After reading this review several years ago...
Here was a Mini with decent rear-seat room and cargo capacity, a Mini that could be packed with three adults for a night on the town, a Mini that could haul a bicycle or a small chest of drawers. But it was a Mini that longed for twisty back roads and 360-degree freeway on-ramps, a Mini with big, red Brembo brake calipers hiding behind large alloy wheels, a Mini with a Sport mode that caused the exhaust to pop and burble like a high-strung track toy. These were the initial comments in the Motortrend logbook that reflected the Clubman JCW's split personality.
The John Cooper Works package adds 36 horsepower to the turbocharged engine, bigger brakes, 17-inch wheels with high-performance tires, and a stiffer, lowered suspension. The extra grunt lops six-tenths of a second off the cars 0-to-60-mph time and seven-tenths from the quarter-mile run. Chassis performance is where this car shines. This is a Mini I purchased for myself, I had heard and read all of the hype, so I had to get one and try it for myself. It has not disappoint me. As soon as I got it we ran it through the shop for a checkup, installed a new clutch, had Brandon Smith (owner of Classic AutoSmith and my son) add his custom touches to if for me, Ultra Gauge Pack, K&N intake and off I went. Skip Smith Host: Caffeine & Octane NBC Sports Network.
This MINI is John Cooper Works Chili Red Clubman FWD with a Getrag 6-Speed Manual transmission with overdrive. 1.6L I4 DOHC 16V Turbocharged, 208 hp. Carbon Black Upholstery, Brembo ABS brakes, Air Conditioning, Alloy wheels, AM/FM/In-Dash CD/MP3 w/6 Speakers, Black Mirror Caps, Black Roof, Delay-off headlights, Dual-Pane Panoramic Power Sunroof, Electronic Stability Control, Four wheel independent suspension, Front fog lights, Illuminated entry, Low tire pressure warning, Power door mirrors, Power windows, Rear window wiper, Remote keyless entry, Speed-sensing steering, Sport steering wheel, Traction control, Variably intermittent wipers.
Front Bucket Sport Seats, Front anti-roll bar, Front reading lights, Occupant sensing airbag, Outside temperature display, Overhead airbag, Overhead console, Passenger door bin, Passenger vanity mirror, Power door mirrors, Power steering, Power windows, Radio data system, Rear anti-roll bar,Rear window defroster, Rear window wiper, Remote keyless entry, Speed-Sensitive Wipers, Speed-sensing steering, Split folding rear seat, Spoiler, Sport steering wheel,Tachometer, Telescoping steering wheel, Tilt steering wheel, Traction control, Trip computer, Variably intermittent wipers. We'll take the graphics off the windows. Southern California Car, with a clean Carfax and 2 owners.
