So as I'm eagerly awaiting the arrival of mine, I'm wondering if anyone out there who has received their All4 has gotten into real aggressive driving in the curves. I know it is bigger than my MCS but I'm wondering how the Countryman handles.

Has anyone thrown it hard into corners yet? How is the understeer? Can you tell any difference with the All4 from the FWD MINIs?

I've got a great on ramp on I5 just north of my house that has 25 MPH signs on it that is just beautiful in my MCS at 50. Can't wait to try it with the Countryman.

 

Updated/correction; not sure about the understeer but...

The hardware — developed in a three-way partnership involving BMW, Getrag and GKN — uses an electromagnetic clutch to apportion power between the front and rear wheels.
Under normal driving conditions, the Countryman's ALL4 four-wheel-drive system apportions drive in an equal 50/50 percent split front-to-rear. However, it can alter the ratio to provide either the front or the rear with up to 100 percent of drive depending on prevailing traction. In a bid to avoid nasty oversteer as you close down into tight corners, drive to the rear is disconnected on the overrun.

 

Yes, most stock cars are designed to understeer so you just push or slide the front tires and the car generally heads the same direction.

If safety is your primary concern, then understeer is good and oversteer or kicking the back end around is bad. Ideal is a balance where you can drift around the corners and you can put the weight to the front or the back depending on what you want to do.

Generally speaking, stock MINIs will understeer. My MINI Maddness Rear Sway bar in the most aggressive setting took a lot of the understeer out of my 03. I'm really curious if the Countryman has a similar balance to my MCS or if they chose to make things a little tamer being a 4 door.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Understeer
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oversteer