We picked up the countryman today and WOW it's so awesome to drive. I spent about 4 hours at the dealership between the paperwork (I'm broke) and I did some mods to the car too. I will post pictures later because the camera battery died.

The no holes bracket did not work but I am hoping my parts guy can find an alternative because the front looks better without any holes.

I love the space in the back seats and the HK radio sounds great. The xenons are so bright I thought the highbeams were on at first because it was so bright. Thank goodness the ***** for the radio looks easy to handle not like my 2007 R56. It was so sad to say goodbye to my first Mini but my daughter needed that leg space.

I hope everyone gets their countryman soon...it was so worth the wait.

 

Congratulations! Glad to hear your initial report is so positive. Looking forward to pix and more observations. Motor in good heath!

 

Thanks Midnight Blue! I hope you get your countryman soon. I have already started to do mods to the car...stripes..smaller antenna...and some other things I have on order as soon as the part is available. Make sure when you pick up your car to ask the parts department to print the accessories list.

I was able to get the rubber mats...thought my R56 would fit but nope had to go with the countryman rubber mats.

 

How much were the mats? The dealer had them in stock?

 

I really don't know I just added them to my order but my dealer, Mini of Morristown, is really good for OEM parts and offer discounts at website. I did get a stubby antenna for $30 which was great because my husband did not want the radio controlled car look. It was mini packaged but antenna made by Craven Speed.

Also, from the list they look like they will be offering side scuttles in Union Jack,black jack,yellow,blue,green and orange. I am so going to be broke with all the mods I want to do with the car.

 

Midnight Blue

My dealer got a shipment of the countryman mats for front and rear today.

 

Congrats inimini!! The thrill just gets bigger as you drive.

I checked the parts list, the mats are $53 front, $27 rear...Oh Well, after $33K what is a few more $ ?

My dealer did not have the mats Wed, should be in next week.

Mike

 

Thanks FiremanMike!

The floor mats fit really nicely on the car, a little bit expensive but like you said what's another couple of dollars.

The no holes bracket for the license plate at my dealer did not work so if the other brand you will be using does work please let us know because I really do not want to put holes in this car.

Still reading up on the car but so far it feels like a MINI all the way and it still takes those corners pretty well. Now I just have to wait for some snow.

 

Just came back from the grocery store, if you have seen the WX Channel, we are past 2" of snow and increasing. First impressions are very good, it walks away from a stop, the traction control cycles as expected with overall very good slippery traction. As with any front wheel drive car, making a turn in snow will cause you to go straight, it is not immune to physics.
Wifey is happy with the traction, it was well worth the $'s.
Pix of the 1st snowfall.

 

I assume you got the cold weather package? What are your impressions there?

 

Package is needed here, HOT seats, warm washer fluid, heated & folding mirrors work well. No complaints.

 

Finally posted some pictures under countryman photos. We went to our first rally today for Toys for Tots for Prestige.

 

Congrats again inimini2007. You've got a fine looking Countryman.

 

Congratulations to you all! It's been fun reading your enthusiastic reports - MINI USA ought to give everyone a gift card for accessories for helping to sell the new Countrayman.

 

Do you have the heated front windshield? I see it referenced in the manual but no one mentions it anywhere else? I think the button is a round one on the bottom left.

 

The heated windshield doesn't come on US spec MINI's :(

 

So is there a "blank" button where it would be?

 

Yep. Like if you look at an R56 a/c controls you'll see a blank round button on the left and that's where the windshield heater button would be.

 

Any other blank or missing buttons or switches on a loaded Countryman?

 

We have a total of 5 button blanks.
1 in the center of the overhead light controls.
1 on the lower left of the heater control bar (it looks like the MINI wing emblem as we have the standard AC)
3 on the lower switch plate. On that plate is the Fog light button, the window lock button, the Sport mode button and the DSC? off button.

 

Just picked up my car ! It was short drive home in the dark. The feel of the car is great. It felt great on the highway, need to learn the nav and XM. I have a good trip for work tomorrow and will write more and post pics

 

Congrats. I think I'll have to spend a couple hours in the driveway figuring out the whole thing. Please report on your experiences with the Nav, especially if you are an iPhone user. I plan to place an order within the next week or so!

 

Congrats! Looking forward to pix and your review. Otto's right? When did you order?

 

already been outside twice! No iphone but paired with droid went well. Seems like it automatically pulled my contacts from my phone into the address book of the car.

Yes, Otto's order 10/26. arrived at VDC 12/8 and Otto's today

 

Good to hear your droid paired without problem. Have you tried your bluetooth out yet? I had one in my 07 MINI S and I stopped using it because I could hear fine but anyone I called couldn't hear me.