Mini Countryman

ALM3 · 12-19-2010, 11:54 AM

Perhaps this should be in the Mini forum but they don't have an active Canadian thread.

I just drove a Mini Countryman AWD S from my favourite dealer Mini Durham. I am quite impressed. This car should really take some sales from CRV and RAV4 prospects.
The new Countryman is very spacious inside and the rear seats feel almost limousine like. The driving position is quite high giving a commanding feel of the road. The best part is the vehicle really feels like a BMW. While Mini's are typically very solid and harsh riding but handle like a go-kart the Countryman feels much more like a 3 series BMW. It is very solid with a bank vault like sound when closing the doors and a very firm but subtle ride quality. The one I test drove had the automatic transmission mated to the tubo engine and worked quite well. Shifts were very smooth and I imagine it will get excellent mileage when not being driven foot to the floor. The styling is "interesting" with a lot of Mini geneology. The external lines are a little quirky but it may be one of those styles that takes a while to grow on you.

Gearhead999s · 12-19-2010, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ALM3

Perhaps this should be in the Mini forum but they don't have an active Canadian thread.

I just drove a Mini Countryman AWD S from my favourite dealer Mini Durham. I am quite impressed.
The driving position is quite high giving a commanding feel of the road. The best part is the vehicle really feels like a BMW. While Mini's .

I have a JPS in the driveway that has a commanding driving postion but could not feel more unlike a BMW than if Toyota tried to make it so

Sitting higher in that vehicle only serves the purpose of helping to increase the rate of oscilations as it encounters such everday hazards such as crosswinds,bumps and corners!They even put a inclinometer in to show the roll & pitch angles so as to alarm you enough so you trundle through the hazards at a much slower rate as to not scare yourself.I am sure the Mini has none of these issues and actually a very cool car

///M Ryder · 12-19-2010, 12:28 PM

The countryman is based on the BMW X1 platform. I was just told yesterday that they share a chassis.........Phil

Jaypod · 12-19-2010, 06:47 PM

So when you going to add one to the Mini collection?

Gearhead999s · 12-19-2010, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaypod

So when you going to add one to the Mini collection?

I think Al needs a Mini Moke so he can be DD at our adventures at the Races at tracks like Mid Ohio and Mosport

12-19-2010, 11:54 AM	#1
ALM3 Private First Class 14 Rep 197 Posts Drives: 2008 M3 gone, 2021 M4, 2021 X2 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	Mini Countryman Perhaps this should be in the Mini forum but they don't have an active Canadian thread. I just drove a Mini Countryman AWD S from my favourite dealer Mini Durham. I am quite impressed. This car should really take some sales from CRV and RAV4 prospects. The new Countryman is very spacious inside and the rear seats feel almost limousine like. The driving position is quite high giving a commanding feel of the road. The best part is the vehicle really feels like a BMW. While Mini's are typically very solid and harsh riding but handle like a go-kart the Countryman feels much more like a 3 series BMW. It is very solid with a bank vault like sound when closing the doors and a very firm but subtle ride quality. The one I test drove had the automatic transmission mated to the tubo engine and worked quite well. Shifts were very smooth and I imagine it will get excellent mileage when not being driven foot to the floor. The styling is "interesting" with a lot of Mini geneology. The external lines are a little quirky but it may be one of those styles that takes a while to grow on you. __________________
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

12-19-2010, 12:28 PM	#3
///M Ryder Grown Azz Man 429 Rep 3,021 Posts Drives: GT4 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Texas iTrader: (8)	The countryman is based on the BMW X1 platform. I was just told yesterday that they share a chassis.........Phil __________________ 2016 GT4.....Sapphire Blue Metallic, Platinum stitch Leather/Alcantara interior, Carbon Fiber Trim, PCM w/Nav, Guards Red Belts, 2 Zone Climate, Sport Chrono, LWB, Smokers Pack, Big Gas Tank, Light Design Pack, Bi-Xenon w/PDL, Auto Dim Mirror, Clear Side Markers, GTS Clear Taillights
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-19-2010, 06:47 PM	#4
Jaypod Brigadier General 125 Rep 4,971 Posts Drives: Frozen M3, AM V8V, 991 GT3 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Toronto iTrader: (7)	So when you going to add one to the Mini collection?
	Appreciate 0 Quote