F60 Potential Countryman S All 4 buyer
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2nd Gear
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 123
Likes: 0
From: Columbia, South Carolina
Potential Countryman S All 4 buyer
Owned 16 BMW’s and a 2009 Clubman S we traded for a 2013 X1 Sdrive MSport. Choices are down to X1, X2 and Countryman S. I like the looks and uniqueness of the Countryman the most but I have a couple questions.
1) the torque steer was terrible on the manual front drive clubman, how much will the All 4 and or automatic change this. We pull out of our neighborhood onto a 2 lane rd that crests about 100 yrd away and people fly over the crest. Used to just spin the fronts wild on the Clubman
2) can’t really tell what tires are on the 18” rims, I assume run flats but performance or all seasons. My M235 has a slime/inflation kit but the X1 has nothing as backup. I saw where you can order a mini spare and is that a decent option. Good luck finding a replacement run flat for our 2013 X1 because its a couple days wait after blowing out on a pothole.
3) Navigation, I didn’t get it on my M235 because its a couple hundred bucks for updates and my $100 Garmin gets free updates and works better. Does the 2019 Countryman get free updates for Nav.
4) power tailgate, looks like a lot of problems with them have they fixed these issues?
5) my closest dealers (3) are all about 100 miles away, whats a reasonable discount I could expect if I order
6) I’m confused on the maintenance, is it still free the first 3 years or 36 months
1) the torque steer was terrible on the manual front drive clubman, how much will the All 4 and or automatic change this. We pull out of our neighborhood onto a 2 lane rd that crests about 100 yrd away and people fly over the crest. Used to just spin the fronts wild on the Clubman
2) can’t really tell what tires are on the 18” rims, I assume run flats but performance or all seasons. My M235 has a slime/inflation kit but the X1 has nothing as backup. I saw where you can order a mini spare and is that a decent option. Good luck finding a replacement run flat for our 2013 X1 because its a couple days wait after blowing out on a pothole.
3) Navigation, I didn’t get it on my M235 because its a couple hundred bucks for updates and my $100 Garmin gets free updates and works better. Does the 2019 Countryman get free updates for Nav.
4) power tailgate, looks like a lot of problems with them have they fixed these issues?
5) my closest dealers (3) are all about 100 miles away, whats a reasonable discount I could expect if I order
6) I’m confused on the maintenance, is it still free the first 3 years or 36 months
1st Gear
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 50
Likes: 11
From: Margaritaville
1) Torque steer is not bad at all. I've had way worse on previous FWD cars.
2) Run Flats. I did get the spare tire because I want to ditch the run flats later.
3) I did get the navigation, but do not know about the updates.
4) I opted not to get this. Personal choice.
5) Not sure, this was my first Mini.
6) Yes that is my understanding.
Good luck! I really like the Countryman S so far.
2) Run Flats. I did get the spare tire because I want to ditch the run flats later.
3) I did get the navigation, but do not know about the updates.
4) I opted not to get this. Personal choice.
5) Not sure, this was my first Mini.
6) Yes that is my understanding.
Good luck! I really like the Countryman S so far.
2nd Gear
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 97
Likes: 18
Owned 16 BMW’s and a 2009 Clubman S we traded for a 2013 X1 Sdrive MSport. Choices are down to X1, X2 and Countryman S. I like the looks and uniqueness of the Countryman the most but I have a couple questions.
1) the torque steer was terrible on the manual front drive clubman, how much will the All 4 and or automatic change this. We pull out of our neighborhood onto a 2 lane rd that crests about 100 yrd away and people fly over the crest. Used to just spin the fronts wild on the Clubman
2) can’t really tell what tires are on the 18” rims, I assume run flats but performance or all seasons. My M235 has a slime/inflation kit but the X1 has nothing as backup. I saw where you can order a mini spare and is that a decent option. Good luck finding a replacement run flat for our 2013 X1 because its a couple days wait after blowing out on a pothole.
3) Navigation, I didn’t get it on my M235 because its a couple hundred bucks for updates and my $100 Garmin gets free updates and works better. Does the 2019 Countryman get free updates for Nav.
4) power tailgate, looks like a lot of problems with them have they fixed these issues?
5) my closest dealers (3) are all about 100 miles away, whats a reasonable discount I could expect if I order
6) I’m confused on the maintenance, is it still free the first 3 years or 36 months
1) the torque steer was terrible on the manual front drive clubman, how much will the All 4 and or automatic change this. We pull out of our neighborhood onto a 2 lane rd that crests about 100 yrd away and people fly over the crest. Used to just spin the fronts wild on the Clubman
2) can’t really tell what tires are on the 18” rims, I assume run flats but performance or all seasons. My M235 has a slime/inflation kit but the X1 has nothing as backup. I saw where you can order a mini spare and is that a decent option. Good luck finding a replacement run flat for our 2013 X1 because its a couple days wait after blowing out on a pothole.
3) Navigation, I didn’t get it on my M235 because its a couple hundred bucks for updates and my $100 Garmin gets free updates and works better. Does the 2019 Countryman get free updates for Nav.
4) power tailgate, looks like a lot of problems with them have they fixed these issues?
5) my closest dealers (3) are all about 100 miles away, whats a reasonable discount I could expect if I order
6) I’m confused on the maintenance, is it still free the first 3 years or 36 months
1. I do not notice any torque steer when accelerating hard but this is probably not relevant since I have an electric motor driving the rear wheels.
2. I have all-season run flats. I’m pretty sure you can choose between all season and high performance if you build.
3. I don’t know about cost for updates but the on board nav is nice, especially if you have the HUD
4. The power tailgate foot action is hit or miss for me, but otherwise it works great and I love it.
5. I would expect zero discount unfortunately. Mini is notorious for not coming off MSRP at all. You may be able to negotiate some minor upgrades (floor mats, etc).
6. Correct.
3rd Gear
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 155
Likes: 12
From: Maryland
Based on my 2018 JCW
1. Just a hint of torque steer. Nothing compared to the TS on my 2013 Clubman S.
2. All stock tires are run-flats. Personally I hate run-flats. I ordered my JCW and I attempted to replace the run-flats with normal tires but MINI wouldn't do it. I do have the all-season version because I actually get 4 seasons where I live. If you get a puncture in a RF they may fix it once but that is it. As I understand it, just removing/reinstalling the tire to properly fix the flat can damage the sidewall. You have to toss it after that. Depending on wear, you may have to replace both tires on the same axle. This is not unique to Mini, it is for all cars with RF tires.
3. I have the Nav and the HUD. This is one of the best Nav systems I have had in a car. The HUD clearly shows the lanes to get into for upcoming turns. The voice guidance is nice and not obnoxious. The only problem with the HUD is, you can't use polarized sunglasses with it. As for updates, I am sure you pay for updates. I had to pay for Nav updates for my Clubman. That was about $150, which I did about every two or so years. Garmin used to charge for updates on their devices until there was so much competition from OEM Nav systems. The integrated Nav in the Countryman is really nice. I have the 8.5" display which helps.
4. The power tailgate is hit or miss with me to, but it is helpful. Overall, I do like a power tailgate.
5. My dealer routinely would give a $1000 discount, but that is it. If I was buying off the lot I might have gotten more but I prefer ordering my Minis exactly the way I want them so the $1K was it.
6. Yes maintenance is 3yr/36000mi. I don't put that many miles on in a year (about 5K) so that means I bring the car in 1/yr. Mainly for an oil change. On my 2013 Clubman I also stupidly bought the extended maintenance plan. I did not get my money's worth of maintenance for the cost of that.
1. Just a hint of torque steer. Nothing compared to the TS on my 2013 Clubman S.
2. All stock tires are run-flats. Personally I hate run-flats. I ordered my JCW and I attempted to replace the run-flats with normal tires but MINI wouldn't do it. I do have the all-season version because I actually get 4 seasons where I live. If you get a puncture in a RF they may fix it once but that is it. As I understand it, just removing/reinstalling the tire to properly fix the flat can damage the sidewall. You have to toss it after that. Depending on wear, you may have to replace both tires on the same axle. This is not unique to Mini, it is for all cars with RF tires.
3. I have the Nav and the HUD. This is one of the best Nav systems I have had in a car. The HUD clearly shows the lanes to get into for upcoming turns. The voice guidance is nice and not obnoxious. The only problem with the HUD is, you can't use polarized sunglasses with it. As for updates, I am sure you pay for updates. I had to pay for Nav updates for my Clubman. That was about $150, which I did about every two or so years. Garmin used to charge for updates on their devices until there was so much competition from OEM Nav systems. The integrated Nav in the Countryman is really nice. I have the 8.5" display which helps.
4. The power tailgate is hit or miss with me to, but it is helpful. Overall, I do like a power tailgate.
5. My dealer routinely would give a $1000 discount, but that is it. If I was buying off the lot I might have gotten more but I prefer ordering my Minis exactly the way I want them so the $1K was it.
6. Yes maintenance is 3yr/36000mi. I don't put that many miles on in a year (about 5K) so that means I bring the car in 1/yr. Mainly for an oil change. On my 2013 Clubman I also stupidly bought the extended maintenance plan. I did not get my money's worth of maintenance for the cost of that.
Thread Starter
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2nd Gear
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 123
Likes: 0
From: Columbia, South Carolina
On the X1 and X2 when the tailgate is open there is a button on the tailgate you touch and it closes the tailgate, does the Countryman have this or just the option of sticking your foot under the rear to make it close?
3rd Gear
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 155
Likes: 12
From: Maryland
There are two buttons side-by-side. One to close the tailgate, the other to close and lock the car. You can also use your foot or key fob to close the tailgate.
2nd Gear
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 71
Likes: 6
From: Boston, MA
For NAV, I have a 2017 so I don't know if there are changes for the 2019 model which has remote services. For my 2017 model, you can buy updates from the dealer or pretty easily find the maps online and download them for free (around 25GB) and put them on a USB stick. I updated mine from original 2017-01 version to 2018-01 version. I believe it's like BMW where you can install the map data without FSC codes for the first 3 years. It's probably worth asking the dealer if the 2019 model has over the air/remote updates.
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2nd Gear
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 97
Likes: 18
I could be wrong here but I think its all one in the same? Meaning if you get the power tailgate option, it includes the buttons and footwave function. Might want to confirm this with your dealer.
2nd Gear
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 78
Likes: 29
From: SF Bay Area
I've uploaded the VIN-based build reports from 2 different sites for my car.
-Bob
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