F30POST
F30POST
2012-2015 BMW 3-Series and 4-Series Forum
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
BMW 3-Series and 4-Series Forum (F30 / F32) | F30POST > BIMMERPOST Universal Forums > General BMW News and Cars Discussion > Should I buy BMW 1-series or Mini Countryman? Want your opinion!
Extreme Powerhouse
Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      10-14-2011, 11:59 AM   #1
Superspeed
Captain
Superspeed's Avatar
Norway
61
Rep
859
Posts

Drives: 640i, 120d, Cooper S
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Oslo, Norway

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Should I buy BMW 1-series or Mini Countryman? Want your opinion!

I recently had a major car crash. Luckily I was sitting in a safe and heavy BMW, so I'm ok.
The incident made me think about the safety of driving a Smart like I do to work, shoppping etc. So I have decided to get a larger car for that use.

The thing is that I hate dull family cars. Two cars are in question: Either the new BMW 120d automatic, 184 hp, diesel. Or a Mini Countryman SD All4, 143 hp manual, diesel.
The Mini is imo the cooler car, the BMW the better premium car. Neither of them are very good looking but both have a certain touch that makes them stand out from ordinary boring cars.

Which one would you have chosen?
__________________
[SIGPIC]"Never a boring car"
Some X'es: BMW Z3 2.8, DeTomaso Pantera, Porsche 928s, BMW 732i, BMW 323i, BMW 2002
Appreciate 0
      10-15-2011, 07:38 AM   #2
Sgt Beavis
Enlisted Member
0
Rep
38
Posts

Drives: 2011 328i Sport Wagon
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: DFW, TX

iTrader: (0)

The only thing I didn't like about the Countryman (petrol fueled) I test drove was the lack of response from the automatic transmission when starting off. However I really enjoyed driving the manual. From a practical standpoint, I didn't like the rear buckets in the Countryman but I believe you should be able to buy a rear bench in your neck of the woods.

I wish I could speak about the 1-series but they only offer coupes and convertibles in the US.

I came fairly close to buying the Countryman but then this 328i SportWagon dropped into my lap with a huge demo discount and looks that are very rare in Texas. It is a pure joy to drive.
__________________
Wagons Rule!
Appreciate 0
      10-15-2011, 03:02 PM   #3
Wolf
Captain
Wolf's Avatar
228
Rep
876
Posts

Drives: on hold
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Earth

iTrader: (0)

mini is way nicer... more easy access for a family
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by bimmerjph View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by SCOTT26 View Post
BMW have tapped into this by mirroring typical BMW dynamics and steering communication within the new UKL cars.
You mean massive body roll, a steering system that is not connected to the front wheels, and the engine note played through the speaker system?!?!?!?!
Appreciate 0
      10-15-2011, 05:25 PM   #4
335 oClock
MOE
335 oClock's Avatar
United_States
214
Rep
2,530
Posts

Drives: 2011 e92 335i 6MT
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Los Angeles

iTrader: (13)

... and why don't you drive your 6 series?
Appreciate 0
      10-15-2011, 05:30 PM   #5
Q4P
Colonel
Q4P's Avatar
United_States
83
Rep
2,291
Posts

Drives: Too Much
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: World

iTrader: (0)

FWD vs RWD is a deciding factor for me.
__________________
2jZ + RB26 + 4G63 + LS9 + N54 =
Appreciate 0
      10-15-2011, 05:57 PM   #6
deshields
Private First Class
United_States
9
Rep
122
Posts

Drives: 2009M3
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Modesto

iTrader: (0)

I agree the Countryman does seem like a cooler car, but I think from a safety and quality standpoint the 1-Series is the better choice. The countryman was a little chintzy in the quality department, and the 1-series is a good performer as far as safety goes.
__________________
Appreciate 0
      10-16-2011, 06:39 PM   #7
datbimmerdoe
Lieutenant General
datbimmerdoe's Avatar
United_States
1265
Rep
17,493
Posts

Drives: like I'M BOUT THAT LIFE
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: PARADISE aka CANES COUNTRY

iTrader: (0)

120d

despite of the "cool" factor n even tho we don't hav 120d in the u.s., if we did, i'd rather get that over the mini - hands down.



:facepalm:
Quote:
Originally Posted by 335 oClock View Post
... and why don't you drive your 6 series?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Superspeed View Post
I recently had a major car crash.
__________________
#datbimmerdoe #thatbimmertho

FOLLOW @datbimmerdoe on INSTAGRAM
Appreciate 0
      10-17-2011, 05:15 AM   #8
Superspeed
Captain
Superspeed's Avatar
Norway
61
Rep
859
Posts

Drives: 640i, 120d, Cooper S
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Oslo, Norway

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by 335 oClock View Post
... and why don't you drive your 6 series?
A lot of my daily driving is in the city with tight parking spots and crowded streets. So life is easier with a small car.
Besides I like the concept of having a Grand Tourer for the long distances and a small and handy car for urban life.

I tried the Mini Countryman SD (diesel) on saturday, but was a bit disapointed of the cheap plastic on dashboard and side panels. Except from that it gave a good feeling - both handling and engine. No problem reving it to 5000 rpm.
I don't think it deserves the S-badge though. They should install the 184 hp version from BMW instead.
Anyway for this type of car 143 hp is sufficient. And it is the coolest SUV on the market.

I also tried a 118d which impressed me (it had a lot of options though....). Without having too much experience with 1-series, I believe it has gained on both comfort and sporty handling.
The not-so-nice front can to a certain extent be healed by the M-styling (from next spring).
After seeing a lot of 1-series on the street I no longer find the design ugly. It's more like interesting, which is a +.

I'll give it some time and think about it
__________________
[SIGPIC]"Never a boring car"
Some X'es: BMW Z3 2.8, DeTomaso Pantera, Porsche 928s, BMW 732i, BMW 323i, BMW 2002
Appreciate 0
      10-17-2011, 08:04 AM   #9
Elie335
ايلي ٣٣٥ هاهاها
Elie335's Avatar
St Pierre and Miquelon
87
Rep
1,448
Posts

Drives: Vorsteiner e92
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Leb

iTrader: (1)

I'd go with the 120d
__________________
Appreciate 0
      10-20-2011, 12:33 AM   #10
patrice03
Private First Class
13
Rep
164
Posts

Drives: z23 318d f30
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: europe

iTrader: (0)

countryman is a kind of mixed bags, not as fun to drive as other minis and not as comfy you would expect. i would certainly go for 120d, by far a better car in its dna although its design its somewhat weirdy. quality probably best in 120d, however dashboard and cockpit atmosphere nicer in the countryman. again feel like 120d is a better compromise and i can guarantee is fun to drive
Appreciate 0
      10-22-2011, 11:11 AM   #11
Superspeed
Captain
Superspeed's Avatar
Norway
61
Rep
859
Posts

Drives: 640i, 120d, Cooper S
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Oslo, Norway

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Thanx for your opinions guys
__________________
[SIGPIC]"Never a boring car"
Some X'es: BMW Z3 2.8, DeTomaso Pantera, Porsche 928s, BMW 732i, BMW 323i, BMW 2002
Appreciate 0
      10-22-2011, 03:07 PM   #12
krnnerdboy
Colonel
krnnerdboy's Avatar
United_States
190
Rep
2,431
Posts

Drives: v10 m6
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: so cal

iTrader: (10)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Superspeed View Post
Thanx for your opinions guys
Daily grinder.... Countryman all the way. ITs cheaper too right? I had a r56s and clubman s. I love them and would buy another one in a heart beat for a daily. They're so responsive and efficient. But if the price were the same I'd get a 1er
__________________

F80 m3, 997 gt3, 14 ram ctd, f15 x5, drz400sm

Gone:z4m, boss 302, c6 z06, m6,z3m
Appreciate 0
      10-23-2011, 12:15 PM   #13
KLH
Second Lieutenant
2
Rep
262
Posts

Drives: 2006 3.0si
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Plano, TX

iTrader: (0)

Talking

Has your Cooper S caught fire yet?
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:04 AM.




f30post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST