Looking for advice on my next project car.
Posted by ShortbusRacingTeam@reddit | projectcar | View on Reddit | 34 comments
I’m about to start a new job with a long commute and want something fun (manual) to drive daily and do some light auto cross on random weekends.
Have to drive clients around occasionally (lunch, site visits, nothing extensive) so 4 doors is a must.
So my filters keep popping up with these mini countryman all 4 S’ models. And I want to hear from the hive mind, what should I be on the lookout for? What failures send these to the junk yard? Are there particular engines I should avoid? Etc.
Roast me if you want. But I’m really looking for insight from people who have owned and worked on these. I know they have a reputation for electrical gremlins. What else don’t I know?
Thanks all
insertwittyhndle@reddit
That generation of Countryman is a pretty decent car overall but I’m not sure I’d bring it to a track. Motor mount issues are common but it’s nothing compared to the 2nd generation as far as problems.
Speaking of the 2nd gen - you can pick up a r56 hatchback/2 door for cheap later if you want to build a track car. I’m currently building towards something like this with a 13 r56s
ShortbusRacingTeam@reddit (OP)
Interesting stuff peppered in here. Thanks for chiming in.
You have a tip for a good mini forum with a breakdown of the generations?
insertwittyhndle@reddit
As for forums, I’m not really sure. There is the Mini subreddit which is alright, and North American Motoring (northamericanmotoring.com) but I’m not sure how lively it is, I’m not active there, just occasionally stumble on interesting posts via google.
Regarding the countryman, I’d definitely recommend finding the more stout JCW model. In 2019 they started getting the 300hp engine. You can’t find a stock Mini hatchback with that much power.
buttlicker-6652@reddit
Not a Mini, they're a BMW, but significantly worse to work on, more cramped and the engines are shit in the older ones.
If you want a German car, buy something bigger that'll be easier to work on, like a s5 or something.
BalluTorts@reddit
BMW tech, I work on these all the time. They ARE BMWs, they use the same parts under the hood, use the same platform as the same years x1 and x2. That being said theyre reliable and have a proven and pretty robust aftermarket. Mechanically the b46 engine in them is damn reliable but if things go wrong the engine placement can be a bit of a pain and cramped but you really don't see massive failures often. Being said these really are a unique fun car. Show me another cool turbo 4 door crossover you can get in a manual?
ShortbusRacingTeam@reddit (OP)
That last line is why we’re talking. It checks a lot of boxes in both the fun and function categories.
What’s standard maintenance like? Can I do brakes, suspension work, fluid changes, etc in my driveway (like I do on my non-bmw cars?)
BalluTorts@reddit
Mechanical maintenance is just like any other car, maybe with a little German twist.Lots of torx and e torx if you don't own any. Electrical maintenance isnt usually an issue and you can usually just get by with just a typical code reader. The f70 generation doesn't have the gremlins the first generations got a bad reputation for
big_dap@reddit
I have a 2014 mini and that thing is a tank
ojannen@reddit
You generally can't autocross countrymans. Check the rules before you buy. A clubman works though. Both are front heavy undereteering pigs. I am not convinced the AWD makes it more fun.
Reliability is reasonable on 3rd gen minis but you need a ton of special bmw only tools to service them. I have picked them up over the years but it was a long time before I could complete a job without buying a weird shaped wrench.
You need a pretty good reason not to buy a mk7 gti as well.
ShortbusRacingTeam@reddit (OP)
Also genuine question. I was (uneducated) under the impression that a wrx could run autocross, and assumed mini would be in same awd class. What’s different about the 2 cars to make em not able to run?
ojannen@reddit
Check the rules. Last I checked (which was a while ago), the mini was too tall compared to the track width. They would generally be in a similar class to a wrx if they were allowed to run.
ShortbusRacingTeam@reddit (OP)
Noted. Thanks. It’s not something I’ve done before, just something I would like to do. I assumed it was in a category that could play along. Will look into it but isn’t a deal breaker on the daily
ShortbusRacingTeam@reddit (OP)
Aren’t those GTi’s notorious for blowing head gaskets?
Competitive_Cat_990@reddit
I was looking at getting a Mini as a fun car. Like a 2007-2009 manual. After researching them, there are reasons they are cheap. The motor and trans are made by 2 different manufactuers. Prone to electrical problems.
Look for a Toyota Matrix with a manual, or a Civic or Accord. 2014-2017 the 8th generation are some of the best made.
majoneskongur@reddit
isn‘t there some easy swap with a japanese fourbanger?
ShortbusRacingTeam@reddit (OP)
I’m listening
ShortbusRacingTeam@reddit (OP)
The civic/accord fits the bill on paper. But I had a really bad experience with my 19 civic hatch and Honda’s borderline criminal service department. So I just won’t buy another one.
My issue with the anecdotes on reputation, and reason I’m here crowdsourcing opinions, is that I have 2 buddies (who are not remotely car guys) who do similar in their minis and have had like zero problems.
Big-Energy-3363@reddit
Seriously?? Why??
ShortbusRacingTeam@reddit (OP)
Serious answer: Stick Shift, 4-Doors, all wheel drive (I live in icy/snowy region), 30mpg, turbo charger, easy street parking.
Big-Energy-3363@reddit
Look hard at the Subaru WRX. More power, super aftermarket support . 2022 and up
ShortbusRacingTeam@reddit (OP)
FWIW, that is the primary vehicle I’m looking at. But there’s like a 10-15k savings at equal mileage and year in my region with the mini. Which is what got me asking questions like this.
shupack@reddit
here I am thinking "a 3yo car is probably not 'project car' territory."
oh,
oh hell...
ShortbusRacingTeam@reddit (OP)
Every car is a project car if you stop paying other people to work on it!
smellyelderberries@reddit
My mom bought a 2020 mini (against my recommendation but not my money) and within the first 10k miles it got a new engine wiring harness, cabin harness, turbo, passenger headlight, and something else I can't remember. All under warranty and somehow avoided lemon law.
ShortbusRacingTeam@reddit (OP)
So, that happened pre-10k, is the car still around? Continued issues?
smellyelderberries@reddit
She does still have it. Doesn't drive much so probably only 15-20k miles now. I feel like there was a more recent issue with her power seat but after the first string of issues I told her I'm not looking at anymore problems on this car and that she needs to go to the dealer so she hasn't really brought it up since.
Like some other people have said, it's a BMW owned product so 100% expect BMW service and parts pricing. (Her last oil change, coolant and brake fluid flush was over $1200 which I only know bc she needed a ride)
ShortbusRacingTeam@reddit (OP)
Thanks. Appreciate the insight. Do you happen to know which engine was in hers?
smellyelderberries@reddit
Sure thing! She has an S so I believe it's the 2L
ShortbusRacingTeam@reddit (OP)
Noted, thank you!
M0NSTER4242@reddit
I can't say I'm much of a modern mini expert, but I do know that because these are made by BMW, they come with the eccentricities of servicing a German car - and make sure you don't cut corners on servicing it.
ShortbusRacingTeam@reddit (OP)
Looking at em in person, it certainly does appear that 10 gallons of shit was stuffed in a 5 gallon bucket. So I’m sure 10 parts have to come off to get to the first one to break in the life cycle. But I’m starting to feel like all the new cars are like that.
Linetrash406@reddit
First I’d look real hard at your use. Daily driver/commuter and project car is rarely a good mix. Autocross and daily driver is also not a great mix. Project car/race car/ car to take clients in is an even worse mix. On top of that. The back seat in these is useless for adults. I’m not shitting on it. Go do what you want. But it sounds like you need to go find a Honda accord for work and an old Datsun to play in.
ShortbusRacingTeam@reddit (OP)
All fair, but every car is a project car when you stop paying other people to work on it. And I’ve been having fun in my dailies for 25 years. I’m not gonna be doing time attack. I’m just planning to have a bit of fun chewing up tires with light suspension upgrades on cone courses.
There’s a Chevy 2500 (reason for new car for commute) and wife’s subie outback in the driveway too.
My last car was a civic sport hatch. It was fucking awesome til the electrical gremlins showed up. And Honda’s handling of those gremlins is why I’ll never buy another Honda. In short, they tried to force a $4,000 driver assist system on me because a $9 plastic bracket fractured. Replaced nut, borrowed autel, calibrated system, and sold.
Really like Audi’s and VW’s too, but my friends that own them are constantly bitching about them. Which is what currently has me looking at the mini’s.
M0NSTER4242@reddit
I can't say I'm much of a modern mini expert, but I do know that because these are made by BMW, they come with the eccentricities of servicing a German car - and make sure you don't cut corners on servicing it.