Search
Close this search box.
Sign up for our weekly Newsletter

MINI Clubman Cooper D Fourth report: Likeable estate with a split personality 

MINI Clubman Cooper D LT4
MINI Clubman Cooper D - getting used to the ride on the 18-inch wheels

Share

12 August 2016

MINI Clubman Cooper D Fourth report

If you’ve been following my MINI Clubman Cooper D  long-term reviews, you’ll have probably noticed we haven’t had the best of luck with this car so far, with vandalism and wheel scuff already happening during our six-month tenure.

Well, I am pleased to announce that our fourth month with the big MINI estate has passed without damage. Yes!

That’s a great thing, as after four months together, I must admit I am really enjoying this car – whether it’s a long or short trip. Yes, okay it’s not very MINI in its dimensions, but the all important MINI characteristics of sharp steering, tidy handling, slick manual transmission and willing performance remain undiluted.

I’m even growing used to the bumpy ride on the 18-inch alloy wheels – although I’m not really a fan.

Pair that up with the Clubman’s driving modes and you’ve got a different MINI for each adventure!  Sport is definitely the liveliest way to drive this Cooper D Clubman and I’m a particular fan of the sharper throttle response.

Mid is middle of the road, the default one, and as such the one I use the most. However recent stop/start motorway work, with a low range, has seen me use the green mode more, to eke out those welcome extra miles of mpg.

I promised in my last report that I would try to improve this MINI’s mpg, and I’ve visited the diesel pump just twice in the last month and 1,000 miles. But perhaps I’ve been too liberal with my use of the Sport mode, as I’ve been unable to beat my best so far – of 45mpg.

There’s no doubt that like the rest of the MINI range, the Clubman is every bit the premium estate. However, a trip back to Plant Oxford to try the new All4 all-wheel drive versions of the big MINI estate, has made me realise how far build quality has come since my early car. The doors in particular shut with better damping – rather than the clang of our car.

Having spent a lot of time in our MINI’s classy interior, I noticed that the Chester Indigo Blue leather-trimmed driver’s seat was looking a bit grubby. Thankfully, this was quickly sorted with some decent hide cleaner.

What a shame I couldn’t do the same for the scuffed door pockets and plastics, which haven’t responded as well to some plastic cleaner! Are they up to the quality feeling of the rest of the interior?

Expect a changed Clubman in the next review, as MINI have taken it back to give it a new look by fitting some official accessories to try. I’ll let you know how I’m getting on with them in the next report.

 

 

Share this article

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
WhatsApp
Reddit
Email

Want more motoring news?

Sign up here for our free weekly serving of motoring.

Sign up here for our free weekly serving of motoring.

Latest news

Top