I’m going to be new to the countryman side of our cars. I’m not familiar with them in anyway shape or form as I have a 2011 mcs. My fiancé really wants a countryman and we found one local that looks really nice and we are going to go look at it. The car is a 2014 with 100k miles on it, no accidents clean inside and out (from pics). The lady did have the timing chain done 10k miles ago and has receipts. Is there anything I should really look at with these cars other than the basic stuff? Any major issues with these cars that would steer me away from this year? It is a FWD car and idk if I should look for a all4 or not. I feel like it would be nice in winter time for her but then again my mini does amazing in winter with being FWD and a good set of snow tires. Any input would be great, thanks!

 

Manual or Auto.

Timing Chain, water pipe, thermostat housing, and check the rear springs for rust. HPFP version and if its been replaced. Turbo good? Boost and spools. Lived at MINI dealer?

Other then that has it been oil changed all the time 5-7K, not 10-15k intervals.

Wear and tear stuff. Good luck.

 

Any ways to identify HPFP age? Part number? I’m not sure if she is original owner.

 

If its a 2014 car, then it has the newer HPFP.

Really, the Countryman is just a bigger R56 - similar platform, just bigger. Check to see what kind of service history the car has for oil changes. Regular (5000-7500 mile) oil changes are a must for these engines. If she drove the car and never checked the oil level, or waited for the service light before taking it in, I'd be nervous about the engine health.

Would you be performing your own servicing? That will also play into my recommendation. German cars with over 100k miles will be EXPENSIVE to maintain unless you do it yourself.

 

Yeah I do all my own stuff so that definitely saves money she says the car got oil changes every 3k miles so hopefully that is true. Ima pull the oil fill cap and take a peak and see how clean or dirty the top end of the end is. Is it better to get a all4 over the FWD model?

 

ALL4 vs FWD... Personal preference. The FWD model will be less complicated, so maintenance will be simplified, since you won't have to deal with the transfer case and rear axel. FWD is probably just as capable in the snow with proper tires.

 

I have a FWD base model and chose simplicity for my daughter (without the various turbo issues and transfer case driveline issues etc.). There are enough other aspects to worry/contend with to keep you busy.

 

yep.

Should have this design: 13518605102

https://www.ecstuning.com/News/MINI_...el_Pump_22527/