I've always heard that you shouldn't buy the first model year of a new vehicle. Does that apply to the Countryman? Since the engine is the same as the engine used in other MINI's, I assume that I wouldn't find any more issues than what already occurs in other MINI's. But what about chassis problems etc.

There's a 2011 I have my eye on at my local dealership, but I'm a little hesitant to pull the trigger when the 2012's are on their way. Any thoughts?
Would you buy now or wait for the 2012's?

 

I looked at the CM models on the dealer lots and didn't see one I wanted to live with. Then we sat down with our MA and went through the configured models in the pipeline and saw one we thought we might be able to live with and associated our names with it. It came in and we decided, after driving it, not to keep it. We revised our wish list and ordered just what we wanted. Two months later it arrived and we've been driving it ever since.

If we had found one "close enough" to our wish list on a lot, we would have gone for it. The differences between the 2011 and 2012 model configurations are few and, except for the penalty of having an '11 vs. a '12, may not be significant for you. I'd suggest that, if you see one you'd like to take home, you drive it, sit in it, and see if you want to walk away from it (as we did the first time) or drive away in it (as several friends have recently done).

 

Thanks for the advice!

 

no real changes between the model years, if you can find what you want now, might as well take advantage. You'll probably have a better chance of getting an ok deal now vs a brand new off the line '12

 

Nothing like building your own and waiting patiently for it to arrive, checking the progress online everyday, maybe twice a day. Then the euphoria of finding it show up on the website and tracking it on it's voyage across the Atlantic. Order it exactly the way you want it, you won't regret it. Our 91 day wait was worth it. Your MINI dealer may have one on order that can be changed to fit what you want, so you can have an earlier production slot.

 

I full agree with you, building your own is the end of the road I dont regret a bit for waiting more than 100 days.