Mini Clubman JCW 2020 review

[@chasingcars]

Re-upload as earlier iteration did not include our Charlie dog overlay on the video! Fixed. -Tom

[@EvOLuT1oN]

It was between this and the Golf R for me, I went with the Clubman JCW, I test drove both and the Clubman gave me the FEELS! I LOVE MY JCW! GREAT REVIEW. 👍

[@nellethedrone3921]

Great review, having owned one now for just over 4 months, It's refreshing to see more reviews pointing out this underrated car. I am a mum, and love my cars. Having owned the F56 JCW previously i was worried I would miss the fun factor going into this bigger platform. I can say that 306HP engine is a riot and the all 4 system just means you can push it without feeling like its going to kill you. I think if you want hard scary fun but don't need the space, stick with the hatch all day long, but if you want to take others on that ride of fun with you. Take the Clubman. Just to note you can option armrests in the back, and the adaptive dampers in the UK as options however if you go for the 19s as is on mine, you wont be able to. Thanks!

[@azadr9231]

Legend. Thank you for making those references to the m135i. After all that is the closest competitor to this car.

[@chasingcars]

No worries. Thanks for watching.

[@ekimandersom4478]

Not for 7k more

[@BennnWJK]

I like the Clubman. Looks cool and has the practicality of a family hatchback. Looking to get one for myself soon!

[@chasingcars]

There is a lot to like about it.

[@harowerks44]

Owned the exact same Clubman JCW as tested for 18 months and has been an excellent car so far. The Pirelli tyres are a bit noisy on hard chip bitumen but have been great every where else. Fuel economy average is 8.6 l/100 klms, mostly city driving. Can drop down to high 5's to low 6 l/100 klm on the highway. Rear barn doors make loading and unloading so easy. Be nice if it had Android Auto but the Bluetooth works fine and the in car mapping is great. Previously owned turbo 6 and V8 Australian utes and this car is much more fun to drive and easier to park.

[@jwn851]

I love Minis! My grandparents and mum had the original minis and my dad had the first bmw reiteration when I was growing up!

[@chasingcars]

I think it’s really hard to dislike a Mini!

[@malcolmscott4150]

Love the JCW Clubman except for the price - a practical car that’s not an SUV

[@chasingcars]

Definitely a solid point!

[@andybYVR]

I appreciate wacky and wierd in cars. the polestart'd volvo c30 T5R, BMWs M Coupe clownshoe. Im all over this car - specially now it has the boost from 240hp to 305hp

[@chasingcars]

I am also a fan of the unusual and left-field… C30 was such a cool car.

[@tomforbes3422]

"Alacrity"... that's why I like your reviews Tom!

[@chasingcars]

Thank you, Tom! Trying to paint a picture as best I can.

[@howardweir7501]

Nice review, as usual. I like the locations you choose - was this the national park south of Sydney, towards Bald Hill ?

[@chasingcars]

Thanks, Howard. This is up Lithgow way.

[@aaronday7194]

Just watched this review again Tom, brilliant as usual! I was surprised to learn the Clubman is almost identical in every dimension to a Mk7 Golf. That begs the question: would you take a Clubman JCW or a Golf R hatch? Alternatively, does your view change if it was between a Clubman S (with the low-tune B48) or a Golf GTI? Thanks Tom!

[@SC-ou9gm]

I would take the clubman. It has more character.

[@whichdoctor4858]

Nice review. Finally someone who comments on the cabin noise 😂 What colour is this? Looks loverly!

[@ekimandersom4478]

Blue

[@cagf2013]

The fake vent in the bonnet needs to go.. thanks for the review

[@chasingcars]

Ah, fake aero...

[@donaldelder540]

I really like the rear taillights and looks, but like others have said, that’s a lot of coin for a small car

[@chasingcars]

Quite true - and thank you for watching.

[@RichardGallagher-vw5xr]

I will miss this Mini it is my favorite model. Strange that both of my Clubmans have backseat center armrests but mine are newer

[@Giannig613]

Great review Tom. I was under the impression that the JCW Pure with 18” wheels does have adaptive damping, it’s just the top spec model with 19” rims that doesn’t. Can you confirm? Thanks

[@mynotell]

I have the (european) top spec model and it HAS the adaptive damping. Does this help?

[@Giannig613]

Myno Tell thanks. We have a strange situation in Australia where the top spec model has 19” rims and no adaptive damping but the lower spec Pure has 18” rims and includes adaptive damping. I was just checking as Tom mentioned the Pure he tested had no adaptive damping.

[@mynotell]

@@Giannig613 lol, this is strange af. :D

[@craigpratt6192]

No market has 19" wheels and adaptive suspension. It's the same with the new M135. Adaptive suspension in comfort mode and 19" wheels isn't an option as there would be too much travel for the larger wheels to fit.

[@ekimandersom4478]

@@mynotell You don't, 19" and adaptive is not possible from factory.

[@w00t777]

This or the m135iX? Which would be your pick?

[@chasingcars]

Definitely this. The Clubman JCW rides better, steers better and everything feels more harmonious.

[@sturogers2964]

If I had a spare $60k I’d buy this car in a heartbeat!

[@chasingcars]

Definitely an interesting alternative to the rather ubiquitous Golf R wagon.

[@fredperry9235]

Me too

[@09shadowjet]

Excellent review! But how’s the rear visibility thru the center mirror?

[@seancook2264]

Took one for a weekend test drive and visibility is a little limited but not anything you don’t get used to fairly quickly. Suggest the panoramic sun roof is a good option at least in the U.K. to make the cabin feel lighter particularly for those in the back. Great motor and a riot to drive.

[@09shadowjet]

@Sean Cook glad to hear that! I’m looking forward to order the car

[@edwinchen4465]

Hi Tom, I would like to know your views comparing this to golf R 7.5. Thanks!

[@chasingcars]

I'd still go a Golf R 7.5 wagon for all-round ability -- but the JCW Clubman Pure is a great left-field alternative

[@king_man_ranger7883]

Really like the Union Jack tell lights 🇬🇧🇺🇸

[@chasingcars]

They're certainly very distinctive!

[@erwinvandevegte3992]

mr d k .. here in europe we drink soda out a can and not out a bucket of 1 ltr from the big M .....

[@chasingcars]

Indeed, hence the cupholders are European size.

[@andrewcaltabiano5780]

If you had 70k what's your best value for money car? A clubman, A35 or m135i?

[@ekimandersom4478]

Neither

[@tomforbes3422]

Hi Tom, I'd be interested in your views comparing this to the M235i Gran Coupe.

[@chasingcars]

The Clubman JCW rides better, sounds better and is altogether more charming. The M235i Gran Coupe is … fine, but it just feels soulless and not at all like a BMW!

[@tomforbes3422]

@@chasingcars Thanks Tom, that's pretty much where my head was at but I haven't driven both so appreciate your input!

[@enzof1240]

Cool color....saya suka

[@FreddyGunawan]

Nice review love it

[@chasingcars]

Thanks, Freddy.

[@TheHayabusa09]

Tom, when does the 3-Door JCW get to our OZ shores?

[@sparkford04]

I would have liked some comment as to getting into the rear seat via a restricted door opening.Tight for an adult?

[@chasingcars]

Yeah, it’s tight, but nowhere near as tight as the 5-door regular Mini.

[@sparkford04]

@@chasingcars Quite frankly not enough information. I'm not looking at a 5DR hatch. Can't gauge the relevance in your comment. It was just a reviewer omission ,hope this will help when reviewing in future -part of your learner curve. Another shortfall and rushed review : kzbin.info/www/bejne/q5SUq6aZpKiIhKc

[@akashghadi6173]

It is pretty impressive fabulous car 😍

[@chasingcars]

Agreed, Akash. We like the Clubman.

[@mariog5062]

Akash Ghadi Wait until you own one. Then tell me

[@renatojlopes]

I like it a lot!

[@chasingcars]

Same!

[@stunva]

Quick question, do the rear seats fold down ?

[@chasingcars]

Hi Stuart - yes, they do, in a 60:40 ratio.

[@thesrt8dodge]

They do. You can option out a 40/20/40 rear bench, which also adds a central armrest. Just thought I would point it out as Tom mentioned the lack of an armrest. Cheers

[@ekimandersom4478]

Nobody would buy it if that was not possible

[@lukelawrence6007]

Are these cars reliable

[@chasingcars]

You’ll read rather mixed reports online...

[@MrBruster78]

i don’t understand why journalists always accept the flaws of some cars. yes it’s a jcw but at that price i demand adaptive dampers and comfortable ride when i want to and hard ride when i want to. if other cars can do it at a cheaper price why not BMW/MINI. leather should also be a no cost option these days unless you want nappa or something more fancy. and seat heaters really an option $30k kia has them. ok i finish my rant but love the looks of the mini

[@chasingcars]

Adaptive dampers are not necessary when a vehicle has one properly engineered tune that offers good compliance over urban bumps and excellent body control while being driven athletically on country roads. The idea that you need adaptive dampers to do both is a new one and is not strictly necessary.

[@chasingcars]

I fully accept your comment about conveniences like heated seats, however.

[@MrBruster78]

thanks appreciate the reply. having driven one i feel it’s too stiff for the price. i accept it in my $39k wrx though been a fan of your channel keep up the good work..

[@chasingcars]

Thanks for the support. It is much appreciated.

[@sdhumphries]

MrBruster78 The car tested is a Pure model, which actually comes with Adaptive Dampers and 18” black wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres as standard. The Exclusive model comes with more interior kit, but has standard two tone 19” wheels with Continental tyres and no adaptive dampers. Ride quality in both is quite acceptable. The Pure has two damper settings tied to the drive modes (that is, no separate switch). I have driven both and just ordered the Pure model.

[@asjeot]

Mini or Middy?

[@chasingcars]

Pint!

[@selldivision]

I though this shared the ukl platform with the 135i?

[@chasingcars]

More or less. The new M135i technically sits on UKL2, which is just an update of UKL.

[@selldivision]

@@chasingcars Presumably just the electronic systems

[@bikebudha01]

No stick, no sale. OMG, this is a COOPER WORKS!! for pete's sake!!! Should be able to option a stick.

[@chasingcars]

Wish more people had that attitude, because then the manual gearbox wouldn’t be going away

[@Predators4U]

I can see those burnt out trees and leaves. The aftermath of Bush fire...

[@chasingcars]

Yes. The regrowth will take some time.

[@aw4610]

You look good in shorts, Tom.

[@chasingcars]

Very hot here at the moment!

[@aw4610]

Chasing Cars It sure is

[@davidsky3536]

The rear seats look narrow.

[@swenekaf1141]

When your wife wants a car to carry her dogs

[@chasingcars]

But carry them quickly.

[@pastorofmuppets8834]

4:26 will be very disappointed if I don't see that action in future videos. Looking so serious at the same time...

[@chasingcars]

Just workin’ for those dollar bills.

[@dsinghr]

why this huge dial on central console ?

[@chasingcars]

It’s a Mini thing.

[@delboy2596]

Where have you been for the last twenty years?

[@Luceq]

So frigging expensive.

[@chasingcars]

Yeah, though par for the course for this sort of power in a European hot hatch these days.

[@smaxwell4062]

Very Tastee😛

[@chasingcars]

Agreed!

[@jwn851]

FIRST

[@chasingcars]

So quick!

[@mariog5062]

$60 K you say? 🤣🤣🤣 I’ve owned one, won’t touch the brand ever again... even if humanity survives the global pandemic. 😆