Congrats snowboard1!!! I just love the way this car drives and those Xenons are awesome too! Post pictures when you get a chance under the countryman photos.

 

I made a couple calls but was not moving, the call quality was good. Will try today on highway. I have had this in other vehicles and have always gone back to a $20 corded headset.

 

You paired your Droid using what??? Bluetooth? I didn't think there was any support for anything but iPhones at this time?
I have a Droid X and am looking at ordering MINI Connected on my car. My wife didn't want it on hers. Her car will hopefully get to PDC of NY on Dec 30th.

 

I connect via bluetooth for phone use. Not the connected function of the Iphone

 

I have just installed a gominigo.com no holes license bracket on the Countryman. Dave sent me a kit based upon pix and measurements I had sent, looks great! Takes about 5 minutes and a couple of tools, NO PROBLEM! One pix is the head on shot and the 2nd shows the clearance from the bumper.
Good to hear the 1st impressions mirror what has been posted, congrats to all who have taken delivery, for those who have not yet...Hang in there, it is worth the wait
OK, I need to make a correction. This is a prototype, 1st build for gominigo with them not seeing the car. They are making another mounting bolt that is shorter as they want the plate bracket closer to the car. I agree that in this case only, shorter is better! Give them a call and discuss your needs directly.

 

FiremanMike: Since you have the red stitch cloth/leather seats, two questions:

1. How would you say the cloth will hold up? Does it seem thick and a tight weave? I like the cloth/leather option a lot and think it adds a nice tasteful splash of color.
2. Can you actually smell the leather? I know... I'm just curious

Snowboard1: CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOUR PICS!!! I'm considering the same!

 

The red cloth weave/leather combo is very nice, hopefully the durability will not be an issue. We have the heated seats, the only way to go!

As to the leather smell, nah, not like the good old days when Jags, MGs and others wafted leather smells into the air for 10 feet from the car. Plus I gave up sniffing seats a few years back.

 

By the time I finished working it was dark so no time for pics hopefully today.
here are some observations in no particular order
I drove about 200 miles yesterday and I am very pleased. The car has plenty of power for getting on the highway and passing, even with keeping it under 4500 . Car feels very good on highway at 65-70 mph. The leatherette is nicer than I thought it would be, nice stitching detail. My itouch just died so I put some music on a thumb drive. It is pretty cool, you can sort through your files and see folder titles and track names. When you play a song the album cover comes up on the screen!

averaged 31 mpg for the day, it was 99% highway

I am not sure about the rail system, it looks cool especially when you have the lighting on, you can also toggle through different light colors.

As far as functionality, I have the split rail. If you have the armrest, there really is not room for much else. The cup holder the dealer installed, is kind of under the armrest, you really can't use and the e-brake rubs the cup holder. I will most likely use the built in cup holders by the console and put the 2 portable ones in the back.

I will hopefully get some pics today. I will put on another 600 miles by the end of the week

I

 

So far the bluetooth is pretty good with the droid. I had a couple calls while I was on the highway and it sounded pretty good. People I was speaking with said they could hear me ok, one conversation was for about 20 minutes.

The system in the car is able to access the phones contacts, this is an advantage over my acura.

you are able to scroll through your contacts and see all numbers

 

Excellent info on the seats from both of you, thank you. I haven't seen the leatherette in person (the launch car at my local dealer had black leather) so I'm curious if it is the same high quality as that in the 2011 cooper/clubman's this year. I'm also a year-round heated seat user, so that's a must have

I LOVE the emergency brake handle on the other models, so was bummed out to see (and feel) the new lever design on the launch demo vehicle this past weekend. Snowboard1's observation on the size limitation is a real concern I think (as I too am looking at split rail). I just want to have room for my phone there and will probably pass on the center armrest.

I wonder if there will be much mpg difference between those with 17" wheels and those with 18's?

 

[QUOTE=days-like-this;3175241]Excellent info on the seats from both of you, thank you. I haven't seen the leatherette in person (the launch car at my local dealer had black leather) so I'm curious if it is the same high quality as that in the 2011 cooper/clubman's this year.

My MA said he felt it was nicer than the leatherette in previous models. I will post some pics of the seats and rail area

 

The OP had a Flickr link, and his description says that he has leatherette. Much better looking than I had anticipated.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/5176573...7625526842568/

Only wish you could get some additional color options in the interior trim if you opt for leatherette.

 

Bummer, but it you get Mini Connected, you MUST get the center armrest.

 

The armrest area is pretty crowded...I really just wanted a place for my phone and a cup holder, probably will end up using the cupholder in fron to of the console. When I picked the car up they had the included sun glass holder in the back seat


http://picasaweb.google.com/mwdoughe...53993979175026

 

Yeah, I was surprised how far back the rail actually starts and between the e-brake and the armrest, you're not really having room for a phone and a beverage holder.

I'm guessing I'll have to find a place to hold the phone more up front if I'm wanting to use it for GPS. It should be interesting...

 

I have not found a good place for my phone yet, looks like cravenspeed has some nice mounts, maybe they will have some for the R60

 

If I remember correctly you have splash guards/mud flaps on the countryman. Could you please send some pictures as I would like to see how they hit with the black plastic trim.

Great car!
After I payoff my Bimmer ( 09 3er ) this might be my year round car as I store my bimmer for the winter!
I have Bimmer withdrawl at the moment!

Thanks

 

I just installed the mud flaps last Sunday and they look factory. Oh wait, they are! They do look good and blend right in, they continue the arc of the wheel well properly. I will take and post pix later, the car is at work with my wife.
Installation is straight foward, I did not remove any wheels just turned the fronts for screw access.

 

I am out of the break in period

Very happy with the power of the car. Feels great accelerating to merge onto highway. Plenty of power for passing without down shifting at highway speeds.

Need to learn about Connected/Sirius display options. As it is now, you have to go through 3 screens to find the artist and song title. I have not had time to sit in the car with the manual though

 

I took some pix this morning after going out All4 wheeling, We Got Snow!
Anyway, the snow high lights the flaps contours, the rear shot shows how they square the wheel wells at the bottom, looks wider.
The pix are in my gallery.
Back to the snow !

 

SWEET!! Those are sharp, now I want to get a pair for my wifes when we get it in Jan.

 

They look great! Did you get them from your dealer or order somewhere else?

 

Did you put snow tires on or are those your all-seasons? Enjoy the SN W

 

And how about 4 wheel power slides under full throttle?

 

Well due to the weather we cut our trip short and drove early from South Carolina to New Jersey. The ALL4 handled pretty well especially that snowstorm through Virginia. We have put in 2200 miles already but have to say the long 12 hour ride was pretty smooth and having all that space helped also.