I have an interview tomorrow, and while I am quite familiar with the hatchbacks, I'm not too up to speed on the other models. If you could please help me:

1. What made you choose the Countryman over other models?
2. What trim did you choose (Justa, S, or JCW)?
3. Which options were most important to you?

THANK YOU! I would appreciate your help....

 

I bought mine used, so you sort of get as many things as you can and run it.
1. at the time I needed the size
2. had to be an S (JCW would be nice, but used , could be beat)
3. ALL4 , HK audio, Auto Climate,Standard Transmission,

After having it for a year, love the damn thing, 18' wheels and Sport Suspension would be nice , but again buying used you get what you can get

 

Awd

 

I had 3 requirements when looking for my car:

1) wanted to sit a little higher than in a sedan/coupe/etc
2) awd
3) manual

That narrowed it down pretty quick.

 

1. I wanted a fun, sporty smaller SUV with room for dogs (four doors) AND with the new ALL4 which sits higher off the ground was important to me. I had previously purchased a new 2002 Mini Cooper when they re-introduced them in the states but that reintroduction model was quirky with their originally outsourced engine and whiny transmissions. I then switched to BMWs and went through 3's series, M series, X3s and most recently a sold diesel X5. I decided I would try a CM at half the price of a loaded X5. I am pleased with the overall purchase, sporty ride and decent interior. BMW certainly has a positive influence on the quality. No issues.

2. JCW, I wanted a little extra power since the CM weighs more than the smaller models.

3. Really the only option I did not order was the $1,000 sun roof and automatic transmission option. I wish they would offer a heated steering wheel. The Mini Connect is a let down as it was developed for Iphone 4 and the NAV is the same NAV system offered with BMWs--a Garmin offered more options. The Harmon Kardon upgrade is awesome.

 

I had a mk v GTI 2 door with a DSG, which I really liked. I wanted a 4 dr hatch, with about the same amount of zip and a manual transmission. When I test drove the CM, I really liked it. The character of the car almost made my GTI seem boring. I got the S FWD. For me the most important options were: manual, HK audio, cold weather package, and moon roof. If I had another chance, I would have ordered xenon headlights and auto climate control.

 

1. wife wanted 4 doors, much easier to get things into/out of the back seat. More storage space for road trips than other models.
2.JCW 6 speed
3. We ordered every option available, and after having them, the most useful are:
a: Xenons
b: Panoramic Sunroof
c: Mini Connected w/NAV
d: automatic wipers(so cool)
e: comfort access-she works in a dicey part of town, so it's great she can get into the car quickly without having to fumble in her purse to find the key.
f: H/K audio upgrade. Best $750 spent on this car. Great sounding audio system. loads of clean power and the sub really pumps out the low frequencies with gusto.

 

I bought our 13 countryman used but it was loaded. It is like a mini SUV with a great deal of room plus it seats 5. What made me purchase this particular vehicle was that it was manual so I could pull it behind our RV.

 

1. I saw it as I wandered onto a used Nissan lot for kicks, wasn't even looking for a MINI, was just thinking about downsizing from an AWD Ford Flex. Saw it was an 'S,' had a ManualTranny, 4 doors and AWD.
2. Had to be an S or I wouldn't have even looked.
3. All4, it's fantastic. 'S' - had to be boosted. Had to be manual. As I got it used most other options were gravy... the heated seats are very nice. I wish it had the rear bench, the only option I really wish for.

The car is fantastic, my 75lb dog fits great in the hatch, you can defeat the stability control nanny and sip fuel if you want (haven't really been able to manage that yet, lol)

 

1) My wife only drives MINIs so when we had a baby the CM was the natural choice
2) S
3) all4, xenon, navi, sunroof, hk audio, seat warmers

 

I wanted a MINI Hatchback R56 but the size was an issue for my family of 4 so I had to get the countryman

 

1- size
2- fuel economy
3- base model with hid and roof option

 

In 2011 when I bought mine, it was the only car on the road that had both AWD and manual options with that level of fuel efficiency. There's a little more competition now, but it still stands out. Plus, it was super fun to drive.

I got an S because I wanted a peppy car and it's fine but not super fun in the non-S version. I went with manual because I like to drive manual, but also because the lag on the automatic version (even the S) was unpleasant to me.

I commute far, I leave early, I live in New England, and I have two Golden Retrievers. The options that were must-have for me: manual and AWD (as I said), nice sound w/iPhone integration, bluetooth mic/speaker for phone, flat-load floor (dogs), seat warmers. I also had sunroof envy for years, so that was really important to me too.

 

I fell in love with my GFs 2012 convertible when she picked it up. A total blast to drive and made my grand Cherokee feel even older, sluggish and less fun than it was.

Wanted to get a clubman, but my kids would have been too uncomfortable back there day after day crawling in and out. And, I like to drive from FL to ME on my summer vacation so I had to have extra space. When I throw the Thule on the top we have another 17cf of space, works perfectly.

Did not even care for the CM when I first saw it. Could have been the color, was that brownish beige color. But, it grew on me and I love it.

Reasons:
1) Four doors/more space.
2) Fun to drive, not quite as fun as the cabrio, but still fun.
3) Like the rear bucket seats. Too bad they dropped those as an option.

 

I always wanted a Mini but when the Countryman came out, I knew that was the one for me.

1. Fun to drive
2. Four doors
3. AWD
4. Manual

I was not disappointed (except for the runflats). It's been tons of fun and drives great in the snow. Our road trips have never been better!

 

Recently traded my Clubman S for a JCW Countryman - Although I missed my Clubman but after two years I feel cramped and got really tired with the barn doors.

I have been test driving the Countryman every chance I had - Base, S, auto, manual. The space I get made it a much more comfortable feature with the four doors.

Most important options when I was in the market for the Countryman:

1. S or higher
2. two wheels drive instead of the All 4 (less weight)
3. Xenon - must have
4. Sun Roof - must have
5. Auto - my wife can drive it too.
6. CPO - save some money

In the end I got the great deal on a JCW All 4 with Xenon but it is a manual. Loved the drive and comfort of the Countryman. Gave up a littel handling but it handles much better than my X3.

 

1. The AWD.
2. The 4 doors.

 

I chose it for awd, moonroof, roof rack, mpg, quality, xenon, sirius, Bluetooth.

Got the s all4 for the cost, small garage, and commute, and handling in rain/mountains.

Still on the fence about the paceman.

Was also looking at the golf r, wrx, evo, paceman, and thought about a Tacoma 4x4.
Decided to go for the cm, and going to get a used full size pu for projects.

 

1) my wife (she wouldn't trade in her R53, I had to trade in my R58 for it
2) S (All4)
3) HK, ALL4, wheel and tire upgrade

packimocity

 

1.manual
2. Awd
3. Turbo
4. Hatchback/wagon
5. Rear legroom

 

My basic list was much like this. Looking at the spreadsheet I used, 15 cars made the cut with these specifications:
5-door hatchback
AWD
Under 3500 pounds
Manual or double-clutch
0-16 8 seconds or less
Real people could use the back seats

My spouse added:
Hwy mileage rating 30mpg or better
OK for a long drive (the RFTs made this less so)

I used to rally a Mini with a friend, and the MINI had character. The
decision ended up against a Golf/GTI - very well finished but boring.

For options on the MINI, we wanted:
ALL4, manual, adaptive xenon, bluetooth, auto temp, leatherette seats, auto wipers, cold weather