2011 Mini Countryman 2.0D 4All - Any issues?

[ModMan]

We're looking at getting an automatic Countryman 2.0d 4all with 70,000 miles on it. I've searched and can't find any relevant results, but any suggestions on what to look for/stay away from and weak points on the car and engine. I've checked the MOT history and it's not failing on anything. It also has the mini connected system (At least that's what I think it's called, the screen/display in the middle of the speedo) Does it work ok streaming bluetooth music to it (Iphone 11 if it matters).

Any other words of advice or wisdom would be welcome.

[un1eash]

Make sure it's service history is on time and listen out for any excessive timing chain noise. BMW N47 engine has its issues.

[Mr Peel]

Just in case you haven't seen it, the Facebook Countryman/Paceman group has many many answers to these Qs. General Mini groups have lots on the various engines too. My S is an FWD petrol, so my experience won't be of much use to you...

[Macboy]

ModMan said:

We're looking at getting an automatic Countryman 2.0d 4all with 70,000 miles on it. I've searched and can't find any relevant results, but any suggestions on what to look for/stay away from and weak points on the car and engine. I've checked the MOT history and it's not failing on anything. It also has the mini connected system (At least that's what I think it's called, the screen/display in the middle of the speedo) Does it work ok streaming bluetooth music to it (Iphone 11 if it matters).

Any other words of advice or wisdom would be welcome.

I had a Paceman Cooper SD All 4 so basically the same car with two less doors. The connectivity of the phone was terrible - I couldn't consistently stream music and it never displayed any information on what was playing when it did stream. More annoyingly it never displayed any contacts - just would not download them from the phone so I could make calls but either had to use the handset on a mount or dial the number via voice (and who knows anyone's number any more).

This engine does have issues and mine was a 2014 with 38,000 miles and had a developing timing chain rattle before a traded it. I was aware of it getting noisier although I was consistently told it was "in-spec" by the dealer. I wouldn't personally buy one with high miles without a MINI warranty and even then I'd expect some costs in the future. The car returned a consistent 42+ Mpg, great torque and nice to drive. The All4 was good in bad weather but the 18's with low profile tyres were hopeless even with the auto-sensing all wheel drive so I used winter tyres (you can buy a countyrman set for £200 on ebay - that's what I got for mine).

I generally like the Countryman/Paceman (my Paceman was better built than my Countryman) but although not in your budget perhaps - the new generation Countryman is night and day a better car - I have a PHEV and it is faultless, everything works on the connectivity/nav and it's very nicely built.