2011 MINI Cooper Countryman consumer reviews

I bought this car new, with AWD, after owning a 2007 Mini Cooper which I adored, and which was in the shop exactly once in four years. I sold that one and bought a new Countryman ahead of a move to more rugged terrain for which the AWD would be useful to have. I had second thoughts about buying a new car with no dealerships nearby for service, but my previous Mini was so reliable that I told myself not to worry about it. Ha. I'll spare you guys the order of events, but suffice it to say that my six month old car has now been in three different Northeast dealerships on five separate occasions for - gosh - six? different problems. These range from the annoyingly inconvenient (passenger side window won't go down unless button is punched repeatedly - a repair that two dealerships have now failed to make - one of which returned the car to me having also knocked out the satellite radio, which then needed to be replaced) to the totally ridiculous (black smoke pouring out from under hood due to clutch death - at under 10,000 miles). Upshot: it's an adorable car, it's very fun to drive, it's pretty great having four doors, and would be a terrific car if it weren't so frustratingly unreliable. My impression is that it's a new model that has been overdesigned/computerized, so that when one small thing goes wrong, it's both overly sensitive and difficult to fix. If you are determined to get one, I say WAIT. Wait, wait, wait another couple of model years. Also future model years are going to have five seats in the back, instead of two buckets. Do not, under any circumstances, buy a 2011 Countryman. Unless you want to buy mine.....?

Great, wonderful, Awesome, you must buy it! Snow, Rain, dry pavement doesn't matter, it handles like a top! Very Comfy great gas miles, stereo, roof!

This car is a blast...You must try it and you will llove it. It handles very well and is like nothing else on the road. It is a cure to the board driver!

The last reviewer "GymBuddy" gave an excellent review. Very thorough and seems truely passionate about his new Cooper. As with any new model, there will be some quirks to work through. All in all I am happy with the car and expect Mini to address some of the concerns the last reviewer had.

Here is the list rather than write a long explanation: BAD: -Stationary Cup Holder location (front)-too small for all but exact fitting cups. Spring loaded holders tear styrofoam cups. -Removable cup holders-too wide externally to fit in front rail. Emergency Brake cant fully engage. -Cell phone holder is a joke. Not very user friendly. Opt for different options- don?t get the cellphone, sunglass or cup holders-waste of money, mine came included at no charge but heard they are options. -Sun visors are too small and don't cover enough of side window. Are not adjustable to slide, like in a volkswagon or kia. -AC vents sit back in hole and when turned down to cool body, only hits upper chest and not the body. -Window controls are awkward and have to take eye off road to see which ones control which window. -Rear view mirror hangs lower than expected and not adjustable (move back up against glass) and blocks traffic light view- have to move my head to look around rearview. Plastic housing is too wide. I removed to increase view-helps some. -Glove box is square box and everything falls out when open unless its contents are completely flat. Dealer options include shelves, but takes up lots of space. AC in glove box serves no real purpose. -Difficult viewing out rear window with rear head rest. Dealer option is rear sensor-no camera, add another $1,000k -Rear seats do not fold flat and have to adjust front seats forward. Awkward method to engage. Have to reach into vehicle and pull strap from inside -Poor interior night time lighting in trunk. -RIDE: Very Choppy. Dont be fooled by salesman about performance. My Kia Rio had a smoother ride. Lots of pings, loudly, over small potholes and rough road. Lots and lots of road noise heard under the vehicle in the back seats while I was driving. Sounds like a tin can. -TRANSMISSION (Automatic) : There is a about a 1.5 second delay from complete stop to start if you try to jack-rabbit the gas pedal when, for example, pulling out into traffic or trying to make a quick turn from oncoming traffic. MUST have a rolling start in this situation. Tester Vehicle from lot has been broken in 10k miles. Mine new and still problem with delay at 3k(2 months). Test drive in stop and go traffic NOT just on the highway!!! I drive with the DSC (traction control) off, per salesmans? suggestion, to increase responsiveness of transmission. Helps some but now a safety concern. -Next the car transitions between gears very rough when driving in downtown traffic that makes it feel like you?re in a stick shift. Don't be surprised if you think you?re getting motion sickness because until you get used to the vehicle, thats what happens. -Backing up, there is also a delay, almost like the vehicle is thinking before the transmission is engaged. -Side mirrors are position too low on the doors. They need to move up about an inch in next model. -City/Highway driving after 3000 miles is about 22 MPG. Highway driving is about 27 MPG. Far below what the sticker says. -Insurance rate will most like go up because parts are VERY expensive, per State Farm. -Not made for towing anything at all or worth the $600 bike rack option on the rear. Bike Roof rack decreases mileage significantly -Radio features are not touch screen but have to use a mouse-like dial. Takes some getting used to and still not all that great. -Sun roof has no panel to close off light from coming in just the screen. In hot sun car gets hot because it never covers completely. Don?t park in sun with moon roof or prepare to bake. Takes long time to cool down car. -Shifter panels on steering wheel are awkward. -Not enough compartment space in front or rear to hold stuff. -Rear brake lights lowly dimmed during the day. Hard to see brake lights if sun light is hitting them until you are up close. -No lock on glove box. -No beep on security door lock with remote, just flashing parking lights. -Opening door from inside, you have to pull twice. Overall-Definitely over priced. Try leasing, not buying. Opt for the 48 month lease if you can for lower payments. 1st generation model has room for lots of refinement. -Plastic on bumper really soft plastic. you can push your fingernail into plastic and make a mark. GOOD Overall styling and size. Looks cool. -Good for long distance driving. Seats are firm. -Signal lights are bright on side. -Lots of head room. -Windshield wipers will slow down if at stop light and return to fast speed once get moving-Great Feature.