Hi


I have been gone from this board for a couple of years. I had a Clubman 'justa' in 2010 - 2012 and got into a 128i. Now that gas is $4.00 and the warranty is about to expire, I am looking to return to a MINI.


I have my eye on a Countryman; I have 2 kids that are getting bigger (11 and 6) and the bimmer backseat isn't cutting it.


The Countryman seems like a good compromise between the BMW and what I probably SHOULD be driving I've red up on the 'pros and cons' and am cool with sacrificing a little performance (which I rarely use) for better mileage, more transportability, and hopefully better tire life.


I find that since moving to WA I cannot get any decent mileage on the 128. I expect to get 25 - 30 in the CM if I don't push it?


How is the sound system compared to the BMW? I'm not a big fan of the BMW HiFi that I have; is the HK upgrade a 'must'?


If I want a manual, the local dealer says I'll probably have to order a car. Is this a real ordeal or is it just a process.... 12 weeks realistic?


Looking forward to getting back into a MINI - I did enjoy the justa clubman but it was justa.


Nice to be back here again.


dd

 

I personally think that the HK upgrade is absolutely necessary... I also believe that the countryman is the greatest car ever made...


That being said... I have always put a ton of money into the sound system of any car I have owned.. I have owned a few MB with Bose surround and think that my HK in my '12 cm sound incredible.. you can take or leave this.. as I have never heard the non HK upgrade sound...

 

hi,

regarding the mpg, it will as usual depend on how you treat your car...
i´m not really impressed by my CM mpg. i have the SDX with auto gearbox. i was aiming to do 35mpg but im getting only 28...but i have a very heavy right foot...

the HK is a total necessity. its not that expensive and the sound is so much better.
make sure you have to option to connect an ipod or iphone to your car, the best is to have it wired connected. (and if im not mistaken, that option comes only with the bluetooth option. weird but thats what i have in mind...)

check the second hand market. there are some pretty good deals in Europe. (and even if im not too happy about that part, its much cheaper than buying a new one)

if you need to get it factory ordered. then yes, 3 months is about right. there is no big shortage so it will be within that time period give or take a month maybe.

Btw, make sure you get the sports suspensions. or you will be disappointed with the handling of the CM compared to your previous cooper...(again, a rather cheap option.)

 

My previous five vehicles were BMWs (X3's. 325, M, X5 diesel) and I will say the HK makes a huge difference on the CM and is a must have. I really noticed it when I was given a non-HK CM during a oil change.

I ordered mine and was very pleaseed that I did. Not a big deal other than the dealer wants to move vehicles off the lot so they are willing to give a little on that but then you may end up with something not exactly what you want. Most of the european factories slow down in August for the model year change over combined with the typical summer end holiday/vacation season.

 

I can only offer my opinion of the hk system in my cooper, but it's fantastic. I'm a huge audio nut and have studio monitors for casual listening at home. I think it's stupid to tear the car apart adding a system to the car when u can get the hk option which has been tuned for the space inside the car.

 

It is amazing how much the CM All4/S feels like a BMW.
I would have never gotten the Mini if it were not for the Countryman or Paceman.
Having owned the CM for 5 months, I am getting 25.5 mpg.
It is hard to get better than that. But that is a mix of slow driving and revving it when I want to.

The Mini connected interface is also identical to BMW's.
The thing to also know about the CM is that the price adds up quick.
Add the automatic, All4, Mini Connected, navi, etc and you will be in the mid 35k mark.

But a great car, fun to commute in, and seats 4 comfortably.

My advice is to get the xenon, all4, heated seats, sport, and the moon roof.
Mini connected is OK, as well as the navi, would have rather put that money in the JCW aero kit, or performance mods.

Regarding HK would rather have that then the navi.
Kinda wish that I got it.

 

My wife had a 2008 MCS with the stock sound and replaced it with a 2012 CMS with HK. I have to say that the HK upgrade made a significant difference in the sound. My wife spends a lot of time in her car so we feel like it was worth the money for the upgrade.

As for other options that I think are must haves are Xenons, dual moon roof and bluetooth. the navi is nice but not a must. and like others have mentioned the Mini connected is just OK.

One thing you may want to do is wait for the 2015, as there are some updates.

 

Ditto to all the highlights mentioned above -
The HK is a must have compared to the base system. The HK is about the same or better than the HIFI that I have on my BMW X3.
You will like the easy access and lots of room in the passenger seats as well as the ability to move the bench seat back and forth for different set up.

Good luck with your CM purchase.

 

You will love everything about the Countryman! My 2012 is my third MINI. Before that, I had a '10 R56 (non-S) and an '06 R50. The Countryman retains all of the "baked in" MINI goodness in a package that is just the right size (IMO). I bought mine used, so I didn't have a say in what it came with. It's got lots of great features (auto A/C, sunroof, Park Distance Control, Lounge Leather, etc.), but unfortunately does not have the H/K sound system. I had it on my R56, and it was great. The base sound system is livable, but not great. I find that it usually sounds flat, but that depends on the audio source. Quality is better with the FM tuner or with my iPhone for music (iTunes or Pandora) than it is with Sirius XM satellite radio (which I listen to most of the time). If you have the opportunity, I would definitely get it. My car also does not have the xenon headlights, and you will want to make sure you get your car with those as well.

 

OK so here is my plan, based on my preference and your recommendations overall:


Cooper Countryman S
Chili Red with red inside doors
White roof (keeps the inside temp down) mite get checkerboard if I get sunroof
No sunroof (the one in my justa club was noisy and clanky) - may change feeling
White stripes
Checkerboard side and RV mirror (aftermarket cheaper?)
HK sound system
Heated seats (nice up here in WA) leather not necessary but don't want cloth.
Might opt for cold weather package
Xenons


All4 is an option but might put me over price point if I have to order this thing and pay full price. Is there an advantage to all4 other than in weather?


I don't want to get in more than about $20K out of pocket after selling by 128 and I'll finance 5K just to keep myself in the credit game, so I am looking at around $35 - $37K out the door.


I'll likely sell the 128 outright rather than trade it in - there are plenty of folks looking for a manual 128 and I don't think the trade value will reflect this.


What do you think of my build? Any further suggestions? Thank you very much!

 

I like your options. Coming from a BMW you'll be very disappointed with the cornering without the sport pack. Upgraded sound is a must but you'll get far more bang for your buck with simple aftermarket swap outs.

 

I would skip the All4, particularly if you're getting a manual.

I would add armrest, auto climate control, auto wipers. I'm sure your BMW has all this and you will miss it.

 

To me the benefit of all4 is great driving in the rain.
Have awd in my wife's CUV, and had it in my Audi A4.
Also able to take a hair pin turn without losing grip.

It roots are rally, so it can drive on dirt roads really well. Have taken it on country dirt roads.

I do not see much snow in northern CA, so cannot speak to that.

The config looks good. I love the moon roof and use it almost everyday. I would regret it if I did not get it.
Still wish that I got HK, the stock audio is not great.

 

I personally recommend the black roof and dark anthracite wheels. Tinting the windows helps with the heat. I think the ALL4 pays off in any weather condition and should help your resale value as well. Some other options I really appreciate having are the heated seats, arm rest, flat-load floor for the boot, sports seats. I bought mine used and wish I had Xenons, HK stereo and manual transmission, though the automatic isn't bad.

 

You may want to sit in the back of one with the dual sunroof to get a "feel" for it. The few times I've had to ride in the back of ours I've been amazed by the non-cramped and airy feel - and I think having the dual sunroof helps in this respect. On the flipside in the summer it will get hotter as there are no blockers to block out the sun completely (there are only "grilled" shades).

Yes you will also notice an advantage to having the ALL4 on dry roads if you drive hard. And with the DSC set to DTC (traction) mode it will allow controlled drifts apparently.

Though if you are getting a manual it could impact drivability (hard to launch smoothly).

Most of the others here have said what I feel about the CM. I will add that though the CM lacks the ground clearance of most CUVs, it still does well in not-too-extreme off-road conditions. The few times I've taken ours on dirt road detours in the countryside due to road construction it's been a lot of fun and the controlled suspension has given me great confidence in the car.

 

Please explain, the only successful Mini rally cars were the 1960's Cooper's, the Dakar CM have nothing in common with the road cars and the WRC cars were a flop, the AWD systems aren't related either.

 

Guess you are right. The Countryman and Paceman are made in Austria.
This is after all, my first Mini.

Have owned Audi before though.

 

I've just gone the other way MINI to Audi.

 

I would suggest driving both the standard and sport suspension before ordering, we all define ride quality differently...