Hi everyone.

I'm a 2009 Clubman (base) owner. When I got it I made the consciousness decision not to get the S but rather load it full of all the goodies available at the time - nav, leather etc etc.

I've loved this car especially the 35-40MPG that I get regularly.

My lease on the car is up in a couple months and while I would love to keep it we need a bit more space and if I have to hear my wife complain about getting our little one and in and out of the car seat on the club door side in a crowded parking lot one more time I might jump off a bridge.

Therefor we've been looking at the countryman. We've test drove the the S and the ALL4 but not the regular (base) model.

While I would love the S in the Countryman I also want to pack it full of all the goodies. I've been fine with the power output in my base clubman - its fine nothing to write home about but fine.

So here is the question:

With the clubman being lighter is getting the base model in the Countryman a mistake? Please keep in mind my primary goal is to have the creature comforts and best full efficiency. I worry that the base countryman will really drag.

Thanks!

 

0-60 in 9.8 sec compared to 7.0 and 10% better EPA fuel economy rating for the standard CM compared to S. That sounds OK to me, but I've been driving for 50 years and my first car did 0-60 in 15 sec. That was considered rather good at the time. And how often do you need more than that level of acceleration?

Spend some time test driving a base CM on your usual routes if that is an option. Good luck with your decision.

 

If you do a lot of freeway driving I think the S becomes more fuel economical. When I test drove on the freeway at 72mpg the base was hovering at 2800 rpm vs the S which for me is hovering right around at 2200rpm

I test drove the S first then the base and it was pretty obvious the S was a better fit for me. So then I waited a few days and drove the base then the S. At first I thought the base could keep up with me, until I drove the S again and it kept up with me so much better than the base. Not from a fun aspect but from the ability to change lanes and speed up without pissing the guy who was fixing to be tailgating me off.

 

yea, if you are not into performance, and just need extra room get the standard countryman and load it up with options such as xenon with adaptive headlights, connected with rear park assist, and sunroof. those were my favorite options the countryman is definately more roomy and up higher off the ground so you step out instead of crawling out of the car. the 4 doors are soooo convenient.

 

We ordered a nicely optioned base model instead of the S. No regrets.

 

We test drove both models (multiple times) and went for the "s" over the base model. The base felt like a brick when we drove it (a bit better in the stick then automatic) but there was serious power issues and lag. We live in the city where zippy driving is a must so this clearly wouldn't work for us. Plus the car felt heavy and clunky. The "s" model was worlds better (in both models). We went for that over other options that we felt weren't worth the money. The nav/connect felt clunky to use plus with iPhones and nav systems available that work just as well if not better it didn't seem worth the extra money. Keep in mind we went in with the intention to buy a base model - but after test drives we realized we wouldn't be happy day to day with it's very limited power. Just our experience though.

p.s. we went for a few fun things like heated seats and driving lights - but the rest of the extras weren't worth as much as the "s" upgrade to us.

HTH

 

I *just* did the exact same change. I moved from a PW Clubman 2009 and went into a regular Countryman with toys 2012. The acceleration is a little bit more sluggish due to the weight change in the Countryman, but not bad at all -- just something to get used to. The cost difference between the S and the regular with all the bells and whistles you may be looking at is pretty steep. Test drive both, if you think you can live without the extra zip and have some more toys, you'll be happy with the regular Countryman.

 

thanks everyone. Great feedback. Dealer near now has some base CM in so I'm going to go give those a spin later this week!

 

I know I'm a little late in commenting - has the OP made a decision yet?

I had a base 2008 Clubman, and loved the feel and fuel economy, but getting a 7-year-old in an out of it in tight parking spaces was a nightmare! Thus, my decision to move to the Countryman.

I really wanted to consider the base CM, but after driving both, there was no contest. The base felt very sluggish, and I believe the salesman told me that the MPG was slightly higher with the S model. I need to have the extra power the S provides when getting on the highway. With my Clubman, I always put it in sport mode to enter the highway. With the CM S model, I don't have to do that. And it's REALLY fun.

I was going to load up my CM with options, but surprisingly went with the leatherette instead of Lounge Leather (like I had and loved in my Clubman). It is easy to keep clean and feels almost like leather. I don't miss it. The nav wasn't worth the money IMHO.

Best of luck with whatever you decide! Keep us posted!

 

I test drive both version Base vs. S and the "S" is much needed for the pick up and go since I can feel the car feel heavier for me. I would opt for the FWD instead of all4 though.

Here is the verdict from the motoringfile review.. read on with this link http://www.motoringfile.com/2011/08/...an-comparison/


"
The Verdict

We have one that’s too slow and one that’s just a little too much of everything. Then sitting in the middle is the perfect compromise: the FWD Countryman Cooper S. It’s not that the Cooper is too slow to be a good car, or that the All4 is too buttoned up to be a MINI. The FWD Cooper S wins because it’s the closest thing to what we know and love in the MINI brand. More specifically, around these roads and driven back to back, it’s the clear winner when you look at performance and price. And (perhaps more importantly) it wins when asking the most important question: does it feel like a MINI?
We’ll be back to test the All4 Cooper S during the depths of winter here in Chicago as a follow-up. In the meantime, you can head down to your local MINI dealer and drive the Countryman yourself starting this November. MINI USA’s official on-sale date is January 8th 2011 however those who order November production will likely receive their cars before that date."

 

i ended up doing the complete opposite. i wanted to spend my extra money on the S and not on any options. i only have xenons, a bench seat and bluetooth

 

I really like the Countryman myself. I think it’s a great vehicle, especially for daily routine use. The only beef I have with it is the price but its replaced with fuel economy and performance.

 

Whenever I'm in for service my dealer gives me a MINI loaner, and it's almost always a "Justa". Each time I'm surprised how much I like it and how responsive it seems to be. Then later in the day when I get back in my S I realize I just would not be happy with a Justa, no matter what.

The best thing to do is drive both on the roads that you regularly use, then you can make a valid comparison.

I recently drove a friend's All4 across the state thru all sorts of driving conditions and roads and it was a real MINI, thru and thru. The Countryman will be a good answer for you in a MINI, no matter which version you choose.


But I'd get an S!

 

Anyway, in the end do we need the All4 since we already know how our FWD Mini handle fine in the snow and with winter tires they are like a tank. The current All4 is part time four wheel drive so why take on the additional weight. The different in the cost for All4 would pay for additional options.

All in all I think a Countryman FWD S is a fine package for daily driving with comfort and cargo space. Most of all the easy access of the 4 doors that we need.

I still love my Clubman S for its versatility of cargo and when needed the barn door is a plus.

 

Also a Clubman to Countryman owner...

I have a Clubman S with the JCW upgrade. Power is important to me. The CMSA4 has the pep, but you definitely feel the added weight in the car and how it accelerates. That's why I'll be modifying it for more power, because it sure could use it!

 

The power of the S should be the base model and the S should have even more power. Then MINI would really have something.

 

Well, I have a "Justa" and have also test-driven the "S" and personally, I don't see that much difference in performance. Yeah, the "S" is a little quicker in response times but seriously, why do you need to go that fast during normal driving? I have to reign my Base in on the freeway - I always end up going much too fast in it - and for hills and quick response, I just use the "S" button. We live in the foothills (lots of inclines) near a mountain range that we "play" in frequently and my MINI performs better than anything I've ever driven. Also, most of our driving is freeway here in So. Calif. and I've never had a problem entering an onramp or passing, ever. I'd take options over speed... Just my two cents...(and worth about that much)

 

I second everything Kandrive said. Just how fast do you people need to go?

 

Hey MCJoe,

How are the white wheels holding up? Mine is in the body shop right now, still scheduled to be completed on 6/19 with the WHITE Turbo Fan 18"s

 

The white wheels are great, and the thing I get the most comments on. They really make the car 'pop', even from across a parking lot. Honestly, the brake dust has been minimal. I was expecting the worst, because I had a chili red '03 with the white holeys, and they were a nightmare to keep clean. I used to hose them every morning before work, and every night when I got home. But I just love how they look and was willing to take all that on again. I'm very pleasantly surprised (even though 2 weeks is very limited experience) with how easy these ones are. I'm not sure if the design of these just doesn't let the brake dust escape, or what, but yesterday was the first time I cleaned them, and that was only because I wanted them to look their best at an Italian Job drive-in movie event my dealer had last night.

 

Speed is not power....Though you need power to speed...But that's not why I need it....Drive in an area where everywhere you drive is defensively and you'll know why you need the power.

 

As fast as possible.

 

Totally understand your point . Living all the way across the country, here in So. Cal., you have to be "defensive" some of the time but most the time we're pretty laid back around here. It's either 5 mph or 100 mph. I've heard stories, tho, about other large cities, and am glad I don't need to be as aggressive here.

I think there's a misperception about the Justa's (Bases), tho - that they just don't have the guts - and that's not true. It really does depend on your driving needs, whether to spend the extra $$ for an "S" or save some cash and go for a Base. Or better yet, spend it on your favorite options!

 

It's more like where I'm from, you need the power and acceleration to get up to highway speeds. Once at the speed you cruise. The highway I take home, the approach is all of about 50 feet and then you're merging with traffic...you need the power to accelerate at a rate to get you up to speed quick. "Courtesy" and "NY" don't always go in the same sentence here, it's disturbing sometimes..They see you coming and they accelerate while blaring the horn at you!

 

i have the 18" turbofan wheels in white and have no brake dust problem either

also agree on the look of the car with the white wheels, it really compliments the white top on mine

i think mini has changed brake pad compound to eliminate the brake dust problem

only time will tell how long the new pad compound will last

scott