[magic77]

Well time has come to shift wifes B-class.

Need something in similar size and apart from the new B-class nothing else takes fancy.

Plus the experience has not been to over smooth with one dealership while both BMW dealers in area have been great.

Looking at the cooper S (not sure if AWD or FWD) since mileage will be no more than 10k a year.

Just wondering if anyone has any experience, pointers to look for when buying

thanks

[davyk31]

Not sure I would buy an S or SD in the Countryman unless you are buying used at a great price. Reason is that not many people want the hotter version in this type of car, the Cooper D All 4 is the big seller I reckon.

[peterg1965]

Just waiting for our new Countryman to be delivered. Its a rather modest Countryman Cooper petrol manual with Chilli pack and a few other bits and bobs.

Have i driven one - no, do I care what they drive like - not really as I wont be driving it. My daughter is not happy as it is not cool (according to her) and she will be the main driver.

There is a lot of room in them, particularly compared to the standard hatch which frankly is shockingly small inside.

[magic77]

The one we drove to get feel for the size was a one. Way too slow. Plan is to drive a Cooper S and Cooper back to back in next few weeks to get better idea. But I think it will be the S as otherwise fully loaded it will struggle

[peterg1965]

Some great finance rates on a new Mini and I suspect some discounts especially on stock cars if you can really push.

[magic77]

lets hope so specced one up last night and wow you can really go crazy.

Now just to find a forum

[peterg1965]

Decent, well used UK Mini forums are thin on the ground, i tried Mini2 but it is like tumbleweed city.

[Reggie-g75]

My wife picks up her countryman cooper S next week, so will report back.

Initial view from test drive was ok, but wouldn't really be my choice.

It's replacing a Q5 2.0tdi which was pretty rubbish.

[mjh93sa]

Forum wise, http://www.totalmini.com/ is the place to start for an active community. Regional ones are everywhere, such as http://surreynewmini.forumotion.com/forum.

The interior is a little low rent in comparison to the mainstream BMW offerings, but the Countryman is a bit better (newer) and has just had a refresh of the interior as well, though I haven't seen it.

The ride quality is better than an E90 on RFTs, and whilst not a true chuckable MINI it is still a fun little car to pilot down the road. Whilst it rolls a bit more being that much taller it is still streets ahead of something like the wallowy Yeti (another good car) for fun driving.

The Cooper / Cooper D are competent, and would be fine around town, but when you get out on the motorway they are a bit lacking in urge. The S and the SD address this deficiency, but are still not going to set the world alight, sprightly, but not quick.

Description of the 4WD system can be found here:
http://www.motoringfile.com/2011/08/...stem-in-depth/

There have been conflicting reports of the torque split actually used. I think that it started with the 100% front and up to 50/50 as needed in the above article, but was then clarified by MINI to start at 50/50 and then reduced to full front drive as speed increased, unless extra traction was needed. In practice on tarmac there is little to differentiate the two in terms of driving characteristics as there really isn't enough of an excess of power to trouble anything but a total hooligan.

Space wise it has a lot of room for a little car. The rear seats can be adjusted for angle, and the rear seat bench can be slid fore and aft to optimise boot space / rear leg room. The driving position is a bit more upright than something like an X series BMW, but is similar to other cars of the class and you get used to it pretty quickly.

My Sister has had hers (Countryman SD 2WD) for about 18 months now and is still very happy with it. Only trouble so far has been the silver adhesive on the window trim coming off (known problem) and that was quickly fixed under warranty. She wanted a diesel, and driving the Dooper and the SD sold her on the SD for it's better out of town performance. 4WD on RFTs isn't going to help, so she saved the weight and money and runs winter tyres instead.

The pedal pressures are a little different, in that the clutch engages quite high on it's stroke, and the brake pedal is a little long in comparison to other cars. But as soon as you get your head around this it's fine. A few revs as you pull away and it pulls off fine, and the brakes give you great progression whilst still really pulling you up if you stamp on them.

The looks are a bit individual (hers has become known as the Dumpyman in the family), but is a great little car to drive. Get out there and test drive one!

[magic77]

Thanks for that if we go for it it will be auto due to lot of town driving saying that wife likes the high clutch as she is quite short.

However will also look at 1 series now as seems its similar boot

[mjh93sa]

It's an interesting comparison:

The Dountryman boot is about 4" wider, about the same height (but with an extra 8" depth under the flat load floor) and is about 8" shoter. So overall, about the same size, but just a different shape. Of course you could then move the rear seat forwards on the Dumpyman to create more room if needed.

The F20 is noticeably more refined than the Dumpyman. If you are looking at them then don't overlook the petrols. As the smaller petrol engines have been taken from the MINI they are picking up quite a following for being economical, refined and reasonably quick. Having driven the 116i I have to say that I was impressed. I was expecting lethargic performance, but it was plenty to keep other traffic honest, and pulled well cross the rev range, without sounding like a diesel.

[magic77]

Thanks for that I think it will be either 118i or 118d. The 118i shows some great figures and since its all going to be town driving mostly a118i will be safer no dpf issues.

going to today to have a look.