Just ordered my new Countryman which is scheduled for production in week 45.

I previously had a 2009 Cooper S Hatchback, but I went through a divorce, and traded it in for a 2007 BMW Z4 Coupe 3.0SI. It's been awhile and I love the BMW, but it's my only car and after fighting through 2 winters in a RWD Sports car with runflat Sport tires, I'm over it. Especially since my snowboard can't even fit in the car and they don't make a rack for it.

It's still one of the most beautiful cars I've ever seen in my life and I will miss it dearly, but before I bought and the entire time I had it, it was nowhere near as much fun to drive as my MINI was.

I ordered a 2013 Countryman S AWD - White with Black Top/Black Mirror caps.

Carbon Black Leatherette

Cold Weather Package
Power folding mirrors
Heated seats
Heated Mirrors and Washer jets

Premium Package 2
Dual Pane sunroof
Rain Sensor and auto headlights
Automatic Climate Control

MINI Connected Package/Technology Package/MINI Wired Package
Smartphone integration
Comfort access keyless entry
Satellite Radio w/ 1 yr subscription
harman/kardon premium sound
Voice command
MINI Connected
Comfort Bluetooth and USB/IPod adapter

Alloy Wheels in Anthracite

Black Headlamps housing

Center Armrest

Color Line Polar Beige

Interior Color Carbon Black

2 Passenger Bucket Seats

Park Distance control

Xenon Headlamps

Combox Controller???

White turn signal lights

All season tires

They ran a special that was a total of $1000 off total any ordered car as long as it's delivered before the end of the year. I'm driving back to Arkansas for Xmas so I'm hoping that it will get here before then. Finger crossed.

I wanted the 17 inch Tunnel Spoke wheels, but they no longer offer them on 2013's and newer, and I wanted the alarm, but only for the flashing heartbeat light. I'm hoping there's a way to set that up with some simple reprogramming on a 2013 model.

Still deciding what options I want to add on. I know I want the clear bra on the hood to protect it from rock chips as it's almost immediately going to be on the highways of Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma and Arkansas for a total of 2000 miles.

I think I want mudguards, but I'm guessing I could prolly do those myself later and save the labor costs. They are charging almost 300 for the guards and install! I'm thinking about the Sport Stripes and Side Stripes in red and then Red mirror caps and brake ducts but I'll prolly hold off on that though for now. Same with the rack and carrier for my snowboard.

I want the Union Jack Rear view mirror cover, but I'm wondering if that's something I could do myself? Anyone else replaced theirs?

I also am on the fence about the driving lamps. I think they look really cool, but it's $1050 bucks to have the dealer do it. They said that they could have it installed at the port for only $850, but I HAVE to take delivery of the car before year end so I guess I'll hold off on that too. I've also heard some folks complain that they don't use them very often and that when they try to that it blinds other drivers. Ends up being something they hardly ever use. I've also heard complaints that the bulbs burn out too fast and that they sometimes come loose when going through car washes. Any thoughts from other posters?

I'm leaning towards the maintenance program upgrade simply because I plan on keeping the car for awhile and I've always heard horror stories on here about gremlins wreaking all types of havoc on the mechanicals in MINI's... I joked that this MB had me Driving Miss Daisy every time I got behind the wheel of my MINI. I do worry a little that the extra weight being added to the same engine will cause premature clutch wear... It seems to have some lag when taking off compared to the Cooper S Hatchback, but at least it took away that torque steer jerk to the side. Anyone else have or heard anything about clutch issues? Also since brakes are included in that for 6 yrs 100,000 miles, any brake issues with the Countryman? What about Cold start chatter?

My prior MINI only had the Cold start chatter. I had it about 18 months and I put over 20,000 miles on it with no brake/clutch issues at all. The sunroof would stick in really hot weather if I forgot to tilt it while I was at work, but I rolled down the windows and drove for about 2 minutes and it would cool off enough to open right up. Same issue with the Countryman? Any new problems?

Sorry to be long-winded, but I'm really excited. Supposed to be build sometime between 11/5 and 11/11. Then it has to cross the pond and go through the Panama Canal all the way to Cali and then get delivered. Otherwise, they absolutely will NOT honor the extra $$$ off and I won't make it home in time for Xmas.

Wish me Luck!

 

Good luck!

What did you end up doing with the Z4? The coupe is definitely one of my ATF's!

 

Cool MINI! One thing with mine which I've had for just a little over a month is I had to replace the windshield due to a very small impact which I did not even notice (under the wiper). I think our MINI's are more prone to windshield replacements over other makes due to the rake of windshield. So keep that in mind. My insurance has a $1000 deductible so that was a approx $700 expense for me. The sport button, driving position and all the British charm is what sold me. Have fun!

 

They're giving me a good deal on the trade in.... Normally, they would lowball me pretty badly with it being a RWD Sports car in the middle of a Colorado winter, but this will be the 4th car I've purchased from Ralph Schomp in the last 8 years....

 

Gotcha. I have my deductible set at 250 in the event of rock chips... Drive a car in Colorado for a year, and your windshield will look like a roadmap. So much gravel, sand, pebbles, etc with all of the snow... it's inevitable.

 

My wife's 2013 MINI Cab took 6-and-a-half weeks from the day we ordered it until the day we drove it off the dealer's lot. We live in Los Angeles, BTW.
So, while your time frame looks mighty tight, it can be done.
Good luck.
Your build sheet is a thing of beauty! Great choices.

 

Time frame. I'm here in Boulder and both Schomp and Loveland say 9+ weeks to take delivery. Good luck and you'd better start willing your car here!

Those folks in LA and on either coast have it made with those 6 week times!

One more thing, but with Geico, it cost me $6/6 months to drop my deductible from $250 to $0. In FL, they will replace your windshield for free once a year with any insurance company, Colorado is a different story. $0 deductible = no brainer

aaron

 

Thanks. I'm guessing another 3-4 days for the truck to get from Cali to here... hopefully there won't be anymore frankenstorms coming through and no delays... it's gonna be close.

 

Yah, I'm thorugh Geico also. Have my deductibles set at $250 now. I'm more worried about waht tags are gonna cost! my 5 year old car was 260 bucks this year! Same as what I paid last year! I'm worried the new tags are gonna be anywhere from 500-600 bucks! i'm def gonna check into the deductible drop though... no idea it would be that affordable!

 

About the extended maintenance, I was told you couldn't buy it later so I tacked it on. But others here say you can. It's transferable, which will help with resell value down the road.

 

I would not count on much of a value bump when you sell it. It might make the car more attractive compared to a similar one without it and therefore easier to sell, but it won't help the value all that much.

Something else to note with all the finance department extras is that if the car gets totalled and the insurance company is your buyer, you will not get anything back for any of these plans.

 

It can be bought after by itself, but the price tends to go up a little every 6 months to a year.... Not a lot, but still tends to go up. Seems like when I first started looking at MINI's back in 2004/2005 it was around 1400-1500 dollars?

Simply becasue it will cover the clutch and brake pads alone, I'm getting it. Never had a problem with a clutch before, and put 20,000 miles on my MCS hardtop in 18 months with no brake or clutch issues, but I'm gonna have the Countryman awhile and want it covered. Especially with it wieghing a lot more on the same engine/transmisson.

 

Something very big came off of a truck, something plastic I assume. It hit my windshield with an incredible thud. Before the piece hit all I could think of based on my previous MINi was "There goes another windshield, 5th one in 6 years". It hit, flew off and no DAMAGE! I am still amazed a week later.

 

Tags will be in that range. Picked up a 2013 VW GLI and the tags were $543 which included a $124 credit from our Prius. #COTagRipoff

aaron