R55 1.5t to F60 Countryman Cooper S
Discussion
I’m thinking of changing our 2019 R55 1.5 DCT Cooper 5 door for something a bit larger due to a change of job, where I’m now doing a pretty long motorway journey twice a week.
While the current Mini is great at most things, I find the steering is a bit too sensitive on the motorway and, while the 1.5 turbo lump is powerful enough, the power band is very narrow, meaning the auto box has to frequently hunt for the right ratio (something it seems to do quite slowly for a dual clutch) when overtaking or heading up hill.
I really like the Mini as an overall package, so was wondering if a switch to an F60 countryman, in Cooper S guise, might address both of these points? I’d like to stick with the Auto, but not sure if it’s not the best in my current car due to the smaller engine or if it will be the same in the more powerful Cooper S?
Anyone made the same change?
I’m also temped by an F60 JCW, but not sure if it’s going to be worth it if the Cooper S has enough grunt.
While the current Mini is great at most things, I find the steering is a bit too sensitive on the motorway and, while the 1.5 turbo lump is powerful enough, the power band is very narrow, meaning the auto box has to frequently hunt for the right ratio (something it seems to do quite slowly for a dual clutch) when overtaking or heading up hill.
I really like the Mini as an overall package, so was wondering if a switch to an F60 countryman, in Cooper S guise, might address both of these points? I’d like to stick with the Auto, but not sure if it’s not the best in my current car due to the smaller engine or if it will be the same in the more powerful Cooper S?
Anyone made the same change?
I’m also temped by an F60 JCW, but not sure if it’s going to be worth it if the Cooper S has enough grunt.
Depends where your benchmark is. I ran an F60 JCW for 3 years and liked it. It certainly wasn't a rocket, but it did entertain and I never felt myself lusting after more power. I swapped it for an X3 M40, and that is a missle by comparison, although ironically i tend to drive it way more slowly than i did the mini.
One thing that was woeful was the mpg, which was way worse than than X3. Fine on the motorway but shocking around town.
One thing that was woeful was the mpg, which was way worse than than X3. Fine on the motorway but shocking around town.
Mrs ZS is currently in an F60 Countryman Cooper S. Before that she had the JCW 3 door hatch (and a Cooper S Clubman / Cooper SD hatch before that),
The Countryman is by far the most refined, steering isn't overly sensitive (I get your point as I found both hatches fun on the B-roads but a little twitchy on the motorway. Despite having less power and being heavier that the JCW, we don't really miss the extra power. The 2 litre petrol has plenty of grunt, the auto box does a good job (very occasionally it can take a fraction too long to change down, but I'm being overly picky on that point, and if you stick it in sport mode if you want to have fun then it's always willing
).
We get a little over 40mpg out of it, mixed B road and mid-40's on motorways, but I reckon you could squeeze closer to 50mpg out of it if you pootled along the motorway in green mode.
Out of all 4 MINI's we've owned, we both agree it's the best all rounder. We were tempted by the F60 JCW but couldn't justify the extra purchase and running costs.
The Countryman is by far the most refined, steering isn't overly sensitive (I get your point as I found both hatches fun on the B-roads but a little twitchy on the motorway. Despite having less power and being heavier that the JCW, we don't really miss the extra power. The 2 litre petrol has plenty of grunt, the auto box does a good job (very occasionally it can take a fraction too long to change down, but I'm being overly picky on that point, and if you stick it in sport mode if you want to have fun then it's always willing
). We get a little over 40mpg out of it, mixed B road and mid-40's on motorways, but I reckon you could squeeze closer to 50mpg out of it if you pootled along the motorway in green mode.
Out of all 4 MINI's we've owned, we both agree it's the best all rounder. We were tempted by the F60 JCW but couldn't justify the extra purchase and running costs.
I've got a 1.5 F60 auto. If you are one up most of the time and not needing a mega turn of pace then you might find it suits. Ours is used as a local run around and occasional short M3/M25 20 ISH mile commute. I find there is plenty enough for the 50-80 mph range on the motorways. Most of the time it's just one driver other times 1 driver 1 child as we have another car to use when all go together as a family.
Wife is on her third Countryman, first was the 1.5 but the Countryman is a heavy car and we never seen 40MPG on the gauge mainly 32MPH.
Second was a Cooper S 2.0 litre auto and much better suited to the car very rarely do you have to put into sport mode there is no need to as it's fast in normal mode regularly get over 40MPG.
Third was the last of the previous platform even though the latest was on the horizon, but she did not like the very minimalist interior (specifically the central touchscreen), so this might be the end of Mini ownership when 3 years are up unless BMW revise the dashboard layout.
Second was a Cooper S 2.0 litre auto and much better suited to the car very rarely do you have to put into sport mode there is no need to as it's fast in normal mode regularly get over 40MPG.
Third was the last of the previous platform even though the latest was on the horizon, but she did not like the very minimalist interior (specifically the central touchscreen), so this might be the end of Mini ownership when 3 years are up unless BMW revise the dashboard layout.
We have a 2019 F60 2.0 Countryman with JCW bits & bobs and DCT gearbox. Both swmbo and I are of the opinion thats its probably the best car we have ever owned. Comfortable and more than quick enough for our needs. It looks good with some nice toys and HK stereo. Honestly the only thing we would replace it with is another.
Gassing Station | New MINIs | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff