| Long Term Test | MINI Clubman John Cooper Works |
| Arrival date: | | August 2009 |
| Price: | | £24,610 (including £2,380 of options) |
| Current mileage: | | 2,479 miles |
| Average economy: | | 27.8mpg |
| Relevant links: | |
First drive of MINI Clubman JCW
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Been anywhere interesting?
Our Clubman was drafted in for a shopping trip to Belfast, which was illuminating for more reasons than just the twinkling lights covering the city. First of all, it came as a surprise that, once you stick to the motorway limit, the MINI is actually quite a comfortable motorway car. The normally goading engine note eases away into the background and the rock solid body control means it's all too easy to allow the speedometer's needle to sweep gradually upwards. Thankfully cruise control takes care of that... There were only two of us in the car, but a day's shopping was easily contained in the boot. While it's a little larger than the hatchback's, it's still not exactly commodious, but the movable floor helps.
Anything stand out...?
After our journey to the north the Clubman was black with winter road dirt so it was treated to its first wash in our ownership (I know, we should be ashamed) and the blue paintwork has come up sparkling. In fact, it's the first time the car has been clean since we removed the roof bars and it really does look the business. I can understand how some might not like its quirky design, but we do, even if there are serious consequences for visibility.
...and for the wrong reasons?
Other than the massive blind spot created by the 'Clubdoor', it takes some getting used to the vertical split in the rear. Admittedly, it's a design feature we're happy to compromise on.
The fuel consumption is more difficult to stomach. Even after a few hundred motorway miles we're struggling to get near 28mpg. That would be acceptable if we had had the chance to exploit the hot hatch side of the MINI's personality, but conditions have not allowed that as much as we'd like. Let's hope it improves with time, as the engine still has relatively few miles on it.
Where next?
The MINI continues to wheedle its way under our skin, despite the criticisms mentioned above. I even overheard my wife comment to a friend how much fun it is to drive and she's not what you'd call a car enthusiast. Given the freezing conditions and icy roads it's probably time to open the bonnet and check the MINI's fluids, along with its tyre pressures. We're always banging on about how drivers should regularly do basic maintenance while we swan about in brand new cars and too often forget to do the same...
