We'll I've been a member of this forum since I ordered my R56 Cooper on Nov 30, 2006, just after launch in Europe. I had the car going on 7 years and I can say it was a fun car to own. It gave me fairly dependable service, only leaving me stranded once when the steering wheel lock wouldn't unlock! (A part later deleted from R56s). So I've owned the R56 throughout its production lifetime, but felt it was time to move on. I was getting a little tired of rowing gears, and with back problems creeping into this old body I was getting a little tired of getting up out of it. I was also a little frustrated Mini has not brought over a diesel or introduced the zf 8 speed into the F56.

So I went and test drove VW diesels, the new mercedes CLA, and a BMW X1. The BMW X1 was the leading candidate. Better mileage than the countryman and one of the ones in dealer stock was low optioned and not much more than most countrymans on the lot. I thought about countryman, but couldn't get there. I was about to finalize a decision on the X1, when I decided to drive the 328d (diesel). That was very nice. My wife came with me on one test drive and we were sold. Bought it that day. For a similarly optioned 328i, you are only paying about a 1200 dollar penalty for diesel. We love it.

I've enjoyed my time with this forum and wish everyone well as they continue with their Mini's. Maybe one day when they put a diesel in the countryman and mate it to a zf 8 speed, I'll be back. (I still now need a suv/crossover type vehicle, not buying the X1). I'll lurk from time to time keeping up with the new F56 when that forum is established.

Happy Motoring Mini Community!

 

Glad to see you are still in the "BMW" family.

It's my understanding in the past, the cost of upgrading the diesel for US Fed emissions vs. projected sales numbers is what's hampering that option here.....it's just not a cost effective move right now.

BMW has a better reputation than both MB and VW at working with a customer for either a Good Will Repair or full warranty on a part which not typically covered or questionable circumstances. Would have been my pic of those three....

GL!

 

I had a tdi. You're gonna love the torque.

 

How did you like the Mercedes CLA?