Hi - first time poster..I originally posted this in the newbie section, but think the topic is most relevant here...

Some context:

I've owned or leased BMW's for about the past 15 years or so..I currently drive an X3 but have owned 5 series, X5, X6, M3..Cars are a passion of mine and in particular driving them!

I am familiar with Mini...Just this past year I helped my son (who's in college) research the perfect vehicle for him. He goes to school in CA and we ended-up with a very nice Clubman for his EDD..

That said, my X3 lease is going to be up this year and I am considering a wide set of options for my next vehicle - including the Countryman S or JCW AW.

Need a X-over for the utility it provides and I won't go without AWD living in the Midwest USA. I am also the type of owner who likes swapping over to snow tires for uber control when weather dictates.

The X3 has served me well, not a passion vehicle by any means, but it aint a bad little EDD.

Here is where I'd love to hear some opinions:

I recently drove a Countryman S AWD and really felt like it could be a great EDD for fun and utility too..AWD utility, heated seats and love the customization too..

Here's my apprehensions coming from my history of driving BMW's:

• Torque: Not a lot of it
• Stiff Ride: shorter wheelbase, suspension etc..Will it give me the lux when I want to just relax, cruise and want some pampering after a tough office day?
• Luxury: Not the same class as Audi or BMW, Merc...Going to miss me a heated steering wheel for example.

With a kid in college, I like the price of this relative to some of the German brands I am considering..

Anyone here have an educated POV to share??

THX!!

 

Get the automatic, not the stick (readup on the clutch issues posted here.)
It's going to be tough going to the MINI after 15 years of BMW. As someone who has had 10 BMW's and 2 MINI's over the years, the MINI is a lot of fun, but the ride and relative crudeness gets old.
If you go for it, you have to get the center arm rest, the auto windshield wipers, xenons, garage door opener, auto climate control. These are little things that get taken for granted and are hard to give up after you've become accustomed to having them.

 

Don't get the sports suspension, get the JB+ from Burger Motorsports to add more power. Best you can do especially if you're leasing it.

 

I think that you will like it.

I have a passion for cars and driving as well.

Have owned muscle cars (1x Challenger, and 2x mustang GTs), and have owned an Audi A4 Quattro.
My wife, Infiniti cars (FX35 AWD, G37 Coupe)

My wife and are pleasantly surprised with the Countryman S AWD.
My wife likes to borrow it all of the time and gives me the FX35

Coming from an X3, you will find that the CM has similar quality.

For long road trips my wife likes to take the FX35, but for zipping aroud town and driving in San Francisco the CM is awesome.

But yes, get at least the sport, awd, auto, xenon, harmon kardon radio, heated seats.

 

I have previously owned BMW 325, two X3s, 2008 M Coupe, 2011 X5 diesel. I also owned a new 2002 Mini Cooper but I opted for a 2014 CM JCW. So far I am very satisfied with the Mini JCWCM.


I moved back to Mini 1) since it is owned by BMW similar type of warranties, 2) I wanted an something with all wheel drive plus fun for a reasonable price, 3) a loaded JCW CM will cost less than a loaded X1/X3, 4) driving loaded Mini is more enjoyable than driving a base X1 5) the Mini can be custom ordered whereas the BMW only has the standard three packages where you get options you really do not want. This customization feature was something I discovered when touring the Oxford plant in England, 6) my wife enjoys the CM more than when we had our M Coupe. That said it is no M but 1/3 of cost for the same fun 7) I test drove other small SUVs (Mazda, CRV, Subaru, Rav4--but they all have limited torque and little power).


The downside is that Minis do not offer heated steering wheels or backup/side cameras, and are slightly louder inside to provide a more sporty feel. The JCW exhaust and JCW brakes are simply cosmetic. I opted for the manual and sport suspension and I am glad I did. I test drove an automatic and it takes some of the fun out it.

 

Hey guys (gals?)

I very much appreciate your perspectives...Certainly this is a personal decision, but I value the input of those who've made similar choices before me...

Am hoping some of the new tech like the hud, idrive control **** etc..make there way to the Countryman soon.

Anyone know if that will be available for the 2015 production runs?

Luckily a new mini dealer popped-up a few miles from my work and I'll be able to spend some time behind the wheel..

Hopefully I'll get the chance to drive the sport suspension..Have to go automatic as my wife has already expressed a desire to drive it if I acquire one..

Her response is it's awfully cute

 

If you can wait a year or so, you can have both. The CM and X1 will be on the same platform. Makes the decision moot.

 

yes, but IMO, the problem with that is the CM will then be a BMW. We drove the X1 and X3 before getting the CM, and while plush, they are just numb vehicles. Not engaging at all.

Regarding clutch problems, those were solved with the 2012 models-old news. Another one of our requirements was a traditional 6-speed transmission (we want a true 3 pedal configuration or nothing at all !)

I am a little concerned whether the CM will fit your requirements.

Nice, lux ride? Nope, you will not find that in the CM-any trim of the CM. It's a Mini first, x-over vehicle second, IMO. So the car is a lot of fun to toss around but at a price-not the most plush ride out there for sure.

No torque, I can attest to that, even on our JCW-it's sparse on the low end. They definitely tuned the engine/tranny combo very differently from our JCW hardtop. That car is very strong on the low end.

AWD? fantastic system-something BMW does extremely well. Works great on the CM in bad weather, obviously, but comes in really handy when you are carving up the twisties the rest of the year.

We tried to look and drive everything with 4 or 5 doors that we would even vaguely be interested in and the CM was head and shoulders above all else in the fun-to-drive and driver engagement departments. We are at 20k completely trouble-free miles...

 

Did auto correct change your d to an n? Either way, you may have a point.

 

Z06 makes a very good case as to what a CM is and isn't

 

ha! actually, no. NUMB is what I was reaching for. BMW does some incredible engineering, but to me, their cars drive as though they spend way too much time with super computers and too little time on a track driving thousands of miles-and having folks drive test mules for tens of thousands of miles on regular roads and using that feedback in the final design.

The results are vehicles that just don't have any life to me-very clinical and sterile. I want to feel the road through the wheel, and the seat of my pants. I want my controls and interior to be engaging which is not necessarily the same as efficiently ergonomic. I want a car that I drive (not to be confused with i-drive ), which is 3 pedals and a shifter.

I have driven recent examples of the M3, M5, X1 and X3 and while very quick moves in the case of the M series, they just didn't make we want to get back in and drive to nowhere....

 

I wouldn't disagree, based on newer BMW's , we recently had a loaner, a new 328 and it was very disappointing , yes the car moved , 4cyl turbo, the steering was awful, and while the interior isn't radically different form our 328 overall the car felt less substantial, and dare I say a bit lifeless. Both my wife and I came away feeling we would not want that car

 

If you took note of my Dash Bud thread, you know I turned in my MINI and took posession of a Volvo V60 wagon (FWD, but AWD is available). It was not my first choice and wasn't a contender at the outset, but it made the finals. So far, I am very much impressed by comfort and ergonomics and road performance. It's solid and gives a good ride, but you can run it through a road course and have a good time. And it's a darn good looking vehicle, if a bit conservative.

 

I had noticed you ditched the CM and I gather quite a few issues,I am so far free from any issues,long may it continue, I'm sure the Volvo is a fine car

 

I just went from a 2006 BMW 530xi wagon to a Countryman S (there is a JB+ piggyback, which fixes your torque issue for $300) and overall I am happy. The bmw wagon is a great car, comfortable, great suspension over the bumps. The issue I had with it was the repair costs. I can understand mechanical parts that wear out, I had my light module ($1K) go twice and the dealer said they typically last 50K miles or so..
Also had issues with the wiring harness in the tailgate wearing out and the air compressor for the self leveling shocks, both very expensive repairs. Once I hit 120K miles, it was time to find a new vehicle.

I leased the CM as I think it might have the same repair issues out of warranty that the BMW had. It is fun to drive and I enjoy it, but it is definitely not luxurious like the 530.

 

I found the Mini dealer to be VERY reasonable allowing me to test drive several times with no pressure. I think you need to spend some time in one. I do have to say, the ride is that of a sports car over a "luxury sports" model. While my husband loves driving my car, it is a rougher ride to a traditional sedan. Compared to your previous cars, the Mini ride will be a bit different. This is for you to decide what is important. As for some previous comments, I think backup cameras are standard on the new models that just came out (was at the dealer yesterday). That is my only problem....it's hard for me to see out of the back. Good luck finding your perfect car!

 

I just drove the Countryman AWD S again today and loved it...No it's not as luxurious as the BMW, but it's certainly not like driving a Flintstsone mobile either..

Actually a hell of a lot more fun than my X3...

Now wondering how much more fun the JCW would be? Wish there was one for me to test drive..

Am going to do a search on the tune as well..That might do the trick for me vs the JCW??

 

Hi, We were in the same quandary. drove two different CMS models, both M6 tranny's, of course. No JCW anywhere to drive.

We spec'd and ordered a JCW, and I'm glad we did. The CM is a heavy vehicle and i wanted the most power I could get. In addition to the 25 or so extra horses, it also has an overboost feature in the 2000-5100 rpm range, which really pumps up the torque compared to the S, and the peak HP hits at 500 rpm higher. There are upgraded internals in the JCW motor and a heavy duty clutch.

The front Brembo binders really stop this beast very quickly. We had to get used to the immediacy of braking on the JCW.

Not sure about the 2014's/2015's, but with the 2013's, the sport suspension was standard equipment on the JCW edition, as well as a thicker rear ASB (although it wasn't thick enough for me so I changed it :-) )

the other more minor nice to haves are the aero kit, which I think they did a great job on with the CM JCW, particularly the rear valance. also, I much prefer the black face instrument dials compared to the normal white. The JCW interior touches are nicely done as well.

Yes, a $7k uplift for the JCW is a chunk of change, but after having ours almost a year and 16k miles, we are very glad we sprung for it.

 

Thx Z...

Hey - how much stiffer is the ride "typically" in the JCW say vs an "S" w sport suspension?

I've had a few folks tell me coming from a BMW (even M3 which I've owned) that the CM with sport suspension is jarring..I like me some firm, but not jarring or harsh

 

Hi,

It is FIRM, but not jarring with the stock JCW rear ASB. With the 22mm rear ASB I installed, the ride is just a hair shy of harsh now :-). I will say that the sport suspension with the run flat tires is terrible. the car will get airborne over expansion joints. We immediately pulled them off and put Michelin Pilot Super Sports and it made a world of difference. suspension rides much more settled than before.

One other thing to mention. We got the 19" wheel option because i like the way they fill out the wheel well, BUT...... there is not a lot of rubber between the wheel and the street. we hit a good size pothole this past winter and it bulged the sidewall of the tire. Fortunately, I always buy replacement certificates from Discount Tire, so it was replaced free of charge, but something to be mindful of....

 

I didn't consider the JCW due to the cost (would have added $100 a month to my lease) but the tune definitely makes a big difference. Burger tuning makes the piggy back tune, adds 20 WHP and 30 torque.