Used (R60) MINI Cooper Countryman - The maxi model for mini pricing. What to look out for and how much to maintain?

Being a premium offering always means having to delicately balance the lifestyle aspect that’s to be expected with the product. The gist of it is that people who drop big money on your premium products do so not just for the product itself, but the image it portrays.

It’s no different with cars. In fact, the premium segment operates more on “perceived value” rather than “actual value” and many of their clientele are perfectly comfortable with that… even if the cars aren’t always.

An example of that would be the MINI brand. The adorable hatch may have been borne from budget but its diminutive form blessed with it many endearing facets to all walks of life. Since being taken under BMW stewardship, Munich was smart enough to build on that lifestyle element that was already well established.

However, sticking to the 2-door hatch bodystyle didn’t sit well with the bean counters so something a little more practical had to be produced. We say practical in the loosest sense of the word as MINI design language would still languish a 4-door Mini to last among its peers in terms of practicality.

Nonetheless, it’s still a MINI. So, if you were seen in one, people might believe you’re cool.

The not-so-mini first-generation R60 MINI Countryman rolled out in 2010 as a compact SUV take on the brand. If you wanted something from the marque but really needed the extra room, Munich hoped you’d get one of these.

It proved to be a success for the marque globally and locally. That means plenty of used units in the market which can be had for Proton X50 money. Tempting indeed but what should you look out for… apart from your foot clattering into the bottom of the B-pillar during egress?

The R60 Countryman range in Malaysia

Malaysia got the Countryman (CBU) in 2011 in the customary Cooper and Cooper S trim at RM 249k and RM 286k, respectively.

Under the hood was the notorious Peugeot-sourced Prince (N16B16) 1.6-litre naturally-aspirated inline-four with 120 PS and 160 Nm of torque for the Cooper. Over in the Cooper S, turbocharging and direct-injection (N18B16) delivered a much more appropriate 184 PS and 240 Nm of torque.

A 6-speed auto was the only transmission of choice with power sent to the front in the Cooper and to all wheels in Cooper S via the MINI's ALL4. The latter utilised an electromagnetic centre differential to that diverted power to the rear only when required.

In order to bring the price down, the 2WD Cooper S was introduced in 2012. It saw a reduction to RM 268k.

However, the biggest reduction in price came with the introduction of local assembly (CKD) a year later. This saw the Cooper now priced at RM 219k with the Cooper S ALL4 going for RM 259k.

Also Read: Priced from RM 244k, new CKD 2021 MINI Countryman S and SE PHEV facelift launched in Malaysia

That wasn’t all she wrote though as in 2014, the facelifted Countryman touched down in Malaysia. It carried subtle visual updates and a better list of kit as well. The sole Cooper S trim was priced at RM 244k.

Cosmetic changes comprised a redesigned grille and LED fog lights as well as LED DRLs.

Power was still courtesy of the turbocharged 1.6-litre (N18B16) engine but with a pinch more punch at 190 PS (+ 6 PS) and 240 Nm of torque. This time though, it was purely a 2WD model.

Also Read: Used third-gen Mini Cooper F56 - The go-kart on steroids that punches above its weight. What to look out for and how much to repair?

2015 saw the line-up completed with the entry-level Cooper trim, priced at a nice, round RM 200k. It packed a new front grille, new 17-inch wheels and revamped gauges, switchgear as well as improved cabin insulation.

Mechanically, it was the same (N16B16) 1.6-litre naturally-aspirated inline-four with 120 PS and 160 Nm of torque

The second-generation F60 Countryman was launched in 2017.

Which variant to get?

Essentially, there are only 2 variants though one of them came in 2WD and AWD guise. Given that it’s a lifestyle statement, the Cooper trim should suffice unless you really need a little zing in your daily commute.

Market prices for both variants are relatively similar for pre-facelift variants. Therefore, maintenance costs should be the deciding factor here, given that the Cooper S will take a bigger bite out of your wallet.

Taking into account units that still qualify for conventional hire purchase loans, this guide will focus on R60 Countrymans that are under a decade old. That said, the best fit would be facelifted 2013 - 2016 units.

Market prices of the Countryman

Pre-facelift 2011- 2013 units for the Countryman run between RM 68k and RM 75k for the base Cooper. As for the punchier Cooper S, you’ll be looking at a range of RM 68k to RM 100k regardless of the number of wheels driven.

Facelifted units between 2014 – 2016 command a higher premium. The Cooper hovers between RM 70k and RM 100k. On the other hand, you can find a Cooper S within RM 85k to RM 128k.

You might find that the pricing range stated here can vary quite a bit from your online browsing and that’s due to the fact that parallel imported units were brought. Therefore, it’s pertinent we stress you opt for a MINI Malaysia unit if possible.

Also Read: Launched in Malaysia, 2021 MINI JCW Countryman facelift - This or Mercedes GLB 35?

As mentioned, the units to go for are the facelifted ones. A good service history is of the utmost importance and can be a good indication of the car’s condition.

Of course, Carsome carries a selection of Countryman models that are all Carsome Certified, meaning they've passed a 175-point inspection. Furthermore, each unit has undergone professional car refurbishing. Purchaing from Carsome includes a 5-day money-back guarantee and a 1-year warranty.

Maintenance and common issues of the R60 Countryman

The basic running costs of the 2 variants are as follows:

Mr. Owen of independent specialists Munich Precision shared with us a bit regarding the Prince engines. The N16 and N18 powerplants were regulars in many models, hence the aftermarket is well-versed in their maintenance and common issues.

He reiterates that the Countryman is reliable and robust if routine maintenance schedules are met in a timely manner. Of course, the maintenance jobs should be accompanied by a quick check on the known issues to identify failures before they occur.

Stick to this table of basic maintenance for the Countryman and you should be fine:

The Countryman does have a few known issues that buyers should pay attention to before purchasing one. That said, all of them are relatively easy on the wallet to repair or replace except for one.

Lastly, it’s best to treat the thermostat as a wear and tear item. That means replacing it around the 100k km mark for peace of mind.

Conclusion

As the market shifts towards compact SUVs, style does inadvertently play a part and perhaps in this sense, the Countryman was ahead of the game. It’s a compact SUV; again we use the term SUV with great slack, that’s trendy and fun to drive with that MINI go-kart DNA still very much ingrained in it.

For roughly Proton X50 or Perodua Alza money, you could find yourself in a used Countryman. It might be a huge trade-off because well know the MINI is dead last in terms of practicality but let’s be honest, not everyone prioritises that for a SUV.

And between that trio, there’s no denying which one is going to turn heads anywhere you go.