Sounds like it was well worth getting the coupe. You got rid of all your squeaks and rattles!

 

Come to think of it, other than the tunes, it is really quiet back there.

 

I dont ppl understand the idea of a small SUV.
They also think the MINI brand must= small size. it can, but not every model has to be TINY. The CM is a mini suv.

Got mine tonight. Other than an old Trooper, Its the only SUV I've owned. Typically I have had Avants and sports cars.

The CM offers me some additional ground clearance for the shotty tri-state roads, all the space I need for it to be practical, AWD because I chase storms to ride the mtns, a manual to keep it fun & a fare amount of sportiness for a practical daily driver that gets decent milage all while being somewhat rare(ie not a Corrolla/Matrix) and unique.

...thats enough reason for me to get it. regardless if its a real MINI or not. I guess the haters just dont understand.

 

Coming over from the Jeep world I totally understand the "hate" though. I think everyone has their own style and tastes. Jeeps (and I mean wrangler style) have gone through a bunch of changes over the years CJ, YJ, TJ and LJ and JK (2 and 4 door) (from oldest to newest) to name a few and we get in to these debates all the time on the forums. It's even more silly there because they are all basically the same "Jeep" just changes in years. But similar to here the CJ guys kinds like the YJ, think the TJs are ok but a little too tame and hate the JKs. It's like a who is the most purest of Jeepers. It's silly. Personally I like ALL the Jeeps. Just like Mini. I've always loved mini over the years but they were alway a bit too small for me and didn't come in an ALL4 version. Once the ALL4 came out I knew it was the perfect car to replace my Jeep. (that was hard to do btw lol). Though I don't have mine here yet (hope in the next week or so!) I have driven my little brothers and see it all the time and totally like it! I think people just have a hard time with change and/or accepting that not everyone likes the same stuff that you do. Even if you have ALL the answers why yours is better then theirs they have a hard time seeing why you could be so dumb lol. Music is the same way "It's not like their first CD at all!! They stink now", Technology "Damn I just bought a blackberry and now you tell me there is thing called an iPhone" or even better Android people hate iPhone people, Windows hate Apple people and Unix people hate both. Just the way it goes. Change it tough and new things take a bit to catch on.

I think what they are doing is great! They now have a full line of cars to fit just about everyones needs and they way I look at it is the more the merrier. Grow the community, grow the brand and expand.

But fear not. Eventually Mini will come out with something funkier then the Countryman and we can all gang up on them. Right now we are just the new kids on the block.

 

Well said, now if they would only come out with a pick-up!

 

I've had (and am having) the same experience, too. I've been totally surprised at the comments I see in MINI forums and on the road from other Mini drivers. I ordered (then bought) mine because I loved it no matter what people said and I don't regret it for a minute ever since I got the key fob.

I've learned I have to be very careful here (on NAM) in posting questions. Most people assume I'm stupid or haven't read the owners manual (neither of which are true). Yes, I'm a newbie to MINI and it's my first "foreign-made" car and the MINI is set up differently than anything I've ever driven but to get "pounced on" for asking a question doesn't feel very nice and doesn't represent the "brand" very well. But, that being said, I adore my Justa, and I don't care if I'm the only one. It's my dream car and that's all that matters. It's fun to drive, gets great gas mileage and suits all my needs (and then some) so "different strokes" and all...

I hope you look past the comments, research the car, ask lots of questions at the dealership and make the decision based on your needs despite the "haters". I think all Mini's are "special" and they are truly unique on the road.

As for the Countryman, it is absolutely awesome no matter what people say - I can't believe how much I can load into it yet still feel "tiny" on the road. Just came back from a 480 mi. trip thru the Mojave Desert up thru the Sierra's and it was the most fun I've had in all my years of driving - comfortable, fun and the MINI handled like a dream the whole way. I only had to fill up once, round trip, with gas to spare. It doesn't get any better than that, right?

Good luck!

 

Sorry people have been jerks to you. My experience on NAM is the vast majority of people are welcoming and patient with questions.

 

I was pretty down on the CM when they first announced it, but I went to the dealership to look at it, went on a test drive, and realized it surprisingly has the same MINI handling that I loved in my R50 and R53. I had been wanting to get a used Subie AWD for ski season, but after that test drive ordered a CM instead.

 

While I was not "hating" the CM when it first came out, I never thought I would end up owning one. Based on the first reviews, I figured it was overpriced, under powered, and I was not fond of the front end styling.

Then my Grand Cherokee's death knell was tolling earlier than planned so I had to shop for a new all wheel drive vehicle with enough room and comfort for two people, two medium size dogs, and weekend trip carrying capacity - all in the 25 to 30k range. I had not even planned on the CM, but my partner insisted we go look at them. Other than the negative attributes listed above, I also expected it to be too small and ride as poorly as the R53. OK, I blew the budget, but once I drove it I was sold. I wish I had ordered leather and every once in a while judicious packing still means stuffing it to the rafters, but other than that I am rather happy with the CM so far.

 

So, here's the issue...

If you are looking for one MINI to give you the precise combination of unbelievable handling, power, 4WD, and cargo carrying capability, you will be sorely disappointed with ANY singe model. Each MINI fits into a distinct niche.

If my MINI doesn't fit into your niche, we just have different priorities. Unfortunately, some folks (thankfully, very few) think THEIR niche is the only "valid" one and tend to denigrate those folks with different priorities. IMHO, these are folks that are best tuned out.

You need to make the best decision for YOUR priorities. Do your research based on the facts and not conjecture. More importantly, spend a lot of time test driving the various configurations.

I might suggest carefully reviewing the basic body style characteristics (in person) first, then the choice of power plant (S/non-S). If you are looking at an R60, then weigh the All4 versus the FWD. Next, consider the suspension and tires/wheels. Test drive the various combinations as the ride/handling will be important every second you are in the MINI. After all of this, then consider interior options and color. Finally, ask your MINI dealer to have owners of similarly configured MINIs contact you to relate their experience. This is just a suggestion and YMMV.

We have opted to cover as many of the original characteristics of unbelievable handling, power, and cargo carrying capability by retaining our 2004 R53 JCW AND our 2012 R60!

HTH,

 

Good summation!

 

Ive had mine since March....read all of the negative comments and still love mine. Yes the clutch is finicky but i figured out how to compensate easy enough....... get compliments and attention everyday at the office... the guys love it....women do too.... i live in a northern climate so i am not only enjoying the summer drives but looking forward to the first snow this year!
Good luck on your decision.... but definitely buy what You want.

 

One man's meat, is another man's poison.Q

 

People hate on it because they dont understand it, because they cant agree with it, because its different, because they truly dont know about it.
Even MINI enthusiasts hate on it. It's too big to be a MINI; BMW makes it in Austria, not Oxford; It's not what MINI is about; etc.

I tend to like my cars for what they are, not for what their not.
MY CM is Austrian made, it's AWD w/ a Manual & gets fairly good milage. It was made to order(just for me.. just how I wanted it. I like the customization & fun factor. I like how it drives and that it doesnt look like every other car on the road.
I Luv haters

 

Agree with everything except it's made in Graz Austria, not Germany.

 

Who gives a crap? Let them hate. YOU are the one putting gas in it, driving it, and carving up roads in it. Are you buying your car for you or for the haters? I NEVER thought I'd be a Mini advocate. I've owned Lexus, Infinity, Mercedes, Jeep and Nissan and never been as pleased for the money as I am with my Mini. A car is a major purchase. Buy what YOU like. What YOU want to drive. What is fun for YOU. Let the Jersey Shore crowd whine.

 

MINI is a brand and whether your order one big or small.
It is different, it also has quirks and likes and dislikes like every other brand and either you like them or you dont. I happen to like them even though I know I could get a less expensive, more ergonomic car.
I love my S hardtop and I will love my CM when it arrives.
Maybe they hate them because they cant afford to trade the little one in yet

 

Seriously, what is up with the hate. In one day I had a hipster wannabe snub her nose at my CM when she got into her MC and I had a dude actually give me a thumbs down when they drove by.

Whatever I say. I'm enjoying this car and it's like no other on the market.

 

a thumbs down! I pulled up next to a lil cooper the other day and as looked down upon him from my perch in my jumbo MINI he gave me a big thumbs up. I'm actually getting waves again

One of my concerns from switching from my convertible MINI to the CM was that I wouldn't get all the same attention and that my CM wouldn't stand out enough. Not to sound lame or anything but my convertible was such an attention getter but you know after owning my CM for just over a week I've realized it attracts tons of attention. People are like "wow that's a mini" or "wow now we can fit in your comfortably".

The other thing I like about it is that they're not everywhere yet. I haven't seen a single one on the rode since I bought mine unlike the hardtop and convertible coopers. I feel like I'm apart of something new and cool again.

I say whatevs to the haters!

-former mini MINI owner current JUMBO MINI owner!

 

The haters should be grateful to the CM. Take a look at the latest sales figures. The CM is blowing out the door. They can hate all they want, but nothing succeeds like success.
The CM isn't for me but I love the MINI brand and my Clubman. If the company isn't healthy there won't be any more MINIs for any of us. Clearly MINI is doing something right with the Countryman.

 

If not for the CM I wouldn't be able to drive a MINI at this point in my life. My passengers consist of a daughter in middle school (and her friends) and an 80-pound black Labrador Retriever ... four doors is a must. Even the Clubman isn't an option.