Hi, I'm new to this forum since I'm looking to buy a mini in a couple of weeks. I am confused of choosing a hardtop S or a countryman S

I have test both the Countryman S and the Hardtop S.
The hardtop seems to have more power (as it is lighter) and sits much lower to the ground. I also feel that the hardtop suspension is a little bit stiffer than the countryman. I only tested it for a short time and I have no idea about the ride quality at high speeds on the highway.

My MA told me that the hardtop is sportier and he thinks that it is a better car for me. I think he prefers me getting the hardtop rather than countryman.

I will often have more than 1 passangers in the car about 5'8" tall (about the same as me).

My local mini dealer has the countryman S for about $1500 more than the hardtop I like, and I would like to hear your advice and ideas to help me decide

The things I want to know is:
1) Can a hardtop fit 4 adults with about 5'8" tall? If yes, it is comfortable enough for 2-3 hours trip?

2) How is the ride quality of the hardtop and countryman at high speeds on the highway?

3) How is the road noise of both cars at high speeds on the highway? how is it compare to other cars such as golf GTI or Honda Accord?

4) Does the countryman drive like a mini or is it more similar to other compact suv?

5) Which one looks better in your opinion?

Thanks

 

My wife has a 2012 Hardtop S, and I have a 2013 CM JCW. My impressions are:

1. You can probably fit four adults in the hardtop S. I haven't tried it, and I can imagine it would be a tight squeeze. The advantage of the Countryman is more leg room in the back, and separate doors/windows for the passengers.

2. I find the ride quality a bit more forgiving in the Countryman. The hardtop gives you lots of road feel, the Countryman not so much. The Countryman is a very comfortable ride.

3. Noise is subjective, but I find the Countryman a bit quieter than the hardtop.

4. The Countryman is nimble, but not as nimble as the hardtop. I have the JCW version, and I think the zip and zoom is extremely close to the hardtop. It is a blast to drive.

5. Personally, I prefer the look of the hardtop over the Countryman, but the CM looks damn nice and is really functional.

 

I drove an R56S (Hardtop) for three years, then sold it and bought an R60S (Countryman).
(1). If you plan to carry four adults (of any size) for "2-3 hours," then the Countryman is the better choice. More room for passengers in every dimension.
(2). Both cars ride great on the highway, IMO.
(3). I don't think "road noise" is an issue on either car. I have no experience driving a Golf or Honda.
(4). The Countryman drives like a "big MINI." The longer wheelbase and higher center-of-gravity, compared to the Hardtop, give it less of the "Go Kart" feel that MINIs are famous for, but it DOES NOT feel like an SUV. It just feels larger than the Hardtop. You can have plenty of fun in either car.
(5). Looks are subjective. I like the looks of both models, but I'm a MINI fan, so I appreciate the whole lineup (exception: the Clubman).
Having driven both, and using your stated criteria, I'd choose the Countryman. If you're going to carry three other adults around, the Hardtop is too small inside.

 

I agree with Leader. I had an R53 (hardtop S JCW) for 8 years that I loved. Still kick myself for selling. And now have an R60 All 4. I love them both. Yes the R53 was a bit more zippy, but I don't feel like I lost that feeling in my R60. It is much more comfortable for driving adults. Kids are fine in the back of the hardtops, but my husband who is 5'9 can't fit in the back of a hardtop for any amount of time. After an hour he starts b*tching. I have not problem "playing" on the highway with my R60, she is a beast and fun as all get out. As far as looks, I like them all. I love all mini's, if I could have a fleet I would.

 

If you truly concerned about ride then don't get a car with big wheels and sport suspension, regardless of countryman or hardtop.
Personally I think everyone should experience the fun of a really sporty 2 door at least once in their life and keep it going as long as possible so I'd tell you to get the hardtop. If your friends are young enough they'll deal with the back seat and if they don't like it let them drive their own car.

 

Thanks for the replies.

I'm leaning towards the countryman just because of the extra space and still feels like a MINI
The only thing that holds me back from buying a countryman is the price, because I'm a bit tight on my budget.

I think I'm getting the hardtop if I can't get a better price for the countryman

 

I think you stated the spread was only 1500.00 over 5 years that is 300 per year and 25.00 per month or 83 cents per day. Throw your pocket / hand bag change into a jar and you will have the 1500 you need in 5 years. Don't let that little of money deter you from getting what you really want. Of course YMMV

Willie

 

There's also a subjectivity factor on the ride experience of a Countryman. Many of the responders to your post, me included, started with hardtops. We have a frame of reference of this compact, ground-hugging little machine. Talk to anyone who steps into a Countryman as their first MINI and they will tell you it's a fun, 'MINI' like car. We see the Countryman perhaps more as a compromise against the original design with pros and cons, and depending on who you talk to, the compromise was worth it or wasn't.

As a hardtop driver first (R53) then a Clubman driver, and now a soon-Countryman driver, I can tell you that each iteration feels a bit different than the last as far as ride quality and 'zippyness' but on the other hand, those same compromises include the reasons for going TO the other models from the hardtop. When I first had my R53 I wasn't planning on carrying anyone in the back seat and rarely did, and if someone WAS with me, the novelty of being crammed into the MINI and slammed around corners offset the hassle of... well... being crammed into a MINI. Conversely, sitting in back of the Clubman for the first time, it felt like a limo, very comfortable for the legs. Now, with the Countryman, there's virtually no compromise from a rider/passenger comfort standpoint within, and yet it's still compact, carries cargo, and is fun.

Knowing that you plan on having passengers and haven't owned a hardtop before, I'd lean towards the Countryman.

 

Have you considered a Clubman? It's comfortable on long trips and retains more of the MINI feel. Not as convenient as the 4 doors on the Countryman, but you should at least consider it.

 

That is what I was about to say. To my surprise I have had folks occupy the backseat a few time. The reviews of the ride from back there has been positive. I think the R55 ride is quite similar to the hatch and very different than the countryman.

 

I just don't really like the rear view of the Clubman (its rear door)

my MA offered a $3000 off msrp on the new 2012 countyman and I'm thinking about it. I read that the 2013 got few changes in the interior, but is there any other difference besides the interior?

 

$3,000 off would be hard to pass up. IMHO the interior changes were not hugh.

 

I had the option to get $3k off the 2012 as well, but I wanted features you just couldn't get off the lot.

 

I have a 2013 Countryman. From what I have read here and only what I have read here, prior to 2013 there was a clutch wear problem. There is a thread the MINI addressed this issue somewhere in the Fall of 2012 (might have been Dec) which fixes the issue supposedly. I would look at the build date and see if this could be a potential problem. Under most circumstances MINI replaced the clutch under warranty even when the warranty period had expired.

This will get you started on the read.

Should this deter you from buying that Countryman. It wouldn't deter me and maybe even a further bargaining chip like extended maintenace for free from the dealer. They are motivated

Willie

 

I think the main difference is that 2012 the bench seat was an option and now it's standard in the 2013. Yes, prior 2013 countryman's had a clutch problem in the manuals and mini has replaced them even after warranties expire. I haven't heard of any problems with the automatics that I know of. The 3000 off, I think, is a great deal for a great car.

 

If you're looking for something in between, take a look at the Paceman. I've had a Clubman and a Countryman and now and Paceman. The Paceman is a far more "solid" car. It's quiet but still has the zippy MINI performance we've come to expect.

In terms of differences - they've fixed the dreaded front cup holders in 2013. They now have somewhat soft rubber tabs to hold your cup in rather than the teeth that always "eat" styrofoam. Read up on that problem - leaks from punctured cups have caused a lot of issues that MINI maintenance DOES NOT cover.

 

I really like the looks of the Paceman, it also handles better compared to countryman (according to some reviews), and it has enough space to carry adults comfortable in the back seat.
Unfortunately, the paceman is more expensive (i don't know why), and the paceman on the dealer has all the options that makes it too expensive for me. I also don't want to order a new one because I can't wait that long.

For the cupholders, I think I can live with that since I rarely use styrofoam cup. Is it okay for plastic cups?

 

They have not replaced mine and im only at 20k miles. it can barely get going from steep hills in San Francisco. I have to plan a different route or drive a different car. The clutch is the worst thing about the CM. if it were not for that I would give it a thumbs up.

 

I'm getting an automatic so I think the clutch will not be a problem for me.
The car has bucket seats which is cooler and more comfortable but less functional (no 3rd passenger on the back). I wonder how much it cost to replace the bucket seat with the bench seat?

 

Probably minimal cost: padded board + another seat belt

 

Alright so to start off, I own a Hardtop S and I drove a Countryman S as a loaner for a whole weekend which I think is quite a bit of ample time to compare. So here goes:

1) Can a hardtop fit 4 adults with about 5'8" tall? If yes, it is comfortable enough for 2-3 hours trip?

Not that comfortably. & especially not for 2-3 hours. You have to remember though, that comfort is a relative term to each person. I'm only 5'2" and my mother is only 5'0" and she fits fine in the backseat for prolonged periods of time. She hates getting out of the car, though. My fiance is 5'9" and he got in the backseat once and immediately got out because he hates being cramped. We did a midnight run to Beto's once with him in the back, his 6'0" best friend in the front, and another guy in the back and they said it was pretty tight. His best friend had to scoot almost all the way up to the dash.

2) How is the ride quality of the hardtop and countryman at high speeds on the highway?

I get a lot of complaints riding in my car on the highway and freeway. I have a sunroof so the wind noise gets pretty bad, even when it isn't open. My dad likens riding in my car to riding a horse, it definitely hits every bump roughly. From riding in the Countryman S, I immediately noticed it was a much smoother ride. Less noisy too. But you have to remember that you end up sacrificing handling and speed. Because the Countryman is higher up and heavier, it won't accelerate quite as well (less peppy) than the Hardtop model. It also can't take corners as fast

3) How is the road noise of both cars at high speeds on the highway? how is it compare to other cars such as golf GTI or Honda Accord?

See my above response to the first part of this question. As for the GTI, I can't say since I've never driven one. A Honda Accord is generally pretty quiet, I would say slightly quieter than the Countryman. The loaner model I had had a sunroof though so that may be the culprit.

4) Does the countryman drive like a mini or is it more similar to other compact suv?

To me, it still definitely drove like a MINI. If it didn't, I don't think I would've loved it so much. However, you can tell it isn't the Hardtop model for sure. Especially because of the handling issue I mentioned above. If you want it to drive more like a Hardtop, I would suggest going with the S model and not even considering the Justa. Also get a manual transmission. The automatic seemed to stutter to me when I stepped on the brake.

5) Which one looks better in your opinion?

Now here's the tough question. I personally, am a HUGE fan of my Hardtop. It's cute, it's got personality, and it goes when I tell it to. It took me a long time to learn to love the way the Countryman looked. Once you're on the inside, there's no question you're driving a MINI. But the outside takes some getting used to. The front of the car I actually love, I adore how aggressive it looks. But I absolutely hate the back. It looks so... bulbous. But it's a worthy sacrifice to me for the space, especially when I tend to carry a lot of passengers and eventually, children.
-----

On a side note, I have fit two adults (including myself) and two toddler car seats in my Hardtop. Tough, but it can work haha. & if this does't help you decide, then I don't know what will: I've had my Hardtop S for about a year and a half now and ever since I used the loaner Countryman S, I can't stop thinking about it. I've been talking lease numbers with my rep at MINI and been trying to find used ones for a good price, I loved it that much. I found myself pointing out the flaws of my Hardtop as soon as I drove off from the service bay.

 

To echo some of LILY's comments, which almost to the letter I agree with from my experience:

I noted before I came from hardtop --> Clubman --> countryman. My family grew, the car became, in each iteration, more of a family vehicle. I took the hardtop on regular MINI club runs at speed, boot to bonnnet, modded it, and fetishized the hell out of that thing. And if you think the R56 is a rough ride, try the R53. It would rattle your fillings, if you had the run flats and lived where we do, in the SF Bay Area. Now my needs are different: space is important. Two kids doesn't just mean the practical calculus of fitting them in the back, but also the cargo. I travel light, but there's still STUFF. And beyond the sundry essentials (especially when one is still in diapers) you have THEIR "requirements". Every day there's a sudden demand for a bicycle or some dolls or this or that to come with. In addition, as a one car family, we often do two-stage commutes. I drop the kids off, then drive to work, then drop car off at a junction where my wife can get it after she gets off the bus in from the city; I pack a bike in the back and ride home from there. So, it all adds up. Plus, my day to day rides almost ALWAYS have 2 kids and generally my wife as well. Not conducive to 'tearing up the twisties' as was often declared in my old MINI club. It's family trips, grocery runs, mundane stuff, or adventures. The difference is, the most mundane trip is awesome, if it's a MINI.

And that's where my conversion to the Countryman finally clicked. Yes, compromises over the hardtop. Yes, compromises over the Clubman. The value of those compromises is a personal assessment based on individual owner priorities. BUT. Taking the Countryman loaner out, I learned that I *could* drive a larger 4-door MINI and still feel like I'm...driving a MINI. Yes less aggressive than the other two. But it offers benefits in other ways we ultimately found appealing.

And frankly, my 3.5 year old declared it superior because she likes having her own door. HA

 

Thanks LILYisatig3r & thirdraildesignlab !

Your reply is very long & useful It gives me a better idea about the Countryman

My major concern is the comfort for long trips, and since it is subjective, I guess I have to test it myself

I have removed the r56 from my list, now it's down to the Countryman or Golf GTI.
I just test the GTI today since the dealer is very close. It feels more quiet and refined compared to most small cars within the price range (about $30k)
I'm going to test the Countryman tomorrow to compare it and finally decide which one to get

 

i think function, comfort, and style should way heavily in your decision making process. These are all areas I believe the CM S wins outright. If a MINI is on your short list of cars to buy than I think the CM is the winner. We could compare the CM to the GOLF all day and a variety of opinions would weigh in on the comparrison but at the end of the day it's just not a MINI. I say join the MINI family and MOTOR ON...........

 

That's too bad about the disliking the clubman. For me it was the perfect compromise. I have had 2 hard tops and now the R55 suits me perfectly. We looked at a countryman for my wife but once optioned the way we wanted it it was about $32-33k We opted for the Mazda CX-5 you see in my sig for our "big car" (for about $8k less than the CM) and I got a just slightly longer MINI to still have fun in but now I can take a couple of people to lunch or haul a few things around when I need to.