No other brand brandishes a lifestyle image quite like a MINI. Under the stewardship of BMW, the MINI brand has evolved into a range of cutesy and snazzy cars to compliment your style and success.

The first-generation R60 MINI Countryman debuted in 2010, and was designed to be a compact SUV for buyers who wanted the MINI style and driving experience, but needed a bit more practicality and space to accommodate the family.

Now in its 2nd-generation, the Countryman has been a huge success for MINI both globally and here in Malaysia. This has led to a healthy stock of used Countryman models, which in today’s money, can be had for the price of mid-spec Proton X50.

That said, is it worth the money, do you have to worry about maintenance or are you better off with some of the other more mainstream SUVs. Read on.

The R60 MINI Cooper Countryman range in Malaysia

The R60 Countryman was first introduced in Malaysia in 2011. Two variants were offered, the Cooper and Cooper S at RM 249k, and RM 286k respectively.

The Cooper Countryman featured the Peugeot-sourced (N16B16) 1.6-litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder that produces 120 PS and 160 Nm, the Cooper S Countryman featured a turbocharged and direct-injected (N18B16) delivers a meatier 184 PS and 240 Nm.

In both cases, power is sent to a six-speed automatic transmission – in the case of the Cooper, power is channelled to the front wheels, and all four wheels in the Cooper S courtesy of the MINI ALL4 system which uses an electromagnetic centre differential to distribute power when required to the rear axle.

In 2012, BMW Malaysia introduced the 2WD version of the Cooper S Countryman, which brought the price down a further RM 20k to RM 268k. A year later, the Countryman became the first MINI to locally-assembled (CKD), at BMW Malaysia’s plant in Kulim, Kedah.

CKD assembly substantially lowered purchase prices, with the Countryman coming in at RM 219k while the Cooper S Countryman ALL4 was priced at RM259k, some RM 30k and RM 27k cheaper respectively than the CBU versions.

In 2014, BMW Malaysia introduced facelifted MINI Cooper Countryman which carried some subtle visual updates, improved equipment levels, and changes in the pricetag. At launch, the Cooper S Countryman was introduced as the sole variant, priced at RM 244k, some RM 15k less than the pre-facelft Cooper S variant.

Visually, the facelift model features a restyled front grille, and standard-fit LED fog lights and daytime running lights.

The turbocharged 1.6-litre (N18B16) engine was carried over from before, albeit with a touch more power at 190 PS (+ 6 PS) and maximum torque of 240 Nm. The facelifted Cooper S Countryman ditched the MINI ALL4 all-wheel drive system in favour of driving just the front wheels.

In 2015, the entry-level Cooper Countryman model was introduced with an even cheaper price of RM 200k, RM 19k less than the pre-facelift version.

Changes were more comprehensive on the Cooper Countryman – receiving restyled front grille, new-17-inch alloys and revamped anthracite gauges, updated switchgear as well as improved cabin insulation.

The powertrain was as before, the naturally-aspirated 1.6-litre four-pot producing 120 PS and 155 Nm, mated to a six-speed automatic.

The first-generation R60 Countryman was replaced with the all-new (F60) Countryman in 2017. The two variants included the (136 PS / 220 Nm) Cooper and (192 PS / 280 Nm) Cooper S – both as front-wheel drive versions – launched at a price tag of RM 240k and RM 270k respectively.

Which variant should I buy?

Given there are basically two powertrain guises for Countryman – choosing between the two simply comes down to the maintenance costs and if you want the power of the Cooper S variant.

It is also worth noting that market prices of the regular Cooper model are on par with Cooper S variant depending on the year and specification.

Also, note there are 2WD and AWD variants of the Cooper S model as well. Of course, the AWD versions will require more maintenance so unless you really need it, opt for the 2WD variant. 

Here’s a shortlist of the basic running costs between the two models.

Also read: Buying your first BMW: From RM 15k, a used E46 BMW 3 Series is a perfect starter’s choice

For this buyer guide, we’ll be focusing on (R60) Countrymans that are less than 10 years old, and still, qualify for conventional hire purchase financing.

Thus, the best bet would be to look at facelifted 2013 – 2016 units of the R60 Countryman.

Market prices of the (R60) MINI Countryman

Prices for pre-facelift 2011 – 2013 units of the R60 Countryman range between RM 65k and RM 90k for the Cooper Countryman variants. The Cooper S Countryman (both 2WD and ALL4) variants start from RM 75k and go up to RM 100k depending on mileage and condition.

Newer post-facelift 2013 – 2016 units of the Cooper Countryman will set you back between RM 80k and RM 105k, whilst the Cooper S Countryman ranges between RM 90k and RM 115k.

With that said, there are ample units – both locally sold and parallel imported to choose from, so take your time in searching for the right R60 Countryman that fits your budget.

Also read: Buying guide: 5 things to lookout for when buying a used car

As always, consider cars with comprehensive service history as it gives you the clearest picture of the car's health and allows you to properly plan and execute subsequent maintenance. Additionally, always get your chosen unit inspected by a qualified specialist prior to purchase.  

At the time of writing, there are three Carsome Certified MINI models on sale.

To attain the Carsome Certified stamp of approval, a vehicle has to first pass a 175-point inspection. Also included is a professional car reconditioning, all-inclusive, at a fixed price.

The deal also includes a 5-day money-back guarantee and a 1-year warranty.

Maintenance and common issues of the R60 Countryman

For the most part, MINIs are very reliable if maintained well. Many owners note pleasant ownership experiences even after 8 – 10 years of ownership with proper maintenance.

Both the N16 and N18 powerplants have been around for a while, and thus a lot is known about how to properly maintain and repair these engines.

Mr Owen, founder of Munich Precision tells us that in his experience, R60 Countrymans are dependable and robust with timely maintenance. He encourages that owners ensure routine maintenance is done on time, as well as periodical checkups every once in a while, to spot issues before they arise.

Here’s a simplified table of the basic maintenance schedule for the R60 Countryman:

According to Munich Precision, besides routine maintenance, there are a few commonly seen issues on R60 Countryman, that a prospective buyer should know about, with that said, all except one are relatively cheap to repair or replace if required.

It's much the same with the gearbox, with proper maintenance of the filter and transmission fluid, the six-speed automatic in the Countryman will also perform reliably and without fuss. 

In the case of the thermostat, it is advisable to treat this component as a service item. To ensure safe operation, get it inspected at approximately 100k km and if required replace it with a new one, to avoid bigger problems later on.

Also read: Used Porsche Panamera (970) - How much to maintain and repair, can you join the big boys club for just under RM 200k?

Conclusion

With the majority of the market pandering towards small trendy SUVs – the R60 MINI Countryman could be that perfect lifestyle SUV that’s trendy, fun to drive, and best of all, at roughly half of what it used to cost when new.

However, it is wise to do your research, take your time in searching for a well-maintained use unit, and most of all have access to a reliable specialist for maintenance and upkeep.

With prices hovering around RM 70k –  RM 80k mark, it’s surprising that you can buy a relatively reliable premium SUV for the price of Proton X50 today.

And there’s little wonder which between the two, will turn more heads when you park at your local high street or kopitiam.

Also read: Used 958 Porsche Cayenne - The one car for grocery shopping and Genting Sempah. What to look out for and how much to repair?