Hello all

I've been searching and debating for months what to get! I currently drive an automatic 2005 Altima...

I've chosen an automatic 2015 Countryman Base, (after much debate) Cosmic Blue with Black top, Polar interior, and moon roof. I'm so close to sending in my order!

I figured Houston has too much stop-n-go traffic for a Manual but I am not against it. It'd be my first manual and I've read all I can about manual T.

The final things bugging my decision are:

1. Im used to the accelaration of the Altima and am not so sure about the HP/torque/weight of the justa. Basically I'm expecting worse off there, which is sad. I haven't had much time to test drive.
If I go to a manual "S" I'm concerned of the costly turbo issues I've read.

2. Should I wait for the 2016 or 2017? The girl at the dealership said they probably don't expect a redesign until 2017. But she could probably just be trying to sell me something now. Saw a post for a 2016 hybrid here - how legit is this rumor? How much would the 2015 value suffer once the new gen debuts?

I guess ultimately it's how I weigh the factor of [manual in stop-n-go], [turbo concerns], and schedule of the next ["new" countryman].

Thanks for any insight

 

I think you would be happiest with an automatic S. I wouldn't worry about turbo issues. Just keep the oil clean and let it cool off before you turn it off. Yes, it brings in a whole new dynamic of things to go wrong, but then so does a lot of other things on a car that is more geared towards performance than a nissan altima. It's worth it to have the extra kick.

I don't think a countryman would be a good first manual transmission car.
I have a manual ALL4 S and even though I've driven a manual my whole life, there was a definite learning curve with the nuances of the clutch and it seems to be a bit of a weak spot in the car in general. So I would avoid that all together.

But why not just go try out the various versions at a dealer?

Oh and the color combo sounds killer!

 

Oh and you asked about waiting for 2016-17. I dunno, I don't think I could wait that long...so that is completely up to you. I also don't like what I have seen in some of the spy shots, seems kinda boxy... but then again it could totally rock!

 

I owned a 2003 Murano for a lot of years, basically a glitzed up Altima. The Mini is a far more enjoyable ride, except a base non S CM would suck the life out of the driving experience for me. I've driven one on a test and had a Paceman 2014 base loaner that was a slow boring dog to drive. If you read all the scare stories of any car you will never be able to pull the trigger.

 

In my experience the first year of any totally new model has the most issues in a production run. I'm also thinking you will be happier with an "S" model in an automatic. Personally I'm a die hard manual fan, but to my surprise I really enjoy our "S" automatic Paceman (the Countryman 2dr) in traffic and on the freeway with the paddle shifters more. With regard to the turbo, it's really a non issue.

 

I've driven some loaner justa automatics, and I don't get it. At that point, just get a Civic (I'm not being facetious, I actually like Civics).

If you're really looking for a unique driving experience, you need the third pedal. I live in suburban Dallas, and commute downtown and back every day in traffic, and I have absolutely no issues with the manual. I just drove my wifes mercedes 700 miles on vacation, and it almost drained the life force out of me. So incredibly boring.

I wouldn't wait, there is always something new around the corner. Mini's are uncommon enough that the current CMS won't look dated when the new model comes out. I also tend to avoid first year cars (whoops on my 2011). A 2015 CMS will have many of the bugs worked out, like the improved clutch.

 

If you are buying a MINI after owning a Nissan, you're going to have to expect a few more fixes along the way. That's part of owning a MINI: you're trading off fun and cool factor for utility and reliability. Because of this, I recommend a Turbo with manual trans: It'll be way more fun, and if acceleration is what you want, can call people like me.

 

I am driving since 1965 bikes and I find ALL the cars "slow".A good sportbike does 0
-60 under 3 seconds.So the JCW is very "slow".In real live you can (may) not use all this power. A justa automatic will get you every where in time.
My Barracuda(yes I am old) was fast, a Cooper S was much faster on our narrow roads.

 

There will always be something newer and better in the future, but go ahead and live in the present.

 

Live a little NOW. Get the Automatic, but in an S model, not a base. No stress of learning to drive your first manual, since it won't be. And you will love the Turbo model once you drive one a few times before you place your order for your Countryman.
Of course, we're a bit biased, since we own two S models.....

 

I will add that if you REALLY don't want an S model, don't even think about test driving one. Really, stay away.

I was in your shoes at one point. I thought to myself, hey, 120hp is good enough for a little car, right? So I decided on the base model. Went to the dealership, drove it and left in a very 'whatever' mood. Then I went back, drove the S, had a blast, and then, like an idiot, took the base model out for a spin right after.

That was the last time I ever drove the base model.

 

One more thing to consider;

If I were doing it again, I would probably take a closer look at the 4-Door Hardtop.

 

(double post)

 

Weighing in:

I honestly am not a fan of the base model CMs...they seem a little too underpowered for me, not like the Coopers on the other MINI models... My vote is go for the Cooper S. I have no experience with the manual trans on the CM, but they did update it around 2012.

I would definitely recommend test driving before buying though!

Most of the mechanical issues you hear about on the CMs are from the 2011-2012 time frame - the first couple years the car (and the engine itself) came out and that's usually where you'll see the most issues. The CM is now in it's 5th year of production, many of the kinks have been worked out and I believe, the car itself is a lot more reliable.

The next gen CM won't be coming until late 2016/2017 based on MINIs lifecycles, FWIW

 

Have you checked out the BMW 2 series Active Tourer which may be coming to the US?

 

Does this mean I shouldn't take a look at a JCW Clubman that's fairly close to me ...... I mean, it's ONLY $20K more than what I owe on my S......

Man does it look nice too. Sigh. If only...

 

Time's up! My 10 yr old Altima was laid to rest after a stupid t-bone. After the accident I started researching larger SUV's, and finally got around to test driving.

Buick Encore: Nooo
Mazda CX-5: Not bad, but for the price I decided I will get what I've been wanting... a Countryman (auto)

Unfortunately, against advise, I drove both the Justa and the S. I felt they were both fine once they're off going. I did feel the difference with the S, feeling light and able to take off easily. I'm not so sure I was 100% sold on the S. At max I carry 2 passengers on occasion, and maybe once a year venture into the steep hills of Austin, TX. I wonder how it would handle those hills.
I'm also not sure I know enough yet to be able to properly care for the turbo. This will be my first MINI.

 

Hooray! Good choice!

The only extra thing I think you really need to do with a turbo powered car is to check the oil level often and keep it topped up as necessary, change the oil at LEAST every 10k miles/1 year using synthetic (go with the MINI branded stuff to be safe, though I'm sure everyone has their own opinions on what oil to use).

Just stay on top of normal preventative maintenance and you'll be golden.

 

I've had two justas myself both R50s a 2002 and a 2006 and have been more than satisfied with the performance with the manual 5 speed and have been free of the problems that seem to plague the "S" models. When my wife decided the CM was what she wanted I suggested the base based on my experience even though she wanted an automatic. A similar trouble free experience has been had now just over 30000 miles later and the performance is also very satisfying especially since "ditching" the run flats ! Do that sooner rather than later.....it's a whole different car without them !

 

I've got a 'base' 2011 Countryman auto and its been just fine for me and it handles the hills in my area w/out problem. No extra maintenance headaches with the 'base' and no worries about a turbo failure or de-coking work. That said, there are times i wish i had the turbo automatic just for a little extra fun. There are still people complaining about the clutches in the newer cars so i'd pass in favor of the auto.

 

So - it is done. I picked up my Countryman S FWD. Cosmic Blue with black roof + Mirrors + Wheels, tinted windows, white turn signals, standard black interiors. That's about it.

It was already on its way when I was building mine - except this one had nav system, white turn signals, standard silver wheels. I didn't want the nav system and wanted the black wheels. They worked something out for me to take this one. Waited two weeks and drove a Justa in the meantime. I drove the Justa for nearly 800 miles and maxed the MPG at 25.9.

Day 2 in the S and got a small windshield chip on the highway :(
Time to learn maintenance. I plan to keep his car for as long as I can - am I reaching for the stars at 10 years? Time to research the forum on the extended programs. I'll post pics in the Cosmic Blue Owners Club soon

Thanks for the input all.

 

We just bought a used 2013 CMS and the wife and I had the same thoughts...should we wait for the refresh of the CMS in 2017 or jump in now. After test driving some Mini's we decided life was too short to wait (middle 50's couple), but we did buy a low mileage used one so that if the 2017 refresh is totally killer we can flip out and buy a new one. When you compare the 2015 Hardtop refresh, it's obvious IMO that all those changes are quickly coming the the Countryman...2L engine, interior redesign, etc.. The new CM is going to be more boxy and less bubble shaped from the spy shots I've seen.

Honestly we just couldn't wait once we test drove, it was that much fun! I totally get it's a personal thing and everyone has a difference in opinion, but I couldn't do this without going S, it adds so much excitement! I'm not a big fan of turbo cars (I've owned an Acura RDX and VW Jetta turbos), but the Mini is a well tuned turbo set up and it performs well with very little turbo lag.

 

Doing your own oil changes between the 10,000+ mile dealer interval is a nice peace of mind thing to do.

 

Is this the conventional wisdom among other folks as well? That the new models have a lot of the kinks worked out? Would allay a lot of my anxieties.

 

+ 1 on this. We ended up a 2 MINI family in 2 weeks of getting the first one this Jan.
They ARE addictive...