This my second Cooper S Countryman ALL4. My first I had for only two months, a 2013. I was T-boned in an intersection by a BMW X2 Hit with such force that both vehicles were non repairable. I walked away from what could have been a disaster. I absolutely love my 2017 Countryman S it is yards above the 2013 in every category. I am perplexed about the lack of satellite radio and other electronic features but I still love this car. Great build quality and styling for the used price of a 4 year old Hyundai or Kia. I'm glad I purchased again.

I have owned two Mini Countryman, a 2015 and now currently a 2017 Countryman S ALL4. The car itself is nice, and after 3 years I am happy overall with the vehicle except for one flaw which I consider to be major if you don't like pouring money down the drain. I am not happy at all with what appears to be either an intentionally built in design flaw, or a complete lack of engineering and incompetent design. The issue: If you spill any liquid on the center console where the cup holders are located, you have the potential to trigger a transmission warning that cannot be extinguished, and will cost you thousands to repair. My daughter had her drink spill on the center console, a full fountain drink that dripped out the top and onto the console as she rounded a corner. This occurred several weeks ago and has had time to dry completely. I now have a transmission service light on that cannot be extinguished. I took the car to the dealer, and this is the story. Liquid, spilled on the console, near the cup holders, will seep into the gear shifter mechanism located directly below the cup holders. When this mechanism and it's circuitry get wet, it triggers a transmission warning light that cannot be extinguished, even after the mechanism has been dried. The service department indicated that there is no mechanical issue with the transmission, and that the electronics in the mechanism are functioning normally and there is no short. Despite this, there is no way to eliminate the transmission service light. What has been explained, is that a moisture detector, once triggered, will show this fault until the unit is replaced, even if there is no mechanical or electrical reason for this fault light to remain on. The price to replace this unit (which is not mechanically or electrically compromised)? $1500.00 Some questions I asked; What is the reason to design a console that has a cup holder where any spillage from the cup holder potentially can cost $1500 to repair? No answer. What assures me that another spill after the unit is replaced will not repeat the same issue costing another $1500? No answer. Why is there not a waterproofing cover or plastic sheeting that deflects moisture away from the shifter mechanism if it is located directly under a cup-holder? No answer. Now my choice is, pay $1500 to repair a part that is not malfunctioning only because it encountered a spill, and HOPE that it doesn't happen again, or leave the light on and HOPE a real transmission issue doesn't arise that will be masked by the fact that the light remains illuminated. This, in my opinion, is a very poorly designed car, if a simple issue like this can cost such a large amount to repair. Did none of the engineers at Mini, consider this, and simply cover the component with a moisture deflection barrier? Or is this designed into the car so that Mini may charge money to replace a part that is actually working. $1500? Very poor design. I invite Mini to dispute this or provide any explanation as to why they would not protect circuitry under a CUP HOLDER from possible spillage. If I have a $1500 electronic component, I would never set my drink on top of it. Neither would I expect the manufacturer of that $1500 component to suggest I place drinks on top of it, Why? because everyone knows spills can happen,it would be foolish to set my drink on a Stereo, no matter the cost. But that is exactly what Mini has done. Placed a $1500 component in the center console and then a cup holder directly above it, with no protection for the component at all. My recommendation, don't buy this car, or, if you do, don't allow any beverage in the car unless it's a sealed bottle, and then be very careful not to spill it.

What can I say about my Coutryman All4...I. LOVE. IT!!! I have previously only driven large SUVs and wanted to give a MINI a try because they are pretty slick looking cars. I found my Countryman All4 and absolutely fell in love with it. They tell me it is considered the SUV of the MINI line so that helped!! Not only did it come with all the bells and whistles that my previous Sequoia did not, but it was also spacious for a small car. The handling is great, the response when stepping on the gas is amazing and I am super excited that I can fit into any street parking when typically I'd have to locate a garage to park my bus! It has enough room for my family of four and the cargo room is exceptional for my daily tasks. I am absolutely sold on this small line of cars and not sure if I will go back to a large SUV in the future.