Hey Everyone,

I'm new to the site, and new to Minis in general, but I'm a relatively long time BMW fan and know a lot about their cars. I drive a 2011 E90 328 xdrive and my GF currently has a 2004 Benz C240. Her's has about 35,000 miles on it and quite frankly, it's a ticking time bomb. The door is starting to rust out, it has surface rust on other areas of the body, it rides like a boat, and recently there's an audible "clunk" coming from the rear suspension. I've told her not to sink any money in to it and that if it were me I'd start to look at other viable options.

She really likes the new Subaru Impreza hatch, but I really like the Mini. While ultimately it's going to be her car and she'll be the one that has to drive it daily and she's the one that has to love it, I'm trying to get her to love the Countryman.

She'd be getting the Countryman S All4 with a 6MT. Otherwise she won't really add that many options because she's on a budget, but these cars do come standard with a lot of nice features and from the research I've done already you only need to add more options if you want to make it more of a luxury vehicle.

She wants me to get all of the information I can about the Countryman (both good and bad), so I came here asking you guys. How do you like your vehicle's? What are some of the issues that have popped up over the time you've owned them? What kind of discounts have you guys gotten on them upon purchasing? One last one for my US friends, which dealers would you recommend for ordering, and are there any forum sponsors that give insane discounts to forum members?

Thanks in advanced for your help and opinions.

TL/DR:
GF getting a new car
I want her to get the Countryman
Looking for personal reviews and feedback
Looking for forum sponsors for ordering

Thanks again

DDS - Where are you registering the car at - Minneapolis or the Peg? I was curious because if I do buy a Countryman I am seriously thinking about heading to Seattle, buying in cash, and look after all the import BS.

DDS - Where are you registering the car at - Minneapolis or the Peg? I was curious because if I do buy a Countryman I am seriously thinking about heading to Seattle, buying in cash, and look after all the import BS.

I'm living in Minneapolis right now. I'm originally from Winnipeg and I'll be moving back there when I'm finished with school.

In order for you to buy in the US and import it back to CA you'd have to buy used. All carmakers have explicit rules that you need a mailing address in the country that you buy the vehicle when buying new. Plus You'd have to convert the speedometer to kph, and do whatever else Mini Canada wants. Kind of a headache (but we'll have to go through the same thing un 3 years).

Just tell your GF females look much better and attract much more attention in a MINI than they ever would in a C240 that might do it :wink:

I would not compare an Impreza to a Countryman. In Australia, the Impreza is $30k, Countryman $60k. 2 Imprezas for a Countryman!

There are many other cars in this price range, I would open your mind to all options. Audi Q3 or Golf R (if 4WD is relevant) etc.

Countryman is ok, not brilliant though.

I would not compare an Impreza to a Countryman. In Australia, the Impreza is $30k, Countryman $60k. 2 Imprezas for a Countryman!

There are many other cars in this price range, I would open your mind to all options. Audi Q3 or Golf R (if 4WD is relevant) etc.

Countryman is ok, not brilliant though.

In the US the price difference is only about 4-5k depending on how they're spec'd. I mentioned the A3 to her but she shot it down right away. She might consider a Golf or Jetta TDI, but she's had bad experiences with VW in the past. Thanks for the input though!