Like most BMW products the price can get way out of control when you pile on the options. I like the car, but for $38k (or less) there are lots of interesting options. My GF loves the size of the car, and she drives it much more than I do, so in the end it really was her choice.

 

You will decide what best for but I will add this... I just switched from a 2011 RAV4 (4 cylinder) to a manual CMS a month ago and the primary reason was because the RAV was so boring to drive. The RAV was more practical but I just grew to hate the driving experience. I already had a space problem, family visited and we needed 4 adults and 4 golf bags in the car... solved the problem with a Thule cargo box. Family visits are once a year for 2 weeks so why should I suffer a boring driving experience the other 50 weeks a year.

 

I'll second this. I had two 4Runners. A '99 and an '03. I actually loved the '99 (was a manual), but went against my better judgement and traded it in on the '03 (auto). The manual in the '99 really helped, but they were both really more appliances, than vehicles you couldn't wait to drive.

I'll also add that Toyota's quality has really suffered over the years. Both my I only kept the, both for 4 years. They were both in the shop constantly. I have a 13 year old New Beetle (bought new, still have) that has only had 2-3 minor things go wrong in 13 years. Both Toyotas individually spent more time in the shop I. 4 years than my VW has in 13.

I traded the last 4Runner in on an A3, and sold the A3 to get the Countryman. No regrets. As much as I adored my A3, I have to say I love the Countryman even more.

 

What about the Countryman vs an X1? Anyone shop that?

 

I did.
X1 has less rear seat room than CM and more important no MT in US.
Also don't like X1 styling and build quality.

 

Saw an X1 today. It has a Buick Estate Wagon schnoz and it's hard to get out the door for under 40 large. I'd rather have a well optioned JCW CM.

Sent from my iPhone using NAMotoring

 

hate to hi-jack the thread but... what do you like more about the CM than the A3, The 2013 A3 5 door (new model) and the CM JCW are on my short list. Thanks

 

My wife tested the 2013 RAV4 Limited last night and like it a lot. She said it was like her BMW X3 (2006). Price difference between the RAV4 and the Countryman is close to $6,000 and both are decked out, that's a lot of money. (And BMW is $15K more than the Toyota, minimum, but yeah I know why).

I'm going to head out in a bit to check out the RAV4 but I think that's the way she is leaning. It's her car I'm not going to push her towards the Mini that much.

The Countryman is a blast to drive. If it were $30K I think we would have already gotten it (need the ALL4 here in Colorado).

Steve

 

We had a 2013 Hyundai Sante Fe as a rental car for 10 days when we were skiing in Colorado earlier this month. Certainly not as fun to drive as a CM but very comfortable and you get a lot for the money. I have to say i was rather impressed, especially with the build quality. We do like our CM but it pointed out how overpriced the CM is.

 

Have you looked into the BMW X1? My father just got one, and he really likes it. It's more "refined" than his previous R53. Size wise, it's bigger than the CM, but smaller than the X3. I think you might like it. It's also the cheapest BMW out there. Your wife wouldn't have to get used to any new systems, either - albeit going from a BMW to a Mini isn't really a step.

 

We looked at the X1 as an alternative to our new CM. I agree with Chris, the word "refined" comes to mind when comparing it to the CM. We liked the way it drove and handled, and the engine felt significantly more powerful, but we did not like the exterior design as much as the CM. And it's significantly more expensive.

 

I agree, the X1 certainly lacks for style. If you don't want the all-wheel-drive and you're happy with the 2.8l engine (still 240hp), the base price is 30k. Of course, BMW is starting to follow Porsche's lead with really really expensive packages...so the price does jump. However, the residual is darn good at 62% so if you like to lease, that can be a good deal.

 

Actually expensive options at BMW are nothing new. But what I did notice when we priced out the X1 is that more than ever they forced you to buy options that you don't want to get the options that you do want, And that's what really pushed the price of the car up into the stratosphere.

 

Exactly. Xenon headlights? Oh that's only $1200. But wait! You need to add the $4000 premium package too.

I hadn't noticed that on the 3 series as badly - but still, a 3-series sedan configured the way I wanted it topped $50k, which is ridiculous.

Maybe the new 2-series will be reasonably priced, but looking at the outgoing 1-series I have my doubts about that as well.

Those are some the reasons why I'm patiently waiting for a new MCS rather than a 1 or 3er to replace my '97 M3. Also BMW's gradual size increases across the line up is not the direction I want to go with my cars. I like light and sporty, Mini embodies that. That being said, I really wish the CM and PM had slightly more power to offset the size difference.

Anyways, I'm dragging us off-topic. The CM is a really great car - I drove one and enjoyed it, but as I said above the power wasn't where I wanted it to be - and since my wife and I aren't planning on kids for the next three years or so we can get by with two Minis (a Justa for her and an MCS for me) for a little bit longer! We will be in the market for a CM when we do have kids though - she doesn't notice the lack of power in her Justa, so the CM won't be a problem either!

 

I was also very impressed with the Sante Fe at the Orange County Auto Show late last year. Haven't driven one, but the quality to price ratio was there in spades. Should be reliable too (?).

One thing that impressed me was the one on display had pull-up shade curtins in the rear doors like many very highend cars. Felt good sitting inside too (6' 3"). Hyundai has come a loooooooong way.

 

Went with the RAV4. Price was right. And Toyota gave us an extra $1,000 for our BMW trade-in that Mini would not even though the same company owns the local Mini and BMW dealers (odd you would think they would give us more). Countryman was just too pricey

I still have my Cooper S Convertible and am sure when it's time for my next one Mini will be my first stop.

Oh, the X1..too expensive and didn't want a station wagon.

Thanks again everyone...happy motoring!

Steve

 

Good luck and have "FUN" puttin along in your Rav 4?? omg really?

 

good luck. not going to get much support in a MINI forum for choosing a toyota. You might have saved some $$ in short term but the amount of "FUN" you will be missing is priceless. I can't say i ever turned my head or gave a second look at any toyota let alone a rav4. Maybe if you put some stripes and an aero kit ...... nevermind. lol

 

I hope the Hyundai reliability and support have both improved recently. I have a friend who had the studs break on all four wheels of his Sante Fe while on the freeway. One wheel flat came off at highway speed, then the others had failures while getting it shut down. By the time he got stopped things were not good. Hyundai would not support any repairs or take any responsibility. (hoping for the best)

[UPDATE]

I've followed up asking for details. The car was 2003 or 2004. Hyundai's opening gambit was to claim that the lug nuts hadn't been tightened. There was a complaint filed with NHTSA.

The good news:
After many months of back-and-forth, Hyundai finally fixed the vehicle for no charge.

 

Ghamma, what model year is your friend's Sante Fe? I looked at the NHTSA database and saw no complaints like what you described. The reason I ask is that my sister and brother in law have two of them, and it goes without saying that is a rather scary problem...hopefully isolated.

 

WOW! That is hard to believe. What year, model, 2wd or 4wd? Was it out of warranty or owner abuse? Surprised any car manufacturer would not throughly investigate such and problem and repair it under warranty. now if the owner was launching the Sante Fe airborn and throughly abusing the rig, well then... (just saying...).

Please give us more details on this one. I have friends with Santa Fe's that are a few years old and not a single problem.

Oh, and SteveH - Hope your wife enjoys "her" RAV4. We know you'll be race'n around in your topless Mini often for a quick fix!

 

I imagine that this was caused by improper torque applied to the wheel lugs when they were installed. I'm surprised this does not happen more often, based on the widespread overnighting of wheel bolts with an impact wrench. I check mine whenever anybody with an impact wrench messes with them.

 

I've followed up asking for details. The car was 2003 or 2004. Hyundai's opening gambit was to claim that the lug nuts hadn't been tightened. There was a complaint filed with NHTSA.

The good news:
After many months of back-and-forth, Hyundai fixed the vehicle for no charge.

 

Here's a quote from JD Power's 2012 Dependability Study:
"there are several brands that have performed very well in dependability during the past several years but still face challenges with customer perceptions of their reliability. In particular, during the past four years, models from Buick, Cadillac, Ford, Hyundai and Lincoln have achieved consistently strong levels of dependability, but still have relatively high proportions of new-vehicle buyers expressing reliability concerns.

Building vehicles with high levels of dependability is obviously a necessary element in reshaping consumer perceptions. Negative quality perceptions are notoriously difficult to change, and it takes considerable time, but effectively communicating improvements in dependability may reduce concerns, and by extension, help new-vehicle sales."

 

I have had the (2) Sienna's and Highlander. I find that if you take your time to load it your CM ALL4 you will find it has enough room even with two adults and two kids. You get much better gas mileage and a really fun car to drive with out without snow!