The Mini that changed my mind
2017 Clubman John Cooper Works All4 wagon is a fun ride
I drove for the joy of driving. It was that simple, pleasurable. The little car was responsive and peppy, the poetry of driving in motion. I was happy behind its wheel.
It was the 2017 Mini Clubman John Cooper Works All4 wagon, redesigned in 2016 and presented in a way that made me favorably rethink Mini automobiles.
My wife, Mary Anne, and I owned a 2001 Mini Coupe — one of the first Mini cars resurrected by BMW, the current designer and manufacturer of all things Mini.
We loved that little coupe — drove it everywhere in all kinds of weather. That affection lasted for five years — until repair bills mounted from one thing after another: two flat rear tires and an engine failure, followed by transmission problems.
It was expensive. I swore we’d never buy or consider buying another Mini.
I was wrong. I’d buy the Mini Clubman John Cooper Works All4. But I’d do a better job of taking care of it, which is what I should have done with that 2001 coupe.
I love this new Mini Clubman — to the extent that you can “love” any material thing. I’ve learned over the years that it pays to look at where a vehicle is assembled, to get some idea of the history of the plant’s workers, their sense of pride and duty.
The 2017 Mini Clubman was made in Oxford, England. That is John Cooper country — John Newton Cooper, the legendary car racer who, with his father, Charles, co-founded the Cooper Car Co.
Time and events change things. But spirit has a way of remaining. The spirit remains at the Oxford assembly plant. You can tell by closely examining the finished product.
Everything fits. Everything is finished, including the John Cooper Works Sport seats, which have additional lateral support. The engine comes from BMW in Germany: a 2.0-liter, twin-turbocharged, gasoline four-cylinder (228 horsepower, 258 pound-feet of torque).
It is a beautiful little engine! But it has BMW’S appetite for required premium fuel, delivering 23 miles per gallon in the city and barely 30 mpg on the highway.
To support fuel efficiency and travel convenience, the Mini Clubman John Cooper Works wagon is equipped with 18-inch “run-flat” tires. They are a good idea for keeping you going in an emergency. They can run 50 miles at about 50 mph after taking a nail or spike on the road. But they are structurally hard little things that allow you to feel the imperfections of an imperfect road.
I can live with that. There is so much else to like in this car. Equipped with the “technology package,” it is a safe companion on the road, especially on long drives. It comes with blind-side monitoring and real-time traffic information.
There also is a wireless charging system for your phone. But mostly, it is a fun ride, accompanied with enough utility in the Clubman John Cooper Works to make a weekend trip or overnight drive pleasurable.
I like this one.