If you have any reservations whatsoever about the safety of the MINI Cooper Countryman S, let me share my experience.

On Friday, July 13th, yes I know Friday the 13th, I was involved in an accident with my 7-month-old 2012 Countryman. I was traveling at about 40-45 mph and a 2011 Chevrolet Equinox decided that they would go through a red light. I hit the passenger side of the SUV causing it to flip and land on its roof. Fortunately, we BOTH walked away and neither of us had passengers.

The driver-side airbag deployed and the seatbelt held me in the seat so tightly that the airbag didn’t even come into contact with me, other than my hands. The only injuries I sustained were a minor cut and some airbag powder burns on my left-hand and the thumb of my right-hand was hyper-extended and therefore sore.

The cabin of the car was in perfect condition after the accident, other than the airbag.

I have attached some pictures. Unfortunately my poor, beloved MINI has been totaled

 

So glad you came out okay! I feel for you, losing the MINI that way - I'd be heartsick myself. Hopefully you'll get enough to purchase another one soon - we need to see more on the roads for sure! But honestly, that you are safe and that the MINI handled the crash so well is really what's important. Thanks for sharing this info, too.

 

+1 Thanks for sharing that info and am glad you came out with only minor injuries. We quickly blame Mini for design flaws/things we feel could be improved upon, but it looks like they were busier designing safety than worrying about an E brake handle that drives us nutts.

 

You have to love the technology built into modern automobiles. Crumple zones and reinforced cabins makes for much safer cars than we were driving even 10 years ago.

Glad you're okay other than a probably very sore.

Need any advise on your TL settlement or your bodily injury claim, let me know. It's my job.

 

I was really impressed with how the car held up.

I leased the car, so even if they don't give me full value, the rest is covered by the gap insurance.

Since I had ordered this car and waited for it for almost 2 months. I went to the MINI dealer and ordered pretty much the exact car again, different wheels (tunnel spoke), different color (Cosmic Blue/White) and xenon/adaptive headlights, a week after the accident.

It is going to land in Baltimore on Thursday and hopefully I should have it next week! Insurance redtape permitting...

 

Thank you!

 

That's what I found - they really are as strong as they feel! Glad everyone came out OK. It looks like you were outmatched by about 700 pounds.

 

Thank goodness everyone walked away OK, meindc! I will say that I'm impressed that the Countryman held up so well.

CR&PW&JB, you are so right!

 

Glad you are ok. My black Mini suffered the same fate. See "smashed mini" thread.

 

Doing the *****happy dance***** over here in SoCal!!! Glad you decided to go with MINI again - it may have saved your life!

This was the one deciding factor when I was begging my husband to let me have mine - he was really, really impressed with the safety rating as opposed to other similar brands/models out there. When members post pics of their accidents, many people are viewing them with interest because that's one of the big issues when buying a car. I could care less about all my Mini's little idiosyncrasies - in fact, that's why I'm in love with it - but that it's also a car that handles well in most crashes is what makes me happiest to own one.

Post new pics of your Cosmic Blue/White when it arrives - really happy for you!

 

I saw your post under "smashed mini", Justinfro. I am amazed that even after being rear-ended, you were able to open the trunk. I am glad to hear that no one got hurt in your situation as well. Especially with little ones in the car. I hope they weren't too scared.

 

There was almost 900 pounds difference as mine was a manual and hers was AWD. I think it also helped that I was low to the ground and she was not.