Hey everyone, we're thinking about trading the clubman s for a '13 cm and initially thought that all4 was the way to go but in the spirit of keeping things simpler and we only use it to short commute and typical errands, we began thinking about the cm base and getting a second set of wheels & tires for winter. The logic being as follows:

1. no turbo
2. no 4 wheel drive sys = less weight
3. lower purchase cost
4. slightly better fuel econ
5. we like the simple looks enough of the base

My concern is that it'll be really underpowered with an automatic or just really under powered in general. Is there a "no brainer" consensus on this. We live in New England, US. What are people's thoughts on this? Thanks!

 

go take a test drive in a justa countryman

i think going from a clubman s to a justa countryman may be a road to disappointment for you

scott

 

there's a few grumbles that even the S feels a bit underpowered. coming from the clubman S to the CM justa you'd notice it but there are also a few threads from some very happy justa owners. it all depends on what you want out of the car and what your expectations are.

on another note.. i got to play for the first time in the snow with my all4 and i was VERY impressed even with the 17" all season runflat tires it stuck really well even when trying to make it cut loose.

 

this is helpful, thank you. please keep it coming if you don't mind.

the need for performance has dwindled somewhat, we mainly use the car for errands and a short commute. I am more into my motorbikes
so just really trying to be realistic about the purchase since it's mostly driven by my wife and she's not that concerned with power as long as it's not dangerously slow. I drive it in the winter...

 

here's another thread from a few pages back..

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ountryman.html

 

I 100% agree with the comment about going for a test drive, an extended one if possible. The only reason I went with All4 is the chain requirements in CA when it snows unless you have AWD. I also have winter tires and the CM is unbelievable in the snow, even some fairly deep stuff.
That being said, I think you could live with a FWD since this is what you currently have and don't seem to be hung up on the AWD thing. At that point the choice would be justa or FWD S. if it had not been for chain requirement where I live, I would have the FWD S with winter rubber.

 

We actually bought a '11 CM Base to start and loved it. At the time we had a 300+ whp Subaru as our other car so the power and AWD weren't an issue. We live in Michigan and put snow tires on for winter. It went through it like a tank and did just fine. I was actually impressed with how well it did. We took it in 8"+ of fresh snow where no one had driven and it cut right through it with no problem.

Overall we were so happy with it that we ended up selling the Subaru for my husbands '12 Hardtop. A few months later we did have the chance to pick up a '12 All4 at a great price so we went for it so that we would have one AWD car again. The power is nice, and the AWD is nice along with the sound effects of putting on an intake and JCW exhaust.

Fast forward 3 months after that and we actually traded in my husband's '12 Hardtop to buy our '11 CM Base back. It wasn't until we bought it back that we realized just how much we missed the little bugger.

Ironically we drive that most of the time now even though we have the All4 in the garage. There really hasn't been a reason to drive the All4 in bad weather because the '11 CM with snow tires does great in the snow.

 

Like others have said above, you really need to drive one to be able to know if it works for you.

We had one as a loaner, and while the power was adequate around town, we had to push it hard on hills and for highway driving (but not at all to the point that we felt we were damaging anything.) But there are plenty of justa automatic owners here who say the power level is absolutely fine.

I would expect winter traction without all4 to be similar to your current car, assuming the tires are similar. As you may know, good winter tires can be a huge plus, whether you have only front wheel drive or all4.

All4 was a must for us as we ski in upstate NY and Vermont, and need to be prepared for the worst.

 

I agree that the base CM with alternate winter tire set is a good choice for your circumstances. Although our ALL4 manual is treating us well, I sometimes wish for the fuel efficiency of the base CM when driving in crowded urban areas.

Take some test drives of the base and S FWD models driving in typical conditions for you.

 

IMHO, sounds like you have already answered your question

 

I don't even think you can get the base CM with all4 drive don't you have to go with the S to get it? We got my wife a base CM just about 3months ago and she loves it. It is under powered and that is the biggest complaint from her but she still loves it. She just drives it around town so not a hug problem not have the power but I think going from having power to not is a big problem for people. I happened to actually be looking at new cars before she did and I drove WRX's so that is what I was looking at but with a long wait time and they would not deal on price I started looking at options. I went with a MCS hardtop because the fun and great gas mileage compared to what I got on WRX's. I have a long commute to work so that was a big savings for me. The MCS was a change for me because I don't have near the same power. When I drive her CM it is hard I really have to watch it and give lots of room. It sometimes seems dangers to me not having the power. It really comes down to what you want the most. My wife did not want to spend the extra for the S version but wanted the Mini so she is happy to have her Mini. She was even looking at cars like the 4door GTI but wanted the mini. She want the car she wanted and the power is not the biggest thing to her.

 

It feels like that's what I'm talking myself into but until the test drive, all just dialog at this point. I guess I'd like to get a base and keep a set of winter wheels/tires but if it's a total dog, I'm out If it's adequate though, we're leaning that direction for reasons above i.e. mileage, cost, simplicity...

Replying to another post, we're not looking for a base w/awd - that, to my knowledge does not exist. We're trying to make a determination on whether to get an all4 or a base and purch a 2nd set of wheels & tires for winter.

Are there a ton of other features that are standard on an all4 which are option and $$ on a base? Trying to determine what else we're giving up or have to buy/add should we go the base route.

Thanks!

 

If it's anything like my old R50, the base model is definitely adequate around town and still feels plenty quick. Passing people on 2 lane roads can be difficult, but that's far from a daily occurrence for most people.

Edit: and no, the S/All 4 don't come with extra options other than bigger wheels/brakes maybe.

 

You definitely do notice the extra weight. It's sort of like having an extra two passengers in your R50. According to minis website, the base hardtop automatic does 0 to 60 in 9.6 seconds, Whereas the base countryman is 10.9.

 

Besides the AWD, the extra features on the All4 come because it's an S. These will include sport seats and front fogs, and perhaps a wider choice of wheels. Maybe some other bits too, but that's what comes to mind at the moment.

I concur with the suggestions to take one for a test drive. I'd suggest driving a base model first, and see if you're happy with that. If you drive the S first, the extra power will sour you on the base model.

Consider also that the insurance on the base model will probably be somewhat less than for the All4, and that most of the threads here on NAM that discuss engine problems are from turbocharged cars.

Good luck!

 

My 2 cents if your coming from a S you prob need to stay with the S model.. The all4 depends on your area and weather. It is a beast in the snow but is not a necessity, although resale value the all4 will be worth the buy. The S non all4 might be the way to go. In my opinion we buy these cars to have fun and enjoy the driving experience, anything other than a S takes away from that experience. If your not driving a S you are missing out on something and knowing that makes my decision simple, I did not even bother driving a non S during test drive time.

 

Thanks all, for the replies! We took a cm base auto for a drive this evening and it was not bad around town but entering the highway, it was a little slow. Seemed the auto trans hunted around a bit but I haven't driven an auto in a couple years. Ran out of time but will drive the S/all4 later in the week...

 

Havin both... You're exactly right. If you can afford ALL4.... Get it!!

 

if it's just going to be a daily driver(beater) then the base model is an ok choice, we bought a base model for daily use and so far we're pretty happy about it, can't wait for the break-in period to be over so I can floor it and see the full potential of the car. but like the other's have said if you can afford the S model then that would be a great choice.

 

A base model should also be on the road more, since you "should" have less issues than with the S models. Ours has been great. Four snow tires and it is pretty good in the snow.

 

I totally agree!

 

I have a CMS,my daughter a justa.
The base is underpowered but not only it's lighter,it feels lighter and handles better IMO.
Don't count on a better mileage,it's just not there.
Overall the base is a great car.

 

We just got a base CM 2013 auto and find it to be a great vehicle, when we want fast and nimble we take our R53 JCW. I stayed away from the turbo for the excessive coking of the valves and the All4 because of the clutch issues.
Like has been said, daily driver go with the base.

 

A test drive is certainly in order.

I like my base automatic CM. I especially like that the sport button adds a lil sumthin' sumthin' to the experience.

My previous MINI was a base convertible and this car definitely feels different but I still love it.

I purchased a base because of it's reliability and an automatic because I liked it. I had my last MINI, a manual for 7 years and I plan to keep this one just as long. I can't fix cars, don't have deep pockets, and the problems/fixes my last MINI needed don't seem as numerous compared to "S" owners.

 

I think I saw in another thread that the OP bought a justa hardtop.