should i buy countryman 2.0SD ALL4 chilli pack over a hatch cooper d

[lhill1]

Now as some may know i have been plagued with delivery issues with my Convertiblle MINI and today was the last straw when dealer rang and said after a serious amount of chasing and even speaking to management at MINIUK they are not building any till early 2013 so no delivery till mid feb or even looking into march or early April. I do not have the luxury of being able to wait that long so i am now stuck with the afore mentioned problem i have come up with two cars

Mini 1.6 CooperD Chilli HAtchback

Mini Countryman CooperSD 2.0TD All4

the way im purchasing they are the exact same price and to me on paper the country man is way more the better deal such as in specification like 18" wheels Xenons etc but am i going to forgo the experience of the true mini ride which i love from the regular hatchback.

I am kind of thinking that the ALL4 will give me a little more handlnig capability over the 2 wheel drive version but is there any one out there who has gone from A HATCH to a COUNTRYMAN and regretted it or otherwise would never look back im looking for some serious advice from you Mini owners and remeber i have never as of yet owned one
Thanks in advance guys and gals

[Macguyvic]

I drove a loaner countryman while my hatchback was in the shop. It road very nicely. Handled well. Definitely rides over the rough stuff better, less jarring, than the runflats on the cooper s. With that said, I was really happy to get my hardtop back.

[The Nun]

Yes you should, what a very good idea

[lhill1]

Thanks guys the nun you have seen my issues with the convertible have you actually gone from Hatch to countryman as this is the experience i would love to hear about the difference between the way the two different cars handle and drive. I dont have the luxury of just nipping out to take a test drive which is annoying. But on the other hand the garage im buying from has a country man in stock in the colour and trim i want. They are tracking me down a hatchback down to see what lead time is on a hatch so this again may help the decision.
Cheers
lee