Countryman: have you? would you?
Discussion
I have belatedly noticed that the Countryman Cooper S seems to offer Mini-like vibes with Golf GTI (ish) performance and room for children.
They seem to have no following on here whatsoever, which might tell me all I need to know. Anyone got a different story?
Yes there's the JCW but I couldn't stretch to one of those...
They seem to have no following on here whatsoever, which might tell me all I need to know. Anyone got a different story?
Yes there's the JCW but I couldn't stretch to one of those...
I drove one many years ago (probably when they first came out from memory!)
I had an R53 Cooper S at the time, to give some context/ comparison.
The ride on the Countryman was overly firm especially on small A and B roads around me. It jarred over potholes and did not inspire much confidence. It felt quite small inside despite the 'large' outside (I was expecting a little more space - we had our first child and I was wanting a little more space than that offered at the time). Standard fit options were limited (Bluetooth was optional for example) and expensive, so if buying second hand check this out
On the plus side, despite the ride the seats were comfortable, the cabin a nice place to be. It handled as expected. The exhaust sound was characterful when wound up. The engine pulled well and it 'felt' rapid.
I cannot remember the size of the wheels but it definitely had runflats. Obviously, these could be changed to improve some of my initial criticisms.
A couple of years later I purchased an R55 Clubman S which I owned for five years. This, I felt, offered a better proposition despite the smaller size. We just bought roof-bars and box for the odd occasion we required more space. The ride/ feeling was far superior. Much of the rest of the car was the same as the same gen Countryman. Only regret was the car I had, had the standard stereo with no Bluetooth which was a mistake for me. Upgrading was possible but a pain with the bespoke built in stereo on the Clubman and Countryman.
Mike
I had an R53 Cooper S at the time, to give some context/ comparison.
The ride on the Countryman was overly firm especially on small A and B roads around me. It jarred over potholes and did not inspire much confidence. It felt quite small inside despite the 'large' outside (I was expecting a little more space - we had our first child and I was wanting a little more space than that offered at the time). Standard fit options were limited (Bluetooth was optional for example) and expensive, so if buying second hand check this out
On the plus side, despite the ride the seats were comfortable, the cabin a nice place to be. It handled as expected. The exhaust sound was characterful when wound up. The engine pulled well and it 'felt' rapid.
I cannot remember the size of the wheels but it definitely had runflats. Obviously, these could be changed to improve some of my initial criticisms.
A couple of years later I purchased an R55 Clubman S which I owned for five years. This, I felt, offered a better proposition despite the smaller size. We just bought roof-bars and box for the odd occasion we required more space. The ride/ feeling was far superior. Much of the rest of the car was the same as the same gen Countryman. Only regret was the car I had, had the standard stereo with no Bluetooth which was a mistake for me. Upgrading was possible but a pain with the bespoke built in stereo on the Clubman and Countryman.
Mike
te weather and as Bear’s taxi.
My wife had a Cooper Countryman from 2014-2016, bought new.
Was ok inside for seating space. Luggage area was not as big as you think for a car of it's size..
My biggest moan was that the engine didn't have enough "umpf" and the shape made it like a sail when on the motorway. To me anyway.
She traded it for a new Cooper Clubman and loves it. More room inside, nicer place to be and still relatively fun to drive. Not as fun as my 3 door JCW . . . but still fun
Was ok inside for seating space. Luggage area was not as big as you think for a car of it's size..
My biggest moan was that the engine didn't have enough "umpf" and the shape made it like a sail when on the motorway. To me anyway.
She traded it for a new Cooper Clubman and loves it. More room inside, nicer place to be and still relatively fun to drive. Not as fun as my 3 door JCW . . . but still fun
geeks said:
Sorry this is all I ever think of when ever the Countryman get mentioned 
made me smile....I need a smallish estate/suv thats automatic (Mrs Prolex prefers them) with a bit of get up & go.
Do not want any car with DCT type gearboxes
Was aiming at a Pug 308 SW GT with EAT 8 speed auto & 225 bhp but my LHD Yeti sold here in france so I had to get a wiggle on
Mr Peel said:
Interesting. Did either of them have sports suspension? I wonder what sort of difference it makes.
First one we had was standard suspension on 16" non runflats. Ride was very good.Second one is sports suspension on 18" wheels. Ride on runflats was terrible. On standard tyres it's not too bad, but nowhere near as good as the standard suspension on 16" wheels.
I don't get all the comments about it being small on the inside to be honest. The boot is small but passenger space is easily enough for 4 6ft people. And you can slide the rear bench to trade legroom for boot space.
It's not actually that big on the outside, it just looks it because of the 'chunky' proportions.
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