Is My 2015 Mini Countryman A Complete Basket Case? Here's My Experience After Owning It For A Year!

[@Indypacecar82]

I owned one for 3 and a half years before I traded it in on a GP. No reliability issues. Everything you want from a vehicle in the snow, fun and confident when you want it to be. Great daily driver for sure. I had the base audio system and adored the soundstage it created, blows away most vehicles. I miss having it for my daily, but prefer ownership of the GP.

[@scott3331]

Was it a 2015?

[@Indypacecar82]

@@scott3331 2013

[@rodney20026]

If yours has the alarm system you can go into the key settings and program the Beep for the alarms!

[@stefanbekan1298]

I really, really don't like cars which honk when locked. This is great for me.

[@Torsee]

If you can figure out the menus, you can disable that function on most cars.

[@lkae4]

Locking honks are noise polution and rude. They should be banned. Cell ring tones in public should be banned too, honestly.

[@Torsee]

@@lkae4 👍

[@regsparkes6507]

Then how about a Mini that honks when un-locked! As in OK crooks, my car's unlocked now, come and rob me and all that I'm loading in after shopping! My wife absolutely hated that 'brainless' idea from 'zee Jermans'! My 2010 Mini Cooper Convertible does this stupid thing.

[@justenzo6342]

I have a 2015 Mini Cooper Countryman and it’s an automatic with 121 hp because it’s not turbocharged. It’s also front wheel drive. It’s pretty slow but good once I’m up to speed. I got it one year ago and really love it. Has been a great first car to me! I did have to get my rear control arms replaced, it burned 1 quart and half of oil. And had to get my rear springs replaced. It has over 56,000 miles on it now.

[@junehhan]

I have always wanted a Mini Cooper Countryman but have never been brave enough to actually pull the trigger after my experiences with my Land Rover that spent 50% of the time I owned it at the dealer service department. They are gorgeous and I hear they are a blast to drive. Their price is also not bad, but the rational side of my brain keeps warning me away.

[@kobenhill9252]

My 2012 Mini Countryman has been a blast to own. Have driven it now 125k miles and will have to do some big work to it but it’s common for a car made just to be fun

[@kabob21]

This isn't a Jaguar-Land Rover product nor is it even British. It's completely built by BMW in Austria

[@cbarber5366]

​@@kabob21still unreliable long term

[@tighehovington4585]

We need more videos from you Nathan. Love you take on vehicles.

[@gnosisgnome6601]

I had a 2015 Mini Countryman S, the engine blew at 75,900 Km, my warranty was for 75,000 Km, $4,800 later and not covered by the warranty, i sold it.

[@googleuser1456]

Wow that hurts 😢

[@scott3331]

I hope I didn't buy it! I just bought a 2015 for my daughter...

[@RyanRKJ]

A 2012 Countryman S All4 serves the role of "wife car" in my household. It's a well equipped model. It's been over 5 years now. We don't regret buying the car. It is zippy, holds plenty of cargo, is fantastic in the snow, gets decent fuel economy, and the upgraded Harman Kardon stereo is fantastic. That said, neither of us find it super comfortable, and cabin noise levels are somewhat high on the highway. It has a few other quirks, but we will keep it until repairs start getting too costly. It has around 140,000km right now.

[@colbyscott9822]

The cabins are some of the noisiest I've ever been in. It doesn't bother me because I like the visceral sounds when I'm sporting around in it but, yeah, it's pretty noisy inside.

[@CraigSmith568]

I love how people say how reliable something is because it hasn't had a problem in 10,000 miles.

[@NathanDAdlen]

I said “yet.” This is just my observation as an owner.

[@aruekca18det]

Nathan, we are waiting for the 2 years review. I am looking to buy one. As always, great reviews from yourself.

[@levicharles996]

I can imagine someone having this car and trying to find the car in a parking garage and not being able to hear the beep to locate it. Haha

[@stig120212]

panic button!?!

[@Globbs]

@@stig120212 Doesn't have a panic button. I'm surprised he didn't point that out on the key. It was my only issue with the key fob.

[@lgempet2869]

Definitely a good point!👍 I hope they’ve corrected that on more recent models.

[@rpmrallysport7071]

I'm a "non-beeper" so that wouldn't bother me - the reliability is a bigger issue with me.

[@nlpnt]

Hondas beep on the second lock-button push. I thought that was what everyone did.

[@Jose_Pointero]

I don't know about Mini, but a lot of vehicles has a "beep" option buried somewhere in their settings. I disable it whenever I can.

[@joeylara4]

Mini owner here. Previous gen minis had an optional alarm system that will beep with similar sounds that bmw’s make. Standard on most bmw’s and now most new mini’s.

[@regsparkes6507]

Good one Nathan,...I do appreciate it when you call a 'spade a spade!'

[@kobenhill9252]

I have one and my mom had one. Big difference with the base trim vs all the upgrades is that the base doesn’t come with a security system thus the “non-beep”. Mine with the security system beeps when I lock and unlock it. The other thing is the infotainment system is ok on the base but the Harman-kardon sound system is one of the best sound systems in a car I have driven. We have driven ours from Florida to idaho and back now 3 times and it’s a great car. There were minor improvements between the first gen of the r60 mini countryman and the second gen of the r60 before the body change and it’s crazy just how the changed the cup holders. We compared both the 2012 and the 2016 mini countryman’s and the 2016 had some things I liked better but I can’t get over the steering headlights I have on mine. Other than the differences I’ll agree that they are amazing on the snow and it was so much fun to experience the AWD system BMW came up with for the mini. They are great cars and I can’t ever see getting rid of mine.

[@malaikawebber]

I have the exact model x 3 years. 93k. So, far no issues. I can start my car w/o inserting the fob. You can try to reprogram your fob using the inner button located by holding the windshield spray button in. KZbin has many/mini videos. Good Luck

[@davidgiles9751]

Nathan, I know you've expressed a like for the VW Alltrack. I have an 18' SE with less than 14k miles that I'll be selling in the next couple of months. It's in excellent condition and has a clean record with no accidents. It did have some minor issues - antenna was damaged on delivery, antenna wire was clipped, and driver's side dome light was flickering. All have been repaired with no problems now. It's just too small for our needs at this time (due to circumstances out of our control) , so I'm shopping for something bigger. I live in Parker, CO - SE of Denver

[@NathanDAdlen]

Thanks for that! Right now, it’s a seller’s market, you should be able to get a hell of a price for it!

[@heatice77]

I’m about to take a dive into the Mini world…pray for me LOL

[@jreid641]

I have that exact car except that mine is a 2018. I get 29.2 mpg consistently. The only thing I've done to it is regular oil changes and I replaced the front brake pads. I now have over 70,000 miles on it. No mechanical issues at all. My only complaint is that mine didn't come with carplay.

[@colbyscott9822]

Man, you've been lucky so fa. There a half dozen or so big ticket issues that the 2nd and 3rd gen Minis are infamous for.

[@mattwubben7218]

I used to have a countryman S all4, with a manual and definitely had a love hate relationship with it. Loved driving it, especially in snow (I used snow tires in winter). That thing was hard to make lose traction. Nice and peppy around town and even passing on the highway. I think I usually averaged 26-28 mpg combined. The dislikes start at the cost of repair and frequency of repair. In the 3 years I owned it the high pressure fuel pump had to be replaced (luckily under extended warranty) and the front differential that wasn’t covered. Think I spent over $5k in the end on repairs and other atypical issues. I loved driving the countryman but wouldn’t buy one again.

[@Aerogrow]

what year / mileage? post 2015 the build quality seemed to get better.

[@kevinbarry71]

A very small beep would be fine, but I cannot stand it when cars sound the horn. Extremely unnecessary

[@anthonyc1883]

Agreed. My Sonata's alarm chirps when set/unset, not going through the horn. Very reasonable. The horn is employed for the panic/locator function.

[@roastbeefy0weefy]

Lol, my 07 CRV does that and because of the way sound reverberates in my parking spot I feel like i lose a bit of hearing every time. It sucks

[@scott3331]

I have a train horn in my truck. Where do you live😂

[@sleepyfu]

Lucky all the cars in our fleet past and present either had no beep , can be turned off, or has volume adjustment.

[@CCourter16]

Glad to hear overall you’re enjoying the car. I just ordered a new one, the JCW version, so hoping I have a similar long term experience!

[@MalcolmRowley]

Oh my God. Had the same thing happen to my car. Headlight repair cost me almost a grand to fix. Still love my Countryman.

[@Scotty_in_Ohio]

If this one had the security system there would be a audible beep when locking the door from the fob (unless you turned that off or coded it out). Pretty much all the niggles / complaints Nathan mentions are addressed by a Countryman of a higher trim level / more options - they are all valid though nonetheless - great review!

[@mdsbrain]

The key going into the dash was the basic option, comfort option allowed for keyless go. With that said I love my 2012 R56 and all of its quirks and features :-)

[@Globbs]

When i first got my R55 I actually didn't know i didn't have to put the key in. I thought it was so dumb and clunky to insert. Then one day i tried it without and it realized it had comfort access all along.

[@onlyoneromeo]

We need an update on this car

[@WW-wf8tu]

Fascinating content. Learned more about Mini and more to the point, Nathans family vehicles. As in, not as .. 1 off as one might believe in terms of how many are in the family. lol. Seems like you pal are set up with cool machines indeed. :). Thanks for sharing.

[@michelleluna4278]

Love the antenna topper!!

[@jway-o1u]

6:55 I actually hate the beep and am happy my Subaru allows me to turn it off. I am looking at a used Countryman and like that it wont beep. I have enjoyed your review! I am going to test drive one soon

[@AutoXerWgn610]

The car doesn’t beep when locking and unlocking because it probably doesn’t have any security system, only keyless entry. The alarm was a dealer installed option, which you can add on if you’d like. You can probably find a used siren to use to save costs. Also, sticking the key into the slot is because you don’t have the comfort access option, which would have given you keyless access and start.

[@aruekca18det]

Maybe, but most likely it is not coded to sound, that's all.

[@AutoXerWgn610]

@@aruekca18det A security system/alarm was a dealer installed option on all Minis and all lower end BMW’s of the same time. No Mini and no 3-series came with an alarm from the factory, so the siren that makes the beep noise is not even there at all. You can’t simply code it to beep.

[@aruekca18det]

@@AutoXerWgn610 thanks I thought that was a standard thing. What a shame then.

[@AutoXerWgn610]

@@aruekca18det Yea, you would assume that something like that would or should be standard, but not always the case. I’m always annoyed when stuff like heated seats aren’t standard on BMW/Mercedes/Audi or other luxury cars.

[@aruekca18det]

@@AutoXerWgn610 yeah, agree... Well I mean, I can say that is very difficult to see a BMW in my country with heated seats, we don't have winter here. So, no need. But alarm system should be standard. My 2011 X5 has it, my 2008 series did too. I had to code both of them to chirp when locking/unlocking... But both came with the system factory installed along with cabin motion sensor. (By the way both are the lower trims). Go figure :)

[@cawfeedawg]

I have the 2015 countryman and my key fob is fine.. it beeps once when it locks and twice when it unlocks. Also I dont have to insert my FOB in the holder on the dash to use the car.. its fine in my front pocket. I think the beeper is broken and the battery is weak in your fob. its a simple disc battery you can get at walgreens or cvs.

[@rael1999]

Hey up Nathan thanks for the lowdown. Looking at getting a mini and your review has helped me. It was my first car back in the early 1980's so I'll have come back full circle to a more modern design.

[@bradschertz6736]

Great review as always, thanks for sharing!

[@malcolmscott4150]

Timing chain tensioner can fail - small pat but if picked up early enough all ok - if not expensive rebuild :)

[@LoadedUpandTraveling]

We haven't owned a Mini Cooper before. How do you maintain the timing chain to keep it in great shape?

[@malcolmscott4150]

@@LoadedUpandTraveling just make sure the timing chain tensioner is checked every service as a known weak spot

[@bradleymeyer9775]

I'm not a big Mini fan but if I had to get one, I'd get a Countryman. And this one seems like a decent car.

[@kobenhill9252]

They are a fun car but get a loaded one to really see what they were about

[@devinxxx3605]

Admit it Nathan, those stickers are yours!

[@insidedadshead9691]

I would say you have a better chance of spotting the headlight issue than Carvana would. They have a punch list inspection. Headlights come on? Check. Pass.

[@squod1]

In some cars the wing mirrors retract and the puddle lamps in the wing mirrors light up when it locks and unlocks.

[@Nickyd83]

I have a 2014 countryman s all 4 for 9 years, just now I have an issue of carbon build up due to taking it to Delta gas station for about a year.. other than that, its great, amazing in the snow and trunk space is impressive, I have a video of my putting a super 73 ebike in it..

[@hedydd2]

Beeps are so last century!

[@aeromtb2468]

we had 2012 countryman cooper fwd w automatic and didnt have a problem with 70k miles on it.

[@PKDesigns2011]

Any chance this ticker is still around with ya for a 2 yr update? ... I'm actually looking to replace my 2month ( yup 2months only) 2022 cla 35amg and looking to get 2x 2019 JCW versions ... kinda wanna see how this thing survived your life style ( ps i know mine are the f60 different versions just wondering ;) )

[@RetroKingOG]

If you want fuel efficiency, opt for the automatic. I own 2016 Mini Countryman S automatic and average about 27 mpg city and 43 mpg highway, given weather conditions. I recently went on 4 hour road trip couple months back and averaged 44 mpg. Secondly, I bought mine used and had it for 3 years, not a single issue! BMW/Mini will lie to you so they can gather your money when the transmission fails. People who fall for their BS generally have to payout 10'000$ after their mini fails around 120'000km. I can't stress this enough *GET your TRANSMISSION FLUID CHANGED AT PROPER INTERVALS* Which is either 70k to 75k kilometers or in America would be 50'000 miles. PS. Fun fact for you, after 2015 MINI massively improved reliability to the point their average reliability rating is now above Nissan's rating for new cars. My 2016 countryman is rated 3.7/5 for engine reliability and a new Nissan Sentra of 2020 is rated at 3.0/5. Also, most of Mini expensive services can be avoided by taking it to normal service shops for oil changes or inspections. The only thing I had to buy from MINI was the oil filter. I bought the oil myself and took it to normal places, which in the end saved 75$ compared to if I had taken it to mini, they would've charged 160$ for simple oil change.

[@amcb2035]

OOF. But could the new JCW Countryman can get reviewed by Nate? And or also the JCW version of the Clubman

[@LetsFish204]

I put all my camping and fishing gear in the back and a fishing kayak on the roof!

[@eganfo]

Are you sure you have to plug in the key fob? My daughter’s 2016 Countryman allows you to start the car without putting the fob in its designated spot.

[@matthewscarborough2597]

be glad they where not the bixenon lights i got those $1200 per assembly for the lights i pray i never hit a deer lol

[@steveprescott9728]

I have a 2012 R56 with the same key fob. It will start and run without the fob plugged in.

[@alejandro11000]

A minor tune could give you better horsepower while maintaining mpg

[@colbyscott9822]

True. There is everything from piggyback tuners for ~20hp to ECU re-tunes for 30-60hp. Those engines have a lot left in them.

[@frankly2677]

We have the same model mini 2014 and it does beep, not the horn but an audible tone maybe it was a tech package? We did not buy ours new either.

[@richardmorales4721]

also the key have a horrible range coverage, but we still love ours

[@roglanvw]

I have a 2015 countryman non turbo starts with the key in my pocket.

[@justenzo6342]

Oh rly? I have that same exact car and I have put my key in

[@theylied1776]

I have a friend who refuses to fix Minis. He owns five shops, but two of them specialize in British, Italian, and German Cars. He refuses to work on Minis because he feels that he's ripping his customers off. They have way too many engineering and design flaws.

[@colbyscott9822]

You're not wrong. The Mini is the perfect example of German engineering being focused soley on what's "good for the performance of the car" and absolutely nothing else, not repairs, not cost of ownership, nothing. BMW's are the same way.

[@Nonyabuisness90]

You only had a good experience with carvanna is because you’re known on KZbin and they don’t want you to talk about them negatively

[@Natethegreat200c]

MY MOM HAD THAT MICKY MOUSE THING ON HER FIAT 500L. LOL

[@NathanDAdlen]

Your mom is awesome!

[@GeneralJameson]

I am under the impression thieves like the beep when you lock also, especially on older vehicles without internet equipped alarm systems. Your target will just audibly let you know when they are walking away to leave the vehicle available to pilfer.

[@Yellow-Rose]

You left your wife's scrunchie on the gear stick hahaha cute

[@goonable2]

You should be blaming Carvana for this misstep during their "inspection" process both at the time they bought the car from the former owner and then sold it off to you. Glad Carvana set things right but this should showcase to your viewers why buying cars off the internet without an independent inspection is just plain stupid. And their customer service wait of 6 hours is by design to discourage more people from trying to get money back from them. This is definitely not an isolated case that I have heard or read about from Carvana.

[@michaelatchison2325]

If Carvana missed a crappy headlight mod, think about what else their “inspections” are missing. $1,800 for new headlights is just the tip of the iceberg for this Mini sadly.

[@williamgiesecke6447]

It really remains me a lot to the Fiat 500L but the Fiat has a better radio and better instrument gauges but sadly since a Fiat no one is interested I understand the mini has all 4 and Fiat does not but still both have a Turbo charged engine and almost weight the same thing.. I rather go for the Fiat .. Great video my best vibes for your mini.. O one more thing the Fiat when you activate the alarm system it does Beep !!

[@seanhershey3390]

Beeps are annoying..my XC70..doesn’t beep..( light flash, audible lock)...

[@loganholmberg2295]

Nathan, are you rocking a Casio Gulfmaster? 👍

[@wolverineproject]

The 2016 model year you just need the key on you to start the car no need to plug in key

[@NathanDAdlen]

No, it’s an option on higher models. It won’t start without the key being plugged in. I’ve tried it, and I read the manual. Thanks anyway!

[@MrShuntking]

Older key fob 100x better. Why? It recharges while in the tray. What nobody thinks about, about the newer in your pocket ones. They chew up batteries. They are always ON while driving. They have to keep sending a signal out to let the car know to keep the engine on. Another major drawback to newer key fobs is you CAN'T have accessories on with the engine off. So if your waiting for someone or something and just want to chill listening to the radio good luck after a few minutes. 2013 Mini R61...zero key fob batteries replaced 2021 Nissan Kicks in your pocket fob working on 3rd replacement.

[@cawfeedawg]

Same color as my country man S also a 2015

[@gd24281]

The previous owner of this mini is watching like 👁👄👁

[@collingodbey3737]

After finding that, I would be having that car completely and thoroughly inspected

[@superset5]

the only people who care about manual transmission are youtubers. just the strangest thing. less than 10% of all mini's were manual.

[@coryernewein]

I miss having the option to buy a manual transmission...especially since they were cheaper to buy than their automatic counterparts. Oh well, times change and companies will always look to get more money so why even offer cheaper options if it "hurts" the bottom line.

[@schmoab]

I don’t totally agree, but the autos on the newer Minis are awesome. I have the 8-speed.

[@raceface48]

I don't like manual transmissions. Makes it hard to hold my beer while driving.

[@colbyscott9822]

Really, it's purist driving enthusiasts (read as "mostly guys born before 1990") like myself. Flappy paddles and dual clutches might technically be a better-performing option but no automatic or auto-manual can match the feeling of smashing through the gears yourself.

[@coryernewein]

@@colbyscott9822 agreed 👍 Born in the 1980's and learned on a 5spd Ford escort in the early 90's, best way to learn!

[@Dranreb865]

10,000 mile reliability review

[@johnmorgan1629]

Was it a mosquito brain, or did they just feel the headlights were burning mesquite, to light the road ahead and wanted something brighter?

[@EvendimataE]

i like the body style of the 2 door mini....the other models i dont like

[@Pipsicle330]

Don’t know of a BMW Group car that has ever beeped.

[@roycarder6179]

Avoid the Diesel ….version …glow plug issues as in they get stuck and are hard to take out and replace , these BMW engines hard to work most mechanics hate working on them the whole engine needs coming out to say change the clutch also the so called un breakable chain does snap ….I wouldn’t touch any mini car

[@abzpy]

how much did you pay

[@GATORADDAM]

Did Carvana take care of the issue because they knew you were an automotive journalist?

[@NathanDAdlen]

Honestly, I’m not 100% sure. It wasn’t part of the discussion.

[@natashaarnfield2788]

Bobbles on the gearstick 🤣 that's when you know a woman drives the car, mine is the same 😊

[@ruimachado8560]

basket case and shopping cart

[@EyesWideOpenTruth]

Get er done !!!! Lol 😂

[@bradbaraniuk4085]

family trip take your pathfinder no brainer

[@dfwvtxman]

Why didn't you have your wife do the 1 year review?

[@NathanDAdlen]

Because, I review cars for a living, she doesn’t - nor is she interested in being on camera. Thanks anyway

[@dfwvtxman]

@@NathanDAdlen Sorry, I wasn't trying to be a perv or azzhole. Just thought since it was her daily driver.

[@NathanDAdlen]

@@dfwvtxman totally get it. I appreciate your input nonetheless!

[@patandjessicasjeepadventur3227]

How do you fit in that car

[@colbyscott9822]

They are surprising spacious. I'm 5-11 and can (somewhat) comfortably fit my 6-3 friend behind in the back seat behind me when I'm driving.

[@vaughan2203]

It's BMW, really.

[@bmwloco]

Right. And when they hit 60k, like BMWs, the bills start... and don't end.

[@colbyscott9822]

BMW with a Peugeot engine, lol.

[@Recon9143]

Shoulda just bought a Kia Soul

[@NathanDAdlen]

If they came with all wheel drive, with a manual - sure. Sadly, they don’t

[@iissac22]

Only buy this car if your a little handy around a car because things will break....so far throttle body, coolant bypass pipe, diverter valve. The oil every 3-3500 miles changed

[@imtheonehero9305]

What year do you have?

[@iissac22]

@@imtheonehero9305 2011….also vanos chain tensioner twice, upgraded t hose because broke twice, hpfp, and oil filter housing gasket. Now have this weird knocking sound that might be from belt tensioner.

[@efraingarcia5596]

Early!!

[@Welcometofacsistube]

Made by BringMyWallet so no surprise here

[@blueryxfalls7949]

1800 usd... dodge a bullet there

[@Ram14250]

A 1 year update.... ahh... not really a representative of longevity or reliability. You only put 10 k on it …. Not sure this really says anything. This review just turned into a like/dislike video. The issue with these is not only reliability but at 100k, the expense for that service in over $2000-3000 or more, at the dealer depending on model. No beep is a good thing. You have light flash... and that's enough. Don't want a constantly chirping vehicle every time you lock/unlock. PS... Carvana probably only covered you after 6 hours on the phone because you are on KZbin and they didn't want bad publicity. Good luck getting that covered by the average Joe.

[@bmwloco]

My bride had one. Hated it with a white hot passion. Her words: too many @$#@ BMW emblems on it. Happily Carvana hauled that POS away.

[@Natethegreat200c]

MY MOM HAD THAT MICKY MOUSE THING ON HER FIAT 500L. LOL