Greetings from Stirling

Thanks for accepting me to this forum but I have an admission, I'm not yet a Mini owner!

Having said that my ageing Alfa is (over)due for a replacement and I've been contemplating my next purchase for about 6 months or so. One of the walks I do on my daily permitted exercise during the lockdown takes me past Park's Mini in Stirling, where I've become rather smitten with a Clubman Cooper D Sport that fits my needs and budget. I've already emailed them to register interest for when this nightmare finally lifts. So I'm hoping it's only a matter of time before I'm properly a Mini owning member.

I do like a good forum, so I'm hoping to have a good nose about and get some tips and advice on buying from Park's and options for servicing etc.

Thanks again, Steven.

Welcome to NMS Steven. Sounds like your set on your next car. I’m a huge fan of the Clubman, I’m sure you’ve made a great choice. Any questions ask away and remember and post some photos when you get it.

Thanks William.

The car was registered in May last year so I'm sure there will be a warranty offered and I'm also sure that Park will try and tie me into their pay monthly service plan. After being a company car driver for 20 odd years, then buying my first car from Arnold Clark just over a decade ago I made the mistake of going down that route with them, ended up getting screwed over (IMO). Lesson learned, never to deal with AC again. I'm still wary of this option with Park. But not sure if there is a viable alternative local specialist in Stirling? My Alfa goes to McLennan's in Loanhead, which is a fantastic wee garage, thoroughly recommended for Alfas. My only issue with them is that usually dropping off and picking up meant being on the Edinburgh Bypass during rush hour, which is never pleasant!

I'd originally gone to Park's to look at a 5-door hatch in black, but the Clubman just seems to me to have a better stance. Below is a pic from their website.

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Looks a lovely car. As the is a year old there a good chance it’ll have the remainder of the TLC for servicing. MINI no longer offer TLC which is a pitty

Great choice the Clubman,also know the place you are talking about for the Alfa as I used to live in loanhead

Thanks again William. I'm under no illusion that my car will be anything spectacular in the Mini world, it's definitely something new for me though (hence my excitement), and my first "white" car.

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Originally Posted by badwolf340

Great choice the Clubman,also know the place you are talking about for the Alfa as I used to live in loanhead

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McLennan's are the very definition of a family run business. I'll be sad not to see them a couple of times a year.

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Originally Posted by scook94

Thanks again William. I'm under no illusion that my car will be anything spectacular in the Mini world, it's definitely something new for me though (hence my excitement), and my first "white" car.

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McLennan's are the very definition of a family run business. I'll be sad not to see them a couple of times a year.

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Every MINI is special. Let us know how you get on

Tempted to put down the 500 notes it takes to reserve it, but really want a test drive first. I've already been looking at getting the NMS stickers...

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Originally Posted by scook94

Tempted to put down the 500 notes it takes to reserve it, but really want a test drive first. I've already been looking at getting the NMS stickers...

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Clubman drives very well and are a little bit different on the inside from the hatch and convertible .....little bit more upmarket

I'm sure there will be no issues with the test drive, I'm very easily pleased! ;) My mate's wife has the hatch and he loves driving it, I ran my intentions past him before contacting Park. Got :thumbs up: from him.

Small update. Been emailing a Douglas Park salesperson all day and finally agreed a deal and price for my Alfa, so the Clubman has now been "reserved". One step closer to legit forum membership! :thumbs up:

Fantastic

Well done great news :thumbs up:

Welcome to NMSland :saltireflag:

Much prefer the alloy options with the Clubbie as opposed to the hatch

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Originally Posted by Crombers

Welcome to NMSland :saltireflag:

Much prefer the alloy options with the Clubbie as opposed to the hatch

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Thanks. Was just saying to the wife earlier that I can't help feel the car I'm looking at would look better with the two-tone black alloys. Her reply was "why don't you get some then?" :thumbs up:

I think the lockdown is giving the wife a severe bout of cabin fever, I showed her some decals I found on mini-graphics.co.uk and she gave them the thumbs up too!

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Originally Posted by Alasdair JCW

So the key is to keep the "lockdown" going until all your modifications have been purchased. :smilewinkgrin:

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Would seem so. However it's Catch 22, can't actually buy the car until lockdown is lifted and the garage re-opens. :frown:

Well Douglas Park are back selling cars, wheels are in motion and I should be collecting my Clubman on Friday... :thumbs up:

Fantastic news

Is it Friday yet...?:scratch:

Oh I’m sure you’ll know when it’s Friday [emoji6]


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Happy new car day

Thanks. I'll post some pics once I get it home!

Looking forward to it

After a wee drive through the Trossachs, she's home!

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Looks great. Enjoy

Lovely F54 :thumbs up:

Very nice, enjoy [emoji1303]


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