Follow up: Still utter "poor sucker" every time I see a Countryman; my 2013 Subaru WRX has had ZERO problems in the 20k miles I've owned it.

As a former automotive journalist and buyer/owner of a good number of cars, I can not recommend MINI or it's parent company (BMW) to anyone who needs a reliable car or a customer-oriented dealer network.

Sir Stirling, aka Tad

 

Good for you.

 

Great, my 2011 Countryman ALL4s has had zero problems , including the clutch. ,my wife drives a 2008 BMW 328 100,000 miles + zero problems ,As far as your previous career it's irrelevant, frankly your suggestion that not only MINI but BMW as well ,are sub Subaru, calls into question your expertise and may explain why you are now a former Automotive journalist.So as a current MINI and BMW owner I can recommend both the Countryman and it's parent company

 

Certainly, some will have fewer problems, but my experience, those of others here, and Consumer Reports (plus other reviewers) yield the same result. Your punctuation and grammar is atrocious, and your assertion about my career choices couldn't be more hilariously wrong. Cheers, and despite your tone, I do hope your CM continues to be trouble-free (though statistics indicate it is only a matter of time).

SS/T

 

You are right about one thing my punctuation and grammar are atrocious, citing Consumer Reports does little to bolster your argument. I do appreciate your blessing for my continued good fortune with my Countryman and I would hope that your WRX serves you well.
Cheers

 

My thoughts exactly.

He appears to be another poster who thinks that his opinion is the only one that should matter...

 

ElmJ and Mikey T,

I totally agree with your comments. I had a 2012 CM base, which was problem free for 45k and traded it in for a PM S ALL4. With 17k trouble free miles. Customer Service has been nothing other than spectacular. Would I buy another MINI you bet I will.

Sir Stirling take your ignorance and attitude elsewhere.

 

I don't know which is worse: having to deal with a car that needs repair once in a while or having to look at a WRX every day. Both are painful.

 

mrluckypa,
Sir Stirling is entitled to his opinion, I just have not had anything close to the traumatic experience he must of had.Our BMW and MINI have been great and sounds like your MINI's also has been trouble free
Cheers

 

this is the most friendly argument i've ever seen on a forum. it reminds me of Chap-Hop and Professor Elemental:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0iRTB-FTMdk

 

Sometimes you have leave your Fighting Trousers at home

 

does Sir Stirling bash the CM on his Subie forums? Propably get some better luck there. trouble free so far...knock on wood.

I actually like the WRX, my wife thinks it looks to fast and the furious.

 

Agreed! No offense but I take auto journo advice with a grain of salt or not at all and I've never made a buying decision based on an article in any magazine. Personally I think the new Subie is ugly as hell despite however reliable it may be. Looks like Suburu ripped off their long time rival and mated an Evo with a WRX.

I've no idea why you would come on a MINI forum to spew your opinion as if it's fact and call people "poor suckers" but I'm guessing you're starved for attention. Whatever. It's the internet so nothing new.

Frankly I've had nothing but good things to say for BMW/MINI. Owned several of both, all good experiences. If they were as atrocious as you claim I'd've quit buying them after the first bad experience.

 

Lol!!

 

Funny but my 19yr old son, who owns a 2005 Subie 2.5RS, says the same thing about the new Subaru.

 

That's funny! My nephew owns a 2009 STI hatchback and it's a great car. He feels the same as well. I just don't love the looks of this new model and I was really hoping to.

 

Dude, you claim a journalist background yet you screw up its / it's like an 8 year old?
I was not and still am not a Countryman fan. Based on my experience, I could not recommend it to friends and I have no regrets trading it in. That being said it was traded in for a BMW X5 diesel that has been 100% trouble free, right along with the many older BMW's and other MINI I have owned. I am sure there are many people out there who love their CM. I did not, but other than monitoring the evolution of the clutch debacle I don't instigate on this forum out of respect for current owners.
With all due respect, I find your update adds no value to the forum.

 

Our CM JCW has had 0 problems in the 20k miles we have owned it. No question both BMW and Mini are in the bottom half of the JD Power quality ratings and have been for a long time. I agree it's beyond understanding why some modern car companies cannot make reliable cars. They have had Honda and Toyota to model after for decades.

Having said that, Mini still attracts buyers because they are extremely fun to drive and have a nice dash of English quirkiness (although BMW is doing everything they can to strip Mini of its "Mini-ness"). It seems the reliable cars have dull styling and are boring to drive. I include the WRX (NOT the STI !) in that group along with all Hondas and Toyotas (at least the ones we get access to here in the US)

There certainly is a trade-off when buying a Mini for sure.

 

New guy, very nervous reading this thread. Test drove and purchased a 2014 Mini Countryman S All4 yesterday. I thought the clutch engagement was odd, compared to any manual I've ever driven.

Had read this tread and as an insurance policy I purchased the extended warranty and the maintenance package, something I never ever do, but this thread made me think it might be well worth it as we plan to keep the car for the next five years and pass it on to my son when he turns 16.

Has there been any improvement in materials, has the issue been resolved?

It would seem that anyone not familiar with driving a manual (those would bad habits) will make matters worse in quick time as the clutch seems by history to be rather fragile.

For the record, I've driven manual since I could depress the pedal an have never had to replace a clutch in any car other than a defective VW Jetta wagon that had the clutch fail at 18,000 miles.

 

The other 95% of the people, who bought a CM aren't on NAM...They should've fixed the problems that I have encountered on my 2011 CM...but all of it was under warranty...

 

This clears up why the owner of our shop chose an automatic for our CM project car. So far no issues whatsoever. Anyone with an All4 upgraded their clutch yet?

 

This thread exists in every single enthusiasts website for every product ever.

There's always a couple folks who, for reasons I'm sure they could spend years on the couch talking about, feel betrayed by the product. There's always mention of previously having been a die-hard defender, a stalwart enthusiast, etc.

To them it's not bad luck or a single example of a faulty or poorly designed product. The issues are not the result of their own bad habits or negligence. Oh no. Their singular experience is rock-solid proof of problems within the entire product line and, indeed, the parent company since they apparently refuse to acknowledge or address it.

It's bonkers. At the beginning of this thread, the author announces that, should anyone at MINI be reading this, it's too late. What sort of delusional craziness is that? I may as well announce right here, for all the world to know that, sorry, Kate Upton, I'm not going out with you. You missed your chance sweetheart.

That's how ridiculous it sounds.

And then to bother with an update about just how satisfied he is with the Subbie. Great. But how weird is that? Sour grapes, man. Let it go.

So we're picking up our third MINI on Monday. It's a cosmic blue all4S with standard transmission. It's a beautiful machine. This thread didn't negatively influence the decision to buy a Countryman one bit.

Ya hear that MINI executives! And Kate, honey, I was kidding. I'm still available, just gotta ok it with the wife.

 

I believe the problem with the clutch was resovled. Nothing wrong with having and extended warranty. Nice to have, hope you never need it. But with anything new that comes out there will be problems for the first buyers no matter what make, and it's now 3 years later for this make. If you look in your manual you'll see the clutch has a 300 mile break in, unless that has changed. I have a 2012 fwd cm and love it. So far no problems good luck with your new mini, enjoy the drive,I still do. I've had it 2 and half years now.

 

After 3 Lexusses (zero problems) I bought a Mini CM (yes in automatic).It was our fourth Mini. Still a joy to drive this little toy.

 

Well said.


I own a Nissan 370Z and it's the same b1tch fest on that forum. 99% of the owners don't even know a forum exists for their cars.


While I readily acknowledge, and sympathize, that problems exist on all cars, I seem to be one of the luckiest people on Earth because I just don't experience the problems some folks do. But, I religiously follow, and exceed, recommended maintenance, and don't regularly rag my car to death.


My Z gets tracked a few times a year, but the oil and filters get changed and brake pads are scrutinized. I have zero problems and hope my MINI will be the same way.