MF Poll: Would You Consider the MINI Crossover?

Sections: MF Poll | R60 (Countryman) Sep 14th, 2009 37 Comments

One of the most contentious subjects on MotoringFile over the past couple of years has been the development of the MINI crossover. The Crossover (codenamed the R60) is on track for production early next year once Magna completes the production change-over from the current X3.

While this is a slight delay over the original timeline, it does not constitute a change in strategy for the car. In fact MINI and BMW execs continue to have very high-hopes for the forthcoming Countryman (as it is rumored to be named) as both a sales generator and a way to expand the brand to new markets. Sales are also expected to come from current MINI owners who are either looking to upsize or replace their second car. And that’s where this week’s MF Poll comes in.

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Written By: Gabe

Rocketboy_x

How about No, because I’m not in the market for a Crossover, but if I was, I’d consider it.

But by the time I would be considering another car, I’m sure it will be priced beyond my means.
rosvick

I second that, Rocketboy_x.
DavidB

No because it goes against everything MINI has stood for…
http://scott.greiff.org Scott Greiff

Clubman stretches (literally) MINI far enough for me. No doubt it will appeal to some.
Dusty

I’m anxious to see what the production version is gonna be. I’m also curious to the diesel version and it’s mileage.
Gary

First consideration… Price. If it’s in my price range then sure I would at it to my list of cars to consider. It would then have to pass my MPG, handling, comfort and other criteria.
IT WRKS

I didn’t get to vote. I would definitely consider this vehicle. I think its gonna be really cool.
CraigE

I make my purchases based on my needs and what I like or don’t like. I think that making a statement to other people with my purchase would be factored in as not much more than a tie breaker.

By the way, the first and second choices have virtually the same meaning. The third choice is the closest to how I would answer, minus the political statement. I would have answered with just a plain unadorned no. I don’t need or want a Countryman. I answered (A) since I would consider it if I needed or wanted that kind of vehicle.

I don’t object to the vehicle on principle. If it helps MINI survive in the marketplace, I would object if MINI did not build it.
Matthew

I’m also with the won’t-buy-it-but-like-it.

I’m new to the MINI community, but find the recent proliferation of models a little discouraging. Not to say that it’s bad for MINI, just that in my mind the image is getting a little diluted.
http://www.motoringfile.com/ Gabe

By the way, the first and second choices have virtually the same meaning. The third choice is the closest to how I would answer, minus the political statement. I would have answered with just a plain unadorned no. I donâ€™t need or want a Countryman. I answered (A) since I would consider it if I needed or wanted that kind of vehicle.

I’d say there’s a pretty clear difference. There’s no (as in never). Then there’s maybe (as in it would have to specifically overcome some serious concerns I have).
that.guy

If it is only available in a lifted, faux-offroad version, No. If also in a dropped, street-tuned actual-car version, Maybe. But the VW R20 is coming…
Poerboy

Assuming it ends up looking more like a MINI and less like the concept pictured above (which I’m sure it will)… Yes, please.
dr

No because it goes against everything MINI has stood forâ€¦

Really? Two kids and a dog. Is that really too much to ask for. The MINI crossover I expect will be the smallest, smartest, tightest handling and most economical way to transport two kids and a dog. That is not what MINI is about?

Sorry, but it never ceases to amaze me how it seems like the same people who hate suv’s also hate this crossover…..well, If I can’t buy a MINI crossover guess what I buy….yeah, a big suv that can haul a soccer team when all I really need is room for two kids and a dog. It just doesn’t make sense to hate it just because your particular lifestyle doesn’t command 4 seats or 4 doors, well your lifestyle isn’t what defines the brand. Making small, smart and effecient vehicles that handle well and have a sports car enthusiast spirit…is the brand…I frankly look forward to a choice that isn’t a stupid numb minivan or monsterous suv.
bee1000

Re: Rocketboy_x

Ditto.
C4

@dr:

Aside from my well known and documented dislike of this vehicle, you are forgetting that this thing is still a 4 seater with limited passenger and cargo room. It won’t be that much longer or wider than the current Clubman. You will be paying for the extra pair of rear doors but don’t expect it to be the answer to all MINI’s space utilization issues.

With 2 kids and a dog my friend, you money will be better spent on the vastly superior BMW 328i/ix sportswagon with 5 passenger seating and bigger cargo area or even a 5 series wagon, of course, at a sunstantial premium over the R60/328i wagon.

If you have to have a jacked up, SUV wanna be, the BMW X3 is even a better value over the R60.

No matter how you cut it and slice it, the R60 is a bad proposition, only palatable to hardcore MINI lovers willing to drop serious cash on one of these overhyped mounstrosities.
Poerboy

dr- Just out of curiosity, how can you justify calling the R60 a monstrousity when it hasn’t seen thelight of day yet or been driven by anyone outside of MINI HQ?
C4

I can order a brand new 2009 BMW 328i sportswagon using BMW’s excellent European delivery program for 7% discount over US dealer MSRP prices and BWM throws in 30 day road insurance in Europe, pick up in Frankfurt Airport, visit to the BMW museum, free lunch and free non-stop Miami-Frankfurt tickets with Lufthansa. This surely beats any R60 deal and the 328i will be same or cheaper than the R60.

Can you do euro delivery with a MINI? You can’t!

See ya all in Germany!
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1207868968 Steve Rosenblum

Maybe, but it probably won’t work for me.. I need 5 passengers and luggage space for trips. Our Subaru wagon fill that need right now. Both the MINIs do the day to day stuff and 4 person trips.
Nush

If anyone thinks the R60 is un-mini… then get off this website and go buy a classic mini. Lets be honest, the BMW mini is nothing like a classic mini and if you think it is, you’re in denial. Just look at the dimensions of the MINI its small, but not that small. BMW is taking the mini brand into the modern era, it is the making MINIs of today, which arn’t that “mini” in comparison to the original but is mini in comparison to other cars today.

Note: to those “purists” get over yourself… if you are truely a purist you wouldn’t even have a MINI. The original mini was the car every1 could have… something cheap practical, small, a car for anyone. The MINI of today is not cheap, is not a car for everyone(none of my friends would EVER consider a mini… too impractical) and isn’t even small.

I personally wouldn’t buy a Crossover but i think its a fantastic idea. The clubman on the other hand i think was too similar to the hatch back in size and utility and therefore was utter fail. Crossover i guess will be big enough to be considered out of the hatchback category and practicality wise more comparible to a sedan which to many is plenty.
http://www.BimmerFile.com Michael

@C4: C4 you are a tad bit off about your Euro delivery information; ok more than a tad off.

You don’t pickup in Frankfurt or at the airport, you do not get free airfare or 30 days insurance but you can save more than the 7% you stated.

I have done this quite a number of times and have written about it extensively on BF

, it is a great way to get a BMW and drive it on the roads it was designed for.

The other thing is that in the end you don’t save all that much money if you really see the EU and drive the car- sure the car is less but the gas and trip cost money. I always look at it as a break even or mild savings proposition. If your only intent is to save money then why even bother.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1282808345 jfreel8

Wow, alot of Clubman bashers! I voted maybe for various reasons. Hey, lets not forget what and who the Mini was designed for…a little history lesson would be in order. The current MINI driver probebly won’t like the R60 for the same reason they don’t like the R55.

The R60 should fit a specific market. Replacing an aging minivan that gets 17 mpg with an R60 to join my R55 maybe just what i need!

If it helps MINI in todays market…GO MINI GO!
Axel

hey Amigos lets not forget this the X1 platform they’re talking about and BMW will throw in 5 seats instead of 4 for Mini. Sounds like VW is AGAIN taking my bid!!!
Les Campbell

I think it will be a welcomed addition to MINI. I agree with @Nash on this one. I find it odd that MINI owners already hate the Countryman before they have even seen it or driven it. I’m sure that it will be pure, simple, handle great, super fun and fast (diesel power plant please!) and be a MINI in and out. Plus, no one is making anyone else go out and buy this new crossover. If you don’t like it then don’t buy it.
JonPD

My vote on this won’t surprise anyone.

Interesting to see how this works out.
r.burns

Yes the real Mini is the old, but who cares ? I prefer what Bmw has made of Mini, so much improvement in comparison to the old
misslindsey

I don’t hate the R60, it just isn’t for me. If I need more space I’ll get a Soul (cute, and + for employee discount), if I need an SUV (though I can’t think of a reason) I’ll get a bigger Hyundai, since I work here and there’s no SUV that floats my boat so it would just be the cheapest thing that met my needs.
dr

@Poerboy: You misread… I advocated for the R60. C4 is the one who called it a monstrosity, I said just the opposite

@C4: You have pricing details on the R60? We may all believe that gabe drove an R60 ;) but pricing is something that we are still in the dark about. I find your predictions on price a bit outlandish. This IS a 1 series platform. I find it a ridiculous notion that the R60 will be base priced above the BMW brand. The R60 I firmly believe will be priced between the clubman and JCW. at a base of 29k it is a long way from the 35k base of a 328 wagon and the 39k base of the x3. the x1 will land between the R60 and x3 base…I would expect maybe 34k base
Lowfat

I’m a bit of a purist to some extent and was first against all these new models. One year ago had to sell my S, since we are 4 now and need rear doors. With one kid it was ok having strollers on the front seat and wife + kid in the back. All our stuff was crammed all over the car, but somehow we managed. 1 year without a mini is a long time and now I’m pretty much ready to buy anything that we can fit in to as long as it’s a Mini. Probably will need a roof rack, but I don’t care anymore. Some day I’ll get my JCW, but meanwhile I’d be happy to drive something that is mini. Btw. I would expect the countryman to be priced below BMW X1 as it will be smaller. Hope it looks more like a mini and not like some of the rendering I’ve seen.
http://www.facebook.com/john.l.richards1 John Richards

I drive a r56 and a large suv that will be replaced by a small all wheel drive. My first pick mini-next R20 -BMW X1. I will sell the r56
http://www.BimmerFile.com Michael

Just for a comparison (thanks to the UK) JCW- Clubman (I figured JCW to about the same as adding AWD) 22,300 pounds

X1 xDrive 20d (only curently offered in diesels- 1 reason not in the US now) 25,500 pounds

So the Countryman R60 would need to come in somewhere between them in price.

The X1 is being targeted low $30Ks with more standard equipment for the US, I would imagine the Countryman starting just below that as a base price but who knows?
bnystedt

I’ll give this car a shot if it’s not too tall and especially if they start racing it in WRC. That would be freaking awesome. As far as I can tell it’s basically going to be the proportions of a Golf.
JCWRKS

nope, I do not see the point of any SUV that is out there, when the time comes to buy a family car, I will be buying a 3 series touring.
KPH

I voted no on the assumption of a near or over 30k price. If I wanted to replace my current small awd vehicle there are simply too many awd cars out there that, for better or worse, are refinements of what they originally were. Emphasis on ‘originally’. To me the Countryman is not a variation, it’s a new vehicle and doesn’t fit. The Coupe and Speedster; variations of the MC. Imo, put awd on the Clubman and call it a variation, probably a good one. Later models can add ground clearance, a 4th door, a hatch, anything they want for the perceived demo. MINI is aiming for. But keep it a variation on the successful theme.
Wolfgang

It appears those who know absolutely nothing about MINI’s heritage are letting words fall out of their mouths again. I saw one comment where someone said MINI is being diluted…how about it’s being reconstituted. Since, as we have to inform these people all over again, that Mini made: trucks, vans, sedans (Riley/Wolseley), off-road vehicles (Moke was designed for the British Army) etc etc. Bring it on MINI, and congrats to BMW for bringing this hallowed marque back to it’s previous variety of models.
Ian F

Nope, but I would not consider buying a “cross-over” by any make… so there isn’t really a vote option that works for me, so I’ll abstain…
C4

@Wolfgang:

This is just another SUV. What does the R60 bring to the table that others have not tried?
Matthew

Hi Wolfgang,

I think you were referring to my post in your comment. On one level I totally agree that BMW’s MINI brand is being reconstituted with each new release of a classic Mini incarnation.

But, on another level, I stand by my original statement.

Brands have a strong subjective component, despite a company’s intentions. I was thrilled at the idea of owning a new MINI when I first saw the news about Stephenson’s MINI concept almost a decade ago. BMW’s focus on the sporting side of the classic’s characteristics resonated with me. And with that, my notion of the MINI brand was established, and therefore reinterpreted from the classic Mini brand.

In fact, if one were to nitpick about faithfully reconstituting the Mini brand, there were a lot of things about the R50/R53 that fans of the classic Mini had a problem with. To each his/her own.

More to the point, where I find the Traveller concept’s collective design cues a suitable reinforcement of the brand, I don’t find that to be entirely true of the Crossover. It simply reminds me too much of a handful of other products.

That’s just one MINI fan/owner’s opinion. I’m always open to the idea that the Crossover will grow on me. (I hope this is also true of the Coupe’s roofline.) And, frankly, I’m happy to be wrong about this car all together.

Long live MINI.

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