THERE I was, saying how much I was looking forward to getting out and enjoy this big MINI in my last report, but thanks to mindless vandals it wasn’t to be in the MINI Clubman Cooper D: Second report. As just a couple of weeks after filing said report, our Clubman was back at MINI UK’s headquarters needing urgent cosmetic repairs!

How come you’re probably asking?  Well, along with five other cars on my street, some yet to be caught vandals decided to use my Clubman as a mobile trampoline, leaving the bonnet and roof with noticeable dents.

After uncomfortable calls to both MINI and their insurance company, the necessary arrangements were made and YC65UAK was collected and replaced with another matching Pure Burgundy Clubman from the MINI fleet – in fact, the only difference was the letter D at the end of the registration plate.

YC65UAD was an interesting comparison to the MINI I’d just spent over two-months with, as it had more miles on the clock and odd noises! However, that didn’t stop me piling on the miles and finding out more features of this big MINI that I like.

It’s not a cheap option at £1,010, but the MINI Navigation XL pack has certainly proved its worth whether on business, or out to see friends. Its constant updates have helped save time avoiding M25 closures.

I’m also a fan of how easily my phone connects with the Media Pack, making it easy to stream music from my phone and make calls.

With over 1,000 miles covered between two Clubmans and this MINI has continued to be reasonably frugal considering how I drive it. Our most recent tank taking us 450 miles, equalling an average consumption figure of 42.62mpg – that’s a little way short of the 68.9mpg official figure, but I reckon there’s a lot more to come!

Those optional 18-inch ‘Star Spoke’ alloys might fill the arches quite nicely, but even with the comfy sports seats and in its most forgiving ‘Mid’ mode, on the motorway the ride feels fidgety and sometime harsh and uncomfortable.

Also, despite the excellent Park Distance Control, with its sensors all around the car, all-round vision isn’t good with the Clubman’s thick roof pillars and split rear window.

Those dents weren’t easy to remove, in fact from what we understand the roof creases were a particular source of annoyance for the body shop – with them even considering a complete new roof skin! In the end, after some careful metal massaging and a new bonnet, UAD was taken away and UAK was returned to me.

Let’s hope the next month with the Clubman is less action-packed and that I can improve the fuel consumption. Here’s hoping…

MINI Clubman Cooper D: Second report – the figures