I've been looking at MINI Countryman models, in the 2014 through 2016 range. I've only looked at the ads on my phone. I haven't been out to look at them in person yet, because I don't have any transportation at the moment. I have an 05 Dodge Grand Caravan that's currently in the shop with a blown head gasket. So I'm stranded for the moment until I get that one back, if it doesn't turn out to be toast. I'm still waiting to find out. So right now my car search has just been online. I hope to make it in person before too terribly much longer.

I'm a pretty fair shade tree mechanic, and do a lot of my own repairs (blown head gasket is too big a job for me, even if I had a garage, which I don't. I'm sure not going to do it under a tree) so I'd like some opinions from those of you who are mechanical and work on your own cars. How hard are MINIs to work on? Not major stuff like replacing an engine or transmission, or tearing down an engine or transmission. More everyday stuff like replacing brake jobs, rebuilding calipers, replacing spark plugs, coils, valve cover gaskets, the odd sensor, or other fiddly bits that are basically just part of routine maintenance.

From what I've gathered so far, and some of this could be wrong, it sounds like gen 3 might be more reliable than Gen 2. Aside from just not being as old, I have read that gen 3's have better engines and transmissions. I don't have anything to base that on other than various people's opinions, and you know what they say about opinions.

My son and his wife have a Gen 2, 2011 hardtop, base model not an S. They've had it a year or two and seemed to be really happy with it. They haven't had any problems with it. So this is making me wonder if I've been misinformed and I could go for a 2011 or 2012 or 2013, and get a perfectly good reliable car. I have noticed that even just one year younger, a 2013 rather than a 2014 is generally considerably less expensive. However I don't want to sacrifice quality to save some money. I'd rather spend an extra thousand or two and get something reliable, than something that breaks down every other week.

​​​​​ So please, share your experience and knowledge with me. I appreciate any help or advice. I understand that even with the best advice in the world, I could still wind up with a lemon. But that applies to any car, not just MINIs

ETA: I don't want anything lowered or raised, not into racy or sporty mods. I just want a basic, reliable car, that doesn't guzzle gas. A kind lady I met in a parking lot let me try her MINI on for size, to see if one would work for me. It was very comfortable, and easy for me to get in and out of without hurting my knees or my hip. (My own parts have a lot of miles, and some damage.)

 

I expect you are aware that the reputation for reliability over time is better for the Gen 3 (B48) cars rather than the Gen 2 (N14, N18).

Good luck and have fun.

Cheers,

Charlie

 

If you’re looking for a Countryman, the newer model you can afford, with the lowest amount of miles, will treat you better. Ever more so if you can perform your own maintenance. Nothing is truly challenging when it comes to maintenance, just some tasks can be time consuming due to the tight working conditions.

I recently went from a 2012 Clubman into a 2019 Countryman. The newer cars are much more comfortable. The engines are supposed to be more reliable, but they still have their issues. Do some research on the oil filter housings. Supposedly, the 3rd gen countryman also has wheel bearings issues, too.

 

Thanks, I'll look up the oil filter housings, and the wheel bearings. It's good to know ahead of time what issues might come up.