R60 finally got around to test driving an ALL4...
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3rd Gear
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 169
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From: sonoma, ca
finally got around to test driving an ALL4...
my history with the Countryman goes all the way back to August, and driving from San Francisco to Denver with a whole bunch of them.
We thought it was a neat car, and were ready to think about replacing my '02 MCS (6-speed) with something a little more practical (i.e. luggage space and a back seat).
Eventually we got around to ordering one in December. We had seen a bunch of them, sat in them, played extensively with the rear seats, the flat load floor and the annoying armrest (IMHO).
But I hadn't actually driven one until yesterday, the day after my car actually went into production.
Went down to my dealer and we took a grey CM out for a spin. After about 50 yards, I knew I hadn't made a bad choice!
Yes, it's a bigger car. And yes, when it leaned like a pig around a freeway on-ramp, my MA did point out we were doing 65.
I was worried about buying a car with an automatic transmission (I've driven standards all my life) - and while the steptronic isn't perfect, it behaves so much better than the CVT in my wife's '06 Cooper Convertible... I knew this would be so, but it was great to actually experience.
Acceleration was not a problem. Stopping didn't seem to be a problem, and speeding around corners (well, from a stop sign and onto the freeway) seemed almost as much fun as in my MCS.
Yes, it's a different car. I know I'll miss that fantastic supercharger whine in 2nd & 3rd, but it is a more mature car.
Just thought I'd share, sorry for waffling on so.
We thought it was a neat car, and were ready to think about replacing my '02 MCS (6-speed) with something a little more practical (i.e. luggage space and a back seat).
Eventually we got around to ordering one in December. We had seen a bunch of them, sat in them, played extensively with the rear seats, the flat load floor and the annoying armrest (IMHO).
But I hadn't actually driven one until yesterday, the day after my car actually went into production.
Went down to my dealer and we took a grey CM out for a spin. After about 50 yards, I knew I hadn't made a bad choice!
Yes, it's a bigger car. And yes, when it leaned like a pig around a freeway on-ramp, my MA did point out we were doing 65.
I was worried about buying a car with an automatic transmission (I've driven standards all my life) - and while the steptronic isn't perfect, it behaves so much better than the CVT in my wife's '06 Cooper Convertible... I knew this would be so, but it was great to actually experience.
Acceleration was not a problem. Stopping didn't seem to be a problem, and speeding around corners (well, from a stop sign and onto the freeway) seemed almost as much fun as in my MCS.
Yes, it's a different car. I know I'll miss that fantastic supercharger whine in 2nd & 3rd, but it is a more mature car.
Just thought I'd share, sorry for waffling on so.
I went to my local dealer's launch party today (Crown MINI of Richmond VA) and took an in-depth look at an ALL4. Didn't test drive it as my young son was with me, but planning to this coming week 
.I am eager to compare it to all of the other MINI models that have come and gone over the past 8 years.
Last edited by minicoopermike; Jan 15, 2011 at 07:16 PM.
You won't be disappointed.
2nd Gear
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 103
Likes: 0
From: Bend, Oregon
I had never even seen one until last week and I ordered in November and it arrives next week. When you know what you want, you know what you want!
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