I have a 2014 Hardtop S. I'm thinking of trading for a new Countryman S. I guess I have concerns about the performance because the Countryman is a larger vehicle with a smaller engine. Do you guys find the Countryman to be underpowered at all? Should I be worried about this?

 

Why not take one out for a test drive and see for yourself? You're the one who has to be happy with the performance level.

 

What Mikey said.
I've been motoring in our '06 R52 S for 8 years and just a year ago my co-pilot acquired a CM justa with auto gear box. I've driven it about and find it to perform and handle very well. Very comfortable and a pleasure on the highway. Power to weight as is it does not feel sluggish.

 

The only difference I truly notice is in the turns...but test drive one and figure out if you'll be happy with it.

 

Before turbo kicks in the car is a slow drooling dog, that's why for the most part you use sport mode. Once out on the highway I turn sport mode off unless I feel the need to act like an idiot.

 

After having an '03 S hardtop for 8 years (and loving it) we've had two All 4's (one manual, one automatic) and have never been left wanting for more power.

The Countryman is a great handling car (just drive one), but of course it's never going to be quite like the first generation Mini hardtop given the extra size and weight.

 

My CMS is my first mini, but it handles like a dream. I've never felt under powered (coming out of a 300 hp BMW), but if you're looking to add a little more oomph, I'd recommend a tune. Like giving her a Red Bull

 

It's a decent compromise. Coming from a r56 S to a CMS I definitely noticed a drop in power and the handling is not all there, with more body roll. However, the handling is still excellent for the class of vehicle and plop in a JB+ and you still have very comparable engine performance.

 

Countryman S, under-powered?

In my opinion, definitely not.

 

I'll second and third all these opinions...of course any car *could* have more power (okay, there are exceptions) but the CM will not leave you wanting...I have a 15 CMS All4 and even with the extra weight it was a blast to take to the track.

I WILL say that if you plan on time-trialing or autocrossing a CM you'll find that the clutch and brakes, carryovers from the smaller cars, are a tad small and will heat up under heavy use...go JCW or better.

 

I had a 2010 N18 Cooper S before and now 2013 CMS ALL4. Their engines are exactly the same and CM feels a little sluggish from the start and gets out of breath at high rpms.
On the other hand, I had traction issues with my R56 whenever the road was anything but perfectly dry & flat. R60 ALL4 just goes

All in all, I think it needs a little remap to boost power levels, that's it.

 

I present: REMAP => http://www.burgertuning.com/Mini_Coo...nce_tuner.html

I gotta get my hands on one...missed a low bidding price on ebay...

 

Any further questions, what did MINI Motorsports choose for the Dakar rally? It's gotta say something about the CM.
(recognizing of course that there was a great deal of pre-rally prep, but still...)

 

The Countryman auto in NON S version can be a little slower, but it gets up and moves in sport mode, but S, or ALL4 and JCW are fine. I think the JCW version is very fast.


You can feel the rotation and weight when turning after coming from a hardtop.

 

As i said earlier, take one out and drive it for yourself and then form your own opinion...

 

We too came from a 300 HP BMW X3 35i, compare to the X3, the CM S All4 is a bit slower. It is no faster than the average Toyota Camry V6 on the highway. Also, the CM is a lot noisier on the highway than the BMW, handling wise, the CM is better. In my opinion, the CM could use another 40 HP and more sound insulation.

 

Can you drive in sport mode most of the time without damaging the vehicle?

 

Yes, its fine, just have t hit the button each time when you get in the car and start it up.

 

That is what we usually do, the sport mode should have been the normal mode for the CM all4.

 

I use sport mode most of the time except on highway cruising.

 

Just a comment, but the 14 hardtop S uses the 2 liter b48. So it's slightly different comparison than what any of you have said, thought I would point it out. I own a 15 hardtop S but have not driven a countryman so cannot compare.

 

I had the same valid concern prior to getting our 2013 CMS All4 JCW...and it has exceeded all realistic expectations...

This last weekend I drove and tested the car thoroughly through a severe California winter snowstorm via Donner Pass on I-80 coming from Northstar Resorts. Did not have to use chains at all...I just used these winter run flat tires...

Is the power sufficient in the stock Countryman? Yes it is more than sufficient!

 

Well done. Snow tires for the win in a storm. And the JCW

 

Will this work with a 2016 Countryman S?

I just picked mine up this weekend and would love a little extra umph haha