Probably that it isn't very breathable and makes your back all sweaty.

 

I hate the leatherette because it is as hot as hades in summer, as in you will literally burn your skin on it. Also in our winter in remains ice cold long after you have sat on it. Frozen kids are not jolly kids.

I dislike leather too, will go for cloth with leather trim. Would just have cloth if it was an option., but it is not.

The only crappy bit is in order to have comfort access and the lights package I need to take the pepremium package. Then in order to NOT have the sun roof ( do not like) I need to pay a fee to remove it before it is installed!! Will be working in me not paying that fee.

 

2011 All4 CMS with 81k miles. Only thing I might trade it for is an Audi Allroad E-tron if that's out in 2015-2016. Engine is still surviving the tune just fine, the car is fantastic in the snow, and it's still the most fun I've had since an my old MCS. It's had glitches, but each time I look around for something better, or at least as well rounded as the Countryman, I'm not seeing it yet.

 

I would definitely buy again. but I would definitely get the Xe headlights and maybe pure red color. There's a lot of light white storm troopers out there.

 

'14 CM S Cosmic Blue. Still in my first 300 miles, but I'd sure sign up for this again. Maybe even twice if I could fit another 3-5 gallons in the tank.

 

That was my joke to the dealer, if only I could order a bigger gas tank! It really is tiny and pathetic.

 

We went with cloth with leather trim for those reasons too. My wife likes the size and handling of the car, if I had my way, it would be gone, traded for a 328d xi.

 

Had a 2013 all4. The clutch sucked ... I did trade it in on a 2014 all4 and it seems the clutch issues has been resolved !

 

When did you get your 2013? I think the issue was fixed late in 2012 as the 2013's were getting started, so early production didn't have the new design.

 

That's ridiculous, sorry about your troubles. That said, I ended up buying my CM from their Tempe location. I found that the given they are both owned by the same owner, that the Tempe stealer was more amenable to negotiation over the North Scottsdale one. I ended up with a '13 with 3,000 miles and decided to lease it and remove the CPO off the car to save off the monthly payment. Rattles and quirks aside, it has been so far OK. But I'll probably put it back on leasetrader.

 

MY 2013 was purchased in Oct 2013

 

The Countryman began life in Sept 2010 as a 2011 model so you (like me) bought one from the first model year and teething problems were evident. Two of the issues you mention (clutch & fuel pump) were known issues and you'll find lots of discussion on this site (and all over the internet) about those problems. MINI resolved the clutch issue with the 2013/2014 models and when replacing clutches on 2011-2012 models they are using the redesigned unit. I also understood the fuel pump issue has since been resolved. I cant speak to the solenoid valve problem you mention but as for brake pads at 56k, that isn't unreasonable at all. MINI does seem to be paying attention to the major issues & some dealers are far more receptive at working with their customers to keep them happy. Your dealer saying the car was 'in perfect working condition' when you bought it was probably accurate at the time of inspection. And suggesting that your dealer intentionally overlooked items because the warranty only had 2-3k miles left on it is ridiculous.

 

Wow. You only owned the car for a month or two before trading it in?

 

Yes, I bought the first one off the lot...and quickly new it was missing to many things I didn't want to live without.. So I traded it in and orders the color and options I wanted ..

 

So, how did you determine in just a few months (or weeks?) that the clutch was bad? I've never known one to fail that fast.

And I do wonder what the build date was regardless. It could have been there 2-3 weeks, or 9 months.

 

A little history first. We drove, among a number of other British cars, a 2004 standard coupe (now called a hardtop) for 4.5 year, over 80k miles. Was my wife's daily driver and we used on all vacations of over 500 miles round trip.

Absolutely loved the car, even with the bizarre VST transmission.

Wife, for some reason had never owned a 4 door car despite raising two children. We stopped by St. Louis Mini while on vacation, test drove a CMS, but dealer didn't have any cars they would dicker on price with other than baby crap brown.

Drove to Indy, found a blue with black accents CM with automatice with a good price and bought it on the spot. It was tough to leave that coupe behind at the dealership. I'm sure someone new just absolutely loves the little guy.

My wife loved the CM. But I just couldn't get comfortable in the small leatherette seats on long drives. I felt like I was getting in and out of a phone booth, felt there was a lot of road noise and body roll. Also, carrying the extra weight, the 121 or 126 hp felt labored. But it was a damn fine car.

Until we drove the Paceman. My wife said it was a lot more comfortable in it's seating, a lot quieter (less road noise) and was just a classier automobile.

Thus, we now own a Paceman S All4 with Autotransmission. The CM lasted only 9 months in our ownership having put on just 10k miles.

Would we buy a CM again? If I want 4 doors again. It's called Subaru Forester.

By the way, my summer cars are a Jaguar XJS and a Rolls Royce Silver Cloud II, saving the Midget and TR6 for my grandkids to learn to drive in a decade from now.

 

I never said it failed ...it's just a sloppy clutch.. I have been driving stick since I was 16 years old. I have owned 17 cars all with stick .
There is definitely an issue with the responsiveness of the clutch, in the 2013 countryman .. At first I thought it was me ... But after ready post after post of other people having the same issue .i don't think mine was an isolated issue

 

Are you sure it was road noise and not engine/exhaust noise? I test drove the CM One and non-turbo Cooper and was surprised by the amount of engine noise entering the cabin, even though I was already expecting this based on the reviews.

I was then surprised again when my own turbo Cooper ALL4 arrived and how much quieter it was than the non-turbo models. This is our first Mini and the CM really has exceeded our expectations (especially mine).

 

I have a 2013 CM All4 with about 18,000 miles on it. I love this car. It has it's quirks but they are minor compared to how much fun I have driving it. I also have a 2009 R57 that my 16 yr old daughter drives . I will be driving minis for a long time. I have had no mechanical issues with either car.

 

LOL reading your statement " I felt like I was getting in and out of a phone booth" I totally agree and we really like our Paceman S.


I have no idea why Mini plans to build a 4 Dr. hardtop to replace the Clubman when they could put club doors on both sides and keep the front adult doors.

 

My only real complaint with our CM so far is with seat comfort - we have the cloth and leather seats in ours and they are lacking in thigh support for me. My Mondeo is much better in this regard.

 

It was a very enjoyable experience...from creating a car from "scratch" online and adding just the features you want and really making it your own...then waiting and watching the calendar for 12 weeks(ish) and checking the boat locations every night. This is, I think, a truly unique experience, and one not offered at many/any other car companies these days.

I had no trouble with mine at all. The only thing I paid out of pocket during ownership was the initial oil change...no way was I waiting 10-15k for that one, I don't care what the manual says.

Situations change, and I simply found myself needing a larger vehicle. We now have a (older, small body) Wrangler and a Genesis Coupe, neither of which allows me to transport anything of any size. So traded the MINI yesterday for a Santa Fe Sport. The MINI was a fun, unique, experience, and I know I'll miss it at times....like carving my way around most any curve in the road! (Won't miss the runflats however. Can't wait to hear the radio for a change...only partly joking .)

Owned a few months short of 3 years. 28000 mi. Good car.

 

would absolutely buy again. Only complaint was run flat tires and i changed them out. After two years I like the car better than the day I purchased

 

I know there are saving gas ... But the thing putts along at

certain speeds.

The rerun flats ... Stupid. Always have been.

BMW sends these cars out half developed.

Who does that. Honda... No. Toyota ... no.

The first Gen with an automatic was junk.
The first gen with a five speed was junk.
I hope that the CM will with stand the test of time.

I don't like being there test driver... Not at these prices.

 

That's a big fat no for me, I've just traded mine for an A1 Sportback, I should have done this ages ago, in fact I should never have bought it. I was going to hang on to it until the new 5 door or Clubman arrived, then I drove an A1, 2 days later I'd placed my order and now have to wait until week 12/13 to get it, I can't wait.

As a car the CM is an ok vehicle, as a MINI it's a complete piece of crap. It's not a patch of my previous MINI's, I really wish I'd kept my Clubman, I loved that car, I never really got on with the CM.