Hi motorers,

I used to be a fellow MINI owner (for 7 years!) when I decided to sell my beloved MCS for a 335i.

Roughly 2 years later, I decided to sell it and go back to my favourite brand! A few days ago, I took delivery of a 2012 Countryman S All4. So far, I love the ride quality, the All4 awd system (used to drive a X-Drive 335i and honestly, the awd system is not my kind of power distribution system... 30-70 front-rear ratio is not well-suited for Quebec's winters!)

It's a real blast to drive through snow storms and has enough room for me, so far! It has the following options:

-All4 AWD
-Sunroof
-Bench seats
-Rain sensor
-Heated mirrors
-Automatic Climate Control
-Chrome Line Exterior & Interior
-Auto-dimming mirror
-Bluetooth & iPod Adaptor
-6-speed auto
-Xenon with adaptive lights
-Tinted windows
-Outmotoring Stubby antenna


Here are a few pics of my little MCS, 335i, and new MINI!

 

Welcome back to the fold....
Nice "wheels" for the north country.

 

All 3 are sharp looking rides!!

 

Nice looking CM. I also sold a 335i and bought a MINI (MCS) and I love it! My only regret is that I didn't get the MINI in the first place and save myself a lot of money and had much more fun in the process.

 

Nice Countryman and welcome to NAM

 

Very nice ponies. I've noticed in my very brief history on NAM that there are a lot of current and former BMW owners (and 3 series at that) who are MINI drivers too. Why is that? I can see some basic similarities (I've never owned a BMW, except for the 2 wheel varieties), but what about Audi, or Mercedes-Benz? Interesting.

 

My guess is the BMW link between the 2 brands. Not unusual in the "world" of owning cars, brand loyalty goes along way with many folks.

 

A lot of people buying BMW 3 series thinking that it is a "fun drive" like the old E30s (from the '90s) and the E36s (from the early 2000s). These cars are small and nimble like the MINI. However, the 3 series has grown fat with each new model. The new M3 is as big as the older M5s were; how much fun can that be? Even the new 1 series is bigger than the older 3 series. They have gone from being the "Altimate Driving Machine" to the "Altimate Boulevard Cruser and Status Symbol". The MINI is the "fun" car they wanted in the first place.

 

The current generation 3 series is still very fun to drive, but in a more, shall we say, buttoned down way. We have a 335 and its power is amazing, but it doesnt have the same "go cart" feeling on the curves. They are both fun in different ways. We got our MINI because we have always owned BMWs and wanted to stay in the brand.
With the MINI, you feel the road more, and somehow it seems more connected. With the BMW, the ride is much smoother and its much harder to feel how fast you are going. I have passed people on the freeway only to discover that my speed is in 3 digit territory, and the car is totally composed.
For a long trip with lots of freeway miles I would prefer the 3, for twisty backcountry roads I would always take the MINI.
Back to the thread- I like all three of your cars!

 

I guess the 3-serie is the logical next step for many of us... But it lacks personality and fun, which any MINI has plenty!!

The 335i (with a tune and a few mods) is a torque monster but again, I missed the MINI's personality...

Merry X-Mas to all of you!!

 

I agree with all of this. The 335 was a great car with incredible power. It's a car that begs to go fast and the faster you go, the better it responds and handles. I drove the Hyundai Genesis coupe when I was looking to replace the 335 and I found it to have plenty of power, but it just didn't feel and drive like the BMW. My decision to switch to the MCS was all about the drive and fun. No, my MINI doesn't have anywhere near the straight line power of the 335, but it is a lot more fun to drive than the BMW, but is has the same tight feel. I feel like I'm driving the car rather than driving in the car. The fact that the MINI is about half the price of the 335 is a nice plus too. I also love the personality of the MINI and the lifestyle that comes along with it at no extra charge (clubs, events, etc.).