1.Base CM power more than adequate
Although engine grunts a little when passing on a highway it doesn't disappoint.
2.Quiet cabin.
I drive a JCW,and although the sound of the exhaust is great,trying to make a phone call at highway speeds using the hands free is nearly impossible.
3.Base stereo sounds a whole lot better than my JCW's.
I'm not talking just HD radio.Everything,even music played through iphone.
4.Driving position is outstanding!
5.It handles great and the ride is very comfortable.
6.Back seat leg room is impressive.
7.Get the xenons.I didn't.I should have.
8.I hope the MPG improves,so far not so great(25)with "spirited driving"

 

congrats on your CM. i hope the mpg is better too, cause i ordered the base CM. you may have noticed that some CM owners who have the turbo and AWD claim 30 mpg...so there must be something off. it wouldn't make sense that you are getting less than someone with the turbo and AWD. are you using the recommended octane? do you drive mostly city or have a full load of people in the car?

 

All city,fully loaded,still first tank so hopefully high octane.

 

My theory on the fuel economy is that the naturally aspirated engine has to work harder to keep the vehicle at speed. On the Canadian fuel economy site, the Countryman is listed at 6.6 L/100km (43 mpg) and the S Countryman is listed at 6.1 L/100 km (46 mpg). The premium to get into the S in Canada was more than I figured we would save at the pump over the lifetime of the vehicle and at least at the time we purchased, the residual on the base model was slightly higher.