I'm a previous R56 owner that's considering a Countryman.

I LOVED my R56 and really enjoyed my "luxury go-kart" for many years.

I was just wondering how the Countryman compares as far as "driving fun"?

I realize the R60 is a bigger vehicle, but just wondering if it still has that 'fun' driving experience like the R56 had (small and nimble) or (as I'm sure it's still fun) is a different 'heavier' experience that's not quite the same?

Sorry if that doesn't make sense. I just loved my R56 so much and wondering if the Countryman still has that fun MINI feel or if it's a lot different.

i.e. Sell me on the Countryman.

 

I've been an R53 driver since 2002 and my wife now drives a CM and I got to tell you I was so surprised at how well MINI captured the MINI experience and "feel" in a larger vehicle ..... test drive it, I know you will feel the fun 

 

yea, then get in the back seat and get driven also. SOLD

 

"for many years" Has it not only been out for six years

The R60 is bigger and has 4 doors. It feels bigger, but it's probably more fun than anything comparable.

As far selling you on it, go to the MINI store. They have people who make a living doing jut that.

 

Drive them all base, S, and all-4, ... Each has its own character, I choose All-4 because I love to play in the snow... And this way when snow hits the younger drivers don't have to use my beloved C... It's entertaining, yet not the quickest but to me it's still a mini, (can't wait to do a tune, and get the 19's)

 

It's bigger. It's more comfortable.
And it's just as much fun.

 

THANK YOU to everyone and their comments! Appreciate it!

 

size is def bigger... but when I park it next to my wifes Nissan Rogue and my sons Honda CRV, it still looks like the runt of the litter, which is exactly what i wanted... and it is a blast to drive, I dont dread the haul to the office anymore. :-)

 

My wife has the 07 R56s and the new N18 engine in the Countryman is a big improvement. It has more power and it solves all the problems that the N14 engine has.

 

If I want to show a friend what fun it is to drive a MINI, I arrange to get my hands on a hardtop and then take them out zipping around.

If I want to show them a MINI that I can live with long term, I take them out in the ALL4 and zip a little less.

They're different experiences, but both worthwhile.

 

The R60 is very close in driving feel to the R56. However, there is one thing that I have noticed that I really can't wrap my head around (Seating poistion)

The seating position on the Countryman is very tall.....seats are a good 4 inches taller than the R56 and you don't seem to have as much head room as a result. Less of a cockpit feel since you are sitting so much higher.

Just my $0.02

 

This is very true. You do sit up higher inside on the R60. I felt more of the cockpit feel in my R56.

This I agree 100% because they are 2 different feeling cars. My R60 handles great but not as great as my R56 did. I felt more race inspired driving on my daily drives in the R56 than I do in the R60. I replaced my R56 for the R60 because of having a baby and with a rear facing Britax car seat, it didn't really fit well inside the hardtop. I wasn't going to have my wife sitting against the windshield in the car, so I opted for the R60. Once my son is old enough and I can turn his seat back around, I will be getting back into a hardtop version again.

IMO I felt my R56 was a much better driving car!!!

 

I've got a Clubman S, and have driven a couple of Countryman as loaners. While you can tell the difference in size, I think the Countryman still feels like a MINI. Especially when compared to anything else!

 

when I've put my R60 in for some work I had an R56 S for a loaner. I agree with the statement that it feels more race inspired. It's lower ceter of gravity, less weight, and same turbo engine equals a bit quicker and better handling vehicle. That said, at the end of the day I was glad to get my R60 back as my back reminded me it didn't like getting in/out of the R56.

 

I had an '07 R56 for 3 years...road the sport suspension before slamming it on V-Maxx's...now i have a '12 R60SX and LOVE it...stock suspension is wonderful except ascetically looks off for me...changing to NM springs on sunday. Countryman is 95% better IMO, only thing I don't like about the countryman that I liked about the older cars is that the clutch is too soft....I personally like a stiffer clutch.