Introduction
 

Brief background. I am a young old guy, live in south Texas, US Army veteran '70-'72, gearhead from birth, been riding Harleys since discharged from service in 1972 and have had as many as three motorcycles in the garage at a time and even had a little BMW R9T in the pack for a while. I have belonged to a couple of Harley Davidson forums for many years so I am familiar with protocol, do's and don'ts and have learned that there is much value in belonging to a forum of knowledgeable members. I also know that as a newbie, I have a lot to learn about the Mini. I have always driven SUVs but added a Mustang GT, 450HP and six speed gear box to the mix in 2015. I have recently sold the Mustang and used the funds to purchase a BMW X5 40sI for the wife which is why I am here.

I plan to replace the Mustang with a John Cooper Works All4 Countryman in the very near future and after some review of other forums, decided that this forum might be the right place for me to come and learn from forum members that are much more familiar with the brand than I am. I have never been able to leave a vehicle in stock trim and always looking for sensible upgrades to performance, convenience and aesthetics and believe this new adventure will be an extended one that will afford opportunities for those upgrades and will be looking for guidance from those forum members that "have been there and done that"

I will leave it at that and look forward to participating; see you on the road.

EDIT: First question; 2024 or wait for 2025?
EDIT: Wow, 60 views and not a single reply:sad:

Hello and welcome!

The 2024 are nice, 2025 will have a major design change, some people don't like the body and design.

2024

https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod...h&resize=640:*

2025

https://www.drive.com.au/news/2024-m...-jcw-revealed/

https://images.drive.com.au/driveau/...fndo0pjnovjoy5
https://images.drive.com.au/driveau/...fxzqifl9p9moaf
https://images.drive.com.au/driveau/...woafhdknj8v4bx
https://images.drive.com.au/driveau/...v2rlgrjwysldwa

Thanks for the reply. I have gathered that some are not happy with the body and design but I am not a purist. So if BMW has painted outside the lines and the purist grown, matters not to me. I might be hesitant if platform and drivet train changes were being made but the little I have learned so far indicate that the 2025 changes are mostly cosmetic with somme bells and whistle changes. I have read comments about the "plastic" look of the 2025 but I just don't see it. I will keep reading as more information comes out on the gasoline powered Countryman; most of the info I have seen so far is on the EV.

Welcome!

I would drive the 2024 and see it you like it, 2025 might be a while till it comes out. Press just came out about it.

I have driven a 2024 Countryman; it wasn't the one I want, JC Works All4 with the 301HP motor but aside from that, I liked it. Did not feel small like I thought it would coming from driving an Ford Expedition for the last 23 years and I thought it more fun to drive than the Mustang. I found the suspension a bit harsh over RR tracks, potholes, etc. but not much different from the Mustang or my wife's Explorer. I am in no hurry and will most likely wait until there is a 2025 at the dealership. Currently there is a "no sell" situation on the minis in inventory while the dealership waits for the parts to correct whatever need correcting but, of course, you can still place an order.

From what I read, it will probably be January before any 2025s are available but, with a new generation, they will arrive when they arrive.

Yep, right now their is a stop. The suspension on the JCWs will always be harsh, you can change that out to smooth with aftermarket Bilstein or KONI struts. Get ride of the factory runflats, that helps a bunch.

Visted my local BMW/Mini dealer last weekend; wife picking up plates for her new X5 40sI. Talked to my gal Theresa, the in house Mini guru. According to her, 2025 production in the UK kicks off Fefruary next year and I can order the build for the gas powered JC Works All 4. Looks like a 3-4 month wait once ordered for delivery. Theresa says the JC Works All 4 will be 10% larger, a few pounds heavier and down about 8-10Hp so it 0-60 will be a little slower. I have been bouncing back and forth between waiting for the Mini and purchasing a Ford Explorer Platinum. Wife drove an Explorer Sport for the last 8 years. I just drove it from south Texas to the Mississippi Delta and back and really like the ride but would want the quieter, more bells/whistles of the Platinum chipped and CAI; that Ecoboost motor runs sweet. I will probably hold out for the Mini unless the wait for it gets extended longer than I am willling t wait.:wink:

Its pretty big. If you are hunting to ford explorer level in size you might have to wait two more generations. MINI will be the same as X1 size (as they share) and will be nicer then any ford on quality. For a midsize premium it beats most cars in its class. Buts will not get much bigger then an X1. Its like an X1 but a better deal. Also its will get better MPG but does takes 91 Octane.

Hope that helps. I rent a ton of cars from Enterprise to travel across the USA as its cheaper and i have free days. :)

Thanks. Not hunting in Explorer size; the Explorer was being considered when my wife decided to upgrade to the X5; pretty much in the rear view mirror now since I am not in a bind for a vehicle. My trusty old '03 Expedition is still running strong with 180K rolled up.. I won't be doing anything until I go in to spec out and order the Mini which will be February next.:wink:

BTW, I appreciate your responses; you are the only member of this forum that has responded. Maybe low enthusiasm for the 2025 Countryman.:confused:

Glad to help. Lots of people interested but they don't always respond. I can help more then just parts, that's the difference between us and everyone else that sells parts for MINI.

Most people on here respond greater to "fixes" and " My car just broke". Its a forum to help the DIY. :)

Good luck on the search, I would drive it 100% first. I would also drive the F60 version JCW as its ends production. Sometimes the last production is the best of the series "f60".