^^ Totally agree on the brake pad compound. I have the black tunnels but even those seem to stay abnormally clean.

 

I moved from a 2007 Clubman Cooper D to a Countryman Cooper D, the biggest thing you will notice is the extra body roll of the CM, it doesn't handle anywhere near as well, it's not as chuck-able around corners, there are several corners on my way to work where I was 10-15kp/h faster in the Clubman, the ride is far more fidgety, I'm sure this is due to the excessive ride height, I've driven a lowered car, it was much better, both my MINI's have sports suspension, I think the interior quality is worse in the CM. The interior isn't good enough for the amount of money the CM costs.

I love my MINI but if I was doing it again and using my head rather than my heart I would buy a 1 series or a Golf. It's not that the CM is a bad car, it's just not anywhere near as good as it should be.