R60 Should I Buy a Countryman?
1st Gear
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 32
Likes: 1
From: Atlanta, GA
So true!! Just think about all the complaints about cup holders in BMWs over the years.
I'm not a styrofoam cup user either, but there's a popular fast food place where I live that only uses them. So, if I go grab a quick lunch and run back to the office, I'd have to be really careful with placement of my lemonade. I've seen how they could make indentions on the cup - and I wasn't pushing the cup down in the holder! All in all, it's a change I am happy to see.
I'm not a styrofoam cup user either, but there's a popular fast food place where I live that only uses them. So, if I go grab a quick lunch and run back to the office, I'd have to be really careful with placement of my lemonade. I've seen how they could make indentions on the cup - and I wasn't pushing the cup down in the holder! All in all, it's a change I am happy to see.
2nd Gear
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
I live 75 miles from my dealer. I was concerned at first, but it has been no big deal. I've had regular service and taken it in for one recall. I've always gotten a loaner and went about my business. I have no regrets on getting my CM. Makes me smile everyday.
Neutral
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
2012 countryman a headache
Hi everyone. I am new to this forum. I am thinking about buying a Countryman--it would be my first MINI. My problem is that I live 115 miles from the nearest MINI dealership. I am very concerned about the unreliability of MINI products, as reported by JD Power and Associates, Consumer Reports, Car and Driver, and other sources, including this forum. There seem to be an unusually large number of serious problems with the Countryman, including leaking oil seals, transmissions that won't shift out of park, clutches that fail after a few thousand miles of normal driving, cup holders (!) that cut into styrofoam cups and spill liquid into areas with sensitive electronics, and so on. I cannot have my car towed 115 miles, and 3-day to 3-week stays at the dealership would be extremely inconvenient. I know I would enjoy driving the car (I own a 2001 Miata that has had exactly zero problems in 12 years), despite its numerous odd to just-plain-dumb design aspects. I already have my fair share of headaches. My question to you: do I live too far from a dealership to drive a Countryman?
I purchased a 2012 countryman last May and have had it in the shop 3 times! In 8 months. One of the fixes took a month to do! Water leakage, broken motor in window, low gas mileage 320km per 47 liters! As of now they can't figure out where the excess water is and nothing is reading on the machine to show why it is getting such low mileage.
I also live 100km from my mini dealer and it is a pain. At this point I am thinking of trading it in. I love the car, but I think I got a lemon!
5th Gear
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 754
Likes: 1
From: Bucks County PA
We have a CM base and have had no significant problems. little annoying things that some of which I brought on. Basically 28k of trouble free driving. would I buy another? you bet I would. I would recommend a CM to everyone but suggest that you stay away from the manual transmission until it is proven that they have fixed the problem. Good luck with your decision.
5th Gear
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,033
Likes: 1
From: SF Bay Area
We have a CM base and have had no significant problems. little annoying things that some of which I brought on. Basically 28k of trouble free driving. would I buy another? you bet I would. I would recommend a CM to everyone but suggest that you stay away from the manual transmission until it is proven that they have fixed the problem. Good luck with your decision.
3rd Gear
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 209
Likes: 11
From: Bucks County, PA
If you like driving cars, the CMS is a great choice. My 2012 has had no service issues yet @ 9000 miles with 30 mpg all around. I am very happy.
Last edited by chini; Mar 25, 2013 at 06:15 PM.
3rd Gear
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 167
Likes: 1
From: Right over there
No, Bucks County is quite hilly. There is no way he gets 30 MPG "all around". Steady state cruising, maybe, but not on average.
3rd Gear
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 209
Likes: 11
From: Bucks County, PA
Bucks Co. can be hilly in spots, but not so much in lower Bucks. My commute is pretty flat up Rt. 1 thru Princeton, Nj. My driving is mostly on the commute during non-peak hours. Sorry, but I do get 30 mpg, actually 30.25 averaged over the last 4 tanks. I'm not sure what's so hard to believe about the numbers. I use the Car Minder iPhone app to track mpg, which calculates it the old school way. At the end of each tank, I also usually read 31-ish on the OBC. So the the 2 numbers aren't that different anyway.
5th Gear
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 754
Likes: 1
From: Bucks County PA
I average 30.5 mpg. driving in traffic commuting from lower bucks county to King of Prussia/ Valley Forge. I one time tried the ride at 59 mph with no traffic and was at 36 mpg. If only non MINI owners would learn to drive and stop talking/texting on their phones. (while driving)
3rd Gear
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 209
Likes: 11
From: Bucks County, PA
Thanks mrluckypa for backing me up on this one! Got my first oil change done today at 9000 miles. Looks like they might have overfilled. I'll check in the morning to confirm. Edit: Confirmed that they did overfill by a quart. Used my Pela oil extractor to remove the excess, very handy. However, I don't like the fact that they can't even do a proper oil change.
Last edited by chini; Mar 30, 2013 at 10:01 AM.
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