Figured I might as well start a thread so any new IOWA Countryman owners can chat and post pix of their new MINI. Someone is first so here goes...
We picked ours up Wednesday, 8th Dec, in Naperville from Bill Jacobs MINI. Excellent sales staff to work with. The car is fantastic to drive, it is so much like the 02 S but then totally different, hard to describe but it works. The Pure Red is an 'in your face' color, if you want to blend in with traffic, get something else. We have been driving around Marion and CR, not a lot of ' it's a MINI' comments, most are confused, but all like it. I plan on making the Jan meet and eat in IC, I am considering driving into DSM to the opening of the MINI dealership, I hear we know one of the MA guys . I have posted pix on the NAM Countryman Forum and some first impressions. We are still learning the Nav/Radio system, lots to cover.
Mike

 

I especially enjoyed the pics in your gallery too. It is a sweet looking ride. I imagine most of the local are not well enough steeped in MINI lore to even recognize the significance of the new model. Rest assured that sooner or later someone will come along [like me] and blurt out "OMG! ...it's a real live Countryman! "

I understand from my inside sources that MoDM has their eye on some sort of grand opening celebration early in the new calendar year. I'm hoping that we can leverage that event as one of our regularly scheduled EIM get-togethers so we can show up with good numbers of people and MINIs. I'll be sure to socialize the info as it emerges.

I'll be keenly interested in your reports on the Nav+Connected integrated system once you're able to give it a good workout. I'm wondering if it's easy manipulating the joystick/buttons while driving, ease of moving back and forth between stereo/Nav/MINI Connected functions, etc.

It will be great to see you in Iowa City next month. Most likely we'll give our business to Wig and Pen again; should have some details available in the next couple of weeks.

Enjoy the Countryman, and thanks for posting in this forum. Awesome ride!

 

We can't wait to see one in person!!

 

your new name shall be IOWACOUNTRYMAN

 

Will you let me ride in it?

 

If you do not think Leo will be offended, we can go for a ride
As for letting JPMM drive it...
I need to get a EIM sticker for the rear...maybe at the Jan get together in IC.
Looks like a good day to test the All4

 

who have you been talking to ?

 

It is not who has been talking, it is more what has been written!
Our airbags look best INSIDE the trim pieces, thank you very much!
Hopefully all of that turned out OK.

 

oh ...that....