Mini Countryman Cooper S Diesel

Ovr

Ovr

Ovr

Associate
Joined
16 Dec 2004
Posts
469
Location
Leicestershire
Guys,

I've been given a new company car list and the American company that owns us has royally stuck it's fingers up at those of us who enjoy cars! My current 320d M-Sport is no longer on the list and in all honesty, the best car on it is....

Mini Countryman Cooper S Diesel, Manual.

Now....I've had a 130i M-Sport, and now have to contemplate wether I can actually go for a Countryman and another car that looks like Postman Pat's reject!

I test drove the car the other day and it actually was pretty damn smart, the options I would probably go for would include the sports suspension which removes the huge gap under the arches, but can a man actually drive one of these?!

Other option is opting out, taking a bit of a financial hit and seeing what I can get which would probably be another 320d (ED model i'd have thought) or a 123d Coupé if they will let me, which I doubt they will.

Any opinions greatly welcome and don't hold back :D
 
Apart from the usual stuff like Focus' etc. the only other options are a 118d which could be pretty decent as I could max out the options and it's the same ~180bhp as in the 3 series.

Octavia vRS is also on the list but the performance is shocking compared to what I thought it would be!

Aside from these two, there is absolutely nothing of interest unless you like Saab's and Volvo's. Also worth noting is I drive around 20k a year so small cars aren't exactly fantastic either, which is one reason why the "Mini" seems not too bad as it's actually a "Biggie!"
 
118d is 140bhp isn't it?

I'd have the Octavia VRS personally. Especially over the Mini. Or a Saab, or a Volvo :p
 
Ah sorry, being a ****! Yes the 118d is the 140bhp, I'd be able to go for the 120d (184hp, facelift model) but only on an SE, not Sport.

Hmmz :/
 
How long can you delay the order by?

New 1 Series launches next month with a seemingly fantastic engine range for what it is - interior looks good as well.
 
[TW]Fox;19883174 said:
How long can you delay the order by?

New 1 Series launches next month with a seemingly fantastic engine range for what it is - interior looks good as well.
Click to expand...

By new 1 series, do you mean the 2011 facelift that is on the BMW site at the moment?
 
It's not a facelift, it's a completely new model. So far only the 5 door variant is available - so Coupe/3 door are the old model.
 
Can only have a 5 door as such, so the coupé isn't an option, sadly. If it was I'd be waiting for the 123d Coupé or similar as it's such a great car.

Is the Mini a serious no-no in your eyes Fox? I'm a serious lurker here most of the time and value what you have to say!
 
Ovr said:
Can only have a 5 door as such, so the coupé isn't an option, sadly. If it was I'd be waiting for the 123d Coupé or similar as it's such a great car.

Is the Mini a serious no-no in your eyes Fox? I'm a serious lurker here most of the time and value what you have to say!
Click to expand...

To be honest I don't really know an awful lot about the Countryman as it totally isn't my sort of car, at all.

The new 1 Series looks like it could be an excellent car, though - and I'd definately be checking it out if i was in your position.

I wouldn't want a 1 Series Coupe now, it's an old model thats out of date with the release of the new hatch and soldiers on simply because there isn't a coupe replacement yet and wont be for a while. Inside, its an old 1 Series.
 
The thing with the Countryman is that it is nowhere near what I would usually go for - previous private cars have been Focus ST's, 330i's etc.

It handled like a beast though :D
 
As Fox said, if you can wait then by all means i'd do so and check out the new 1 series.

If you can't wait i'd probably get the Octavia vRS.

[Edit] Just looking at the F20, those are decent looking engines - 170hp from a 1.6? Not bad at all.
 
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