mini countryman ...good buy??
Discussion
You will either get a good one or a very bad one.
Petrol would be what I would go for, but the main things to look out for or budget for
Thermostats
Ac condensers
Fuel pumps - petrol
Clutch
Runflats are to be avoided
Window regulators
Battery
Timing Chains on the diesel
Turbos on the diesel
Dmf on the diesel
Egr recall on the diesel
Look for a full service history, either every 12 months or 10k, mini say 2 years or 20k.
Services are minor oil and cabin filters
Then full, so air, oil, cabin, plugs on the petrol, fuel filter on the diesel.
Cooper S would be my choice.
Petrol would be what I would go for, but the main things to look out for or budget for
Thermostats
Ac condensers
Fuel pumps - petrol
Clutch
Runflats are to be avoided
Window regulators
Battery
Timing Chains on the diesel
Turbos on the diesel
Dmf on the diesel
Egr recall on the diesel
Look for a full service history, either every 12 months or 10k, mini say 2 years or 20k.
Services are minor oil and cabin filters
Then full, so air, oil, cabin, plugs on the petrol, fuel filter on the diesel.
Cooper S would be my choice.
stevemcs said:
You will either get a good one or a very bad one.
Petrol would be what I would go for, but the main things to look out for or budget for
Thermostats
Ac condensers
Fuel pumps - petrol
Clutch
Runflats are to be avoided
Window regulators
Battery
Timing Chains on the diesel
Turbos on the diesel
Dmf on the diesel
Egr recall on the diesel
Look for a full service history, either every 12 months or 10k, mini say 2 years or 20k.
Services are minor oil and cabin filters
Then full, so air, oil, cabin, plugs on the petrol, fuel filter on the diesel.
Cooper S would be my choice.
Agree on the above, but remember this is the first Gen countryman so the Cooper S will have the N18 engine which does have some issues. Check the history and see if its had a timing chain tensioner changed. It was a huge issue on the N14 engines, but did occur on the N18 as well. Petrol would be what I would go for, but the main things to look out for or budget for
Thermostats
Ac condensers
Fuel pumps - petrol
Clutch
Runflats are to be avoided
Window regulators
Battery
Timing Chains on the diesel
Turbos on the diesel
Dmf on the diesel
Egr recall on the diesel
Look for a full service history, either every 12 months or 10k, mini say 2 years or 20k.
Services are minor oil and cabin filters
Then full, so air, oil, cabin, plugs on the petrol, fuel filter on the diesel.
Cooper S would be my choice.
Oil changes are very important, make sure these have been done regularly every 12k.
Have run one for 2 years with no drama and a fair bit of entertainment. A petrol S is nearly as much fun to drive as the 3-door hatch.
Mine's FWD - couldn't see the point of the added cost, weight and complexity of the All4 personally. I also fitted Eibach lowering springs (looks so much better) and swapped the run flats for Pilot Sports. Ride is still rather crashy, but it doesn't tramline any more.
Received wisdom is some of them use a fair bit of oil. Mine only needs a few ml added from time to time.
Only non-routine work it's needed so far was for a cracked thermostat housing.
Mine's FWD - couldn't see the point of the added cost, weight and complexity of the All4 personally. I also fitted Eibach lowering springs (looks so much better) and swapped the run flats for Pilot Sports. Ride is still rather crashy, but it doesn't tramline any more.
Received wisdom is some of them use a fair bit of oil. Mine only needs a few ml added from time to time.
Only non-routine work it's needed so far was for a cracked thermostat housing.
Don't let the list put you off, i've owned my N18 Clubman since 2013 i have replaced
Fuel Pump
Camp position sensor
Vanos sensor - intake
AC condensor this morning due to a hole, quite possibly a compressor too since it still doesn't work
Shock absorber
Front Caliper
Bare in mind it was on 29k when i purchased it and its currently on 63k. It often covers less than 1000 miles a year now, its run on genuine parts and service every 12 months, even if its only done 500 milles.
Fuel Pump
Camp position sensor
Vanos sensor - intake
AC condensor this morning due to a hole, quite possibly a compressor too since it still doesn't work
Shock absorber
Front Caliper
Bare in mind it was on 29k when i purchased it and its currently on 63k. It often covers less than 1000 miles a year now, its run on genuine parts and service every 12 months, even if its only done 500 milles.
We've on our fourth Mini. The first two were hatchbacks and the first Countryman was an SD All4 - owned from new and no issues at all over 3 years and 30k miles.
It was reliable enough for my wife to choose a 2019 Cooper S All4 after that
I would say that apart from the first one (07 Cooper S) which was a total lemon that all have been very good.
It was reliable enough for my wife to choose a 2019 Cooper S All4 after that
I would say that apart from the first one (07 Cooper S) which was a total lemon that all have been very good.
peter2704 said:
so what is the difference and which is the better unit
1.6 cooper D
1.6 cooper SD
or 2.0 S
2.0 SD
They are all diesels, they are all a variation of the N47 engine with different power outputs. I don't think the countryman had any of the PSA engines. Its an engine out job on the Mini to change the timing chain (common on the N47 up to 2014) and while its out you might as well change the clutch. Personally i'd go the a petrol Cooper S1.6 cooper D
1.6 cooper SD
or 2.0 S
2.0 SD
No, just Turbo 1.6. There are still a few issues with the engine but its a case of looking at service history. In fairness everything has problems, personally i would never buy anything from the VW group. The N47 in a 5 series can be changed with the engine in situ, the Mini just doesn't have the room.
They are not bad cars but sadly what happens nowadays is people are obsessed by PCP, so all the allowance goes on the car, it gets serviced once and then back to the finance company. History is key when buying anything but even more so with a Mini.
Whats your budget and is it just the countryman or would you consider a Clubman or Paceman ?
They are not bad cars but sadly what happens nowadays is people are obsessed by PCP, so all the allowance goes on the car, it gets serviced once and then back to the finance company. History is key when buying anything but even more so with a Mini.
Whats your budget and is it just the countryman or would you consider a Clubman or Paceman ?
Petrol engines are 1.6 NA and 1.6 turbo, which has been replaced with a 2.0 turbo in the new shape Countryman. The diesels are all turbo charged and they key differences are power outputs.
Our SD was the 2.0 and I found it a bit weak with only 143bhp, so I'd dismiss the 1.6 - the current 2.0 petrol S is a much better drive.
Our SD was the 2.0 and I found it a bit weak with only 143bhp, so I'd dismiss the 1.6 - the current 2.0 petrol S is a much better drive.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/393272035754?hash=item5...
Granted its at the top of your budget, but looks a tidy car.
A bit cheaper,
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/203396118776?hash=item2...
Or diesel
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/324582124860?hash=item4...
Realistically you will need to spend all of your budget.
Granted its at the top of your budget, but looks a tidy car.
A bit cheaper,
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/203396118776?hash=item2...
Or diesel
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/324582124860?hash=item4...
Realistically you will need to spend all of your budget.
Wow,bit down in dumps over this model ,was hoping there maybe some good news on buying one.The timing chain for the diesel looks to be a £1300 pounds job to change,or does anyone do it cheaper !! do these go regularly , or not as often as the net makes out? Cant believe they sell them if its as bad as this
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