I'm sure there have to be those who've converted from a Clubman to a Countryman. I searched without any luck, so I thought I'd post up for impressions from those who've made that transition, particularly from Non-S to Non-S. My Clubman is a 6-speed, but am considering an automatic (wish there was a DSG option), so that SWMBO can drive it if needs be.

Thx!

 

I didn't have a Clubman, but I went from a non-S R56 manual to a non-S Countryman automatic. I haven't looked back in the 7 months I've had my Countryman.

The driving experience is a bit different. You do sit up higher, and at first, the Countryman will feel HUGE compared to the Clubbie, but it's really not as big as you think. The first time you park next to a small SUV, you will realize just how small the Countryman actually is, even if it is bigger than the other MINIs. As far as handling goes, there is a bit more body roll (I don't have and didn't want the sport suspension), but the experience could never be mistaken for anything but a MINI. It's just as tossable and a blast to drive.

The auto is definitely a different experience from the manual. After 7 years of driving manual MINIs (this is my 3rd one), the auto took some getting used to. There are times where I still find myself stepping on the brake pedal with my left foot when I start it (mistaking it for a clutch). However, given the stop and go traffic I find myself in here in South Florida, I have no regrets. Plus, my wife can drive it (she doesn't like to drive a manual). It's not as quick as the manual, but I don't have to worry about clutch replacement at any point, and I'm not racing it anyway. I don't need to be the fastest person to get from one traffic light to the next. Overall, I love the fact that I can have all of the MINI goodness I enjoy and I can bring along friends in comfort.

 

I went from a Clubman S to a Countryman S All4. I know you said non-S, but I'm sure the differences are similar, just with a rougher ride and more power in the S. I primarily changed over because at the time me and my wife only had 2 cars and both of us work and in the winter the 30 mile drive got a little scary during blizzards and the AWD in the All4 was a big benefit. The countryman is fun at what is is, but bigger and heavier than the clubman so it has more body roll, softer ride, lower gas mileage, and not quite as snappy feeling on the throttle. After switching I missed the way the smaller clubman felt, but the higher ground clearance and AWD made it fun no matter the weather. Non- S I'm sure those differences will still be there.

Really those are the differences. Features are the same, layout is the same, it's higher so easier to get in and out, and 4 doors make utilizing the back seat much easier. It's more practical, not as fun on pavement, but more fun off pavement! Not so sure how the off pavement fun would be without the All4 though.

 

Not planning on off-pavement other than driveways or the parking lots at events.

 

I just went from a 6-speed Clubman S to a 6-speed Countryman S a week ago. Went for the 4 doors to make it easier to get the two kids in and out of the car. It wasn't bad with the Clubman, but we are planning more road trips so more cargo room helps.

I pretty much agree with everything that has been said. There fun to drive is still there, but not being coder to ground makes it seem very un-Mini-ish. And I do feel the body roll quite a bit more. But so far I have been enjoying it, and the wife has liked riding and driving it too

 

I traded my R56 for my R60 CM.... and love it just do some type of lowered suspension and upgrade your wheels and tires and it will feel just the same I love the "practical mini " I have now the 4 doors and extra room have been used extensively by me and my family.....love my ride!

 

Soliciting more experiences, including S models!

 

Had Blue my Clubbie S auto for 5 yrs. have had Lucy my JCW Countryman for 6 months/12k .. I love Lucy. Took three people to lunch last week instead of riding in someone's pickup truck. with 19's and RF's she has similar road feel to the clubbie. Does roll more in the corners. You sit up a little more which has helped my back. No torque steer or spinning front tires on launch the all 4 is awesome.

 

I've managed to rationalize my way closer to a CTM. Oddly, even have an "unhealthy" interest in a CPO CTM-S. Anybody else want to opine?

 

There's really only 2 reasons to consider a Countryman:

1) You want 4 doors
2) You want AWD

You're not considering the All4, so #2 is out. If you don't want 4 doors, then stick with the Clubman. It handles better, it gets better fuel economy, it's quicker, etc. I personally love my CM, but if MINI made an AWD Clubman I'd be there in a heartbeat.

 

You're either the voice of reason, or you've been sent by my wife or my bank.

 

I just realized you're the same person I replied to in a different thread. I definitely try to be logical in my decisions, but sometimes you have to make a change for purely emotional reasons. Heck, the reason I drive a MINI vs a more affordable car is an emotional decision.

My current 2 MINIs are a Clubman (hers) and a Countryman (mine). They definitely each have their pros/cons. Overall I prefer the Clubman (except hers is an auto which I don't care for), but the Countryman is nicer on trips and when we have family visiting.

 

Yeah, I recognized your handle and .sig. I appreciate the input. SWMBO drives a Fiesta (current model). If she had money fall on her, she'd probably get a Coupe. I got a manual in the Clubman for the economy. I'm looking at an auto (in whatever comes next) because she has some issues with her left leg that make a stick shift questionable. So the two CTMs I'm looking at are both automatics. Oddly, since I've been driving her Fiesta, it doesn't bother me much.

 

I went from a non S auto Clubman to a manual S Countryman and am delighted. The lease is coming up and I plan on another Countryman with a few adjustments.

This time, automatic for peace and harmony in the house. I thought my wife would want to learn to drive a stick, but absolutely refuses to do so ( she loves her automatic Mini Hardtop S). Makes our long vacation trips less enjoyable if I have to do all the driving.

I'm strongly considering AWD this time. We don't get a lot of snow in St. Louis, but when we do, the AWD would be reassuring. I'm also intrigued with the improved handling comments I've read about.

The turbo stays ... And might even toy with a JCW just because.

We're on our 4th Mini and all have been leased. If I opt for the JCW it may be a purchased vehicle this time ... All depends on the numbers.

 

I'd go broke in a lease. I've got a 70 mile round trip three days a week, and average 19.5-20K/year. What's occurred to me that might make me nuts is the small Countryman tank. I have a 500 mile (or more) range in the Clubman, and never fill up before 400 miles. It looks like I'd be filling up at least a third more often in either CTM.

 

Yeah .. Not a good candidate for a lease given your mileage. I do agree that the CM tank is way too small and impacts the range significantly from what I was getting with the Clubman. It's not a fair comparison as I've picked up more room and power, but the reality is you'll be filling up more often in a Countryman.

 

A different take... I test drove the Countryman first and it was my first ever experience in a MINI. It was a complete let down. I was literally thinking "just get a Honda CRV and enjoy local service and Honda reliability and probably save money. No offense to any Countryman owner- that was simply my experience. It all depends on what you want out of it. Nothing of what I had imagined in my mind. I expected great handling, zippy power and more sportscar like experience. We didnt think we could live with a MINI Hardtop and its small size. My wife wasn't wild about the clubman 3 doors as we do have a child to climb in and out of the back. So reluctantly she "allowed" us to drive a clubman. I fell in love before I hit third gear. It was immediately apparent that it had all of the traits I had imagined a MINI should. We both giggled more on that test drive than we had in a long time. We are a year into owning our Clubman S and love it.

Absolutely spend a good amount of time in a Countryman and make sure it delivers what you are looking for.

 

You do lose some of the go cart feel but it is a trade off for function

 

I may try to set that up. Problem is: We live an hour+ from the dealer, and they may take a dim view of an overnight with the car. That'd put 100 miles minimum on it, if i just drove over and back. Maybe I could talk my way into one of the service loaners...

 

Agree with the others above - I think chrunck said is most succinctly though

Clubman was still small and go-karty. Countryman less so.
Clubman was great in winter with dedicated tires. Countryman with ALL4 and winter tires is even better.

Looks? Tough one...



vs

 

Really like the blue on black!

 

wouldnt HAVE to ob overnight. Just spend some time in it. It was readily apparent to me but I was looking for something specific. If you don't really notice big differences then it makes your answer easier. You can go for all the conveniences of the Countryman and not miss a thing. We are an hour from the dealer as well. But we were deffinately in the market adn had eliminated most others on our short shopping list so we hit the dealer with the whole day reserved if needed and ready to pull the trigger if everything fell into place. For us, it did.

 

I'd want enough time to put enough miles on it to get a notion of what my own MPGs might be.

 

With that commute you'd probably get 28-32 MPG. I have a CMS and that's what I was getting with a 25 mile one way commute with mostly highway. Your not getting 35 mpg routinely in a CM. Not gonna happen.



Here's my fuel log from my car minder app. Recently my commute changed from 25 miles one way to 6 miles one way. My mpg is now 22-25. The engine is barely getting warmed up with the short drive. I'm still spending less on gas and can ride my bike to work now, so I'm not complaining at all!

 

We recently replaced my wife's '09 Fiesta 5-door hatchback 1.5L automatic with a CM ALL4 turbo automatic. The Fiesta was a great car to drive but it was getting cramped in the back with a child seat and other baby things. According to the specs the CM is only 12 cm longer than the Fiesta however we find it to be way more practical as well as comfortable (especially the backseat). The ALL4 and additional ride height are both really nice to have without having to go to a "real" crossover (though we came real close to getting a CX-5 instead).

Anyways, I'm actually surprised by the mileage we are getting out of the CM so far (we are still in the break-in period - just hit 1000kms the other day) - 24.2 MPG (US) for the CM vs. 25 MPG (US) for the Fiesta.

These numbers may not sound that great however the traffic here is really bad - the average speed during this time according to the onboard computer is 26km/h or 16 MPH. FWIW, my other car is a Ford Mondeo (Fusion) and I get less than 20 MPG (US) driving the same route.

It's even more impressive when you consider that the CM ALL4 is a much heavier car - 3263 lbs vs. 2469 lbs for the Fiesta. I put it down to the better efficiency of the 6-speed automatic in the CM vs. the 4-speed automatic that we had in the Fiesta - I understand that the Fiesta over there comes with a 6-speed DCT so you may notice more of a mileage drop going to the CM than we did.