My Clubman lease is up in about 2 weeks, and after thinking long and hard, decided to get a Countryman S ALL4. I did have my car in service recently and twice, was given a CMSA4 as a loaner car. The first time driving it, I had a hard time getting comfortable in the seat because I'm used to sitting low in my Clubman. With my stage 1 JCW kit in the Clubman, the lack of power and added weight of the CMSA4 was a little bit of a buzzkill. Still fun to drive though, with a better ride than my Clubman. I truly enjoy the MINI brand, the people behind it, and the whole experience in general, which is what kept me in the brand.

Problem is, by the time I decided I wanted it, there was no time to order, as I wanted to take advantage of an incentive and must take delivery before 7/2, and I really didn't want to extend my lease. I wasn't VERY picky, but there were a few options I must have, mostly Xenon Lights, Sunroof, Bluetooth, Cold Weather, Auto A/C and Rain/Light Sensor. The Rain/Light Sensor is what pretty much made finding what I really want impossible. I preferred the Sport package but came to the conclusion that it 'aint gonna happen unless I order the car. No big deal, I can always add the wheels if I decide. The real problem is, the ONLY car in the country that has what I want, has everything else, too, significantly bumping up the price by thousands. After long debate, I said aww heck, I'll deal, and just go with it. I'm sure i'll enjoy it like I did my Clubman (which I also ended up getting the only car out there the way I wanted it at the time).

I was further disappointed when I had in mind to add the JCW performance upgrade that MINI decided not to include the CMS in that. That's when I started to look around for other options. I don't recall there being many (or any) tuners at the time of my Clubman purchase that made me get the JCW upgrade. Seems like there's a handful now to choose from, so that's definitely a good thing! I'm going to have to modify my CMSA4 with a bunch of things to bump up the power enough to satisfy my need for power.

So far the upgrades I want to do almost immediately is: Tint, NM Springs, most probably NM Exhaust and Intake, probably the NM Air Charge & Discharge Pipe, and a Turbo Heat shield. Most importantly the tune, which I think I'll go with NM or ECU Tuning, though haven't decided yet. I also want to stripe my car to my liking. It's coming with the Sport Stripes, though I'm not really into that. I may end up taking them off and replacing it with something else. We'll see. On the plus side, unlike my Clubman with the JCW upgrade, I'm giving up the $2,400 cost for the upgrade because it can't be undone. On the plus side, whatever I am adding to this car in performance other than the tune can be easily undone and sold to make up some of my investment in the future if I decide to return the CMS lease instead of buy it. Anyway, these are the specs of the car that I'm getting. I couldn't care less for the leather or Tech/Connected, but oh well, I'll deal. Guess I'll have to upgrade to an iPhone when I am up for renewal with my cell phone contract..



The MSRP of the car I'm getting is really $35,950 (before VPC add ons). When building the car online, it added to the cost for some items that are included in certain packages that I'm getting don't know why, but that's that.

I got confirmation from my rep that she secured the car from the dealer that it was originally going to go to. It's at the VPC now, she'll probably see it by next week.

What do you think?

 

Shoof,

Looks like it will be an amazing CM!! I just ordered mine today! So excited, but it will be an agonizing 8 weeks!!!

 

Build looks good! Just ordered mine Saturday. Looks like there's a few of us who just ordered. Although, since yours is already out there, your wait shouldn't be too bad.

 

Good options, but they sure make the MSRP climb up. If the big must have's are on (other than sport package) go for it. If you are not comforatble with it, order it and extend your lease. You have to live with it for some time.

 

I already committed to it, so there is no turning back...The Sport Package wasn't as much a deal breaker. All I'm missing are the wheels, and that's something I can very easily get if I really decide that I must have it.