Compact Crossover/MPV: BMW X1(F48)/ Mini Countryman (F60)
Discussion
Good morning,
still looking for a replacement vehicle for my wife, as her Infiniti EX37s is no longer worth investing in to pass the MOT (MFK in Switzerland).
The car has to be relatively compact but still have 4 doors and some decent room inside, yet easy to park and manouver around. It also needs to have a nice interior and a slightly raised driving position (mainly for visibility and entry/exit reasons).
So the short list includes the VW Golf SV, MB B-Class, Lexus NX, BMW X1/Mini Countryman, Mazda CX5.
Am I missing anything?
I personally do not like this category of cars,but the requirements are as such, so please no comments ala "get an estate or hatch".
The X1 /Countryman seem to be decent value, the B48 engine is also in the 4-pot Supra.
Does anyone have any experience with these?
Cheers
still looking for a replacement vehicle for my wife, as her Infiniti EX37s is no longer worth investing in to pass the MOT (MFK in Switzerland).
The car has to be relatively compact but still have 4 doors and some decent room inside, yet easy to park and manouver around. It also needs to have a nice interior and a slightly raised driving position (mainly for visibility and entry/exit reasons).
So the short list includes the VW Golf SV, MB B-Class, Lexus NX, BMW X1/Mini Countryman, Mazda CX5.
Am I missing anything?
I personally do not like this category of cars,but the requirements are as such, so please no comments ala "get an estate or hatch".
The X1 /Countryman seem to be decent value, the B48 engine is also in the 4-pot Supra.
Does anyone have any experience with these?
Cheers
Mrs ZS has had her 2023 Countryman for a year now, it's a auto 2.0 petrol Cooper S Sport. It's a really nice car to drive, fairly comfortable as well even on the 19" wheels. Power wise it's plenty, before this she had a JCW hatch and I did worry it would feel slow in comparison, but for 99% of the time you don't miss it and it's obviously much nicer on a long run. We do a fair amount of driving and it's easily the most comfortable car we've owned, although I'll caveat that by saying that if you look at my car history it's not exactly full of S-Class's or Range Rover's 
so obviously my opinion is only relative to what we've had in the past.
Heated seats are really effective, get nice and toasty very quickly and all up your back as well. Cabin is a nice place to be, especially the digital dash. Boot is generous (similar space to my Focus), we only use the rear seats for the dogs but I'd say there's a decent amount of legroom in the back. We've got the panoramic sunroof as well which helps lighten the cabin.
Parking sensors all round and a reversing camera make parking easy, although it never feels so big that you're turning down tighter spaces. I also find it easy to manoeuvre, I think where they've pushed the wheels as far as possible to the corners it still retains a bit of the "go-kart" feel the smaller models have.
Can't really comment much on reliability, we've had it a year now (from new), 10k miles and no issues so far. As it stands we'll be in no rush to replace it
so obviously my opinion is only relative to what we've had in the past.Heated seats are really effective, get nice and toasty very quickly and all up your back as well. Cabin is a nice place to be, especially the digital dash. Boot is generous (similar space to my Focus), we only use the rear seats for the dogs but I'd say there's a decent amount of legroom in the back. We've got the panoramic sunroof as well which helps lighten the cabin.
Parking sensors all round and a reversing camera make parking easy, although it never feels so big that you're turning down tighter spaces. I also find it easy to manoeuvre, I think where they've pushed the wheels as far as possible to the corners it still retains a bit of the "go-kart" feel the smaller models have.
Can't really comment much on reliability, we've had it a year now (from new), 10k miles and no issues so far. As it stands we'll be in no rush to replace it
We have a 2017 Countryman 20d which we bought as an ex demo with minimal miles
It’s currently on 71k miles ish
It’s great, good to drive, economical and very comfortable
Ours has a few packs on it which include upgraded heated sports seats and a sliding split rear seat which in
is surprisingly useful
We also have the upgraded LED headlights which are superb
Reliability wise it’s been fine with only a broken spring and a broken tailgate lock above the BMW recalls re the EGR valve
It still looks feels and drives like new and we run ours on non runflat all season 17” tyres all year round
Overall it’s a great compact(ish) car that’s a bit of a tardis inside
The fact we’ve kept it so long is probably the best testament to it
It’s currently on 71k miles ish
It’s great, good to drive, economical and very comfortable
Ours has a few packs on it which include upgraded heated sports seats and a sliding split rear seat which in
is surprisingly useful
We also have the upgraded LED headlights which are superb
Reliability wise it’s been fine with only a broken spring and a broken tailgate lock above the BMW recalls re the EGR valve
It still looks feels and drives like new and we run ours on non runflat all season 17” tyres all year round
Overall it’s a great compact(ish) car that’s a bit of a tardis inside
The fact we’ve kept it so long is probably the best testament to it
Interesting list:
VW Golf SV, MB B-Class, Lexus NX, BMW X1/Mini Countryman, Mazda CX5.
The Mini as you can see have positive reviews, but the back doors are short esp at the bottom so ingress/ egress not that easy for adults, and the screen being very upright is an acquired taste. Obvs with 306bhp it can be fun though, if that's a factor. They are only 4.3m.long too which is possibly useful.
The CX-5 is 4.55 long, and feels it's albeit well proportioned. The comparator is the CX-30, somehow 4.4m long, again crap back doors and space, which for adults may or may not be a factor, the boot looks poor but is deep with how the back seats are set in. The 30 drives better as it weighs less, and is a lot cheaper again, if that matters.
The Lexus is 4.64 long, but a reverse tardis, with lots of padding and sound deadening, but you'd notice the extra foot over the Mini for sure, without having much to show for it space wise.
For value and modernity the Kia range is worth a look, the Stonic is small but posh in 4 guise with heated leather, the Xceed gets a very good review, and of course you get a long warranty.
VW Golf SV, MB B-Class, Lexus NX, BMW X1/Mini Countryman, Mazda CX5.
The Mini as you can see have positive reviews, but the back doors are short esp at the bottom so ingress/ egress not that easy for adults, and the screen being very upright is an acquired taste. Obvs with 306bhp it can be fun though, if that's a factor. They are only 4.3m.long too which is possibly useful.
The CX-5 is 4.55 long, and feels it's albeit well proportioned. The comparator is the CX-30, somehow 4.4m long, again crap back doors and space, which for adults may or may not be a factor, the boot looks poor but is deep with how the back seats are set in. The 30 drives better as it weighs less, and is a lot cheaper again, if that matters.
The Lexus is 4.64 long, but a reverse tardis, with lots of padding and sound deadening, but you'd notice the extra foot over the Mini for sure, without having much to show for it space wise.
For value and modernity the Kia range is worth a look, the Stonic is small but posh in 4 guise with heated leather, the Xceed gets a very good review, and of course you get a long warranty.
Another vote for the Countryman here.
Bought new in 2019 Mrs R6 has a petrol 2.0 Cooper S All4.
Nothing has gone wrong in nearly 40k miles - just keeping it serviced at the moment and to fend off the sword of death, we've kept the warranty running.
Comfy, roomy and economical we've used it for all sorts of things including moving student children in and out of their Uni accommodation, commuting, and taking the dog out for walks.
Bought new in 2019 Mrs R6 has a petrol 2.0 Cooper S All4.
Nothing has gone wrong in nearly 40k miles - just keeping it serviced at the moment and to fend off the sword of death, we've kept the warranty running.
Comfy, roomy and economical we've used it for all sorts of things including moving student children in and out of their Uni accommodation, commuting, and taking the dog out for walks.
flatso said:
Thanks for the helpful replies.
Is the adaptive suspension a must have?
Does anyone have the John Cooper Works version?Is the extra power needed, is it too stiff?
Ours is a Cooper D it’s on standard sport suspension and it’s absolutely fine, rides really well quite chuckable and firm on country roads but still smooth on the motorway Is the adaptive suspension a must have?
Does anyone have the John Cooper Works version?Is the extra power needed, is it too stiff?
Drove one with the adaptive susp .. didn’t seem any different tbf
Power is subjective.. as a family “do all” I find our quick enough and don’t really need anymore depends on whether you think you need a 300bhp SUV .. I don’t
flatso said:
Thanks for the helpful replies.
Is the adaptive suspension a must have?
Does anyone have the John Cooper Works version?Is the extra power needed, is it too stiff?
I had the adaptive suspension on an X3 35d - so can't compare. I'd suggest it's a nice to have but not essential.Is the adaptive suspension a must have?
Does anyone have the John Cooper Works version?Is the extra power needed, is it too stiff?
Power?? 300bhp would also be nice to have
I imagine 300bhp would be a hoot, but the 180bhp we have in ours (Mrs ZS's) is plenty for day to day duties, and you can chuck it in sport mode and still have fun. For comparison, I drive a 250bhp Focus ST, and yes the Countryman Cooper S is obviously slower, but it never feels "slow".
Ours is on 19" alloys and doesn't have adaptive suspension but is still a comfy car to drive/be in and does a fair job of soaking up bumps, etc.
Ours is on 19" alloys and doesn't have adaptive suspension but is still a comfy car to drive/be in and does a fair job of soaking up bumps, etc.
I have a 67 plate 1.5 Cooper as a daily and local run around. 72k miles up. It's on 16" wheels, auto, not a lot of spec but has the auto climate. It's not that much of a raised seating position and doesn't feel big at all. It's more like a hatch with a 1-2" lift kit than an actual SUV. The volume of the boot at 450l is bigger than a lot of other hatches but the shape is not so useful. I had a Merc B class before and it's very similar in size but handles and rides much better. Suits my needs fine as I have a bigger and slower family car and another car if I want more driving excitement. I think if you are regularly loaded up on long journeys or up mountains then a bit more power might help. A remap might be good enough for that.
edc said:
I have a 67 plate 1.5 Cooper as a daily and local run around. 72k miles up. It's on 16" wheels, auto, not a lot of spec but has the auto climate. It's not that much of a raised seating position and doesn't feel big at all. It's more like a hatch with a 1-2" lift kit than an actual SUV. The volume of the boot at 450l is bigger than a lot of other hatches but the shape is not so useful. I had a Merc B class before and it's very similar in size but handles and rides much better. Suits my needs fine as I have a bigger and slower family car and another car if I want more driving excitement. I think if you are regularly loaded up on long journeys or up mountains then a bit more power might help. A remap might be good enough for that.
Thanks for the helpful input. Which B Klass did you have the W246/W247?W246 B200 Sport diesel DCT auto. Same use case and fuel use compared to the 1.5 petrol triple is almost exactly the same. I just looked up the dimensions and my hunch was right. Exterior wise they are almost identical, in fact the roofline height is identical. Despite the F60 being a touch wider the B class looks to have a fraction, it's mm, extra space inside. That car had a better spec albeit older car than the F60 I have now. Size wise it's right for us but would have preferred a slightly higher position. The W246 wasn't known for being a smooth ride and mine was on new Goodyear F1 5's whereas the F60 is on a slightly mismatched set of mid range 205/65/16 tyres. Ride and handling are still much better.
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