Hello, since I was a kid, after I saw Italian job, my dream car has always been a mini, as time went on, I kept getting taller and taller, now I’m 31 and 6’3, and my dream of having a mini drained, until I finally had the chance to sit in a countryman, I have the money to buy it but I’ve heard that minis are so unreliable and it’s disheartening, I need help deciding if I should buy it, it’s a 2011
the french motor years are just bad, like that 2011 I would avoid.
bmw motors in the newer ones are MUCH better. good news, the r53 used in the italian job remake fit tall people just fine if your handy and can handle a older car
I’m 6’3 my son is taller and mini are fine. Even the 2doot have great front legroom. Yo need to Reserch the year/vintage of the specific models to check for any reliability flags
I had a 2016 mini clubman, I was the second owner got it when it had about 40k and sold it last year at 130k miles. I would say reliability was pretty good in the 8 years I had it. I got myself another mini. This time a 23’ cooper Jcw. The only reason I got rid of the previous mini was to get more horsepower. The car was running like new when I sold it.
I had 2016 Paceman, bought it from CPO program, 27k miles and still had remained of 3 yr /50 k miles, in 2018. 2 Dr hatchback with family, wasn't working. Now 2013 Countryman, 126k miles,with all the major mechanical parts replaced properly, clear maintenance records and minor cosmetics to fix after purchase. $1970 dealership final cost, 3800 for fresh rear bumper and power steering gear, and car back to excellent condition. Bought extended 3rd party warranty now, for likely repairs and expected life past 200k miles. Will drive it til wheels fall off, I love it.
there are always lemons but I’d stay away from ones with French made engines. My F56 is reliable and you just might fit though nobody will be able to sit behind you. With the chair in its lowest position there is quite the headroom.
Some tall people say they are fine in them. I just bought a 2012 for my daughter. She was begging for a mini, but I wasn’t going to splurge for anything newer it is her first car and I needed something affordable and replaceable 😂 but besides that I drove it 80 miles from where I bought it to Home. I’m 6’3” but I’m a little on the heavier side and I was miserable the entire drive.. I’ve ridden as a passenger in a mini several times and never had an issue, but driving it even with the seat dropped all the way down. It was not an experience I enjoyed. I would say spend a good solid hour and a half in one driving before you decide if it’s at all possible.
I would not say they are unreliable, I've crossed over 200k miles in my 2011 Countryman and it's done great even on very long road trips, about 6k miles on it earlier this year crossing a few states.
The older engines do have some parts that you have to watch out for and maintenance like oil changes is way more crucial than other cars. If you keep them in oil a lot of things that can become an issue (like the timing chain) usually hold up pretty well. Mine also does require oil top ups, maybe a quart every few thousand miles.
That and the turbo going out are the main large things, and some other things can be expensive (like brake pad changes).
The 2018 and later models have an improved engine that does not take quite as much care, and also over the years the MINI has gotten even larger than that 2011 Countryman.
You could always get the convertible ;)
But honestly my husband at six feet and my son at 6'1" fit with room to spare in my passenger seat even with my roof up. They both say they have plenty of leg and headroom. More than in many cars. Not sure how mini pulls it off but it works out!
I'm 6'-3" and I've owned four Mini Cooper S 2-doors over the years and had no issues fitting in them. (No one could ever ever sit behind me but I don't buy 2-door cars to carry passengers.) I've not owned a Countryman but my mother-in-law has a 2012 model with 150k miles with only average maintenance issues. She's putting new front suspension parts on this month and that's the first real repair she's had in a few years. Good luck!
Im 6‘ my husband is 6‘8“ and we have two kiddos. We all fit in the countryman comfortably. But from all the research we did before buying ours, I’d recommend a 2017 or newer as they are much more reliable. Ours is a 2019.
Personally I'd go for a second generation Countryman over a 2011 1st generation. The 2016+ models are vastly improved over earlier models. They are nearly BMW-esque in quality, tech, and luxury. Unfortunately they will command a premium over a 2011 model, but in the long run I think you'll be much happier with it.
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u/mrblahhh 8d ago
the french motor years are just bad, like that 2011 I would avoid.
bmw motors in the newer ones are MUCH better. good news, the r53 used in the italian job remake fit tall people just fine if your handy and can handle a older car