Ok, just a brief bit on my Countryman ALL4 impressions after having one for a weekend. Since this was a holiday weekend we did make the rounds to visit friends and family so we got to spend some time driving it on the highways, in all sizes of cities and on some back roads even.

We both appreciated the interior. The extra width inside is nice. The seats seem heavier and more forgiving. Very comfy. The dash is ...interesting, a bit different layout than in our R53, but we decided we could get used to the dash differences, radio controls, etc. We were both not thrilled with the steering wheel button sizes and placements. Leg room is great for tall gents like me in either front seat, but my right knee cap thanks MINI for the extra inches to the right. Rear seat room is wonderful. Useable. Adaptable too, drop a seat and lay your golf club bag back there no sweat. Sound inside is very quiet. Far less tire sounds, still some motor sound. Seems less exhaust sounds inside too.

It rides great. Not too stiff. No 4x4 feel to it in my opinion. Steering is very MINIesque, though unusual at highway speeds I imagine due to ALL4 setup we had. This one has all season non runflat 17" black rims. Decent tires. Great rims. Performance is good to great for it's type of vehicle. Stronger at the top of the revs than down low. The gear box...wow...shorten that throw people...it's like driving a Kenworth compared to our R53. Long throws with the gear shift is what I meant, and the tranny feels like the R56's. Soft clutch. Even my wife noticed that. Country roads it eats for lunch. Excellent handling on gravel.

We both give it a thumbs up!

 

So, baby Madelyn got sick sick Sunday night and needed Pedialyte. Guess who had to make the 30mi drive one way to get it at 11:15pm? Guess who got to the register and then realized who didn't have his wallet? Guess who had to make two 60mi round trips in the middle of the night and didn't care because he was going too fast in a MINI S?

 

Played the ol' "forgot my wallet" card to get extra motoring time, eh? One of my favorites.

 

Which 2 in the front and which 2 in the back...

 

WildThang, while I understand and know and realize the market, purpose, etc etc for a vehicle such as the Countryman, I cannot help but think, personally, that a Mini is a Mini and should be a Mini and BMW is reaching. It just seems like a weird compromise to make. It's not quite a Mini but not quite a crossover like, I don't know, a CR-V?
Nevertheless, I have not seen sales numbers but I am sure it is a hit already.

 

Fishbone, I hear ya man. As I write this I'm looking at hat I have that commemorates the 1964 win for Mini Cooper at Monte Carlo. I too appreciate the history of the car. When my wife asked if we could get one, I too was very skeptical of BMW & MINI. Not any more. And remember, back in the early years of Mini there were many different models to choose from. The Moke was around over 20 years, the pickup and the van the same. Being from the USA I never saw those as a kid. But I welcome MINI's changes. We can't wait to test drive a Coupe when those come out. And Bimmer's aren't that bad actually...just...never mind...LOL!

Edit: We have friends with a CR-V. Gutless, poor cornering, top heavy. The Countryman isn't like that.

 

My husband use to rebuild Minis. This photo shows 2 of them. The one on the right is an original countryman. I'm not sure how he would have felt about the new Countryman since he passed away last September (that's why I haven't been on here or at events lately). BTW, the license plates say MOWOG. All the old Minis had MoWoG stamped on their engines.

 

Thanks for the photos kaddidle! That is one model I've yet to see in person, the original Countryman.

Sorry to hear your husband passed.

 

Just taking a vacation and thought I would pass on some pictures:

 

Good to hear from you JMike. I've gotta say, wow, that's a lot of bugs.

On a side note, we updated our MINI. I posted pics in the R55 section.

 

Neat photos JMike!

 

Thanks, great pics of yours also. Here I thought it was neat seeing the Mini out there with the kayak on it and then yours has 2 of them on it. As great as seeing the Mini out in Hawaii with a Surf board on it.

 

The annual Lauretzen Gardens European Car Show is coming up Sept 18th from noon to 3pm. They are very interested in getting a showing from the Mini Group again this year. Attached is the contact info if you are registering. We had a good time last year and even got a TShirt out of the deal. We will probably attend again and if anyone else is interested please let me know and get with Jennifer to register. Last year we met up at McDonalds on 13th St and entered as a group so we could park together.

Jennifer M. Evans
Director of Visitor Services
LAURITZEN GARDENS
100 Bancroft Street
Omaha, NE 68108
Phone (402) 346-4002 ext. 204
Fax (402) 345-7310
www.lauritzengardens.org

 

I really wanted to go again this year but unfortunately it's on the same day as the Last Fling 'Till Spring car show.

 

Both events sound great. It would be a shame to not have an appearance at either one. I'll try to make the Lauretzen Gardens one.

 

For the other one we'll be going as spectators rather than participants as it's for classic cars.

 

I don't think I'll be able to make the Lauretzen Gardens show tomorrow. Besides the weather not being that great, coming back from Montana last week a good portion of the trip my Engine light came on. I put in some injector cleaner and after about 3-4 fill-ups later the light finally went out. Just today, the light came on again. It's done this to me before a couple times a long time ago but I've never been able to get it to the dealer while it's on for them to find out what it's doing. I want to limit my driving in it now to see if I can get it back to the dealer again to find out why it keeps coming on. So I don't think I'll be going anywhere in it this weekend. Who ever does go, I hope the weather turns out better than predicted for you.

 

I just received an email from Jennifer:

"The Lauritzen Gardens European Car and Motorcycle Show has been rescheduled, due to weather, to Sunday, October 2nd. Times and locations remain the same."

I think I may be able to attend.

 

I would like to attend also, Are there any plans? Are we showing or viewing?

 

We'll be viewing.

 

I'll be showing. For those doing the same, meet at McDonalds around 11:30?

 

I will be in town on Saturday....might just have to stay overnight. A last fling for TROGDOR.

 

Sounds great. I should be there. If I get there early enough, I'll try to go pick up some entry forms first like I did last time so we can fill them out before arriving.

 

Looks like I will be there as well. Spending the night at Rainman's see you in the morning JMike.

 

Great, haven't seen you in awhile.