Countryman ('17 on) - diesel or petrol?

[Zhivago]

Hi! We're thinking of getting a Countryman, which will probably do a mileage of about 15k per year, maybe a bit more, mostly country or small town driving. I'm torn between diesels, with their better economy, vs petrols. Our budget will probably stretch to £20k or a touch more (though I'd be very happy to pay less), so I am looking at post 2017 models, with less than 30k miles. My wife (who'll mostly drive it) has 2 pre-requisites - auto gearbox and heated seats! I'd really welcome any thoughts and advice about the reliability differences between petrol vs diesel on this latest model of the countryman. I'm well aware of the timing chain issues in older Mini diesels, but cannot tell whether that is now long sorted or not. Also, are they significantly more expensive to service? We'd be hoping to keep whatever car we get for a long while (the Honda it'll replace we've had for over 14 years!).
Very grateful for whatever advice you have - I've spent way too much time agonising over the online reviews, which very rarely consider long term usage over multiple years and tens of thousands of miles.
thank you.

[SHIFTY]

Wife went from a 2018 1.5 petrol Countryman to a 2021 2.0 petrol Countryman.

Never got more than 35 mpg on the 1.5 but on the 2.0 always over 40 sometimes on motorway it creeps to 50mpg.

They are heavy cars I believe 2 ton so the smaller 3 cylinder 1.5 petrol engine had to work much harder with the turbo.

Cannot comment on Diesel but as Diesel prices are now always higher than petrol it may make more sense to stay with petrol?.

[Zhivago]

Thanks.

Interesting comment about the economy differences between the two engines. On the other hand, the 2.0 will cost quite a lot more to insure, I think, so I guess that saving will be slightly offset by those higher costs. At the moment my gut feel is that, for the miles we do, the diesel might be the better option. Also, again more a gut feel than a scientific comparison (but after quite a few hours spent on Autotrader), it appears that diesel models of comparable age/mileage Countrymen are very similarly priced to the petrol models - perhaps having depreciated slightly quicker since new, but maybe a better buy when second hand.

I'd still be very interested, however, to hear thoughts about the longer-term reliability of either engine if anyone has any knowledge or experience?

thanks!

[stevemcs]

We can see over 50 out of our Cooper S auto Convertible, it seems to return high 30's no matter what.

[Alfa Pete]

I currently have a 2018 Clubman SD with the 187bhp diesel and 8 speed auto.
It’s a great blend of performance v economy, and the diesel a good match to the auto. The mid range is such that you barely need to use more than 3k revs to make decent progress and motorway cruising is effortless.
I have averaged 47 mpg over 2 years according to my Fuelly app , over 34k miles. Economy dips to low 40s on local journeys but I will often get mid 50s on a run. I’d imagine the Countryman would be similar.
I drove a 1.5 petrol before the SD. The 1.5 is a sweet little engine but you really need to use the revs hence I didn’t get more than 40mpg out of it.
With regards to reliability I think I have been unlucky with mine. Generally gen 3 Minis are much better than their predecessors and interior build and general finish is very good .
I have had a new dpf sensor , a water leak issue fixed which also requiresed new carpets and I have been without the car for the last 2 weeks while it currently has the gearbox replaced! Fortunately it’s still within warranty and I have never had any quibble over fixes.
I have heard of EGR issues on the 2.0 diesels but I think this generally affected pre 2018 cars.
I have really enjoyed my Clubman, but these issues have taken the sheen off and that combined with the high servicing costs and a good p/ex offer meant that this week I have put down a deposit on a Mazda 3 to replace it.

Edited by Alfa Pete on Friday 20th August 20:26

Edited by Alfa Pete on Friday 20th August 20:36

[Zhivago]

Alfa Pete said:

I have really enjoyed my Clubman, but these issues have taken the sheen off and that combined with the high servicing costs and a good p/ex offer meant that this week I have put down a deposit on a Mazda 3 to replace it.

Thank you. Very useful... I'd certainly prefer the diesel, I think, but you aren't the only person I'm aware of who has had persistent reliability problems with Minis, even the more recent models (which are touted as being the most reliable ever). On the other hand, I'm aware that one tends only to hear from people who are not happy with their car - which is normal. I guess!

[Alfa Pete]

Zhivago said:

Alfa Pete said:

I have really enjoyed my Clubman, but these issues have taken the sheen off and that combined with the high servicing costs and a good p/ex offer meant that this week I have put down a deposit on a Mazda 3 to replace it.

Thank you. Very useful... I'd certainly prefer the diesel, I think, but you aren't the only person I'm aware of who has had persistent reliability problems with Minis, even the more recent models (which are touted as being the most reliable ever). On the other hand, I'm aware that one tends only to hear from people who are not happy with their car - which is normal. I guess!

I have just got my Clubbie back today after nearly 3 weeks without it. The gearbox fault is probably a one off, issues with the dpf sensor and water leak via the AC condensate drain are more common.
As said before I think I’ve been particularly unlucky and it was very nice to be back driving it again when I picked it up.
I just wouldn’t want to own one without a warranty!
Even so I’m going to be sorry to see it go as it’s rare for a modern car to make me want to love it.