As I give my comments about our new Countryman, I should give a little background on myself. As my nick suggests, I am very tall. MINIs as a brand are the only cars in their classes I can fit in. But the purchase was not my idea, it was my wife. She has been jonesing for this purchase for three years and now after her beater 1997 Ford Explorer (dubbed "the Planet Killer") died prematurely, we finally did it. And she is thrilled.

As for me, I've been mainly a Cadillac man. I had oversized Devilles in the 80s when I was in college moving to the same in the 90s. Back in 2003, we took delivery of a 2003 CTS (with sport suspension and summer tires) that was a blast to drive. And now I drive a 2005 SRX...basically a kid hauler. Despite the past vehicles, I do like little sporty cars, but historically I can't fit in any of them. The CTS I thought was going to be the smallest type of vehicle I could enjoy. Then the second gen MINI hardtop came out and that changed. I could actually fit, and fit pretty well. Of course I looked like a circus clown getting out of it. So now my wife wanted one. But there was another problem...kids.

Truth is, MINIs aren't kid friendly. Loading and uploading from the rear seats just isn't fun or practical (we brought the kids to the dealership to make sure). We thought the Clubman was the solution, but it was only a semi-solution...not for everyday. Then the Countryman came out. It's shorter than any vehicle we've ever owned, even my wife's long departed 1993 Ford Escort. But 4 doors made loading and unloading practical, especially on those rainy days. It's wide enough with a long enough wheelbase that you don't feel claustrophobic. And it's easily the biggest blast to drive since the 2003 CTS.

So let's do the basics:

2011 Silver Metallic ALL4
Premium package
Cold Weather package
17" wheels
Automatic transmission
Mini Connect & Nav
Center arm rest
Two rails
Leatherette

Before we bought the ALL4, my wife and I test drove the standard Countryman (non-S). My suggestion to MINI is to take this vehicle off the market and just have the S and the ALL4. The standard CM is a slug...it can't get out of its own way. And weirdly, the S gets better mileage. So why offer it at all? The base engine is ok for a Cooper hardtop....not a 3100 lb Countryman.

We debated getting the auto tranny or the manual gearbox. My wife would love to row her own gears again but since I have to drive this thing on occasion, I just couldn't see myself doing this with my legs and enjoying the experience long term. A friend of mine who also owns a Countryman says he'd probably do a automatic versus the manual he ordered now too. So we narrowed the decision to automatic cars.

First impression....did I say the Countryman is a blast to drive? Remember, some of you are coming from smaller MINIs so it's going to not accelerate or handle like one of those. Most professional reviews I've read come from that perspective. For me coming from the SRX (or the Explorer), the tight dimensions and lower center of gravity is a big change for us. Even without the bigger tires or sport suspension, the Countryman feels stable, poised and even nimble.

Acceleration tip-in will take a little getting used to since the power comes on very quick. This isn't really a bad thing since the long history of turbos is "hurry up and wait". But it can surprise you if you're not used to it. I'm wondering how the "sport" button is going to change that. The same goes for the brakes...very sensitive compared to our other vehicles. The old CTS with the optional brakes had a similar dynamic.

Engine noise is noticeable but not annoying...again, it reminds me of the feedback I got from the 2003 CTS, only better sounding. I doubt I'd hear the same sounds out of a Juke or CR-V. It might get tiring on long trips but considering the lack of cargo space compared to the SRX, I can't see taking the CM out of the city unless my wife and I were doing an overnight someplace nearby.

Interior: We debated on the whole Leatherette thing before finally agreeing that the seats were ok and wouldn't kill the deal. We had watched leather cars get sold to others during the two month decision process. But at the end of the day, we thought having an ALL4 as an all-wheel-drive weather safety vehicle (even in the south) was a better choice than having a car with all the goodies we wanted and a monthly payment my wife didn't want.

Unlike the cars we've driven of old, an MINI interior is a completely different experience. Window switches on the dash, speedo in the middle, tiny little pictographs to have to read on everything...it takes getting used to. Anything in the front cupholders block many of those controls...not a good thing. The steering wheel is small but grippy...perfect size really. The switchgear is like most modern cars, trying to cram too many functions into one place. But at least it doesn't feel cheap in doing so.

As mentioned before, luggage space is pretty small...no bigger than a Clubman. The folding seats will be useful in a pinch. Still, I can't see the family doing a Costco run in this vehicle...only trips to the grocery store.

MINI Connect is something I was really intrigued by and made it a primary purchase item. We're an iPhone/iPod family so However, I can also see how it can be intimidating to those who aren't comfortable with car-based infotainment. I've never owned a BMW product before and read for years about horrible iDrive experiences only for it to get better and not suck as hard in recent years. MINI Connect is the product of all of those years of iDrive woe. Even for someone like me who works in technology, I've had to spend some time with it to understand everything it can do.

The first thing I noticed was that despite the iPod 30-pin connector, MINI is still relying on the AUX jack for sound. I'm not sure why since the it isn't necessary anymore for connectivity if integrated properly. As a comparison, the current 2010-2011 Caddy SRX doesn't need the AUX jack anymore to connect Apple devices like older models did. Still, the ability to do full artist, track and album artwork is pretty cool and well executed. One thing...with the playlist interface, I think I have to make my playlists shorter. It's really annoying scrolling through long lists with the joystick.

More to come as we get more experience with the vehicle. So far, so good.

 

We generally discourage short posts here. If you can't go into detail, it really leaves us wanting.

That said - - - sounds like you got the CM bug. Glad you are enjoying. Hang around and share somemore.

 

thxs for review... congrats too

 

Nice review and sound reasoning. The Countryman is my third MINI and I am very happy with it.

Happy motoring,

Bill

 

Congrats on your new MINI! However, though I agree that the base CM is a bit sluggish, I found both the S and the non-S models fairly sluggish compared to other vehicles that I have driven. As a result, I went with the non-S...I really couldn't see MINI deciding to get rid of it

 

Don't wonder about the Sport button, you can use it right away! Using the automatic transmission (which I have also) it will not go above the breaking RPM limit unless you jam the pedal to the floor, mostly it improves steering response and also accelerates a little quicker as it keeps the car in lower gears a bit longer (but again not over the rpm limit if you accelerate with moderation).

The thing you should stay away from until after breakin is the paddle shifter in manual mode, then it's pretty easy to break over the RPM limit...

On the audio jack, but they have it around to support any player with a headphone jack. If they ever manage to come out with an iPhone snap-in cradle adaptor it will be using the dock only over whatever weird connection the cradle has.

 

I expect the AUX jack to be there in case you are using a non-Apple device (or even an iPod shuffle). It's just not necessary to do a hydra cable anymore iterms of iOS connectivity.

 

Next observations: seats. The seats are not as wide as I'm used to which makes the fit snug (not bad for slogging corners). My shoulders are a bit on the wide side. Thigh bolstering is a bit inadequate...with my long legs this is a frequent problems in vehicles. Usually in my cars I use the power seat control to cheat a bit and raise the angle of the seat bottom (remember, I come from Cadillacs). But with manual seats, that's not an option.

As for the leatherette, the jury is still out. I have never owned a vehicle without leather seats or cloth seats. It'll probably wear better with the kids but it was a little toasty when we were going through the dealer delivery on Monday.

 

Thank you for posting this wonderful revue! Very informative and level headed. I'm waiting for my CM S ALL4 and I'm trying to bolster my self confidence concerning my decisions. It seems like so many different things to get used to . I'm going to have to take a class or something.

 

Thank s for the write up. As much as I want the S , I keep reading about people who haven't had speeding tickets in years getting 2 or more in a short period of time. Today, I got closer to placing my order. It will be a non S auto, sport seats, Sun roof, HK and auto climate cold package and probably a 12. LC w/ BRM

 

Thanks for the review! I was wondering about the leatherette and whether it breathed or not. Nothing like a long (or short) trip in hot weather sitting on vinyl, getting out and having damp clothes due to the swampiness factor. Do you think cloth would be a better alternative than it? Thanks!

 

I have cloth seats on my Countryman and also on my last MINI, I think it's great for exactly the reasons you describe... it breaths better and does not feel hot even when you get in a car that has been sitting in the sun all day.

You could probably get REALLY nice seat covers for as much as the upgraded seats cost though, that would solve the problem.

 

Thanks for the great write up Seven!

I did my first longish (2.5 hours each way) road trip last weekend. Overall the seats were very comfortable, but I also wish I would have been able to raise the seat angle slightly to offer a little more thigh support after a couple of hours.

Also seat-wise, I noticed that after a while, I felt like my wallet had grown . It was just the side supports on the bottom of the seat pushing in a bit on the sides of my rear. It wasn't painful or horrible, but I definitely knew that the side bolsters were holding me in place.

I love the leather/cloth fabric option! NO wet shirt effect, and it was HOT and humid.

Most of the drive was on 2 lane roads. What a blast it was passing cars and trucks. The power is smooth and there RIGHT NOW. I wasn't sure what to expect concerning any turbo lag, but I didn't notice any. Can't wait to do it again.

Don

 

To each his own I guess. Again I say, the standard engine makes more sense on a on a 2500 lb Cooper Hardtop than a 3100 lb Countryman. And the mileage of the turbo is actually a shade better on the highway than the base engine.

I can see getting the base engine either to avoid temptation or to use the money for a different set of options. But you can still get caught for speeding in most any car. I look at it from another perspective...the need to do something quickly. After being on the highway on our second day and being able to quickly manuever to do a pass or merge, it makers me glad we have an S. Since this is my wife's car, I'll say that mileage was a big consideration since her previous aging Ford Explorer was dubbed "The Planet Killer" (she's a nearly-finished PhD student in environmental management). Conversely, she also has a raging lead foot and likes the fast engine.

If MINI wants to keep the base motor on this car and have it make sense, I could see the addition of direct injection making a noticeable difference in horsepower (say something like 138-145 hp) without changing the displacement or the mileage (with proper tweaking, the mileage can increase...Ford does this now calling it "Ecoboost"). Then the turbo model with the same upgrades could do something closer to 200 hp. A diesel that the Euros get would be great for this car (the extra torque would be awesome) but from what I read, that's not going to happen for a while.

At some point a JCW model of this car would be pretty cool...maybe in 2013. A DI version of that engine could conceivably do 225-230 hp. GM is already getting ready to ship a turbo DI 2.0 I-4 in excess of 250 hp for the Buick Regal GS. Considering that you can already get some parts from the JCW catalog now, doing a full blown version for the Countryman is a no brainer...heck I'd consider trading for that.

 

The leatherette is perforated so it will breath a little. Part of the issue is also the color. At a very dark charcoaly-black, it soaks up sunlight like a rattlesnake in Arizona. We keep our Countryman indoors and my wife's school has a covered parking deck so it's not so bad all the time.

One reason I didn't panic over the lack of leather seats in this vehicle is that it's always possible to add them later. Our dealership had an example of this on the showroom floor where a standard Countryman had been modded with leather seating areas by a local leather shop that specializes in cars (most of the local dealers use this place). The price is about the same as getting them from the factory. I have to admit the quality was really nice and you could even get MINI logos stitched into the seat backs. With so many people in our city in the entertainment industry, I'm told that asking for custom leather in a car isn't a rare request.

 

OK, this isn't a Countryman specific nitpick but maybe someone can explain this one to me. Why doesn't the tire pressure monitoring system actually tell you the air pressure of the tires? Instead, it just seems to be monitoring any major changes to the inflation pressures and then warning you about that. Seriously, is it that expensive to provide an accurate indication of tire pressure? For reference, my 2005 Caddy SRX has this as a standard feature.

Keeping the tires properly inflated is essential for a lot of reasons but few of us actually want to get out and get out a hand gauge and take measurements. For my Caddy, I got in the habit of looking at all four tire pressure every time I filled up the car since the same information system also did MPG, Fuel used, trip odometers, etc. It was easy just to check the pressures and go. Two months ago it came in handy when I filled up the car, began the process to reset the 'Fuel Used' gauge and noticed that a rear tire was at 27 psi rather than the 35-37 PSI the other tires were reporting in a warm state. A quick visual inspection showed I'd picked up a nail recently but I noticed it before the tire deflated further and activated the pressure alarm. A little air and a quick jaunt over to my local dealer who fixed the tire gratis ended the situation.

Is everyone OK with the system that MINI has provided? Am I just complaining too much here?

 

A goodly number of the shops order from Katzkin. I had a Ranger done with their covers and it was excellent. They list the MINI, but the pictures are in development.

 

Well done from the perspective of a rather large guy. This speaks loudly about Mini's affording comfort.

I totally agree with the underpowered non-turbo engine. I had a 2008 MC and found driving around in "D" (automatic transmission) to be rather doggish. I found myself using manual shifting and/or sport on a regular basis. So, I vote for not offering the base engine in the larger CM.

On tire pressure, I think the warning kicks in when there is a 10% drop. So, about 3 psi will trigger the chime. It would be nice to have real time readings, though I don't know if this is possible with the present technology. Maybe it is a software thing.

I have the lounge leather seating. These seats offer lumbar support which is a must-have for us with lower back kinks.

 

I fully understand that the non turbo should not be offered in the non s model cm. My issue is this, there is a substantial difference in cost of non s vs s. I am used to driving underpowered vehicles. 1980's Subie Wagons, 1994 Geo Prizm, 2004 Ford Mustang V6 (really needed that GT) 2005 Saturn ION etc, I will just have to judge the other cars, sometimes difficult to do when they are either Jersey or Philly Drivers (the absolute worst) they think that they own the road or people talking and/or texting on the cell. I could go on but .......... I was wondering if I could add cold air injection to the non s CM w/o voiding the warranty,

 

The Lounge Leather seats are some of the most comfortable seats I have driven in in years. They remind me of the seats I had in my old Triumph TR250. As those seats wore in, they tended to mold themselves to your form, and they fit like a glove. I hope these wear in the same way.

One thing I would add is this car IS a blast to drive. (I might be repeating this, but it's worth saying again!!) My other car is a slightly modified Mazda Miata, which wins my award as the most tossable car ever. This car is like a taller version of my Miata. The throttle response is great. The steering is immediate and the car moves precisely on steering input. I think having the sports suspension might be part of the reason. The ONLY area the Miata still wins in is shifter precision. The CM 6 speed manual is pretty good, and is WAY above average for a cable shifter. But it is a league below the precise shifting in the Miata. One great benefit is the CM gets better mileage than the Miata, and it actually can haul golf clubs.

LOVE the car!!!

Mark

 

Have to agree with that!

 

No you aren't complaining too much. My Acura has this and I love it. Don't know why it is not standard in the Countryman.

So if you are really tall we need to see a pic of you next to your Countryman for some perspective....judging by your name on here I would say you are probably a tall dude! Who knows you could set the record for tallest person to ever own a Mini!

 

Thanks Sevenfeet! Awesome perspective! You've inspired me...

To offer an additional POV for our readership, I too have written some initial impressions - this time from a shorter driver coming from another MINI product (rather than a taller person coming from a Cadillac).

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ountryman.html

 

Nice writeup.... I'm also on the tall side at 6'11" and have been very pleased with the size. It's a little slower than what I was used to (Dodge Magnum R/T) but much more fun.
From one tall guy to another.... do you find the interior rear view mirror to be a huge blind spot? I feel like I can't see traffic up ahead and to the right.
Also.... the lack of detail on the TPMS drives me nuts also. My CHRYSLER product told me exact pressure, why doesn't my MINI? The data exists, it's just a matter of displaying it.
RT4

 

Sorry it's taken so long to respond to this...

I don't find the interior rear view mirror to be that big of a problem. I do find the overall windshield/roofline configuration to be difficult to see some stoplights if I'm first in line at the light. Again, I think this problem is unique to people like us, not the usual MINI buyer.

And BTW, I'm also really 6'11". I thought "Sevenfeet" was a better username years ago. :-)