Hi all -- about to take delivery on my 2012 Countryman and I have a question about carrying bikes/ skis.

I'd like to use a bumper-mount carrier like the OEM Mini bike carrier for both bikes and skis. I was looking at http://www.minifini.com/default.aspx and the Sport-Link attachment kit which mounts through the bumper mounts and offers a switchable bike and ski carrier which would suit me well, but it is designed for the Cooper S and I can't tell if the mounts are the same for the Countryman. Does anyone know if the Sport-Link works with the Countryman?

They also have a Country-Link attachment that provides a 1.25" hitch mount but I was concerned about lowering the rear clearance by adding this frame-mounted kit: I have a hitch kit on my 2008 GTI now (for a Thule bike rack) and it scrapes the ground on steep ramps etc.

Any experiences or info welcome - thanks!

Michael

 

I am looking at hitch options for our 11 ALL4 as well. (for use with our existing Thule rack)

If I read the MiniFini site correctly, the only thing for the CM is the country link - which gives you a 1 1/4" hitch receiver and would NOT be compatible with the rest of the 'sport line' products.

However - best to get the info from someone who actually has the product!

-Jac

 

I just got the Country Link mounted on my 12 ALL4 and it looks great and seems to work fine with our Thule bike carrier.

 

The CountryLink is fine and the Thule 4-bike carrier attaches w/no problem, but now, the backup indicator/sensor in the dash makes a super-irritating sound when I back up, because *it thinks I've run into something* (or am about to) because the metal carrier is on the bumper!

Will have to figure out how to disable the detection sound... it sounds like the emergency broadcast tone on the radio...

 

Was it difficult installing the countrylink? I am like many others and can't find a suitable bike rack solution. I just can't bring myself to pay $600 for the mini rack.