So the dealer is currently repairing my bumper because of a license plate installation I did not want on my new CMS, and they gave me a non S CM to drive as a loner. I thought I'd post my impressions as I'd dismissed this version previously without even driving one and was a little surprised. This car is optioned differently than my car, so I figure while I'm at it, I'll post my thoughts on the different options. These observations are strictly my opinion, so take them for what you paid for them....

Transmission - First, let me say this one is an automatic, and I'm a manual kind of guy. The auto transmission shifts smoothly and seems like a good option for those that need it. It sure is nice to have that in traffic, drinking coffee, etc. As for the paddle shifters, I might like them if I had some time to get used to it, but I still miss the clutch, blipping the throttle for downshifts, etc - IMHO, they seem a little gimmicky, as they are still nowhere near the driving involvement of a manual. They are, however, still fun in sport mode. All in all, I think the auto transmission is very good, as I would expect coming from BMW, but I still prefer a manual.

Stereo - I've got the premium package in my car, which includes the Harmon Kardon stereo. This car does not. The difference, as Mark Twain would say, is the difference between lightning and a lightning bug. Night and day. I might go so far as to say the non premium stereo is terrible. Throw in the auto climate control, and the premium package becomes a must for me. I'm so glad I have it on mine.

17" vs 18" wheels - My car has the 18's, the loaner has the 17"s. I'm actually enjoying the 17"s alot. They turn in quicker than the 18"s and feel more sporty at slower speeds. Makes me want to cut in and out of traffic more (which of course I am in no way admitting that I do ) The 18"s feel more stable at higher speeds. If I had it to do over again, I might consider the 17"s for the cheaper replacement tire costs and that "zippy" gokart feeling. Both handle well, and the differences are subtle, and both are loud on the highway because of the run flats I'm going to assume.

Power - This was very interesting to me. I had assumed the non S motor would be severely lacking. I did not find that to be the case. It's not bad really. If you want the power, you obviously need to be on the gas harder, particularly coming out of a corner where you want the torque, but it's there. Now above 80mph, there is no question, the S is much better. The torque band starts much lower in the RPM range as well on the S. Overall, I prefer the power delivery of the S version, but the non S was not nearly as lacking as I was led to believe. You just have to push it a little harder. It still makes some nice music. I did find that I drive the non S in sport mode a lot more frequently than the S. If you are looking to save the $, I'd drive a non S and see what you thought before ruling it out. While it's no 500 hp GT3 monster engine, it's still very engaging to drive, and has what it needs to accelerate quickly, you just have to drive it harder then the S version.

So there you have it. If I get any other observations, I'll post them as I've got the car for the day. Hope you found it useful.

 

I, too, only test drove and only considered an S so appreciate your observations.

 

I ordered a super budget base with auto and pretty much nothing else for commuter use, I haven't even driven one so a big thanks for your observations. I can live with my choice but my only regret may be not adding the HK sound, but I may add a small powered sub later.

 

Are your thoughts on the stereo strictly from a power standpoint, speakers/placement, or just an overall feeling? What types of music do you listen to?

The stereo in my 99 Saturn is in pretty rough shape with only 2 speakers working, so the standard offering in the CM would be a huge improvement for me, ha...but the HK is intriguing. I've seen some mixed reviews on it though...but this seems to be, like most things i guess, a highly personal sort of thing.

I'm still a little ways off from going fwd with everything :( ...so lots of time to research I guess... but good to hear about the non-S since I was leaning that way for commuting and price reasons. thanks for the post!

 

As far as the HK goes, if you like your music with lots of bass then you will not be disappointed.

For me, I had to turn it down because i listen to instrumental a lot more and the bass drowns some of it. But I turned it down, improved the treble and it sounded a lot better.

of course music is subjective, so this is my .02

 

I have the HK in my current car (see sig), and the HK in the Countryman smokes it. They have vastly improved it in every way, and the original HK is not bad at all for a factory sound system. Most of the early bad critiques, from what I've read, came from people comparing it to tricked-out after-market systems in the $2K and up range.

 

Second time this has come up. According to the specs, there are no paddle shifters on the non-S. I wonder what's going on.

 

I have driven automatic versions of both the ‘S’ and base Countryman. The ‘S’ model is definitely quicker off the line and when accelerating out of turns. I think most that drive the ‘S’ model first will be somewhat spoiled and find the base to be underpowered. I have driven three base models and two ‘S’ models. All seem to drive a little different, mostly the feel of the throttle. I think these cars have adaptive learning throttles like my Mercedes Benz. When I first got my ML-500 I noticed the throttle was not very responsive. I could push it and the car would not react right away. I could actually push the throttle down to the floor, let up and the car would not move. The throttle would change and adapt with the style of driving. I noticed the same reaction the first time I drove a base model. I would push down on the throttle and it would not respond so I would push more and it would take off, with a quick snap and the motor would rev quickly. As I drove and the car warmed up I noticed the throttle became more responsive and accelerated smother and better. The second car I drove was just returned from a test drive and warmed up. It also had lots of miles (around 50) for a new car. I did not look, but it might have been a dealer traded car and was driven from one dealer to another. I noticed the throttle responded much better from the start compared to the car I drove a few days before. The performance was better than expected and was actually fun to drive. In fact I started to wonder if the 3k for the ‘S’ was worth it. The third car, just like the first, was a car sitting on the lot with a cold motor and only a few miles on the odometer. It had the same lagging throttle like the first but improved the more I drove it.

I noticed your comments about the Paddle shifters on the steering wheel of the base car. Everything I have read states paddle shifter are only included on ‘S’ models with the automatic transmission as a no cost option. But, I saw a base model at a dealer with paddle shifters and another base car next to it without. Both cars had just been delivered and came off the same truck. The VIN’s were very close to each other and the car with paddles was lower than the other making me think it was built first. The car with the paddles had them listed as an option on the window sticker and listed the price as N/C. So, now I’m wondering does the dealer have the power to override the configurator?

 

youagain: Ah. The Justa paddle shifters mystery deepens. Glad I read your post before telling Sealy "good catch."

 

I can assure you this non S has the paddle shifters. If it would be helpful, I'll take a pic to show you?

 

Calm down, no one questioned your veracity. Just an observation that there are CMs out there that should not be.

 

Crap I thought they all came with paddle shifters, I hope my base auto comes with them, I guess all know next week when it comes in.

Anybody out there with a base auto care to please chime in about having/not having paddle shifters?

 

i do like my bass, but i hate not being able to get away from it in a song where it's not intended to be the focus... but if it adjusts out well, then that would be fine. thanks!