But are there any high mileage JCW out there?

If so, how have your maintenance issues been?

Would you consider that the slightly upgraded components help longevity?


The reason I ask is because I'm currently considering a Countryman. If so, the thought about waiting for the JCW version might have appeal, though I would like for this to be an eventual 150,000+ mile vehicle.

I'm not unfamiliar with high cost maintenance as I currently own a 2005 BMW X3 with 150,000 miles and with better than factory recommended maintenance, it's surprised me with how well it's held up.
(eg. Actually changing fluids like the transfer case and differentials instead of buying into 'lifetime' fluid crap)

Obviously the fun factor is the reason to get a JCW, but I don't want to sacrifice longevity either.

What are everyone's thoughts on theirs?

 

Change the oil every 5k and warm up the car before boosting plus the turbo cool off before shutting down and you will be fine.

 

I'd say 7500 mile OCIs but agree with everything else.

Also, make sure you get seat time with a CM before making that decision. I HATE the seating position in it. That's why I'm in a Clubman.

FWIW, I put 11,500 miles on mine between Oct 28th and April 24th and it's been a dream.

 

Heh, I have very little choice...
The Countryman at the moment is the only small suv that I know of that gets me a manual transmission with all-wheel drive and good gas mileage.

Given what I like, from initial reports, even the upcoming US BMW X1 won't have a manual transmission model, and the only other vehicle I might consider is if Mazda brings a manual AWD model over (and hopefully not just in the base model).

So for me, it's either the S all4 or the upcoming JCW.

I'm sure I would enjoy either, though I wonder if the upgraded JCW parts might help longevity as well. I'm guessing things like intercoolers might be upgraded so some parts might be beneficial for both the fun aspect as well as longevity.

Seat time is really going to consist of whether or not the cloth/lounge or full leather have equivalent lumbar support.

 

Why do you need an SUV? It's not THAT much bigger than the Clubman.

FWIW, I'd wait for the JCW. Even the S felt WAY underpowered to me.

edit: The VW Tiguan S is available with a 6MT and costs a LOT less than a CM.

 

The biggest qualifier here is the AWD, followed by a manual transmission. There have been times in the past where I've needed to keep snow tires on my vehicle for 6 months out of the year. While I'm aware the AWD system in the Countryman is a bit more primitive than the X-drive system in my current X3, some form of AWD is a bit more comforting considering the high likelyhood of snow and ice I'll be traversing year round. Also, it's the vertical size and hatch that an SUV offers that's a bit more useful to me as well.

Truth be told, if I were to look at a Volkswagen that would suit my desires, the closest fit might be the Golf R. However it's pricing actually makes less sense to me than a Countryman. (as if that were actually possible) Also, lower gas mileage than the Countryman, and my last experience with Volkswagen (Audi A4) has me questioning their build quality more so than BMW since my X3 has actually held up better than my old A4 did, which had more problems and maintenance issues at 100,000 miles than the X3 at 150,000.

I'll wait for the JCW, though mostly to see what changes from the S all4 it makes and whether or not those changes suit my needs/wants.

 

Ah, yeah AWD with MT is hard to find. My experience with VW/Audis (17 years straight driving a LOT of them) is that you have to be very, very good about scheduled maintenance. They aren't forgiving that way. As such, none of mine ever had a problem but I know a number of people that did have issues.

I don't see the R and CM being nearly the same. The R is MUCH smaller. The Tiggy is the closest match, albeit a bit bigger.

I'll have to disagree about needing AWD for the winter. The three winters I've been here in Germany have been brutal and I never had a problem with my M3 nor my Clubman. My M3 was better in the snow than anything I've ever driven, including my ex-wife's Wrangler and I even leand WAY to the performance side of winter tires on it. I'm not saying an M3 is something to look at, just that AWD might not necessarily be a qualifier.

Just spit-ballin' here.

 

No worries, I appreciate the input.

Realistically, I know I can get around well with snow tires. My first vehicle was a front wheel drive Nissan Maxima. Did pretty well. My second vehicle was the aforementioned A4. The traction and security difference between the two, however, were huge. Plenty of freedom and peace of mind to drive and do things I couldn't even attempt to do with the Maxima. Following that, I got the X3 which actually surprised me how much worse it was in the snow than the A4. Still better than the Maxima, but not as good as the A4.

Long story short, I know there's more to winter traction than AWD. However, it is just one more added tool for my peace of mind and safety. (down sizing wheels, narrower tire widths, lower center of gravity just to name a few)

Tiguan wouldn't be bad if I could get AWD in a manual, though for that matter, I wouldn't mind seeing a Q5, (Q3 coming to the states?) an X3 or an X1, heck I'd consider a Grand Touring CX-5 too if they were available in AWD manual configurations. Truth be told, I'd even consider a CR-V or a RAV4 too since the fun/sporting feel is something I'd be willing to sacrifice a bit of if need be.

While I'm wishing, I definitely would love to see a diesel AWD manual suv that's engaging to drive. I bet those are probably in higher supply out there in Germany?

I'm a bit jealous... I imagine overseas you probably have a much nicer selection of vehicles with manuals over there than here in the US.

Half the time these days, I find the vehicles I would like to drive are only configurable overseas.

 

Yeah, I'll take AWD of FWD any day of the week. I HATE FWD in the snow.

I think Audi is making a move away from manuals on just about everything. Prety sad to. If I could have gotten my A4 Avant in a manual I'd probably still have it instead of my Clubman. I just realized there is no AWD option on the Tiggy anymore. :( Your options really ARE limited.

I buy US spec cars so my options are actually MORE limited than yours. I'm only stationed here and only for another couple of weeks.

 

I agree that AWD wins in winter driving.

We have both an A4 Avant with Quattro (oldest daughter) and 2 X3's - one 2.5 (middle daughter) and one 3.0si (wife). The A4 is a 1.8T with a 5 speed manual while both X3's are automatics. We also have a MT Clubman S (youngest daughter) with Blizzak WS70's - the Audi and the BMW's run all season tires year round.

My experience with theses cars is that the A4 feels as if it has the most control (fun) but the ground clearance is poor so in an area with heavy snow it is more limited. The X3's are still excellent to drive and their ground clearance is great. Finely the MINI is fine but not in the same league as the AWD cars - the control (steering and braking) once underway is very good thanks to the Blizzaks but like the Audi the ground clearance is poor. Plus not having to switch from summer to winter tires is another advantage of driving an AWD cars.

 

STi

 

Maybe I'm a bit extreme, but I rather like having both AWD AND snow tires in winter driving... A manual transmission with that is even better. The level of control with all that is (to me at least) phenomenal!

Speaking of ground clearance, that is another reason I'd like to see a JCW Countryman... I am rather curious to see if the lowered suspension is a detriment to it. I will say this though, my 1998 A4 2.8 with 15 inch steel rims and a narrower snow tire pretty much couldn't be stopped no matter how deep the snow. I literally drove it into a snow field that was as deep as the bottom edges of the windows. It never even so much as slipped! It felt as comfortable in deep snow as a Humvee might in the backwoods local creek.

Also, while an Sti is appealing from a fun aspect, I think it might be just a bit too over the top for me... that and I can't get over picturing myself as some young punk street racer from a Fast and the Furious remake if I had one. Though, I bet my insurance company would just LOVE to write me up a policy for that one...

 

First gen STi was very boyracer the new 5 door looks more mature.insurance is not bad about the same as a JCW.

 

Hrrm, I didn't think a JCW would carry a higher insurance premium actually. Might make me rethink that aspect then as well... Might just go back to looking at a regular Countryman if that were the case...

Still, the last time I looked at an STi, it wasn't very roomy...I guess it's changed a bit?

 

I have the X3 (sport pkg) for quite a few years now and I also switch to winter tires every year. It handled very well dry, wet, snow.. the winter tires give us confidence for safety and the least stopping distance when we needed.

This is my first MINI MCS Clubman and I will also adding the winter tires as well. Not sure if I will be driving much during the winter due to the ground clearance. I feel like a kid again with this car...

I was looking at the CM and have not had the chance to drive it yet until I get a better feel for the MCS. To me the CM is like a smaller version of the X3 but I'm not sure if it has the firmness that I like on the X3. So far my Cllubman feel a bit soft... let's see as I only have this car for two weeks now.