Author Topic: Test Drive: 2011 Mini Cooper Countryman (Read 10367 times)

Autos_Editor · « **on:** July 28, 2011, 04:02:51 am »

In back-to-back drives of the Cooper Countryman and Cooper S Countryman, Peter Bleakney found significant differences.

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sailor723 · « **Reply #1 on:** July 28, 2011, 05:28:37 am »

I had a Cooper S Countryman demo as a loaner the last time I had the Mini in for service. I have to say I was quite impressed at the room and the performance although I can certainly see how it would struggle in the non-turbo form.

JohnnyMac · « **Reply #2 on:** July 28, 2011, 06:47:54 am »

I wouldn't really even consider the Mini Cooper Classic little on adding over 400 lbs and jack it up a bit. Definitely have to go with the S. This is probably one of the better compact SUV's on the market. Like all Mini's it should retain it's resale value quite well, but also like all Mini's you'll be sure to have to get some warranty work done over the course of your ownership. At that as tested price I think I would buy something different. I'm thinking I would probably go for the new BMW X1. I see this being a direct competitor with the VW Tiguan. Both are based off fun hatch backs and both are relatively compact in design, and both are priced to be semi-premium SUV's.

sailor723 · « **Reply #3 on:** July 28, 2011, 06:52:55 am »

So which of the 5 duplicate posts of this article are we going to comment on? Maybe a Mod can merge the 2 threads that have already had comments and delete the rest?

tpl · « **Reply #4 on:** July 28, 2011, 07:02:02 am »

I had a Countryman S in front of me for some miles. It is not an attractive vehicle seen from the back and looks strange with its jacked up stance... in fact not like a mini. The original "new" mini was the best in my opinion and should have been left alone.

Red G8R · « **Reply #5 on:** July 28, 2011, 07:38:19 am »

RE photos: Sitting on a car is a no no for me.....especially if it's not mine.

nlm · « **Reply #6 on:** July 28, 2011, 08:52:07 am »

$44k for the as tested ALL4?!? That's STi or X3 territory depending on where you fall in the spectrum. I don't see the Countryman playing well here even if it captures some of the original essence; someone has the REALLY like the Mini design for what it gives up in this price segment.

chrischasescars · « **Reply #7 on:** July 28, 2011, 09:33:31 am »

Quote from: nlm on July 28, 2011, 08:52:07 am

$44k for the as tested ALL4?!? That's STi or X3 territory depending on where you fall in the spectrum. I don't see the Countryman playing well here even if it captures some of the original essence; someone has the REALLY like the Mini design for what it gives up in this price segment.

Don't worry, many people will drink the koolaid. I still think the original Cooper/S, (or the Clubman if you need more space) is the way to go. The Countryman is a pure profit generator for BMW.

ArtW · « **Reply #8 on:** July 28, 2011, 09:59:56 am »

True fact! The Countryman is like an iPad! Cool, pricey, useless and fully replaceable with cheaper solutions!
Enjoy it if you have nothing else to spend the money on!

Art

chrischasescars · « **Reply #9 on:** July 28, 2011, 10:06:01 am »

Except you can't play Angry Birds on a Countryman (although I'm sure that time will arrive soon enough).

ArtW · « **Reply #10 on:** July 28, 2011, 10:16:03 am »

Quote from: chrischasescars on July 28, 2011, 10:06:01 am

Except you can't play Angry Birds on a Countryman (although I'm sure that time will arrive soon enough).

That would probably bring it over 50k before taxes or more because you'll need the "play Angry Birds hands-free" kit!

sailor723 · « **Reply #11 on:** July 28, 2011, 10:19:24 am »

I have to agree with the comments questioning the price. The Countryman S I drove was a nice vehicle and seemed like it would be both fun and fairly practical. The catch was that it seemed to me to be overpriced by something like 10-15%.

Loaded up these shouldn't top out over 40K.

chrischasescars · « **Reply #12 on:** July 28, 2011, 10:22:16 am »

Quote from: ArtW on July 28, 2011, 10:16:03 am

Quote from: chrischasescars on July 28, 2011, 10:06:01 am
Except you can't play Angry Birds on a Countryman (although I'm sure that time will arrive soon enough).

That would probably bring it over 50k before taxes or more because you'll need the "play Angry Birds hands-free" kit!

That come with a head-up display that projects the game onto the windshield?

chrischasescars · « **Reply #13 on:** July 28, 2011, 10:23:38 am »

Quote from: sailor723 on July 28, 2011, 10:19:24 am

I have to agree with the comments questioning the price. The Countryman S I drove was a nice vehicle and seemed like it would be both fun and fairly practical. The catch was that it seemed to me to be overpriced by something like 10-15%.

Loaded up these shouldn't top out over 40K.

I just got out of a BMW X1. More power, way more interior space, and similarly-equipped, about $2,000 more than the Countryman.

sirAQUAMAN64 · « **Reply #14 on:** July 28, 2011, 10:35:05 am »

I really like the Countryman, it's the only Mini I would consider buying (don't really see the point of the Clubman - it offers a bit more space but isn't very practical). And love they offer it with AWD. Seeing plenty of them on the roads already, too. But the price for desireable options is scary, and I couldn't possibly justify one at over $40K. That said BMW has done Mini right, and it has to be one heck of a profitable brand.

whaddaiknow · « **Reply #15 on:** July 28, 2011, 10:40:56 am »

Quote from: chrischasescars on July 28, 2011, 10:23:38 am

I just got out of a BMW X1. More power, way more interior space, and similarly-equipped, about $2,000 more than the Countryman.

Totally agree and I would go for the X1 too. But for those seeking to make a statement, whatever that statement may be, being THE ONE is more important than being ONE OF, and they are paying for it.
I spec'ed it out before I got the 328 but figured I wasn't ready to pay more for less, I'm not rich enough.

safristi · « **Reply #16 on:** July 28, 2011, 10:44:07 am »

...Hmmm I see the sales to 13 year old girls SKYROCKETING like...text text text Mom Dad can I have $35K for my Birthday..like...NOW.....

dirtyjeffer · « **Reply #17 on:** July 28, 2011, 12:33:25 pm »

Quote from: nlm on July 28, 2011, 08:52:07 am

$44k for the as tested ALL4?!? That's STi or X3 territory depending on where you fall in the spectrum. I don't see the Countryman playing well here even if it captures some of the original essence; someone has the REALLY like the Mini design for what it gives up in this price segment.

i went to the Mini USA site and build a Countryman ALL4 and added the four extra packages so it was fully loaded...$33,150, or over $10k LESS EXPENSIVE than here in Canada...perhaps if a fully loaded Countryman ALL4 was just over $33k fully loaded, they might actually sell some...i can understand some disparity in price, but that much of extra should be considered criminal...i hope no one buys one.

TopGun · « **Reply #18 on:** July 28, 2011, 01:35:24 pm »

Quote from: sirAQUAMAN64 on July 28, 2011, 10:35:05 am

.....But the price for desireable options is scary.....

Scary is right. The look on the guy's face at the Toronto Auto Show of that sentiment seemed to indicate that was a common question.

I could think of many cars I'd rather have for similar coin - WRX likely at the top of that list.

Ace · « **Reply #19 on:** July 28, 2011, 04:00:53 pm »

What an odd looking little car. I can't believe anyone would pay 44 grand for one of these. Wow !!! I must be getting old