[doughboy]

We've got previous here.

The wife had an 05 cooper a few years back, she loved it and it held its value very well over the 3 yrs, bought it 18 months old. It was 100% reliable and a hoot to drive.

An average spec cooper S all-4 has a list of say 26k, but they're up for 17/18/19after 6 months at dealers, but the same at 18/24 months are at 15/16k.

Agree the countryman models are a bit marmite, but we had a loaner and TBH it was great. I was happy to drive it, whereas the 2 door, IMO, was definitely a 'chicks' car...

Colour and trim is a big decider, but they're as big (bigger?) than a golf inside, huge boot, 4 doors, great fun to rag down the lanes.

4wd makes it a winner for us being in the sticks, with a set of winter tyres on it will be something else. (it means I can have the E63 and she has the bad weather car instead of me having to have a wobbling chelsea chariot).

Agree, we need a good deal though, looking at about 1 year old to keep for 4 or 5.