Countryman [Official] Mini Countryman

[klier]

^ Ehmmm...sorry to burst your bubble, but from the WHOLE MB line-up, there's maybe 5 cars that drive better than a Mini. LOL!

Nah, I want to drive 'em all. But I would let you know about it, so you could come join me test-driving it.

I'd gladly join you!!!

 

[south]

I'd gladly join you!!!

That's it! C'mon Scotty, set up a testdrive for us. Pretty please...


Best regards,
south

 

[SCOTT27]

We did used to allow public testing of a new product but we stopped when we found out that some testers were showing their friends and family members who worked for rival companies the cars much too early so we stopped doing so.

There are outside bodies outwith BMW AG who do testing mainly Police fleets , etc who put their orders in first before demand gets too great.
But for employees taking FEP cars home they have to enter feedback into a log book - or now it is all done online. Or for special guinea pig programmes such as The Active hybrid 7 which I am running up to July , you have to record everything for evaluation purpose it's a bit like a homework assignment. When collaborated it will be put forward to refine the concept for the next generation of models.

 

[south]

We did used to allow public testing of a new product but we stopped when we found out that some testers were showing their friends and family members who worked for rival companies the cars much too early so we stopped doing so.

There are outside bodies outwith BMW AG who do testing mainly Police fleets , etc who put their orders in first before demand gets too great.
But for employees taking FEP cars home they have to enter feedback into a log book - or now it is all done online. Or for special guinea pig programmes such as The Active hybrid 7 which I am running up to July , you have to record everything for evaluation purpose it's a bit like a homework assignment. When collaborated it will be put forward to refine the concept for the next generation of models.

Under these circumstances, I could most certainly wait until the press cars are ready. Send me a PM if there's a way to make this happen.

I was this close applying for the Mini E program.


Best regards,
south

 

[Mr Robert]

^ Ehmmm...sorry to burst your bubble, but from the WHOLE MB line-up, there's maybe 5 cars that drive better than a Mini. LOL!

Not if one is after a Mercedes experience.

That said, I would think that the cross-shopping between the X5 and the Countryman would be rather limited.

 

[SCOTT27]

Michelle Branch Ft. Timbaland : Getaway.
If you want to skip to the driving - 1:56.

YouTube - Michelle Branch & Timbaland, "Getaway" The Official Music Video

 

[KokkenTor]

The new Countryman is a heavy car:

Countryman One: DIN: 1 265kg, EC: 1 340kg
Countryman One D: DIN: 1 310kg, EC: 1 385kg
Countryman Cooper: DIN: 1 265kg, EC, 1 340kg
Countrunan Cooper D: DIN: 1 310kg, EC: 1 385kg
Countrunan Cooper S: DIN: 1 310kg, EC: 1 385kg
Countryman Cooper S/D ALL4: DIN: 1 380kg, EC, 1 455kg

link to all spesifications:
https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/pres...lId=7&id=T0082053DE&left_menu_item=node__2310

 

[Mr Robert]

Wow, that is heavy. Oh, well, I guess no-one is going to buy the ALL4 versions for the driving experience.

 

[EMpower]

How is the gas consumption?

 

[Centurion]

Wow, that is heavy. Oh, well, I guess no-one is going to buy an SUV for the driving experience.

Fixed it for you

But let's not bemoan the weight too much because the weight isn't as severe as it might appear. The Countryman is hardly any heavier than your average four door hatchback. BMW have done an excellent job keeping the car light as possible.

Audi A3 Sportback 2.0 Quattro: 1455kg EC
Audi A3 Sportback 2.0: 1335kg EC
BMW 120d: 1450kg EC

So like you see, the car being "heavy" is just an optical illusion because it's an SUV, but the figures above clearly paint the picture of the Countryman being a rather slim SUV with a perfectly healthy weight. Here's a car that is truly heavy:

BMW X1 xDrive23d SE: 1565kg EC
BMW X1 xDrive23d SE: 1670kg EC

 

[Mr Robert]

Make no mistake, I think the A3 and 1-series are darn heavy too

 

[Human]

The Countryman is already a huge success, the SD will only amplify that.

 

[Monster]

I actually saw one at the shopping center car park, in bright red. It is one ugly thing.

 

[Deckhook]

One of my staff has got herself a secondhand one of these which I got the chance to drive and get a good look around it. Is it me or is the quality of this a bit better than the regular Mini because that the impression I got and the boot isn't at all bad either, though it's a shocking size to be called a Mini. lol

Not won over by it's looks, though I wouldn't tell her that, morphing the basic Mini design into an SUV has been far less successful than turning the 911 into the Cayenne.

 

[KiwiRob]

Afer spending 500km today in a Golf 7 1.4 TFSi today I realised what an abomonation my CM really is, I'm ashamed of myself for ever buying one, its noisey, hard riding, uncomfortable and as I've found out an absolute bitch to try and sell second hand. Mine is highly specced with almost every option except navigation and sunroof, can I sell it, nope, 1 month on and not a single query, I dropped the price last week, it's not the most expensive for sale, has low km and still has 26 month warranty. I called a few other owners who are selling their's on the same website I'm selling mine on, pretty much the same issue, no callers.

My local dealer has 4 on the yard, they haven't shifted, the oldest one has been in stock for nearly 12 months. They are still selling new ones, people like speccing them, but they don't want to buy something someone else has already built, they want their own personal CM. I looked at buying a 1 series, BMW offered a really crappy trade in, Audi on the other hand offered a lot more so I ended up with an A1. My A1 will be ready for collection next week.

 

[jack]

its noisey, hard riding, uncomfortable

yep its a mini
just recently i drove a paceman cooper d all4 - what a great car! i'd shares alot of attributes with the smaller version, but allows enough room for 4 adults. i have never really been fond of a mini suv, but after driving one i am a believer - its still a mini.

 

[KiwiRob]

I'm a big MINI fan the CM is my forth MINI, the MINI I had prior to the CM was a Clubman, in the Clubman you can accept the harsh ride, the noise and lack of comfort, (it's quieter and better riding than a CM) but in the CM and PM you shouldn't have to, also the interior quality of the CM/PM is low, it's not what a person paying this kind of cash should expect. Next up I think anyone foolish enough to part with cold hard cash for the John Coopers Works version should have there finances taken away from them, the Golf R is so much more car, more power, more comfort, faster, better looking and with a higher standard interior, I can't see why anyone would buy a JCW CM or PM. The new Audi S1 has also got to be a more compelling purchase.

I'm sure I'll buy another MINI, probably the Clubman, but only if it's a better car than the Golf.

 

[dalab]

2015 Mini Countryman Refreshed for New York - Automobile Magazine

 

[Rainer271]

Upcoming MINI Countryman Could Get Diesel Power in the US

The Countryman is currently the biggest model in MINI’s line-up. Future plans might reveal an even bigger car but that’s just supposition at the moment. Until then, rumors claim that the upcoming US-bound Countryman could be diesel powered.
With a weight of up to 1,500 kg (3,300 lbs), the crossover is a bit heavy compared to its brethren. The added torque of a diesel would be most welcome in the US. The problem is, the market might not be ready for it.

As we all know, the American customer isn’t too keen on diesels and that’s why most cars offered in the states don’t have oil burners under the bonnet. However, with the new generation of B-family engines coming in from Germany, things might turn around, as they are said to be less noisy and more fuel efficient than their predecessors.

Since the Countryman was launched back in 2010, don’t expect the new one to come out sooner than 2017. That gives BMW and MINI enough time to prepared the ground for a diesel alternative in the US.

Designing the platform to hold an urea tank and SCR filter, both of them required in order to meet US emission standards could take a while but 3 years should be enough for it to happen.

Of course, the rest of the world is already enjoying diesel Countrymans. In Europe there are 5 different variations available, including the ALL4 SD and D models. Power outputs vary from 90 HP and 215 Nm (158 lb-ft) of torque on the One D to 143 HP and 305 Nm (225 lb-ft) of torque on the SD. In the US, prices start at $22,100 for the Cooper model or $199 a month.

Upcoming MINI Countryman Could Get Diesel Power in the US

 

[Rainer271]

MINI details 2015 Paceman and 2015 Countryman

2015 MINI Paceman and Countryman

Powered by EURO6 engines
MINI has released extensive details and pictures of the updated Paceman andCountryman, scheduled to reach dealerships before the end of this month.

First, the facelifted Paceman has gained a restyled hexagonal radiator grille, revised headlights, new standard and optional alloy wheels and black or chrome accents. Jungle Green metallic and Midnight Grey metallic colors will be also available, while LED parking lights and fog lamps with daytime driving lights are in the extra equipment list. On the inside, the 2015 Paceman features new chrome applications for the ventilation controls and sports seats for both driver and front passenger.

The engine range remains unchanged, but the Cooper S modification will now have 190 PS (140 kW) instead of 184 PS (135 kW) before the update. The range-topping Paceman JCW will sport a 218 PS (160 kW) 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine and an ALL4 all-wheel drive system. All units are mated to a standard 6-speed manual gearbox or an optional 6-speed automatic.

Next is the 2015 Countryman, which features basically the same visual tweaks. It is offered with new standard and optionally available light alloy wheels with “reduced weight and optimized aerodynamics properties”. Additional customization options include contrasting colors for the roof and the exterior mirror caps and bonnet stripes.

MINI says now the model has “optimized acoustic comfort and reinforced premium characteristics in the interior” with dark dials for road speed and engine speed and chrome trims on the air vents. Customers can order 40:20:40 folding rear seats, while the boot volume can be extended from 350 liters to 1,170 liters.

The Countryman will be powered by the same engine range as the Paceman. Worth mentioning here is that all units are EU6 compliant, while the ALL4 system will be available on all versions as an optional feature.

The facelifted models will be on sale from July 2014 with prices starting at 17,322 EUR ($23,550) for the Paceman and 16,734 EUR ($22,750) for the Countryman, both in Cooper versions.

Source: Mini