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Just an intro hello folks. I just got it yesterday and as much as I wish we could've afforded to stretch the budget to the S, hope to be happy with the Oxford.
Also thought the extra 4 year warranty (making it 8) might be a good idea. At least my friend that runs a car dealership suggested it considering the costs one could incur if we keep it past 4/6 years or more.
FWIW, We're coming from a Toyota FJ that we loved so much for the fun factor so it was real hard to sell & part with yesterday. It only had 74k miles on it but with the ubiquitous undercarriage rust issues it seemed like the right time to switch as they're in nuts demand.
So as much as I'm much missing Mr FJ, digging the Countryman so far (24 hrs, ha) ...& post researching a bunch just simply could not find another option to replace the FJ with that we might enjoy a road trip in as much as the Countryman, potentially. I strongly feel if you're gonna spend 30k+ you really should smile when you get in it.
I'm initially a bit suspect of the run flats re; what costs could ensue with repairs / replacements so, might switch to non run flats 20k or so miles down the road but? I'd be grateful for any general tips , or things to be aware of being a new owner.
Nice! Re: run-flats...there are people that writhe in pain when they speak of "the tire type that must not be named", and then there are those like me. I don't dislike them other than the fact that the ones I have don't have great traction. The treadwear rating number is 500 IIRC. But, when I'm sliding around turns (on purpose), they are very predictable. IOW, they are good all-season radials. In the meantime, IF I was driving and had a sudden flat, I have more options on what to do and when to do it. I carry a tire repair kit and pump with me, and, just like a "regular tire", I have the option to plug the hole and continue. Since I have a JCW, getting a spare that would fit requires a bit more stringent specification, or, the spare could only be used on the rear, then the non-flat rear would have to be moved to the front. That means half of the time, I'm going to be jacking the car up twice. Oh, and I'd have to buy a jack that would work, which has it's own set of requirements. When I go to change these tires, I think I'll stick with "the tire type that must not be named" and opt for a softer compound so I can have a bit more grip when I'm playing in the corners. And, Welcome!
Nice! Re: run-flats...there are people that writhe in pain when they speak of "the tire type that must not be named", and then there are those like me. I don't dislike them other than the fact that the ones I have don't have great traction. The treadwear rating number is 500 IIRC. But, when I'm sliding around turns (on purpose), they are very predictable. IOW, they are good all-season radials. In the meantime, IF I was driving and had a sudden flat, I have more options on what to do and when to do it. I carry a tire repair kit and pump with me, and, just like a "regular tire", I have the option to plug the hole and continue. Since I have a JCW, getting a spare that would fit requires a bit more stringent specification, or, the spare could only be used on the rear, then the non-flat rear would have to be moved to the front. That means half of the time, I'm going to be jacking the car up twice. Oh, and I'd have to buy a jack that would work, which has it's own set of requirements. When I go to change these tires, I think I'll stick with "the tire type that must not be named" and opt for a softer compound so I can have a bit more grip when I'm playing in the corners. And, Welcome!
Thanks for the thoughts! Probably makes sense to run with the non-flats for now and when they need to be replaced, consider the alternative.
Main concerns are repair / replace costs as well as, if you were on a road trip it would be a real challenge, and bummer, to get it repaired potentially.
For now makes sense to get something like the Dynaplug, and a portable pump.
Guess I'm kinda cold school but I still can't figure out how to do something as simple as program a few presets for the radio! Holding the number seems to program something else!? ...Dang, gettin old.
Thanks for the thoughts! Probably makes sense to run with the non-flats for now and when they need to be replaced, consider the alternative.
Main concerns are repair / replace costs as well as, if you were on a road trip it would be a real challenge, and bummer, to get it repaired potentially.
For now makes sense to get something like the Dynaplug, and a portable pump.
Guess I'm kinda cold school but I still can't figure out how to do something as simple as program a few presets for the radio! Holding the number seems to program something else!? ...Dang, gettin old.
Congrats, the Oxfords are underappreciated because of the smaller engine. I've had mine since March, and I love it! They are a great value, and the 3-cylinder is not as dreadful as I thought it might be. I have the Pirelli runflats on mine, which are adequate. I don't find them as stiff as other runflats we have had. I will replace them eventually with regular tires; we have had at least 5 cars with runflats installed from the factory and have replace them all with regular tires. Partly because of cost, but also selection. I find that going with a stiffer regular tire is a good balance on ride and handling, you don't want squishy tires on a Mini.
With regards to radio presets, this must be your first BMW While on the AM/FM screen, scroll and highlight the station you want to set. Then just press the iDrive **** and hold; it will then bring you to the presets menu (you can release the ****) and you can scroll to the preset number you want to set it at; then just press the **** again to set. The presets that are on the physical "radio" can be used for stations, but also different screens. You set stations this way by going to the station you want and holding the number down. If you want to set a screen (like tire pressures for example), then go to that screen, then press and hold the number you want to set.
Congrats, the Oxfords are underappreciated because of the smaller engine. I've had mine since March, and I love it! They are a great value, and the 3-cylinder is not as dreadful as I thought it might be. I have the Pirelli runflats on mine, which are adequate. I don't find them as stiff as other runflats we have had. I will replace them eventually with regular tires; we have had at least 5 cars with runflats installed from the factory and have replace them all with regular tires. Partly because of cost, but also selection. I find that going with a stiffer regular tire is a good balance on ride and handling, you don't want squishy tires on a Mini.
With regards to radio presets, this must be your first BMW While on the AM/FM screen, scroll and highlight the station you want to set. Then just press the iDrive **** and hold; it will then bring you to the presets menu (you can release the ****) and you can scroll to the preset number you want to set it at; then just press the **** again to set. The presets that are on the physical "radio" can be used for stations, but also different screens. You set stations this way by going to the station you want and holding the number down. If you want to set a screen (like tire pressures for example), then go to that screen, then press and hold the number you want to set.
Thanks for that. It's good to hear. I'm also not finding the 3 cylinder so dreadful but then, I'm more concerned with reliability long term than the added performance. It seems to be sprightly enough for me so far.
Yeah it's definitely my first BMW! Thanks for the tips on setting the radio presets. Trying to slowly wrap my head around the Countryman quirks.
Most annoying thus far is the remembering to engage the A-OFF every time you drive to thwart the Automatic Start/ Stop Function.
Little by little getting acclimated.
Most annoying thus far is the remembering to engage the A-OFF every time you drive to thwart the Automatic Start/ Stop Function.
Little by little getting acclimated.
Find someone with a ODBII dongle to plug into the car's computer. You can change the setting to remember the status of the A-OFF and the Mode (Sport, Green) when you restart the car. We did this to ours and we never have to remember to turn it off.
While on the AM/FM screen, scroll and highlight the station you want to set. Then just press the iDrive **** and hold; it will then bring you to the presets menu (you can release the ****) and you can scroll to the preset number you want to set it at; then just press the **** again to set. The presets that are on the physical "radio" can be used for stations, but also different screens. You set stations this way by going to the station you want and holding the number down. If you want to set a screen (like tire pressures for example), then go to that screen, then press and hold the number you want to set.
