Mini Countryman PHEV - am I mad?!

[austinsmirk]

CaterBram said:

PHEV's are all dependent on what Journeys you make.

I'm mainly 15 miles to work, 15 mile back plus longer journeys, but I do change at home and work.

Had the 350e for 9 months, 9000 miles, average of 62 mpg

On the motorway averages 44mpg,

have a look here https://www.spritmonitor.de/en/detail/799578.html

and yes the 792 miles on one tank is correct........ average of 89mpg

problem with that- is there is zero financial argument for owning one, based on those figures/MPG !!!

I assume the savings are around company car purchase, tax etc, as oppose to just going for a straight diesel ?

eg I love my wife's leaf- as it trounces diesel/PHEV running costs, otherwise it'd be a pointless exercise to bother with.

I guess PHEV ownership is probably about a more practical range.

[RicksAlfas]

Yes, company car tax is the big influence for most PHEV drivers.

You get a decent size fast car, but without the tax implications of an equivalent size and performing petrol or diesel car.

[Jonobigblind]

I'm due to pull the trigger on one this week. Just agonising over the final few details on the spec. Too much bloody choice really!

[Jonobigblind]

Thank you, I'm thinking the Chilli Tech pack so most of those will be included. I'd like the sunroof but adding that pushes the price firmly into Merc E350 / new 530e territory and I think my head needs to see some clear daylight between the monthly contribution against those other motors.

Excellent stuff, much appreciated.

[Jonobigblind]

Yeah, the test car I had for the weekend was light and airy because of it but the pro nag comes as part of the tech package (and the hud & HK sound etc is appealing).

Cars in the UK used to have sunroofs but they seem to have been put as expensive options on lists, consequently I haven't had one for years and have gotten used to the darker cabins again.

I think the kit will keep me occupied enough so I don't miss it too much and I guess I could always have a disco with all those lights in the cabin too

[Jonobigblind]

So I made my final decision today and submitted an order for the Countryman SE.

I went standard Moonwalk Grey with the 18” black alloys, tech and chili packs. Also debadged, black roof & roof rails, privacy glass and folding mirrors.

Price wise came out about £16 less per month than the BMW 530e and IMO about a million times more fun than that barge.

I’ll keep posted about lead time but glad I’ve made my decision.

[Coolbanana]

Jonobigblind said:

So I made my final decision today and submitted an order for the Countryman SE.

I went standard Moonwalk Grey with the 18” black alloys, tech and chili packs. Also debadged, black roof & roof rails, privacy glass and folding mirrors.

Price wise came out about £16 less per month than the BMW 530e and IMO about a million times more fun than that barge.

I’ll keep posted about lead time but glad I’ve made my decision.

Congratulations!

I have to wait until November to get mine, looking forward to it.

[Jonobigblind]

Coolbanana said:

Congratulations!

I have to wait until November to get mine, looking forward to it.

Cheers, my current lease expires late November and despite already being 10k over the mileage allowance I think I’ll be saddled with my Merc for months to come. Fingers crossed for an early December delivery!

[Jonobigblind]

Took a while for the leasing company to get their act together and finally had my order confirmed this week.

Seems like the wait hasn’t impacted delivery time though with scheduled delivery in time to replace my returning Merc in late November.

Suitably exhausted all YouTube vids and all reviews I can get my grubby mitts on and now looking at cables / charging solutions

[rallycross]

how can you cope with the ugly looks?
its so ugly it should have been put down before reaching the design studio!

[Jonobigblind]

Shiny bumper and colour doesn’t do anything for me from that pic but it’s all subjective.

It’s not the most beautiful car but it’s practical and the place where I spend most of my time, inside the car, is great so I’m not sat looking at it like you are with that pic.

At least it isn’t another boring Golf or 3 series which just blend into the masses of other motors on the road.

[chippy17]

well I decided I couldn't live with the image and looks of the Mini, call me shallow, although I don't think it is quite as ugly as has been made out. So ordered the Merc. Arriving end of October can't wait!

[RicksAlfas]

That's a very quick delivery. Is it in stock somewhere?
A chap on another forum ordered in June and has delivery for end of April!

[chippy17]

RicksAlfas said:

That's a very quick delivery. Is it in stock somewhere?
A chap on another forum ordered in June and has delivery for end of April!

sorry not explained I ordered it a while back just forgot to post! I ordered mid June I think, made in SA docking at Kings Lynn in about 2 weeks, although still quick compared to your friend, ordered through Merc finance

[Coolbanana]

Mine arrived from the factory yesterday...

[Jonobigblind]

Looks great Coolbanana, similar to mine but I went for the cheapo option of Moonwalk Grey and added the black roof rails.

Did you get to nosey inside at all? Does yours have the new sport-mid-green toggle switch on the centre console instead of at the base of the gearstick now?

Cheers

[Coolbanana]

Jonobigblind said:

Looks great Coolbanana, similar to mine but I went for the cheapo option of Moonwalk Grey and added the black roof rails.

Did you get to nosey inside at all? Does yours have the new sport-mid-green toggle switch on the centre console instead of at the base of the gearstick now?

Cheers

I have sat inside but not sure what I'm looking for?

[Jonobigblind]

Lovely stuff, it has the new fuel gauge (less like a fisher price toy than the old one) and the selector for the sports mode has moved to a shiny toggle switch.

Also should have Apple Car play now too.

Cheers for posting those, I’m happy now

More info on the changes here.
https://www.automotiveworld.com/news-releases/mini...

[Coolbanana]

Jonobigblind said:

Lovely stuff, it has the new fuel gauge (less like a fisher price toy than the old one) and the selector for the sports mode has moved to a shiny toggle switch.

Also should have Apple Car play now too.

Cheers for posting those, I’m happy now

More info on the changes here.
https://www.automotiveworld.com/news-releases/mini...

Thanks for the info, wasn't aware

[Jonny_]

Slight thread resurrection, but these have cropped up on our company car scheme for quite reasonable money and might be an interestingly left field option.

What's the fuel economy like when running on petrol alone? Particularly on long motorway runs at 70mph.

I do 90+ mile trips quite often, so doing the first 20 miles on battery and the remainder at less than 40mpg wouldn't suit.

Quite like the idea of a Focus sized car with AWD and 224bhp, and the interior looks appealing too, although I'm ambivalent toward the exterior styling.