I've read this car doesn't have the handling or feel that other mini coopers have. is this true in anyone's opinion?

I ask this because I haven't driven a cooper much, but coming from a BMW I expect a lot. I read a review that stated the countryman is sluggish and doesn't have the same road feel as the normal cooper.

Disappointing because I would have loved to own an AWD cooper.

Thanks,
ELmO

 

I have both cars, and both are different in their own ways. I would suggest to test drive both of them.

05 Copper s and 11 Countryman s all4.
I do track my car, I would not try it with the Countryman.

 

Good advice - I've driven all the MINI models and they each have their unique characteristics. My ALL4 is not as zippy as the hardtop S, but then it weighs about 600 pounds more with the same engine. On the other hand, mine is much more fun playing in the dirt or snow. And I can bring some friends along to play. Also, it's still pretty zippy once you're on the turbo.

-coming from a prior BMW as well.

 

Compared to other Cooper S models it will be slower. Same engine + more weight + higher center of gravity = slower car

Coming from a BMW what??? If you're looking for a direct replacement to a recent M something or an 335i / 535i or higher number on the trunk lid you won't be happy with the performance nor the interior fittings. The CM All4 is a relatively affordable choice for a vehicle engineered by BMW that delivers practicality and all weather peace of mind with some uniqueness and fun to drive sprinkled on top. It is not the ultimate sporting choice out of the BMW / MINI range.

 

I agree with what other folks have been saying. It's peppy and fun to drive, but it doesn't accelerate quite as fast as an R56, and since it's higher up, it doesn't quite have the go-kart handling.

However, it handles beautifully and zips when you put the hammer down. It's a little more versatile than the R56, but the compromise is that you lose a little of the characteristic performance.

So if you get in an R60 from an R56, you'll notice that it's not quite as responsive and peppy. If you get in a R60 from any comparable small AWD car/crossover, you'll be very pleased with how peppy and responsive it is.

 

This is a perfect description. I have had several BMW M cars in the past but that was years ago. Coming from my Lexus RX, this thing is very quick and handles wonderfully.

 

Having driven a Jeep Liberty for 9 years before buying my Countryman in May, I almost have a hard time believing how little body roll the R60 has and how grippy it feels around corners. If I borrow my friend's R53, it's a small but noticeable improvement over my Countryman.

The Countryman beats out the R53 in a few other categories (comfort, versatility, shoulder room), so the tradeoff is OK with me, but it's definitely a tradeoff. It's also an issue of basic physics. In order to have a slightly higher car (in order to get that versatility), you have a slightly higher center of gravity which will mean more body roll. MINI compensated for that by giving it a relatively stiff suspension and the boxer stance, but you can still feel it.

So in reviews you'll hear about the increased body roll from the height, but you'll also hear about the stiffness of the ride. Some of that may be from the runflats, but most of it comes from the attempt to make it roll less and respond better.

The AWD/DSC system is AMAZING at keeping the car headed where you point it, so even with the slight roll, the R60 is a mean beast on the corners.

 

We now have a R56 Cooper 6MT and a R60 Countryman 6MT. They are both Non-S and I will say that the R56 is more peppy than the R60 and you can tell a difference when driving. The Countryman is a little slower, but besides the seating position it seems to feel pretty close to the same handling wise as the R56. Granted this is non-S to non-S.

 

I owned both an R56 S and R60 S, the R60 is a tad bit slower, but its not like the R56 was a monster, day in day out you hardly notice the difference, back to back you do, but agin it's not huge.

 

There is a solution to your problem...buy an R56 S JCW AND an R60 All4!

We've ditched the 3-series for the Countryman S (non-All4) so we'll be able to select which MINI experience to have on any particular day: R53 JCW or R60 S! Come on -- you only go 'round once in life and it happens pretty fast!

 

I want a JCW Cabrio for sunny days and my Countryman for weather. Or maybe a JCW Roadster for the sunny days. I just need another $50,000. Oh, and a garage.

 

I currently have 2000 M Coupe (based on z3 hardtop), 335d and 2008 MCS.

I also have a CMS on order.

I would agree that the CMS isn't as a good a handling car as the MCS but that's no different than saying X3 is not a good a handling car as the M3 or even 128/135.

Point is, it's a bigger car with different center of gravity suspension, etc.

I can confidently say that the CMS handles better than the other compact suvs I've driven/test drove. I'll even go a step further and say that it's as good as the X3 if not better.

 

Its far better than an X3, the CMS is one of the best handling cars out there, yes the MCS or MS is better, but they are two of the best handling cars available, the CMS is still light years ahead of 95% of the cars on the market.