Merry Christmas everyone!

I am an unlikely, yet thrilled owner of a new to me 2014 Countryman S. The story behind how I wound up in this car is long and boring, so here's the cCliffs Notes:

- 2008 Jeep Liberty needed $4k to pass inspection
- Needed tires all the way around
- Needed rear gate
- Needed new oil pan
- Still owed $9k on the note
- First time upside-down on an auto loan in my life
- #neveranotherJeep

The good news: Owner of a giant auto dealership is a member of my gun club. Worked it out to sell me a car for what he took it in on trade for and roll the Jeep into the loan. The bad news: I could not afford to get into a Tundra. After looking at several cars and small SUV's and hating them, I decided to just take my chances and drive another month until something else came in. The sales manager then asked: "Would you consider a Mini Cooper?" I laughed and replied: "A Mini Cooper?!? Are you serious? Look at me - I'm 6'4" 275lbs, you'll never stuff me in a roller skate." Hearing that, a 6' 8" 350lb salesman stood up and said: "I drove it for the weekend - it's comfy". I snagged the key, took it for a test drive in the pouring rain and came back 2.5 hours later. Hook. Line. Sinker. This car makes me smile.

I've had this Countryman for a month and a couple thousand miles now, (bought it with 49k, I'm up to 52k and change) and my love for this car remains. It just makes me happy - I even enjoy when others laugh at me when I get out of it. I do have a couple of concerns and noob questions. I have done some research on this and other sites. If anyone has some suggestions here in my initial post, I'd appreciate it. If not, I'll continue to search for answers and learn from you seasoned Mini owners.

- Headlights. At 52, my eyesight is not terrific. However, I find the headlights, (standard halogen) dangerous. Whomever owned this car before me, (I suspect a woman named Claudia based on a name tag I found in the glove box) must have lived in a well-lit city. I live way up in the mountains and find the throw of these lights extremely dim and low. You know your headlights suck when you can leave your high beams on and oncoming traffic doesn't flash you. I don't foresee a $1k conversion in the immediate future, but can't seem to find (A) a suitable brighter bulb replacement and (B) a method to adjust the throw.

- Tires. My Countryman came equipped with newish Nokian eNtyre 2.0 all season radials. I have no idea how many miles are on them, but they look like they still have a nice tread. I've driven them in a couple of New England snow storms and they seem to do well. I don't foresee me investing in snows at this point, (unless I absolutely have to). There is no spare kit whatsoever, (I assume it came with run flats). I'm looking for a good balance between aggressive traction, (snow, dirt back roads) and performance, (let it rip once in a while is good for the soul). I have a repair kit in the boot, but have not considered whether I should invest in a spare kit or run flats. Any advice would be appreciated.

- Key. It came with one. Knowing myself - that's a frightening prospect. Any sources for replacement keys that won't require me to sell my soul?

That's it so far - thank you for entertaining my ramble and thank you in advance for the welcome to the Mini Cooper community. All the best to all in the coming New Year.

Mark

 

Welcome to NAM.

You are now a member of an enlightened group that recognize the MINI is a great handling car as well as being much bigger inside than most think.

 

Welcome to the forum. I get similar responses from people when I tell them I bought a Mini as my daily driver. At 6’2”, some people almost look twice when they see me step out of it but It’s the most fun car I’ve ever had. I plan on keeping it a long time while my Hyundai SUV collects dust��

 

Hope that helps

 

Congrats MINIs surprise a lot of people.

 

Welcome to the forum

 

Thanks for the welcome and the advice all. This also represents my first vehicle that I literally did zero research on. I mean - zero. I test drove, signed and drove away with it a day later. Call it half desperation to get out of the Jeep (I drive a lot for my job) and half being just smitten with this car. Hindsight being what it is, I don’t think I would have changed my mind anyway. I am both relieved and now somewhat concerned about the clutch. I’ve been driving standard most of my driving life and can’t seem to locate a sweet spot in first gear. I’ve read a couple threads here already, so I’ll be tackling that issue soon I hope. Anyway, thanks again for the welcome and Happy New Year!

 

Welcome to the world of MINI. I have only been here a few days myself, but expect to be here long term.

My wife didn't want me to get a car as small as a Cooper. One day we were watching a home show when they showed the couple in a MINI Clubman. It was a view from the front looking straight into the car. I paused the show and asked her what kind of car she thought they were in. She said it looked like some kind of bus. MINIs, even the first generation Cooper are big enough for 2 fairly large people. They are even big enough for four if two of them don't have legs below the knees - at least in my convertible!

I hope the forum has some suggestions for the headlights. I am impressed with the headlights in my 2006 Cooper S Convertible. The low beams are brighter than my Mazda 3's high beams.

 

Welcome to the group!

I too did little research before buying Buster, and then my wife wanted one so we bought Lola, LOL! I was much like you, drive it, then try to figure out how to get that stupid smile off my face.

My favorite saying which I have on a sticker on my side window, "Life is too short to drive boring cars".

Enjoy!

 

Because it is bigger in the inside then it looks from the outside (Dr Who reference)

 

Hi and welcome to the NAM family!
You should go out and buy a good 12 volt air compressor that will store in the back, along with radial tire plug kit, with some liquid cement.

just to let you know, if you keep it serviced and in good shape, the smile will take a set on your face! These cars make you young!
Make sure to only use full synthetic oil in your engine!
Show us so pics and tell us about what trans, etc you have.
Congrats again!

 

Thanks so much! Having owned a Jeep, I have the tire repair kit covered thankfully, but thank you for reminding me to actually put it in the car.
I'm learning much already and appreciate the tip on the oil. You are certainly on the money - 6-weeks in and I still have fun driving this car. I want to stay ahead of maintenance as much as possible. Having bought it used, I have no window as to driving habits of the prior owner. I know from my inspection that codes had been reset 11,000 miles ago. Other than that - it's a closed book. I didn't purchase it at a Mini dealer, but did speak to a representative from the dealership this car originated from today and he's going to obtain service records and I'll go from there.

The car is a 2014 Countryman S All4, stick shift, winter package, nothing fancy in the technology department, (but fancy enough for me). Stock 17's with unknown to me, but surprisingly good tires on them, (Nokian entyre all season). Three storms in and I haven't been killed (knock on wood). As far as I can tell, 'Claudia' prior owner,never added any mods and took good care of her. She's pretty flawless, (the car, not sure about Claudia). I haven't taken a lot of pics, but here's a couple. Thanks again!

 

It looks happy in the pics! I am sure you will keep it that way.
The smile will not go away, when you are cruising in it. The fun is every time to drive it! Many people are starting to recognize how cool these cars are!