[bimmer man]

Hey guys, wondering replacing 116d to 120d xDrive or Mini SD contryman all4. What is the best choice, but must wait until november to order xDrive. What do you think?

[henry1982]

Originally Posted by bimmer man

Hey guys, wondering replacing 116d to 120d xDrive or Mini SD contryman all4. What is the best choice, but must wait until november to order xDrive. What do you think?

Hi, They are both good cars, but It depends on what you want. The mini is more fun and the BMW is more grown up! Its a hard one In my 20s I would have gone for the Mini but now in my 30s I would go for the BMW. I believe they both have the same platform for the xdrive. BMW is also more refined, that's what I would go for.

[Fanis]

No comparison between the F20 and the Countryman...the F20 is much better car: better ride quality, better interior quality, newer car and technology. All in all for the same price you get more car with the 1 series.

[Superspeed]

This is almost exactly the same question I had before buying the 120d (except that X-drive was not available for the F20 then).
I tried to spec the cars to the same level, but found that a lot of the good stuff on the F20 was not avalable on the Countryman SD. On the other hand 4WD was not available on the BMW by then.
I would not spend any money on automatic transmission on the Mini, it has a terrible price. On the BMW it is not avalable on the X-drive so far anyway.
In total the Countryman SD ended up as a cheaper choice, and it is a cooler car imo.

So why did i buy the 120d instead?
I had a car crash with my F12. This motivated me to get rid of the Smart I had as my daily driver and get a new and more safe car. I asked the body shop (which is a specialist on Mini, BMW and Porsche) about differences in steel quality, build quality, paint quality, strength and durability of the body. They recommended without any doubt the F20 instead of Countryman.
Even though the Countryman SD is a sporty car in it's class, it is far from the handling and sophisticated feeling in the BMW. The interior quality and materials are at least one class higher in the BMW.

Finally the engine is a different version of the 2-litre. It runs smoother and of course has more power.

All in all so many factors pointed at the F20. I found the only advantage of the Countryman was the cool factor. Which was not enough to convince me

[bimmer man]

Originally Posted by Superspeed

This is almost exactly the same question I had before buying the 120d (except that X-drive was not available for the F20 then).
I tried to spec the cars to the same level, but found that a lot of the good stuff on the F20 was not avalable on the Countryman SD. On the other hand 4WD was not available on the BMW by then.
I would not spend any money on automatic transmission on the Mini, it has a terrible price. On the BMW it is not avalable on the X-drive so far anyway.
In total the Countryman SD ended up as a cheaper choice, and it is a cooler car imo.

So why did i buy the 120d instead?
I had a car crash with my F12. This motivated me to get rid of the Smart I had as my daily driver and get a new and more safe car. I asked the body shop (which is a specialist on Mini, BMW and Porsche) about differences in steel quality, build quality, paint quality, strength and durability of the body. They recommended without any doubt the F20 instead of Countryman.
Even though the Countryman SD is a sporty car in it's class, it is far from the handling and sophisticated feeling in the BMW. The interior quality and materials are at least one class higher in the BMW.

Finally the engine is a different version of the 2-litre. It runs smoother and of course has more power.

All in all so many factors pointed at the F20. I found the only advantage of the Countryman was the cool factor. Which was not enough to convince me

I'll wait for November to get tested 120d xDrive, What do you think about 3 doors, M-sport, alpine white, sunroof, Xenon headlamps and 17 "wheels. What do you think about 3 Doors version. And it comes only with manual transmission does nothing for me , my wife shall have manual transmission anyway. Tested Countryman sd some time ago it is fast and agile but with 18 "wheels were very much road noise.

[Superspeed]

Originally Posted by bimmer man

I'll wait for November to get tested 120d xDrive, What do you think about 3 doors, M-sport, alpine white, sunroof, Xenon headlamps and 17 "wheels. What do you think about 3 Doors version. And it comes only with manual transmission does nothing for me , my wife shall have manual transmission anyway. Tested Countryman sd some time ago it is fast and agile but with 18 "wheels were very much road noise.

If you don't transport people in the back seat regularely, I would go for the 3-door because it looks sportier and you save some money to be used on options instead
M-sport is really good value for money, and it gives the front a new and fresh look. M-interior is sporty and classy as well, and you don't need the Dakota leather. And 17" are included.
White is a good colour choice since it highlights the M body kit, and it looks quite aggressive in white. And you save money again, not paying for metallic.
I don't care for the sunroof either, it is expensive and just messes up the nice black inner roof.

Where I do recommend to put your money is:
- M-sport
- Xenon
- Navi pro
- Extended info display
- DAB radio
- Rear camera
- Folding rear seats 40/20/40
- Storage pack
- Visibility pack
- All the small multimedia options, giving you full flexibility around phone, external devices, internet, BMW Apps etc. Not very expensive if you already have got navi pro, but gives you the latest in technology, is fun, and makes the car attractive the day you sell it.

If you stretch your budget further you might consider:
- Adaptive lights
- Harman Kardon
- Speed limit info
- Lane Departure
- 18" (only for the looks)

This is my personal view, based on the experiences I have with my own 120. I could definitly live without the last 5 options, but would really miss the first 10

[vladberca]

M Sport 120d is the way to go based only on the performances of the engine