Originally Posted by polojankins

...the sport button does indeed influence the behavior of the suspension...

Originally Posted by polojankins

Not wanting to argue...just wanting to ensure we clarify what it is we're paying for when we add the $500 sport suspension.

According to the Mini site as well as other write-ups about the car, the sport button does indeed influence the behavior of the suspension.

-From the Mini Site
"Those looking for a little extra pick-me-up will love the increased shift points and firmness of sport mode"

-From the Mini Site
"For even more aggressive performance, the sport suspension features even more aggressive springs and dampers."

-From AutoBlog
"The Countryman has a Sport mode that tightens up the steering rack, improves the throttle response and stiffens the suspension to provide a more engaging feel on the road."


Black Mini Countryman with Black Wheels by MWButterfly, on Flickr

Originally Posted by 03mini-S

The Autoblog is wrong in stating that the Sport button stiffens the suspension.
There is a difference between the Sport Suspension & the Sport Button. The Sport button merely tightens the feel of the steering, changes the shift mapping of the transmission and on the S model, the engine fuel mapping to cause exhaust burble when decelerating.
The Sport Suspension option gives you stiffer springs, dampers and thicker anti-sway bars to give better handling in curves.

Originally Posted by magpullin

I had to check into this too and found out what the others have said, the sport button does nothing for the suspension itself, with or without the sport suspension package.
Love the Black and Anthracite, mine will be the same, but an S with 18's.
Matthew

Originally Posted by jake703

I really love your car...in fact the only thing that has stopped me from ordering the same exact thing is I am trying to decide if white stripes would add or distract from the whole all-black. Mini sure seems to think it is a negative because they try to make you change to a white roof, yet you can get around it later in the configurator. Deciding on whether to upgrade to cloth seats as well.

I sure wish I could see a black one with stripes! I love the white with the stripes but black is the color that never gets old with me on any car.

Congrats again!

Originally Posted by jake703

I really love your car...in fact the only thing that has stopped me from ordering the same exact thing is I am trying to decide if white stripes would add or distract from the whole all-black. Mini sure seems to think it is a negative because they try to make you change to a white roof, yet you can get around it later in the configurator. Deciding on whether to upgrade to cloth seats as well.

I sure wish I could see a black one with stripes! I love the white with the stripes but black is the color that never gets old with me on any car.

Congrats again!

Originally Posted by polojankins

This is the same dilemma I have right now. In fact I have an appointment this friday to have white stripes put on. But after seeing these pics that i took last night...I'm torn. I almost want to back out and leave the car all black. To further cloud my mind, I'm confused between Bonnet Stripes or Sport Stripes.

Originally Posted by polojankins

Its funny you should ask about how I got those wheels.

So here's what happened:

I live in Dallas, but my leasing agent at D& M leasing located this car at a dealership 220 miles away from me in Edmond Oklahoma. (It was equipped the way I wanted it except that it had the Silver wheels) This car had been on their lot for about 3 weeks and was the car that everyone was test driving. Even though it was well equipped no one bought it...mainly they think because it was triple black. (Black Car, Black Top, Black Seats)

So when I was presented the car, I said I'd be interested if and only if the dealer was willing to switch out the silver wheels with the anthracite wheels. The dealer had a silver cooper S on the lot with the anthracite wheels and so he switched them out for me at not charge.

The next day when I went to get the car, the dealer said that there were 3 different people who came in that morning before I got there, asking to buy the black car with black wheels. Unfortunately for them it was already sold!!!

So that was a long winded way of saying I had a couple of things working for me. They didn't think they could sell the black car with black top...and I had my leasing company ready to wire them $27750. So they bit on my request.

Originally Posted by MINI USA

Plus, on MINI Cooper S Countryman and Cooper S Countryman ALL4 models, the exhaust makes a distinctive “popping’ sound during deceleration.

We almost called it the ‘yyiipppeeee’ button. But all the letters didn’t fit.

Originally Posted by polojankins

Its funny you should ask about how I got those wheels.
... The dealer had a silver cooper S on the lot with the anthracite wheels and so he switched them out for me at not charge.

The next day when I went to get the car, the dealer said that there were 3 different people who came in that morning before I got there, asking to buy the black car with black wheels. Unfortunately for them it was already sold!!!

Originally Posted by polojankins

(Disregard the plump older gentleman in the Speedo)

Originally Posted by MaybeMCSC

Pardon my color-challenged eyes - what color is Mr. Speedo's car?

Originally Posted by JWA

Looks great. The non-S grill/bumper treatment looks so much better than the frown on the S.