Hi,

I bought my Countryman (base model- auto) 3 months ago and I have not been pleased with it so far. There are two things I absolutely hate about the car. It has come to a point where I want to get rid of the thing immediately.

1. Standard headlights- These headlights are absolutely awful. When driving on back roads I feel like theres a good chance I will one day crash off the road because I cannot see anything. I made the huge mistake of not getting xenon lights. I'm pretty sure the Countryman's regular headlights are the worst headlights on the road. Even with the brights on I can't see a thing. Does anyone else have this problem?

2. Ride Quality-
I own a Honda S2000 and the ride quality on that car is somewhat harsh. However, if you hit a pothole with the s2000 it's not a huge deal. A minor bump and you wont spill your coffee. Now, if you hit a pothole with my Countryman--its a whole different story. If you dont see it coming-- the sound of the car hitting the pothole + the whiplash experienced is frightening. I'm 100% sure that if a young child is in the back seat they would cry. I feel like I might develop back problems if i keep driving this car.

Another minor thing I'm not too happy about is the handling. This handles nothing like a MINI Cooper. MINI needs to take "GO-KART" handling off their Countryman Brochure immediatly.

Well that's it. I'm hoping that these problems are defects that can be corrected. By posting this I'm hoping nobody will confirm that they too have these problems so I can take my car to the dealer and get this fixed. Also- I'm wondering if the JCW suspension would help the ride quality.

Thanks,

Jason

 

I'm not going to defend the CM to end just because it's a CM, but it sounds like your issues could have easily been addressed with proper research on your part.

1. NEVER get base headlights on any car when Xenon are available.

2. Is your complaint that the suspension is too stiff, or too soft?

3. It may not be a MCS handling-wise, but it certainly is more "go kart-like" than any other crossover out there.

It really sounds more like your expectations were not realistic for the car you bought.

 

I also own a Honda S2000. The headlights on that car are amazing. That's why I made sure to get Xenon lights on my Countryman (still waiting for it to arrive). I believe that you can get an after market upgrade to Xenon lights.

 

Did you get sport suspension and/or 18" wheels? I'm told that makes the ride much harsher. I don't have my CM yet, but the test drive is smoother than my '07 MCS.

 

Thanks for the quick response.

I really did a ton of research before buying this car. I think if I could go back and do it all again I would have waited to test drive before I bought.

1. I spoke with my MA on this matter and he advised me not to get the xenons. I had a 1998 maxima with better lights than this car. I just felt like after 13 years I would get more for my money.

2. I'm not a car expert but I'm complaining the ride is too harsh for whatever reason. Maybe its the tires (17"), maybe its the stiff suspension, or maybe there is something wrong with my car. My dropped my 1998 maxima with eibach springs and threw on some kyb shocks and struts. The suspension on that car was as stiff as you could make it and i never had this "pothole" problem before.

3. Only other crossover ive driven is an acura rdx and yes this suspension seems better. However if I ever hit a bump in the road on my countryman going through a turn I feel like I could lose control of the car.

 

17 and no sport. Maybe I have a bad egg?

 

+1 on the Xenons.

Seems like giving your MA a hard time about the Xenons is in order.

 

So assuming there is nothing mechanically wrong with my car ---does anyone have any suggestions on how to tune my CM to my liking?

Should I ditch the run flats?
What if I were to replace the halogen bulbs? Does anyone know what comes stock with the MCS?

Thanks,
Jason

 

Replacing run flats might help. They are pretty unforgiving. Maybe your dealer would swap them out for no cost?

 

Seems to be the crux of the problem. Not one, but two or three test drives are in order before making radical vehicle changes. I made the same mistake once and it cost be a bundle to dispose of a car after only 6 months of ownership. But it was worth it.

You're talking changes and tuning and replacing to get the Countryman to be what you want. Have you ever dated a man/woman that wasn't what you wanted and tried to change them? Same advice: cut your losses and move on.

 

I really dont want to do this. I'm assuming i'll take a pretty big hit since I paid MSRP for this but I may have to. Maybe I'll just trade it in. I'd almost feel bad selling it to someone. Nobody could possible enjoy driving this car at night.

 

There's a whole boatload of MINI-holics out there that are ecstatic driving every level of all the MINIs day, night, rain, shine, potholes, snow, urban, country - whatever. They just have different levels of expectation than you. There's someone out there that would be more than happy to have your Countryman. The money factor is your life lesson teacher here. It cost me 12K when I was taught. Hurt like hell (I'm Scotch-Irish), but worth it.

 

I personally didn't have any issues with my extended test drive (rental) this past weekend. I could see quite well at nights. You can try SilverStar headlight bulbs that beams a lot brighter lights. Or.. if you can shall out, you can retrofit factory HID

From what a lot of others recommend, ditching RunFlat for traditional tires would definitely help to absorb impact better. But MINI's are not geared for comfort setting.

Expecting higher, bigger Countryman to drive exactly same as lower, smaller Cooper Hardtop is simply asking too much on your part, IMO. It has to do with physics and the nature of the vehicle dynamics design. I, for one (like many others) do not expect CM to drive just like the hardtop. I was actually quite shocked with the amount of body roll CM has on the corners compared to Hardtop. I must add, however, it still is better than anything similar out there and definitely drives like a MINI should.

JCW suspension can only worsen the issue as they are geared toward more hardcore sport mode!

 

To OP: where do you live, and aside from S2000, what other cars have you owned? This helps other perspective owners.

The runflats are notorious for bad ride quality, and it's my biggest concern about Mini and current BMWs. CM supposedly improves the ride compared to other Minis - maybe you should test drive one and compare?

 

Thanks for the reply

I live in New York --have owned a 98 maxima, 95 civic and have driven 5K miles plus on a 2009 Acura RDX, 2008 Audi A4 and a 2002 Audi A4.

I test drove a clubman in December and didn't really notice such a harsh ride.

I'm sorry that my original post was such a rant---i've never had buyers remorse with a car before and was so frustrated this morning i needed to vent. I probably shouldn't have vented here

Thanks for understanding and support.

 

No worries, this is why the forum exists.

New York means NYC? I've heard of large number of complaints of BMW's runflats from the people in that area. Not sure how many Mini owners are in that area; some potholes can probably swallow a whole Mini.

Sell the run flats and get some real tires and see if that help.

 

By all means, if you need a place to rant about your car, this should be the place. You shouldn't apologize for that!!!

While some might take criticisms on the car they bought in a wrong way, you do have every right to be concerned with your purchase and rant. and this should be the place where you share your concern and everyone can help you come up with solutions to the problems you are having!

My suggestion, as stated, is replacing light bulb to SilverStar or other brighter headlight bulb if OEM is too dim, and ditching RunFlat to traditional tires.

Nothing worse than buying something that put big dents in your bank account and you hate what you bought!

 

I think you've got the answers - the Zenons are awesome and well worth the $500 - I won't ever have another car without them. Trying to fit them aftermarket on a car that's just been introduced will probably be expensive and hard to find, but not as expensive as the hit you'll take if you sell or trade this car in so soon.

I'd invest in a good set of tires before I gave up on your car - I think you'll find 90% of your problem is the runflats - I know very few people who actually like the way they feel on any car. BTW, have you checked the tire pressures?

Since you live in New York, I assume you'll want all seasons - consider a set of the Conti DWS, many folks on this board really like them.

 

Have a 2010 MCS with 17's and the sport suspension. Switched in first month to high performance summers from the runflat summers. HUGE difference. Subjectively, I'll call it about a 50% improvement. I also snuck in a width increase from 205 to 225 that gave me a bit more sidewall. You would have to look at your rim width, aspect ratio and available clearances to decide if a sizing change makes any sense. Relative to dumping a car quickly, new tires will cost less than the sales tax hit on a new car in most states, let alone the depreciation bath.

On yours, since you are on softer 17's instead of 18's to start, look at some of the good all season non runflats. Maybe read TireRack track test reviews and focus on the comfort ratings incrementally more. Cutting the other way, if cornering feels out of whack, consider beefing up the rear roll bar. Will stiffen the ride in back some too, but from your starting point with 17's and non-sport, coupled with dumping the run flats, you might be much happier.

I have owned lots of Audis by the way, and the MCS rides stiffer than any, including the one I put some Bilstein HD's on. Function of both the suspension choices and the short wheelbase. Can play with the former; the latter is fixed.

And no, since getting HID's on a 2000 Audi, I won't go back. Mini factory HID's are great, and I would also spring for the incremental $100 for the adaptive ones. I see a lot of posts on retrofit issues this and that with the autobulb check system, so if you go that way, make sure its a reputable, tested system and not just some e bay generic "special."

 

Do you have a Non-S? I have an ALL4 and live in NYC area...this thing soaks up potholes better than my R52...

I prefer the R52 when it comes to handling...but the ALL4 handles better than the R52 in the snow, dirt roads, rain, slush, and traffic.

MODS to do:
1. Change the Bulbs
2. Driving Lights
3. Ditch the RFs

 

Ditch Run Flats. That is what causes the crashing sound!

 

No all 4 no sport package Do you have run flats on the CM?

 

Wow i'm disappointed that your not enjoying every inch of your mini lol. I'm so in love with mine, It bums me out to hear your not in love with yours!

So Xenon headlights seem like the first fix. As for the rough ride, I drove an 04 Jetta with lo pro's and it was just a tiny bit more forgiving than my new Countryman, but not much. I didn't consider run flats to be the cause for the rough ride, but I don't think it's a totally radical thing to consider if it makes it an easier ride for you. I can sympathize with you though, I haven't hit a major pot hole yet, but you do feel most bumps and the ride overall is a little bumpy. However, nothing that bothers me to much at this point. Maybe the car will settle a little bit a couple 1,000 miles in.

As for handling, I thought it was a great compromise going from Mini to CM. I enjoy taking corners at speed in the thing and I can't imagine being totally bummed about the difference between the two.

Anyways, hope you turn the corner on loving you your new CM. If all else fails, i'm SURE you wouldn't have to much of a problem finding a buyer. I catch looks 24/7 and I think this car will big a big hit for Mini as the year goes on. If half the world would test drive any mini, I guarantee there would be a lot more people driving um.

 

The ride is the run flats, first and foremost. Swap them out and you will see a world of difference.

As for the lights, I live in NYC, and practically don't even need headlights considering how well our roads are lit. But can I suggest maybe getting driving lights, they look awesome on the car, and will certainly address your problem.

 

Thanks. Yeah I noticed the poor visibility with the stock lights right away but didn't start getting mad about them until I drove upstate to my parents who live in the boonies.

I'll look into the driving lights and getting rid of these runflats. Thanks for the advice.