Mini Countryman PHEV - am I mad?!

[chippy17]

Company car time and with budgets in place it has come down to three cars: c350e, 225xe or countryman

sadly I wanted a 330e but it it out of budget, whereas the above 3 are in budget

I have dismissed the 225 as really an mpv is a step too far for me

was about to order the c350e but a few things are stopping me; it would be bog standard apart from the sunroof, the smell of the artico makes me feel ill, it is a bit of a barge and the boot is woeful

I then came across the Countryman, I have never been a huge fan of the larger Minis and it is frankly a bit ugly but it is much more practical has way more toys for the money and I am not buying it as a drivers car, seems like a much more modern car than the Merc

I do however look at it and think could I live with this for 3 years?!

There are many things the Merc does well, wafting by unnoticed is one and it is quite fast...

I keep being drawn to the Mini as I have had many 3 series type cars before and this is something i have not experienced before but I cant help thinking I will look like a prat aged 43 driving one of these, one should not be concerned about what a stranger thinks but...

[chippy17]

MorganP104 said:

As an alternative, is the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV within budget?

It's an SUV like the Mini Countryman, but a proper one, not a halfway-house ugly lump of a thing (I'm not a fan of the Countryman's looks or image, in case you hadn't noticed. ).

Also, it seems like you're hungry for boot space - I would imagine an Outlander's boot is pretty large.

Out of budget, from memory I was quoted £560 ex vat per month my budget is £495. I did look round one and frankly it looked very out of date compared to others, also almost too big but good thought

I am no fan either of the big Mini but it is a perfect size and you can get a lot of toys for your buck and it just feels modern but it is hideous to look at, I know I shouldn't be vain but...

[chippy17]

Ruxpin said:

Try and drive both. They are very different cars. And who cares what others think it/you look like in it?

I was worried with the change from an E91 335D M-Sport to the C350e and the need for slippers and flat cap. 14months in I have no regrets, and TBH I don't think I could now buy an m-sport BMW, the ride in my 335D was/is dire. I still own it and drive it occasionally but I wince over every bump on b-roads.

The c350e felt too soft for the 1st month as i adjusted from the 335D and I used to put the suspension and steering in "sport" to improve but over time I have come to realise the standard settings for both suspension and steering are better 95% of the time.

Kit level on the C350e even as standard is good - I am very surprised you can get one in budget but not the 330e. List price the 330e used to be significantly less.

They all have fairly crap boots (but you get used to it and I seem to get nearly as much in the 350e as the E91??) but the countryman will have the bonus of being a hatchback.

haha yes was thinking pipe and slippers too! When I brought the Merc home (had a 3 day test) my wife looked at it and said 'you are now your father'

I was very surprised re the BMW pricing, even in SE poverty spec it was more that than the Merc, yes I can really see where you are coming from ride wise, I can see myself getting very bored of the harsh ride in the BMW and the Merc is pretty darn quick too which is fun, I also like the anonymity of the thing...and it wafts

[chippy17]

Chris1712 said:

The c350e has incredible spec as standard, so I wouldn't let that put you off. Personally I'd be all over the c350e, it's a great car only beaten by the 330e's better dynamics / marginal battery improvements.

you are right it has all the kit you would ever need, and a very cool sunroof for not much more!

[chippy17]

RicksAlfas said:

I've had my C350e a year now and enjoy it enormously. It's perfect for day to day use, and when it needs to it can hustle along.
One chap on another forum timed his estate at 5.6 secs for 0-60.
I can't believe anyone male over the age of 20 would consider the MINI instead!

Keep an eye on the spec - the sunroof you mentioned is part of the Premium or Premium Plus packs.
It's not standard. If you can run to Premium Plus that gives you lots of toys including a better satnav. (TomTom instead of Garmin).

yes it is a fast car that's for sure and stealthy too

haha! hey I am at one my sexuality! Either that or mid life crisis! Will have to have look at the packs, thanks

are there any reports of issues with the battery pack, I notice the warranty on them is only up to 60k ish and my lease will take me to 75k?

[chippy17]

RicksAlfas said:

Touch wood they seem very reliable. Some of the very early cars had a problem with water getting in around the charge socket and causing problems. The socket was redesigned last year so shouldn't be an issue now. I'm still surprised it's coming up cheaper than a 330e on your list though. Grab one while you can!

thanks, just checked again and yes the 330e is over budget, supply and demand?!

[chippy17]

RicksAlfas said:

Maybe. Or perhaps your company (or lease company) have a special relationship with MB?

One last thing - if you are looking at a Premium Plus estate, it has higher CO2 than the saloon, and tips you into a higher BIK band.

thanks for this

just spoke to a lease company and you might be interested; the reason the BMW is more expensive is the market predicts it will depreciate quicker than the Merc!

Sadly Premium Plus package is out of my budget, so may settle on a standard car with a sunroof and maintenance/tyres. Only thing I think I would miss would be the upgraded sat nav but never seen it so don't know what I am missing!

[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!

[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