high you sit [and that car would have been too small in reality].There's known common issues, some of which may well have been fixed at least once by this age.
If you're has tweeters in the bottom of the A pillar covers then it's the Harmon Kardon system which is actually ok.
Pistom said:
Great choice for the reasons you've given. It would be good to see interior shots too.
There's known common issues, some of which may well have been fixed at least once by this age.
Here’s a couple of snaps of the interior. Who says you can’t be 6’6” and fit two young kids in the back of a Mini?! Not sure it would be possible in the hatch though!There's known common issues, some of which may well have been fixed at least once by this age.
BUG4LIFE said:
Pistom said:
Great choice for the reasons you've given. It would be good to see interior shots too.
There's known common issues, some of which may well have been fixed at least once by this age.
Here’s a couple of snaps of the interior. Who says you can’t be 6’6” and fit two young kids in the back of a Mini?! Not sure it would be possible in the hatch though!There's known common issues, some of which may well have been fixed at least once by this age.
vikingaero said:
That's the exact reason I bought my N14 Clubman S years ago. The extra wheelbase makes the car more compliant and it turns from a B-road blatter to a stable motorway cruiser. Despite all my woes in my Clubman, I still eye up the classifieds...
Were your 'woes' N14 based by any chance Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff