I'm interested in a small all-wheel drive vehicle and the Countryman All4 caught my eye. I test drove one and was very pleased (that was my first time in any Mini).

I'm wondering of what things I should be aware if I buy a Mini Countryman All4. I have had two friends who have had Mini Coopers and have sold them because they had too many problems. For them, it seemed like the little things kept adding up. Also, it seems that there is a bit more cost in the Premium fuel that is needed. The price is a little higher when I add my "wants" to the car.

How do you owners react to these things and is there anything else I should consider.

Thanks in advance to any and all input.

 

Welcome to NAM.

The very vast majority among us have had very little or no problems with our MINIs.

But if you are looking for the most dependable car out there, take a look at the Honda CRV or maybe the Ford Escape <<yawn>>.

Buying a MINI is only slightly about the reliability. It's more about the fun factor an the uniqueness of the MINI you design, buy, and mod to your individual taste.

I've been around this board for quite a while and the people who buy a MINI for practical reasons don't tend to stick with their MINI more than a few years. But some of us are loyal to the brand because it not only provides for our practical needs but we find them to be exciting, and fun cars to own and drive.

If you test drove one and are asking us for reinforcement, then maybe MINI isn't for you. I would guess that 98% of us were hooked either during our test drive or before we ever went on it.

For the record, we've owned our Countryman All4 for a little over a year and it has been very dependable, not a single maintenance related issue. It has about 8,000 miles on it.

 

Thank you for the reply. I admit, the reason I found out about this board was because I am secretly hooked. I did look at the other "practical" vehicles, and they would fit my needs...however, they do not fit my "wants." I spend a lot of time in the car driving around town, and what got me hooked was the driving of that car. Loads of fun.

Maybe I've heard a few too many bad stories from my two friends that I can't get that out of my head. I know that a Toyota would, traditionally speaking, be more reliable than most anything out there.

I just want to hear more from some owners and enthusiasts as to why they're experience with the Mini has been so great.

Thanks again for the reply.

 

Buying a mini is about emotion.....
Not like buying a toaster...you have to want it...
Either it is worth the perceived risks vs rewards for you, Or it is not.
My car has been very reliable. ...heck only been back to a dealer 3 times....I have diy'ed a few mx items....had a few done at a 3Rd party shop that does mini work....dealers tend to be slow and overpriced imo....seems llike folks talk of leaving cars overnight for 2 hrs jobs....so the quality of you dealer DOES matter.

 

I'm in the same boat as you. The MINI isn't the most reliable car out there, statistically, but I was willing to take the chance. Because I bought a first-model-year Countryman, I opted for the extended warranty and maintenance in order to guarantee myself a "free" (i.e., prepaid) loaner if the car was ever in for any issues, and because I didn't want to be on the hook for serious problems given the amount of new engineering involved in the model.

I've been pleasantly surprised after 2 years and 40K miles that I've had only a couple of minor issues that were easily resolved, none of which disabled the car or inconvenienced me significantly. I had a brake fluid reservoir sensor failure that threw some error messages without affecting performance. I also had a thermostat issue that made the car fail to start once, but it started without any help about five minutes later. Both times, I left the car for a couple of days and used a loaner.

Aside from that, it's been scheduled maintenance, which is blessedly infrequent, though I did enjoy the Roadster loaner when I had my brakes checked and my winter tires swapped out for summer rubber.

 

Very good point re: the importance of your Dealership in the decision. It can make a huge difference.

If you have multiple dealerships to choose from, ask here or thru a local club for opinions on the dealers, especially the service departments, for obvious reasons.

Even if one is a bit further away but more highly regarded, go to them.

 

God I love threads like these

 

The fun factor when driving a MINI def out weighs the reliability for me.. But I also never had one problem with my 2003 MCS.. I had 100k on it when I sold it.. But I did modify a few things and did change/updated the brakes...but that's it...NO other problems.. So that's why I ordered a new 2013 a few weeks ago.. I just love MINIs!!

 

I never understood you Mini people and your crazy obsession with these cars until I bought my daughter a mint 2007 Mini Cooper Classic in April. I loved it so much, I bought a used 2012 Mini Cooper Countryman All4 this past Friday.

I understand now. I get it. Now that I'm driving the All4, I'm disappointed when I get to my destination because it means I have to stop the engine and get out. Is the probability higher that I'll have a warranty claim or two? Maybe. I knew that going into this.

You know you are Mini owner when you look for the "Curves Ahead" sign.

 

dupe post.

 

It took me 3 test drives to decide to buy the mini because it is definitely a different car. Now I have no doubt that I made the right decision because I'm getting more excited every day!

 

I chose a MINI because I could get a Convertible that handled like a go kart that I could modify as a hobby. Price was also a factor so I picked up a pre owned for 17k that had an original msrp of 40k. Buying a new ALL4 lacks a lot of the reasons I got into MINI's. I test drove an ALL4 and a BMW X1 in the same day and can only say that there is no comparison ... The X1 was more to my liking. On the X1 forums I see people speaking highly about the new Subaru Forrester which I have not driven. I don't think there are that many 4seater convertible options that are drivers cars on the market. I think there are many bona ride options in the light duty 4wd space.

I trust that people on this forum can respect my opinion. I love my MINI but I don't get a commission check on any sale here.

Sent from my iPad using NAMotoring

 

If you need to be convinced to get a MINI, it's not for you. Plain and simple.

If a MINI doesn't grab you with the " I have to have one" bug after you drive it, No amount of convincing should change that. It's ok if you aren't a MINI person. Not everyone gets it. For that I am thankful.

 

+1

Sent from my iPad using NAMotoring

 

Amen!

I would Think Mini salespeople have an easy job. Just wait for the Mini people to show up.

 

Thank you very much for your reply. This helps a great deal. I do take very good care of my vehicles and now that I consider the personality of my two friends, I'm not sure that they are as reliable. That is something I had not considered. I'm sure there will be some problems with any vehicle, so this helps. Thanks again.

 

Thank you all for your help. I will admit that I do have this "mini bug" of which you speak, hence my choosing to sign up for this forum and keep building and re-building my "ideal" Mini on the website.

I just also have a very logical side of my brain that sees automobiles for its utility rather than its entertainment. So, that's the competition in my mind at the moment and I thought I'd seek out the "Mini People." Thanks again everyone for the help.

 

I am still contemplating the decision to buy one, but only because I'm waffling as to whether I need a Countryman S All4 to fit my bass gear, or whether I can fit it in a Paceman S All4, just because my test drive of both left me thinking (or feeling?) that the Paceman definitely handled more aggressively. Decisions, decisions.

But in reading this thread, it does clue me in to ask a bit more about reliability, or more to the point, your experiences if you're a high mileage driver. Given my daily commute, I'm looking at putting around 22k a year on whatever I'm driving. After eight years, my current Infiniti G35x has been pretty much bulletproof in that regard. Any of you Mini drivers in this thread experience that level of mileage, and if so, can you relate whether your Minis are still as solid as when you got them?

 

The Paceman has the same suspension as the CM with Sport Suspension option; if you want rear doors, try to find a CM with that option. You may have to order as many dealers don't order cars with Sport Suspension for the lot.

 

Thanks for the tip. The salesman I worked with suggested that the Paceman sat 0.4" lower than the Countryman with either suspension, but I suppose he was probably only referring to the Countryman w/o sport suspension. Right now, I'm waiting for a local BMW dealer to get in a 2012 Countryman S All4 (7k miles) they bought at auction a couple weeks ago, that's spec'd out pretty much exactly as I wanted, but unknown whether it has the sport suspension or not. If I don't like it, I'll end up ordering new, but probably not for a few months, given the cost difference.

Apologies for the unintended thread hijack.

 

I am an engineer, I understand having to satisfy the logic part of the brain.
My Mini dealer is over an hour away. Scheduling and planning for service is a pain in the a**. My Mini does not have some of the things I loved about my Buick.

But, its a MINI. I love it. I love being somewhere and having someone ask "who drives the MINI?" I smile every time I drive this car.

Is it logical? No. It was love at first sight. Love is not always logical.

 

We have had an 06 Cooper S since new and it has been rock solid at almost 90k miles.

We just ditched the 2012 Countryman because:
1. Too small for how much stuff we pack on our back and forth trips from San Francisco to Reno.
2. Three trips to the dealer for leaks of vital fluids (oil and coolant.)
3. Last but not least, that nasty clutch which renders the car undrivable in San Francisco.

 

Was yours the All4? I've heard of countryman clutch issues, but thought it was resolved in late 2012. I'll be driving in comparatively flat LA and Orange County, but still, I'd like to know.

 

I recently replaced my '02 CRV with a Countryman S All4. While the Honda was reliable when repairs were required they weren't cheap. Brakes were a constant sore point. Not many cars can always put a smile on your face. This one has yet to disappoint.