it depends entirely if you want to buy into the MINI brand, I would say. Huge amount of dosh really isn't it. If all you need is part time 4x4 and some space, there are much cheaper ways of doing it - with less "style" or brand image.

My own opinion is it's a triumph of form over function and designed to reel in MINI owners who would like bigger but are keen on the badge.

Minis do seem expensive, and you have to be careful with the options list ( I agree £24k is too much for a Mini give what else you can get for that price).

But they hold their value better than most. SWMBO is on her third, on 2-year PCPs, and both the first two were worth 80 % of initial cost after nearly two years.

I'm not sure that the Countryman will sell well: it's difficult to say exactly what the appeal of the Mini is - maybe the best word to describe it is 'chic'. The hatch and convertible are chic to most people's eyes, but to describe the ungainly Countryman thus would be pushing it.