Hit or Skip? 1st Gen Mini Clubman

"KatzManDu" (KatzManDu)
09/28/2015 at 13:21 • Filed to: None

Long story short my wife has significant knee issues and has been diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder. Climbing in and out of the BMW 520d and using the clutch has been difficult for her. Plus, we need a second car.

Enter the Mini Clubman. It’s big enough for the four of us for the school run, gets good mileage/sips fuel, and the driving position is more comfortable. An automatic transmission means no more stomping on the clutch with a knee that has no cartilage. The 1.6L engine and very low CO2 emissions means one of the lowest tax brackets in Belgium.

What say, ye, opponauts?

http://www.autohandelquintens.be/go.to/modix/3,…

DISCUSSION (19)

Steve in Manhattan > KatzManDu
09/28/2015 at 13:25

Rented one once - entirely forgettable, but that doesn’t sound like it factors in. If she’s happy with it, that’s all that counts.

duurtlang > KatzManDu
09/28/2015 at 13:26

Pricey, but rather low kms for a 7 year old diesel as well. This is a car you buy because you love how it looks and/or drives, because from a rational financial/practical point of view it makes little sense.

KatzManDu > duurtlang
09/28/2015 at 13:29

True; I don’t want to go into hock while living over here, but Minis seem to hold their value well. They have also had it on their lot for a while so hopefully they’re ready to deal.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > KatzManDu
09/28/2015 at 13:29

Jalop or Chop?

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > KatzManDu
09/28/2015 at 13:33

I’ve always liked them.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > KatzManDu
09/28/2015 at 13:39

Sorry to hear your wife’s having issues. As for the Mini, I have no idea about the diesels but my friend’s Cooper petrol has been reliable enough (other than a strange appetite for clutches). The servicing and parts it has needed have been very pricey though for a little car.

64Mali > KatzManDu
09/28/2015 at 13:41

I know the US market Auto Minis used a CVT which was downright awful and would fail all the time. Is it the same over there? If so I would avoid it as its a non repairable transmission.

Yossarian > KatzManDu
09/28/2015 at 13:45

If getting in and out of the car is what is bothering her the Mini might not be much better. Definitely take a look at the Countryman, despite the stereotype it’s actually a very compact car, only slightly bigger than the Golf.

My citroen won't start > KatzManDu
09/28/2015 at 13:54

http://fr.ww3.autoscout24.be/classified/277…

How about this?

boxrocket > KatzManDu
09/28/2015 at 14:12

If she has knee issues, get something taller so she can slide in and out, no bending down to get in. My parents both have had knee replacements and I'm working on having my mom get in a Mazda CX-3 or Cx-5. Minivans (or "nano-vans" like the Mazda5) and small crossovers - even the Mini Countryman - would be a better bet.

TheAnswerIsAlwaysCitroën > KatzManDu
09/28/2015 at 14:17

1st gen Clubman? Go for it!

Kinja'd!!!

Though it didn’t come with a 1.6...

Khatzy > KatzManDu
09/28/2015 at 14:31

Wife here. Our wagon is low. Very low. It’s an E39 5-series. I love it, but the clutch is a bitch and it’s lower to the ground than most realise (believe me, live with a f’d knee and then we’ll talk). We’ve discussed a Kia Soul but they’re few and far between here. My sister had one in the US but just traded it in, so we’re familiar with it. The Soul and a Countryman have nearly the same ground clearance, at 5.7/5.9 vs 4.7in in our wagon. Granted our wagon is a rarity (yes, E39 diesel wagon.. love it, but can’t do it anymore) for ‘muricans, we’re heading towards something I can’t operate. And being 33 with two kids under 10, I need a f’ing car. I’ve looked at some of the Euro brands (Citroen, Renault, etc.) and nothing really interests me. They all look the same (they scream “beige”) and just.. meh. A Juke is in the far recesses of my mind as a backup backup backup, but that’s a worst case scenario. Also, I don’t do anything that even remotely resembles a van. Period.

Khatzy > boxrocket
09/28/2015 at 14:33

Ugh. No. (I’m the wife.) I have a friend with a Mazda CX-5 and no. I can’t do it. Too much van. I’ve googled the shit out of ground clearance and various vehicles and have a list. I’m not the typical housewife that wants a basic car. I’m actually quite gutted that I can’t drive a manual transmission as well (and soon not at all) anymore, because I <3 it. I mean, Spa is only a couple hours away...

KatzManDu > My citroen won't start
09/28/2015 at 15:14

Cool, but I think it would be declared as “ugly” by the wife.

I like that it is the “FAP business pack” :D

My citroen won't start > KatzManDu
09/28/2015 at 18:22

So I see, I definitely think you should take your wife to pick the car based on how easy entry/getting out and comfort is. Minis where always hard for me because they have those sporty seats and are too close to the ground. Crossover-ish things that are not lifted seem like a better bet and require less effort.

http://fr.ww3.autoscout24.be/classified/277…

Tikigod > 64Mali
09/28/2015 at 20:21

CVT was only available from 2002-2006, clubman didn't appear till 2008, which offered a traditional 5 speed auto

64Mali > Tikigod
09/28/2015 at 20:48

Good to know my knowledge of minis is what breaks on them.

KatzManDu > My citroen won't start
09/29/2015 at 04:20

Yeah. We looked at the 4-door Mini. A little pricey.

Laurence > TheAnswerIsAlwaysCitroën
10/04/2015 at 06:39

...not from the factory ;P

The 1.6 vtec is a surprisingly popular swap, especially in clubmans, where there’s more engine bay space. I believe you can buy a kit to do the conversion if you’re brave enough