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Gotta say, pretty disappointed with this after looking forward to this for a long time. Perhaps I'm biased as a happy F60 owner, but while AK hit the nail on the head with who this car is designed for and that it's definitely not for everyone, I think Jim seems to be misinformed about some of the mechanical issues with these vehicles. He goes on about timing chains - which were clearly a design flaw in the previous N18 engines. I've searched far and wide in subreddits, owners forums, and online reliability reviews for any such issues with the B48 engine and I've not found a single report of a problem with it failing. Not one. I'm sure it is a pain in the ass to replace if needed, but if it never actually fails and doesn't need replacement, what's the issue? Further, the B48 engine seems to be widely considered among the most reliable 2l Petrol Turbos on the road today. Being BMW, sure dealerships will overcharge you for any little thing that goes wrong, but this gen Mini (in stark contrast to previous gens) regularly appears toward the top of reliability scorecards. The one legitimate design flaw that they seem to have - the upper engine mounts which are rubber and wont last the service life of the vehicle - was basically glossed over in this. Yes they aren't super expensive to replace, but they should be listed as a known service item given how reliably unreliable they are - not what you should expect when buying a new car. You also mentioned "Carplay and Android Auto support". To my knowledge Mini has never supported Android Auto in any option package on the F60s (literally the brand new 2024 models are the first Minis for Android users). You also missed the wireless phone charger (which stupidly only fits the smallest of smartphones) and the runflat tires (literally the most common complaint from owners for harsh ride quality and excessive noise). Also surprised you didn't call out the infotainment which is a reskin of iDrive which you often say you love using AK. That said, I think Jim's rant about condition-based servicing is totally valid and must be super frustrating as a non-OEM mechanic. Far from unique the the F60 Countryman, but it's a fair point all the same. It's common in owners' groups to suggest replacing the oil more regularly than BMW suggest. Biggest highlight was the Minnie Driver reference. Well played!
I've been researching for a possible purchase of a 2020 Countryman JCW. I keep running into issues with plastic oil filter housing leaking, water pump leaks, turbo hose leaks, etc etc. How many miles do you have on yours? My mechanic is begging me not to buy it
@en If I wasn't already subbed it was worth subbing just for this joke honestly though the countryman joke caused me to stab my ears. About the Mini, they are too big but I got to respect the style of the thing.
I'll be honest by saying that no matter what anyone says about the Mini Countryman, I will always be looking forward to buying one for myself because, Minis have always appealed to me through and through.
I am a Countryman SE owner and I agree with what Adam said about decision of buying one. Yes there are plenty of good SUVs out there but anything used, sporty and not breaking the bank? Pretty much down to it. Fun car and which economical small SUV can run reasonably fast and planted? Not much in the market. Sad to hear the B engine is a bit unreliable but hey it’s a big leap from the N engine… Reading back from what I’ve written, wow, didn’t expect myself being such an enthusiastic owner
We bought my wife a new 2017 Mini Cooper s all 4. It’s been brilliant. Almost 7 years on and it’s had no issues. I have owned 4 minis myself 2 supercharger hatches and a JCW F56. This car embodies mini in an suv. If you need a car with space for family at same time as have a bit of fun it’s a perfect car. Interior is great car is quick enough very fun along a Scottish B road and you can load the car with 4 passengers 3 bikes on the roof a roof box and fill the car drive 700 miles and feel great when you get to the other side. 1 of the best all round cars you can buy. The back seat is miles better than cars that are bigger and the car feels small enough you can drive it like a silly idiot great car all round
I have owned 7 minis over the years from 2002 -2024 I always change my own oil + filter between services and never had any issues with timing chains or the turbos . The service intervals are too long in my opinion .
I have been looking at compact small SUV. Mini countryman, Mazda x30, Volvo xc40, Peugeot 2008. I find it’s very tricky to research. You think you have found a very good reliable car but then you find videos like this. I just don’t know. Having said that when I try to dig deep looking at owner reviews the countryman flags with the least problems. Just advice to get the oil changed more often than recommended and generally not skipping services.
@@peterlattimore6013 Holy Shit man. The very reason we bought ours. Been a nightmare. If i'm here now, its due to an issue. Lol, I needed this comment right about now.
An excellent review of Mini, congrats. Having just purchasing a used one I made sure to check the Carfax report, very important. I also selected one with under 60,000 miles as too many owners go with the recommended service intervals and that's a disaster waiting to happen.
I have a 2021 Clubman JCW for a few months now and loving it!! By my god brake pads r expensive… can’t imagine when the disc needs changing. BUT, after a hard days work and I jump into the car it really put a smile on my face!
My teenage daughter loves her Mini countryman 2020. We got a very good deal for a used one. It’s a fun car. Comfortable to ride in too. Chili red. We are totally happy.
Just on the Condition Based Service intervals. Having worked with BMW/Mini now for a good few years, it is far from a scam. The vehicles don't get serviced every 18k on the nose, it's when the vehicle detects the oil degrading. So will adjust the interval accordingly. I.e if you're doing short journeys or hooning round a track the interval will be a lot sooner than someone who sits on the motorway day in day out. For customer care BMW is by far one of the best brands out there currently.
Basically you’re not wrong. There is an algorithm at work monitoring driving conditions. But this still equates to services every 20-25k which is way too long between oil changes.
@thatfordescortguy that's for confirming... It depends on circumstances and Driving styles among many different factors. The biggest issue I see we most bmw products day in and day out are bushes, seals and perishable rubber items. Very rare that we have mechanical issues caused by the service schedules.
Noticed that on my MINI phone app, it’s reduced service oil change down from 18K mls to 13.049mls after recently doing 1,700 ml round trip to Germany & back ~ not used a drop of oil neither > currently 7,581 mls 🏴 !
Gotta say, I LOVE the MINI brand and their cars. I has a 2011 Countryman S ALL4 then traded in for a 2017 Counteyman S ALL4 with only 19k Miles. THEN a few months after that got a 2006 Mini Cooper S JCW. I do NOT care about their reliability record. They're not my only cars I have plenty of others and will happily put the money in to fixing anything that goes wrong on them. I absolutely love the community that MINI has and being a part of it as well as I just feel like the cars fit me and my personality perfectly. Couldn't be happier with the brand and their cars so far!
I was also concerned about their sleep but then noticed that it's always bright outside when they record meaning they can use the dark to sleep. Very clever.
Excellent review! NX was horribly boring btw… Personally I don’t care that it’s not mini enough, I love the practicality and driving experience. The F60 is a fantastic car. Besides the macan, what has better handling in its class? Not to mention the bulletproof b48 engine. S is a bit under powered (for enthusiast buyers), but jcw is just about enough. F60 comes in manual, next gen doesnt. I still change all my mini’s oil at 7k intervals regardless of what BMW says. The R56 was bad for this, the turbo would drink oil, got to keep your eye on the levels… Thanks mate
Awesome video can I ask you guys to do a video on servicing please. I’m an independent mechanic in Melbourne & I’m tearing my hair out at customers who just don’t understand anything about maintenance. An angry mechanic is never a good thing. I advise all my customers every 6mths or 10,000ks regardless. Dirty oil & coolant is what ruins most modern cars after a few years due to lack of maintenance. Most cars are not inherently unreliable it is the owners & sometimes the manufacturer who just do not maintain them to a high standard. If you service these Mini’s or any other modern car regularly you will easily get 10 years plus before you need expensive work done. I have a 2015 Audi Q3 TFSI Quattro with 141,000ks, it still drives like it had 50k on it. I service it every 10k on the dot & I have owned it since new. It has never let me down except for replacement thermostat at 100,000ks which is par for the course with most euros.
Our local independent garage services all makes and models. There was a MINI on the forecourt recently, with a blown head gasket. The garage owner was sending it on to another garage that likes working on them. Told me he will only do normal servicing on them now, repairs like are too complicated and take too long.
2014 and 2017+ is a tremendously different vehicle. Any vehicle with plastic valve covers, thermostat housings, and oil coolers are going to potentially leak and there's a LOT of them.
A car without an engine dipstick is a car not for me. Why why why would a car not have a dipstick, the cost of designing/engineering/manufacturing one would be negligible. Utter madness.
How many people actually check their own oil though? And correctly? Would you trust most motorists to fill the car with the correct oil anyway? The transmission dipstick has gone the way of the dodo, the oil one should too imo.
This is the very reliable B series engine co-developed with toyota; I have not heard of anyone with a timing chain problem on the F56 but most of us in america have the b46 petrol engine. I cannot say about the diesel but I did hear of some issues with the three cylinder also.
@@cbarber5366 yes, that is a great car. but so you know, the gauge cluster was redesigned in 2021 you might consider a 2022 model. because of the pademic some vehicles had the old screen and some had the new screen.
My mum drives 2020 LCI Cooper S and yeah your review is spot on. All theatrics to an auto enthusiast but to the general public, it’s a lot more unique than any of its rivals.
I have 97,000 miles on my F56 and have not had a single problem. If you were a real auto enthusiast you would know a stock mini cooper S is faster around a track than many of it's competitors like a miata.
I had a 2020 version of the Countryman S All4 before trading it for a 2024 Hardtop S. That countryman was the best vehicle I’ve ever owned, full stop. I put about 70000 miles on it. Incredibly reliable, very efficient, and really fun to drive. I never thought I would regret going for the hardtop over the countryman. Because the countryman is 90% as fun as a hardtop, with the extra space and practicality the Hardtop could never do. Plus, 4wd was nice to have
I'm old, I've been chased by local coppers in 1275 cooper S minis, I've driven everything from 850s to1275 cooper s minis, I've driven Paddy Hopkirk's 1966 Bathurst mini on the road, and NONE OF THE BMW "MINI" ARE MINIS, They're a shite little BMW front wheel drive with no soul. That countryman is the size of our Peugeot 307 touring, but not as roomy. There few cars on the road that I hold in with more distain.
They’re definitely different than the original Minis, but they’re not shite. They’re quite good, and a lot more fun than most everything out there today.
Yep!, you said it!… Mini are just garbage now days. A lost form-factor coupled with BMW engineering… what could go wrong!😂 There is nothing another vehicle can’t do better… than a Mini, except lose value.
i am maybe not that old yet to some, but i had a 1275 coopers when they were still cheap, best car ever ! i remember when the first bmws came out it looked gigantic, but compared to today's bloated vehicles it looks relatively small and i now sometimes want one but ! the styling hasnt aged that well and yeah the reliability..yikes
I have a 2019. It's awesome. No problems ever, except for having to replace a battery once (it's a 6 year old car, so expected), a set of tires, oil changes every 5,000 to 6,000 miles and brake fluid/transmission fluid changes every 30K miles. It's quick/fast/agile around town, it gets 40+ mpg on the highway in green mode, and it has room for a family and luggage/groceries, etc.
I loved my countryman S so much that I got rid of it just to buy another countryman but JCW this time and it is just amazing and yes when the time comes it will be very expensive to service the car.
I appreciate these 4 door minis. I understand that they aren’t the same as the original from the 60s, but the reality is that those wouldn’t necessarily sell well in the 21st century, and if BMW wanted to keep the mini nameplate running well into the future then they had to adapt to the current needs and make CUV variants
Case in point with the "extended servicing" scam run by manufacturers (especially the Germans). Mate with a 2014 Audi S3 got to the 100,000km mark, of course factory warranty for that year ran for the first 75,000km.3 years. Car had been serviced according to the deal, and he always looked after the car. At the 100,000km mark (the first "big" ex-warranty scheduled service ) he was quoted $11,000 by the local Audi dealer where he bought it. And that was on top of $1500 for basic regular service jobs. Convinced him to get it out of their shop pronto and take it to an indy Euro shop. Same work got done for $6k. But even then, sheezus...$6k
I have a Countryman 2017 basic model. I bought it second hand. No issues as yet. Except I had to replace the windscreen wipers and only the Bmw ones fitted. Not cheap.Will check out your link for Windscreen wipers. Battery replaced real hassle removing it but have a good mechanic. I love driving it, it eats hills up, very steady on the road. The Sat Nav though is annoying. You have to turn the dial or speak if the stupid English voice Bot understands me to input an address. Much prefer a touch screen. Its not user friendly. Car feels solid to drive, hugs corners beautifully. Seats are super comfy. Wish the back seats folded completely flat though like my last Mini Cooper 2 door though.Can you do a review on the Mini Cooper F55?
My long term review : 2018 Mini Copper Countryman All 4 S (purchased new) Problems prior to 60,000 miles: Door Latches: All four door latches failed (at various intervals) requiring the doors to be tied down to the headrest until repaired. The passenger door latched failed twice. Service manager was unable to offer an explanation as to the cause. Research mini and BMW door latch failures. Battery Replacement: No indication/warning light given that the battery was getting low… It just stopped functioning. Replacing the battery requires removing support bars and engine compartment panels. Somewhat time consuming compared to most cars. Engine Coolant: almost all of the engine coolant evaporated causing the car to overheat. No warning light that coolant was low. Car had been serviced by Mini of Bedford two weeks prior and had been consistently serviced by the dealership. Decals: Decals around the headlights bubbled and needed to be replaced. Tires: Run flat fair weather tires needed to be replaced to allow for inclement/snow conditions. Hood lift supports failed. Service/Technicians: There are very few shops that work on Mini Coopers and most are as expensive as the dealer. Overall: The Mini Copper is not a reliable vehicle and owning one in North America is costly unless you have the time to perform the repairs yourself.
Since Mini turned into a brand, it has always about design, and move on with the times, there is no way to build a car that's as small as the original, even if they did, how many will complained of its safety? I feel this is just as much a Mini as the Cayenne/Mecan to Porsche, or Urus to Lamborghini, The Purosangue to Ferrari, obviously the target audience is someone whol loves Mini, and need more space, while keeping the design and the sportiness drive of a Mini, you have to give it to BMW that it made an effort to let MIni has its own interior switch gears and parts so it doesn't feel like a BMW derivative. I said this with exemption of the newly released U25 Countryman and F66 Cooper S, where I think they have taken a totally wrong design direction, seems as though it is more of a secondary BMW derivative approach now.
B M trouble You as my son's mechanic said to him after his final visit to him with his very canine 130i. After that he came to his senses and bought an RC-F which never missed a beat.
Hi Adam, I love your content I think is very precisely and objective. I would like if you can review V40 cross country that is a kind of rival of the mini
I had an R56 2007 Cooper S and honestly id 100% do it all again. It had its issues as with anything german but there was something about it that was fun and not boring like a lot of cars today. If you are fine with spending a little extra for maintenance then definitely buy a good example Mini Cooper
Do the B48 issues with timing chains, leaks, water pumps, etc. also exist in other BMWs such as the 3 series or X1, X2,X3 with the same engine? Great job on the country man voice 🤠
I've had the 2.0L petrol S ALL4 (being a 2nd owner) currently. I financed it w/a start of just 56k kms and now just under 67k kms because I treat it as a 2nd vehicle in case of emergency that the daily breaks down. I've done 2 oil changes & 2 cabin filters myself (1 each year), 1 engine air filter & spark plugs because I don't believe in that condition service BS that Mini & BMW have. Only time I had it serviced at the dealership was for due diligence recommendation coolant flush (as per mini service rep, every 2 years).Happy to report w/no electrical or mechanical issues ^_^. Only reason I didn't go for the actual 2 door is because insurance is expensive where I reside - all 2 vehicles are considered sports car rated premiums :( I'll wait for a JCW lease return and trade in my current one
Love the channel. But I don’t quite understand the rant about condition based servicing with MINIs. I’ve owned two second hand MINIs (latest gen.) in two countries, and always received a notification when getting close to 10k km or 12 months reminding me to schedule the next service. I’d also say that they deserve praise for their reliability in recent times (scoring higher than most mainstream and luxury brands in reliability surveys)
By watching this channel long enough, you can tell that you won't want to buy any cars once you gets to the mechanical problems part, its always negative. Buy what you like an can afford to maintain, and keep changing the oils and keep servicing it
My 2016 Mini cooper s Countryman all 4 burns oil i had to replace the Valve cover cuz the PCV valve is built in and cant be removed i also had to replace two other parts following the pcv valve cost about $2000 to fix then i have to install an oil catch can to prevent it burning oil again
Great video as always guys! But man i hate that acronym SUV! It is just marketing wnkkkk! Raise the ride height of a hatchback slightly and call it a utility vehicle with sporty intentions . Oh man
In the late 70's my mother had a little Mini while we lived in Bega. I loved taking it out on weekends on the dirt roads around Bega. It was a fun car then. I can't say I hate the new mini's but I dislike them. Yes,
This car is amazing 🎉, the only weird thing is that it has the biggest blind spot, I have never experienced with our other cars. I don’t know if it’s the round mirrors or maybe because the car itself is big, but I’ve driven SUV’s and mini SUV’s and never experienced this. So please use your head turns when changing lanes, this car can hide the whole truck 😂
The new Minis remind me of the Steve Buscemi scene of "Hi fellow kids" as it's trying to look like something it isn't and honestly failing at both that and looking unique. With the Rat Pack option does it include a full liquor bar and in built TAB? 😂 Hopefully with the fisting Hullsy's mentioned BMW with at least have the courtesy to use their silk gloves when they do it 🤣🤣 Brilliant job guys and as always have a good week, keep up the good work and look forward to next week's videos as per usual guys 👍
ReDriven: isn’t every vehicle out there very different than the original products they sprouted from? Definitely the older brands, but even newer brands like Hyundai?
Some have stayed extremely close to the original objective, becoming a natural evolution of the model over time, eg Porsche 911, Toyota LandCruiser, Suzuki Swift Sport, Mazda MX5, Subaru WRX, VW Golf, Toyota Corolla, Lexus IS, Toyota Camry, Toyota Crown, Nissan Patrol, BMW 3 Series etc etc. - AK
Owned a 2016 Countryman S Was very reliable, had one minor issue but overall drove the car until 110,000 km before got rid of it. The maintenance is overpriced, that’s all I got to say. The fuel is great, the room is excellent, and the ride quality is good for city driving. I took mine on 3 road trips, seats get bit stiff on longer rides.
As a &8 year old petrol head, this is not a Mini. It is not even a fat mini. It has none of the original idea, small, cheap, reasonable build, and fun to drive. The timing chain issues are very bad news. And they are not very helpful with after sales service. If you want something you can park outside and walk out at 3am in the rain and freezing cold to do an emergency dash, get a Lexus. Ubers and taxis are hard to find at that time. It is a pretty car but it is not a Mini.
Finding out what options are available in each year of the car models I'm interested is such a pain, restricting search to australia only, hoping old brochures are still around, there's no good website that covers it thoroughly even though some sites appear to be dedicated to it.
Our cheat sheet has most of it covered, however there are examples out there with options fitted that technically shouldn’t be fitted. Rather than making sense of the immense possibilities, we’d be looking at well serviced and maintained examples within your budget, and deep dive into the features on those specific cars. Trying to decide what to buy based on features you want might send you deep into distress, I know this from when I was doing the research. - AK
@@ReDriven yeah for me the pain tends to come from trying to find out what features I might miss out on before jumping in. eg. I didn't know how useful a front facing camera on the passenger side mirror would be til I used it. Then on to identifying which specification has what you want and even then some things are optional, pain.
I can’t stand these in anyway form or style. It’s a cynical BMW in a party frock with all the faults of the BMWs. They’re bloody ugly too with endless faults. I will ALWAYS prefer the original car as being small and minimalist was the whole point! One thing I do agree on is the interior is interesting and vastly more appealing than a Tesla with it’s dreadful dreary minimalist interior. But this is no reflection on your excellent and comprehensive review as always dude! And Jim REALLY hit the nail on the head of how virtual signalling manufacturers scamming customers with throwaway cars. The throwaway aspect is so at odds with being environmentally sound. Love this channel.
Mini don't do Android Auto. Not the best and most independent review. I've had two MINI's since 2017 ... Cooper S JCW Tuned and a 2023 JCW Clubman ... they run like Swiss watches. I've owned a lot of turbo hatchbacks from Mazda MPS and Subaru Impreza to Golf GTI's an R and M135i BM. I'd pick the MINI's everytime. To say they're unreliable and build quality is bit of a joke ... these are BMWs
yeah yeah.. this one is sadly disappointing.. i mean the latest models, never seen nobody reviewing it considering reliability and maintenance.. @@ReDriven
Strangely enough, I saw 5 of these today on M5 motorway today, even my wife who can barely tell the difference between a motorcycle and a dual cab ute mentioned it...that is all.
What’s fascinating to me is that BMW has heard endless complaints about their engines leaking oil for one reason or another the last 20yrs and never tried to fix it perhaps by researching Japanese engineers a bit. Head gaskets and cylinder rings are horse shit.
I THINK THAT TIMING CHAIN IS ON THE LEFT SIDE , NOT THE BACK OF B38, B48. BUT YOU ARE RIGHT THE TRANSMISSION HAS TO BE REMOVED FIRST. OTHERWISE THEY ONLY CHANGE THE UPPER PART OF THE CHAIN CUTTING IT IN HALF ONLY FOR TENSIONING THE CHAIN. TO CHANGE THE BATTERY IS ALSO MORE EXPENSIVE THAN USUAL. CONSUMPTION IS HIGH EVEN FROM B38 , AND CRACKS SOUNDS ARE ALL OVER EVEN IN THE FIRST YEAR.
thanks for the great video! Today I was in a MINI shop just looking around but there was no seller(thanks God-siestaaaaa). Now I give up the idea of buying one thanks to your mechanic 👍👏
It's interesting all the BS about reliability against Mini when the brand has been climbing up positions in the reliability rankings since 2012, becoming now in several surveys as the most reliable european brand, only behind the japanese ones. Talking about timing chains in the B38 just tells me that this "expert" mechanic has been out of the garage for a long time and just repeats what he remembers from 10-15 years ago.
![Mini Clubman vs Countryman - Which is the best ?! [Buyers Guide]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/TI434Ftvv1w/mqdefault.jpg)
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Mini is more fun than a Porsche but room for family. That's why
I could not agree more, Jim.
One of the worst things for the planet is planned obsolescence. Which keeps the consumer wheel turning.
Thumbs up for Jim's rant! 👍
When I heard it was coming from BMW, I knew the rant would be good lol.
👍
Here here
Gotta say, pretty disappointed with this after looking forward to this for a long time. Perhaps I'm biased as a happy F60 owner, but while AK hit the nail on the head with who this car is designed for and that it's definitely not for everyone, I think Jim seems to be misinformed about some of the mechanical issues with these vehicles. He goes on about timing chains - which were clearly a design flaw in the previous N18 engines. I've searched far and wide in subreddits, owners forums, and online reliability reviews for any such issues with the B48 engine and I've not found a single report of a problem with it failing. Not one. I'm sure it is a pain in the ass to replace if needed, but if it never actually fails and doesn't need replacement, what's the issue?
Further, the B48 engine seems to be widely considered among the most reliable 2l Petrol Turbos on the road today. Being BMW, sure dealerships will overcharge you for any little thing that goes wrong, but this gen Mini (in stark contrast to previous gens) regularly appears toward the top of reliability scorecards.
The one legitimate design flaw that they seem to have - the upper engine mounts which are rubber and wont last the service life of the vehicle - was basically glossed over in this. Yes they aren't super expensive to replace, but they should be listed as a known service item given how reliably unreliable they are - not what you should expect when buying a new car.
You also mentioned "Carplay and Android Auto support". To my knowledge Mini has never supported Android Auto in any option package on the F60s (literally the brand new 2024 models are the first Minis for Android users). You also missed the wireless phone charger (which stupidly only fits the smallest of smartphones) and the runflat tires (literally the most common complaint from owners for harsh ride quality and excessive noise). Also surprised you didn't call out the infotainment which is a reskin of iDrive which you often say you love using AK.
That said, I think Jim's rant about condition-based servicing is totally valid and must be super frustrating as a non-OEM mechanic. Far from unique the the F60 Countryman, but it's a fair point all the same. It's common in owners' groups to suggest replacing the oil more regularly than BMW suggest.
Biggest highlight was the Minnie Driver reference. Well played!
I've been researching for a possible purchase of a 2020 Countryman JCW. I keep running into issues with plastic oil filter housing leaking, water pump leaks, turbo hose leaks, etc etc. How many miles do you have on yours? My mechanic is begging me not to buy it
Foolish comment
@@TonyMiguel-ko7cz you want to explain?
The ‘Minnie Driver’ reference was A grade stuff.
Thank you, Sam (the legend behind the camera) came up with that one. - AK
@en If I wasn't already subbed it was worth subbing just for this joke honestly though the countryman joke caused me to stab my ears.
About the Mini, they are too big but I got to respect the style of the thing.
I'll be honest by saying that no matter what anyone says about the Mini Countryman, I will always be looking forward to buying one for myself because, Minis have always appealed to me through and through.
Same! Forever a mini driver!
I am a Countryman SE owner and I agree with what Adam said about decision of buying one. Yes there are plenty of good SUVs out there but anything used, sporty and not breaking the bank? Pretty much down to it. Fun car and which economical small SUV can run reasonably fast and planted? Not much in the market.
Sad to hear the B engine is a bit unreliable but hey it’s a big leap from the N engine…
Reading back from what I’ve written, wow, didn’t expect myself being such an enthusiastic owner
We bought my wife a new 2017 Mini Cooper s all 4. It’s been brilliant. Almost 7 years on and it’s had no issues. I have owned 4 minis myself 2 supercharger hatches and a JCW F56. This car embodies mini in an suv. If you need a car with space for family at same time as have a bit of fun it’s a perfect car. Interior is great car is quick enough very fun along a Scottish B road and you can load the car with 4 passengers 3 bikes on the roof a roof box and fill the car drive 700 miles and feel great when you get to the other side. 1 of the best all round cars you can buy. The back seat is miles better than cars that are bigger and the car feels small enough you can drive it like a silly idiot great car all round
What’s your opinion on GTIs/Golf R?
@@Me-eb3wvhe doesn't have vw 😂
I have owned 7 minis over the years from 2002 -2024 I always change my own oil + filter between services and never had any issues with timing chains or the turbos . The service intervals are too long in my opinion .
I have been looking at compact small SUV. Mini countryman, Mazda x30, Volvo xc40, Peugeot 2008. I find it’s very tricky to research. You think you have found a very good reliable car but then you find videos like this. I just don’t know. Having said that when I try to dig deep looking at owner reviews the countryman flags with the least problems. Just advice to get the oil changed more often than recommended and generally not skipping services.
Just when you thought 45 grand is stupidly ridiculous for a good Fiesta ST, this pile of shit pops up asking 80. 🤦♂
yeah
Only cause wives have influence on what the husband needs to buy inorder not to get divorced 😂
@@peterlattimore6013Don’t think the car is the problem in the relationship. Got a used Ute for my wife. It was a clean trade
any mini or bmw is gold compared to a ford HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
@@peterlattimore6013 Holy Shit man. The very reason we bought ours. Been a nightmare. If i'm here now, its due to an issue. Lol, I needed this comment right about now.
This channel is seriously the only car thing I watch on TH-cam that I feel like I can trust. Amazing stuff!
Cheers mate!
Agreed 👍
An excellent review of Mini, congrats. Having just purchasing a used one I made sure to check the Carfax report, very important. I also selected one with under 60,000 miles as too many owners go with the recommended service intervals and that's a disaster waiting to happen.
I have a 2021 Clubman JCW for a few months now and loving it!! By my god brake pads r expensive… can’t imagine when the disc needs changing. BUT, after a hard days work and I jump into the car it really put a smile on my face!
My teenage daughter loves her Mini countryman 2020. We got a very good deal for a used one. It’s a fun car. Comfortable to ride in too. Chili red. We are totally happy.
Just on the Condition Based Service intervals. Having worked with BMW/Mini now for a good few years, it is far from a scam. The vehicles don't get serviced every 18k on the nose, it's when the vehicle detects the oil degrading. So will adjust the interval accordingly. I.e if you're doing short journeys or hooning round a track the interval will be a lot sooner than someone who sits on the motorway day in day out. For customer care BMW is by far one of the best brands out there currently.
Can the car detect the required frequency for every service item?
Basically you’re not wrong. There is an algorithm at work monitoring driving conditions. But this still equates to services every 20-25k which is way too long between oil changes.
@thatfordescortguy that's for confirming... It depends on circumstances and Driving styles among many different factors. The biggest issue I see we most bmw products day in and day out are bushes, seals and perishable rubber items. Very rare that we have mechanical issues caused by the service schedules.
Noticed that on my MINI phone app, it’s reduced service oil change down from 18K mls to 13.049mls after recently doing 1,700 ml round trip to Germany & back ~ not used a drop of oil neither > currently 7,581 mls 🏴 !
Gotta say, I LOVE the MINI brand and their cars. I has a 2011 Countryman S ALL4 then traded in for a 2017 Counteyman S ALL4 with only 19k Miles. THEN a few months after that got a 2006 Mini Cooper S JCW. I do NOT care about their reliability record. They're not my only cars I have plenty of others and will happily put the money in to fixing anything that goes wrong on them. I absolutely love the community that MINI has and being a part of it as well as I just feel like the cars fit me and my personality perfectly. Couldn't be happier with the brand and their cars so far!
It feels like yesterday you released a video. I sure hope guys are managing to sleep with the crazy amount of content you push out
I was also concerned about their sleep but then noticed that it's always bright outside when they record meaning they can use the dark to sleep. Very clever.
It’s a pretty intense schedule but we exist to bring you the best and most regular car content we can.
Thank you for noticing the work load. - AK
Excellent review! NX was horribly boring btw… Personally I don’t care that it’s not mini enough, I love the practicality and driving experience. The F60 is a fantastic car. Besides the macan, what has better handling in its class? Not to mention the bulletproof b48 engine. S is a bit under powered (for enthusiast buyers), but jcw is just about enough. F60 comes in manual, next gen doesnt.
I still change all my mini’s oil at 7k intervals regardless of what BMW says. The R56 was bad for this, the turbo would drink oil, got to keep your eye on the levels… Thanks mate
Awesome video can I ask you guys to do a video on servicing please. I’m an independent mechanic in Melbourne & I’m tearing my hair out at customers who just don’t understand anything about maintenance. An angry mechanic is never a good thing. I advise all my customers every 6mths or 10,000ks regardless. Dirty oil & coolant is what ruins most modern cars after a few years due to lack of maintenance. Most cars are not inherently unreliable it is the owners & sometimes the manufacturer who just do not maintain them to a high standard.
If you service these Mini’s or any other modern car regularly you will easily get 10 years plus before you need expensive work done. I have a 2015 Audi Q3 TFSI Quattro with 141,000ks, it still drives like it had 50k on it. I service it every 10k on the dot & I have owned it since new. It has never let me down except for replacement thermostat at 100,000ks which is par for the course with most euros.
Just out of curiosity how do you check the oil level without a dipstick? The sensors in cars usually tell you when there is no oil, very useful.
I just traded my 23 Countryman S mini yours and I loved it! I’ve ordered the new JCW model for later this year 👌🏻
I had the 23’ countryman S and it was amazing I already traded it for the JCW 2024 and I couldn’t be happier
@@joseamaya1178how was the trade? The fully JCW model doesn’t come here in Aus until Aug/Sep I believe you must have gotten the JCW sport
The Mini is not a mini anymore. Now it's just someone who trying to stand-out from the crowd.
Our local independent garage services all makes and models. There was a MINI on the forecourt recently, with a blown head gasket. The garage owner was sending it on to another garage that likes working on them. Told me he will only do normal servicing on them now, repairs like are too complicated and take too long.
Good review. Had a 2014 Mini Cooper S once - fun to drive but my goodness it leaked a lot of oil. Don't miss it!
I'm still trying to get past ' No Dipstick '...??
2014 and 2017+ is a tremendously different vehicle. Any vehicle with plastic valve covers, thermostat housings, and oil coolers are going to potentially leak and there's a LOT of them.
@@stevey500after 2017 fixed and solved? Asking because thinking about 2020 used model
A car without an engine dipstick is a car not for me. Why why why would a car not have a dipstick, the cost of designing/engineering/manufacturing one would be negligible. Utter madness.
yep
How many people actually check their own oil though? And correctly? Would you trust most motorists to fill the car with the correct oil anyway?
The transmission dipstick has gone the way of the dodo, the oil one should too imo.
How do you know how much oil to add ? Is low oil low by 200ml or 1000ml ??? How do you measure how much to add? I don’t get it..
I have a 2016 mini Cooper S Countryman all 4 1.6L engine and it has a dip stick for the oil
This is the very reliable B series engine co-developed with toyota; I have not heard of anyone with a timing chain problem on the F56 but most of us in america have the b46 petrol engine.
I cannot say about the diesel but I did hear of some issues with the three cylinder also.
I'm looking at a 2020 Countryman JCW. What number is that engine and is it one of the Toyota co-designed ones? Thanks
@@cbarber5366 yes, that is a great car. but so you know, the gauge cluster was redesigned in 2021 you might consider a 2022 model. because of the pademic some vehicles had the old screen and some had the new screen.
My mum drives 2020 LCI Cooper S and yeah your review is spot on. All theatrics to an auto enthusiast but to the general public, it’s a lot more unique than any of its rivals.
I have 97,000 miles on my F56 and have not had a single problem. If you were a real auto enthusiast you would know a stock mini cooper S is faster around a track than many of it's competitors like a miata.
I had a 2020 version of the Countryman S All4 before trading it for a 2024 Hardtop S. That countryman was the best vehicle I’ve ever owned, full stop. I put about 70000 miles on it. Incredibly reliable, very efficient, and really fun to drive. I never thought I would regret going for the hardtop over the countryman. Because the countryman is 90% as fun as a hardtop, with the extra space and practicality the Hardtop could never do. Plus, 4wd was nice to have
I'm old, I've been chased by local coppers in 1275 cooper S minis, I've driven everything from 850s to1275 cooper s minis, I've driven Paddy Hopkirk's 1966 Bathurst mini on the road, and NONE OF THE BMW "MINI" ARE MINIS, They're a shite little BMW front wheel drive with no soul. That countryman is the size of our Peugeot 307 touring, but not as roomy. There few cars on the road that I hold in with more distain.
They’re definitely different than the original Minis, but they’re not shite. They’re quite good, and a lot more fun than most everything out there today.
Yep!, you said it!… Mini are just garbage now days. A lost form-factor coupled with BMW engineering… what could go wrong!😂
There is nothing another vehicle can’t do better… than a Mini, except lose value.
i am maybe not that old yet to some, but i had a 1275 coopers when they were still cheap, best car ever ! i remember when the first bmws came out it looked gigantic, but compared to today's bloated vehicles it looks relatively small and i now sometimes want one but ! the styling hasnt aged that well and yeah the reliability..yikes
Hi from the UK. I'm one of the older generation too. I completely agree with what you have said.
Agreed 👍
I have a 2019. It's awesome. No problems ever, except for having to replace a battery once (it's a 6 year old car, so expected), a set of tires, oil changes every 5,000 to 6,000 miles and brake fluid/transmission fluid changes every 30K miles. It's quick/fast/agile around town, it gets 40+ mpg on the highway in green mode, and it has room for a family and luggage/groceries, etc.
I would rather have the new Mini than the original one which is a classic toy which you would tire of pretty quickly.
I loved my countryman S so much that I got rid of it just to buy another countryman but JCW this time and it is just amazing and yes when the time comes it will be very expensive to service the car.
An when you get used to how everything works, something breaks.
I appreciate these 4 door minis. I understand that they aren’t the same as the original from the 60s, but the reality is that those wouldn’t necessarily sell well in the 21st century, and if BMW wanted to keep the mini nameplate running well into the future then they had to adapt to the current needs and make CUV variants
What goes wrong with these? *Gestures broadly at everything*
Case in point with the "extended servicing" scam run by manufacturers (especially the Germans). Mate with a 2014 Audi S3 got to the 100,000km mark, of course factory warranty for that year ran for the first 75,000km.3 years. Car had been serviced according to the deal, and he always looked after the car. At the 100,000km mark (the first "big" ex-warranty scheduled service ) he was quoted $11,000 by the local Audi dealer where he bought it. And that was on top of $1500 for basic regular service jobs. Convinced him to get it out of their shop pronto and take it to an indy Euro shop. Same work got done for $6k. But even then, sheezus...$6k
Safety features song, second to none😂. Music to accompany specs list, suave and cool😁. I like how unique it is, but it's not for me 😊
I have a Countryman 2017 basic model. I bought it second hand. No issues as yet. Except I had to replace the windscreen wipers and only the Bmw ones fitted. Not cheap.Will check out your link for Windscreen wipers. Battery replaced real hassle removing it but have a good mechanic. I love driving it, it eats hills up, very steady on the road. The Sat Nav though is annoying. You have to turn the dial or speak if the stupid English voice Bot understands me to input an address. Much prefer a touch screen. Its not user friendly. Car feels solid to drive, hugs corners beautifully. Seats are super comfy. Wish the back seats folded completely flat though like my last Mini Cooper 2 door though.Can you do a review on the Mini Cooper F55?
My long term review : 2018 Mini Copper Countryman All 4 S (purchased new)
Problems prior to 60,000 miles:
Door Latches: All four door latches failed (at various intervals) requiring the doors to be tied down to the headrest until repaired. The passenger door latched failed twice. Service manager was unable to offer an explanation as to the cause. Research mini and BMW door latch failures.
Battery Replacement: No indication/warning light given that the battery was getting low… It just stopped functioning. Replacing the battery requires removing support bars and engine compartment panels. Somewhat time consuming compared to most cars.
Engine Coolant: almost all of the engine coolant evaporated causing the car to overheat. No warning light that coolant was low. Car had been serviced by Mini of Bedford two weeks prior and had been consistently serviced by the dealership.
Decals: Decals around the headlights bubbled and needed to be replaced.
Tires: Run flat fair weather tires needed to be replaced to allow for inclement/snow conditions.
Hood lift supports failed.
Service/Technicians: There are very few shops that work on Mini Coopers and most are as expensive as the dealer.
Overall: The Mini Copper is not a reliable vehicle and owning one in North America is costly unless you have the time to perform the repairs yourself.
Since Mini turned into a brand, it has always about design, and move on with the times, there is no way to build a car that's as small as the original, even if they did, how many will complained of its safety? I feel this is just as much a Mini as the Cayenne/Mecan to Porsche, or Urus to Lamborghini, The Purosangue to Ferrari, obviously the target audience is someone whol loves Mini, and need more space, while keeping the design and the sportiness drive of a Mini, you have to give it to BMW that it made an effort to let MIni has its own interior switch gears and parts so it doesn't feel like a BMW derivative. I said this with exemption of the newly released U25 Countryman and F66 Cooper S, where I think they have taken a totally wrong design direction, seems as though it is more of a secondary BMW derivative approach now.
B M trouble You as my son's mechanic said to him after his final visit to him with his very canine 130i. After that he came to his senses and bought an RC-F which never missed a beat.
Hi Adam, I love your content I think is very precisely and objective. I would like if you can review V40 cross country that is a kind of rival of the mini
Thanks so much mate. V40 on the cards soon. - AK
2:04 😂😂 (We made the last two up).
I've always thought this is a hatchback rather than an SUV.
The review I’ve lowkey been waiting for I own one by the way
I had an R56 2007 Cooper S and honestly id 100% do it all again. It had its issues as with anything german but there was something about it that was fun and not boring like a lot of cars today. If you are fine with spending a little extra for maintenance then definitely buy a good example Mini Cooper
they are more reliable from 2014 onwards cause they use BMW made engines
Do the B48 issues with timing chains, leaks, water pumps, etc. also exist in other BMWs such as the 3 series or X1, X2,X3 with the same engine? Great job on the country man voice 🤠
I've had the 2.0L petrol S ALL4 (being a 2nd owner) currently. I financed it w/a start of just 56k kms and now just under 67k kms because I treat it as a 2nd vehicle in case of emergency that the daily breaks down. I've done 2 oil changes & 2 cabin filters myself (1 each year), 1 engine air filter & spark plugs because I don't believe in that condition service BS that Mini & BMW have. Only time I had it serviced at the dealership was for due diligence recommendation coolant flush (as per mini service rep, every 2 years).Happy to report w/no electrical or mechanical issues ^_^. Only reason I didn't go for the actual 2 door is because insurance is expensive where I reside - all 2 vehicles are considered sports car rated premiums :( I'll wait for a JCW lease return and trade in my current one
i usually fast forward for Jim's section , then I watch the video from the start...
So, if a ‘62 Mini in good nick is worth around $52,000
What are one of the newer one’s worth?
Well, if someone gave you one, it might be ok. Too much unreliability built in to those maxi pads for me.
No thanks. CX3 hits the sweet spot without looking like I'd line up overnight for Taylor Swift concert tickets.
Love the channel. But I don’t quite understand the rant about condition based servicing with MINIs. I’ve owned two second hand MINIs (latest gen.) in two countries, and always received a notification when getting close to 10k km or 12 months reminding me to schedule the next service. I’d also say that they deserve praise for their reliability in recent times (scoring higher than most mainstream and luxury brands in reliability surveys)
By watching this channel long enough, you can tell that you won't want to buy any cars once you gets to the mechanical problems part, its always negative. Buy what you like an can afford to maintain, and keep changing the oils and keep servicing it
No blind side warning. Killed it for me.
My 2016 Mini cooper s Countryman all 4 burns oil i had to replace the Valve cover cuz the PCV valve is built in and cant be removed i also had to replace two other parts following the pcv valve cost about $2000 to fix then i have to install an oil catch can to prevent it burning oil again
I've always been a fan of the clubman, until I tried to find one thats got carplay etc and then the retro fitting of them
Great video as always guys! But man i hate that acronym SUV! It is just marketing wnkkkk! Raise the ride height of a hatchback slightly and call it a utility vehicle with sporty intentions . Oh man
In the late 70's my mother had a little Mini while we lived in Bega. I loved taking it out on weekends on the dirt roads around Bega. It was a fun car then. I can't say I hate the new mini's but I dislike them. Yes,
One *minor* thing that was missed in the video, the 2020 JCW LCI brought a 301hp engine in the ALL4. Complete riot to drive.
Wow! You guys got the weather matching to the cars origin. Nice touch 😂
This car is amazing 🎉, the only weird thing is that it has the biggest blind spot, I have never experienced with our other cars. I don’t know if it’s the round mirrors or maybe because the car itself is big, but I’ve driven SUV’s and mini SUV’s and never experienced this. So please use your head turns when changing lanes, this car can hide the whole truck 😂
The new Minis remind me of the Steve Buscemi scene of "Hi fellow kids" as it's trying to look like something it isn't and honestly failing at both that and looking unique.
With the Rat Pack option does it include a full liquor bar and in built TAB? 😂
Hopefully with the fisting Hullsy's mentioned BMW with at least have the courtesy to use their silk gloves when they do it 🤣🤣
Brilliant job guys and as always have a good week, keep up the good work and look forward to next week's videos as per usual guys 👍
ReDriven: isn’t every vehicle out there very different than the original products they sprouted from? Definitely the older brands, but even newer brands like Hyundai?
Some have stayed extremely close to the original objective, becoming a natural evolution of the model over time, eg Porsche 911, Toyota LandCruiser, Suzuki Swift Sport, Mazda MX5, Subaru WRX, VW Golf, Toyota Corolla, Lexus IS, Toyota Camry, Toyota Crown, Nissan Patrol, BMW 3 Series etc etc. - AK
Just sold my 09. Original owner. 😢 Had to do it; thousandS in repairs
Great Comment from Mr. Quantum mechanic...about going Green really needs a more reliable car....
It’s not an SUV. Thanks to your mechanic I’ll now steer clear (no pun intended) of all Mini’s.
Owned a 2016 Countryman S
Was very reliable, had one minor issue but overall drove the car until 110,000 km before got rid of it.
The maintenance is overpriced, that’s all I got to say.
The fuel is great, the room is excellent, and the ride quality is good for city driving. I took mine on 3 road trips, seats get bit stiff on longer rides.
Definitely the Mini, the style still doesnt look old compare to the Lexus.
As a &8 year old petrol head, this is not a Mini. It is not even a fat mini. It has none of the original idea, small, cheap, reasonable build, and fun to drive. The timing chain issues are very bad news. And they are not very helpful with after sales service. If you want something you can park outside and walk out at 3am in the rain and freezing cold to do an emergency dash, get a Lexus. Ubers and taxis are hard to find at that time. It is a pretty car but it is not a Mini.
Well well, some Brits would say that being made in India or Malaysia makes it just British enough.
Not me!!
Great channel! Fabulous resource 👌
Thanks so much Paul. - AK
Two PAC and Rat PAC are my favourite options
Finding out what options are available in each year of the car models I'm interested is such a pain, restricting search to australia only, hoping old brochures are still around, there's no good website that covers it thoroughly even though some sites appear to be dedicated to it.
Our cheat sheet has most of it covered, however there are examples out there with options fitted that technically shouldn’t be fitted.
Rather than making sense of the immense possibilities, we’d be looking at well serviced and maintained examples within your budget, and deep dive into the features on those specific cars.
Trying to decide what to buy based on features you want might send you deep into distress, I know this from when I was doing the research. - AK
@@ReDriven yeah for me the pain tends to come from trying to find out what features I might miss out on before jumping in. eg. I didn't know how useful a front facing camera on the passenger side mirror would be til I used it. Then on to identifying which specification has what you want and even then some things are optional, pain.
I can’t stand these in anyway form or style. It’s a cynical BMW in a party frock with all the faults of the BMWs. They’re bloody ugly too with endless faults. I will ALWAYS prefer the original car as being small and minimalist was the whole point! One thing I do agree on is the interior is interesting and vastly more appealing than a Tesla with it’s dreadful dreary minimalist interior. But this is no reflection on your excellent and comprehensive review as always dude! And Jim REALLY hit the nail on the head of how virtual signalling manufacturers scamming customers with throwaway cars. The throwaway aspect is so at odds with being environmentally sound. Love this channel.
Yes, I’ve been waiting for this one
Mini don't do Android Auto.
Not the best and most independent review.
I've had two MINI's since 2017 ... Cooper S JCW Tuned and a 2023 JCW Clubman ... they run like Swiss watches.
I've owned a lot of turbo hatchbacks from Mazda MPS and Subaru Impreza to Golf GTI's an R and M135i BM.
I'd pick the MINI's everytime.
To say they're unreliable and build quality is bit of a joke ... these are BMWs
Good pick up on the Android Auto, cheers
Go Jim!
Or is BMW using the front wheel technology from mini Inn their own cars? And not vice versa? Remember BMW only had rwd drive setups.
Those N47 engines are wonderful. Until they are not. Your timing chain WILL go. Just be prepared for it.
Just noticed that you guys never reviewed a nissan gt-r.. doing some future plans and would love to know if it's worthy :)
Except this one…
th-cam.com/video/Ba1Eq8xxMHg/w-d-xo.htmlsi=P9zjGJan1Q6Gwldh
yeah yeah.. this one is sadly disappointing.. i mean the latest models, never seen nobody reviewing it considering reliability and maintenance.. @@ReDriven
@@MarcusRizzo We’ll get to them. Just need to find an owner willing to lend it to us!
kay, I’ve always scratched my head about the obsession around the kislux book totes and their practicality, but this one is adorable!! Congratulations
Strangely enough, I saw 5 of these today on M5 motorway today, even my wife who can barely tell the difference between a motorcycle and a dual cab ute mentioned it...that is all.
LOL!!!!!
What's that blue car behind Jim ?? His next family holiday ???
This is a great video, I love it, my LV bag is a kislux , the quality is perfect and the price is great, I was not disappointed
What’s fascinating to me is that BMW has heard endless complaints about their engines leaking oil for one reason or another the last 20yrs and never tried to fix it perhaps by researching Japanese engineers a bit. Head gaskets and cylinder rings are horse shit.
I THINK THAT TIMING CHAIN IS ON THE LEFT SIDE , NOT THE BACK OF B38, B48. BUT YOU ARE RIGHT THE TRANSMISSION HAS TO BE REMOVED FIRST. OTHERWISE THEY ONLY CHANGE THE UPPER PART OF THE CHAIN CUTTING IT IN HALF ONLY FOR TENSIONING THE CHAIN.
TO CHANGE THE BATTERY IS ALSO MORE EXPENSIVE THAN USUAL.
CONSUMPTION IS HIGH EVEN FROM B38 , AND CRACKS SOUNDS ARE ALL OVER EVEN IN THE FIRST YEAR.
Nah. I looked at them, but the simple fun factor and tiny car culture of the Mini is best replicated by JDM Keis.
What kind of car do you drive sir? Given all of your used car knowledge. 6'8 energy 🙀
Currently a Honda Jazz however something a little more exciting is on its way soon. - AK
@@ReDriven Ayyy another Jazz person!
Is it a 3rd gen GK? Solid little nuggets they are.
@@ReDriven king
If you pay 40ak let alone 8oK for a second hand bmw sorry I mean mini and u have rocks in your head and need to be assessed
What goes wrong…everything 😊
that country song cought me off guard 😂😂
The countryman is a superb car 🚘
Best car I have ever owned.
thanks for the great video! Today I was in a MINI shop just looking around but there was no seller(thanks God-siestaaaaa). Now I give up the idea of buying one thanks to your mechanic 👍👏
It's interesting all the BS about reliability against Mini when the brand has been climbing up positions in the reliability rankings since 2012, becoming now in several surveys as the most reliable european brand, only behind the japanese ones. Talking about timing chains in the B38 just tells me that this "expert" mechanic has been out of the garage for a long time and just repeats what he remembers from 10-15 years ago.
and here I thought new engine mounts were pricey
Cool video
They are not a Mini, They are a Maxi.
Prefer Kona N for a sporty SUV.