2nd Gen R60 Countryman Most liked posts in thread: Countryman S vs Justa Countryman

Here is the info...
I haven't driven either... actually bought a TDI to replace my MINI...wanted the tq...pre diselgate....
Anyway the non-s cars tend to reliable, and cheaper to operate....but even at sealevel folks complain of them being kinda slow (even in the lighter hatchbacks)...and the extra weight isn't going to help the feel, nor the elevation...
The cooper, aka Justa ( for just a cooper) can be a blast to drive in some cases..
Go drive one of each...even if they don't meet your specs...just so you know.
Me...the carbon issues in the "S" resulting in walnut shell blastings, and HPFP failures made the gen 2 prince cars a "no go" for me....also some oil consumption issues and timing chain issues can be an issue....so records are a huge plus, as us a warrenty....many folks dump them when oil consumption starts....so be careful....many cars had early clutch issues...the original factory clutch was a bit under sized by many accounts...
There were several updates to the motors...the the years of the cars are important....

 

Your 2000-ish TDi probably doesn't have the oomph of a new TDi, so the base model engine might work for you. You'll have to learn a new shifting routine, since the MINI will want to wind up more than your TDi did.

But, given the CM is a bigger and heavier model than your basic Cooper, I have to think it is slower than the base Cooper loaners I have driven, and those cars didn't suck, but I prefer my CooperS (R56).

If it were me, I'd hold out for an S. I think you will like the mid-range torque of the turbocharged engine on those mountains. You'll have to keep the revs up with the base engine, which means more shifting.

As for oil consumption, all MINIs do that, and it is not ridiculous. I have 101K miles on mine, and haven't dumped it, yet. The R56 timing chain issue is covered by a recall, so if it hasn't been done (probably has by now), it's a free fix.

I get 30 MPG average around Dallas in my CooperS. You probably won't get that in a larger, heavier CM -- base model or S.

That's my 2-cents. You do need to drive some cars before buying one.

CD

 

get an S-JCW if you can swing it and live in a snow climate

I own a MINI specialist shop and own a Paceman S (2 door version of the countryman) get an S at the least. you will not be sorry you held out for the extra power. a 2015 or 16 would be best but a 13 or later is great!

 

Welcome to M/A!

 

What he said......

 

Congratulations on your new purchase and welcome to Motoring Alliance !!

 

Hey, great news. I think you made a good choice. CPO cars cost more than regular used cars, but you get that warranty, which can pay for itself in the end. It has for me, twice. My second Audi was a CPO car, but some nimrod in a Ford Expedition folded that car up talking on the phone instead of driving, so I never got to use the warranty.

I'd love to have a Eurovan Westfalia. The prices are just too high on those things for me to justify. I hope your breakdown didn't cost you too much.

CD

 

Congrats on the CM-S. Nice color. Good luck with the VW, hope nothing bigger was affected.

My favorite thing on our 2012 CM-S is the Sport mode, but mine's an automatic tranny.