22-6-2011: Solution to turbo dump valve problems. Gloucestershire-based Forge motorsport has launched a pair of dump valves for the R60 Mini Countryman: a vent-to-atmosphere ‘Blow Off’ valve and a recirculation valve. Both have been designed and precision CNC machined to offer a direct replacement for the OEM parts. Each unit is entirely hand-fabricated and uses motorsport-quality materials and fabrication methods to create a unit which is both hugely effective and aesthetically pleasing. These valves take into account the car’s electronically controlled bypass valves, where fitted, and are recommended where the car’s boost pressure has been increased by an ECU software upgrade or simply for those wanting an improved Blow off sound, a more efficient operation, or simply as a solution to the many failures that have occurred.
The most common complaint on the OEM solenoid valve is a split diaphragm preventing the valve from opening fully, or not at all. This doesn’t always result in a check engine light, as the valve can still be blown open by the boost pressure. Forge’s engineers have seen many valves with this problem during testing. The other common problem is that the diaphragm retaining ring is made from very thin plastic that goes brittle with heat cycles, and eventually fails. This may prevents the diaphragm from sealing correctly, causing the same problems as mentioned above. This particular failure has also been known to result in the valve falling apart upon removal from the turbo, though in extreme cases, bits of plastic can enter the turbo and destroy it. Forge’s alternative is a fully engineered solution offering both significantly improved reliability. The new vales are piston based, with no internal diaphragm to fail. Being of all aluminium construction, it replaces the original unit with a pressure/vacuum operated piston valve that still also retains the desirable OEM ECU control over valve actuation. This design of valve has been proved on VAG engines for many years. The spring is interchangeable for different levels of boost, and the solenoid is ‘plug and play’ with the wiring harness which is included. Priced from just £189.79 including VAT. For more information or to buy this part online, link to www.forgemotorsport.co.uk
11-3-2012: Now thought that low pressure in the fuel pump of the 1.6 petrol leads to low pressure in the oil pump, starving the timing chain of oil on start-up and leading to stretching of the chain. That could also be why they rattle on start-up.
1-4-2013: Short runs from cold and the ridiculous long-life service regime seem to lead to condensdation in the sump and rocker cover that emulsifies engine oil and leads to blockages of oilways in the turbo petrol engines. See above about Forge Motorsport modification.
28-5-2014: Extraordinary story of leaking MINI Countryman, purchased 27-7-2011 that leaked from new, with leaks identified as: 1,600 miles faulty windscreen seals; then 1,650 miles perished a/c pipe; 6,984 miles (12-9-2012) faulty door seals; 7,878 miles (26-10-2012) faulty door seals again. Car replaced with new Countryman All4 December 2012. That also suffered ingress of water, thought to be through rear door seals. Car returned to Stratstone MINI at 7,000 miles on 24-4-2014. Now seeking to reject 2nd car.
15-3-2015: Problem with oil solenoid seal of 55k mile 2011 MINI Countryman Cooper S. Solenoid seal leaked and via the harness contaminated the main control unit. BMW dealer quoted £2,250 to fix. BME MINI contributed 50% of parts cost, leaving a bill of £1,500.
19-1-2016: Significant oil leaks from 2010 MINI Countryman ALL4 at 44,000 miles and ABS wheel sensor dropped off.
28-4-2016: Clutch and DMF of 'approved used' MINI Countryman failed after 6 months at 30,000 miles.
11-10-2016: Report of clutch of 2014 MINI Countryman All4 John Cooper Works failing at 11,500 miles.
31-10-2016: Complaint of clutch failing on NINI Cooper S Countryman All4 at 37,000 miles requiring replacement of clutch and Dual Mass Flywheel at a cost of £2,000. Warranty claim turned down.
30-1-2017: Report of strong fuel smell both outside and in the cabin of a 2014 petrol MINI Countryman Cooper S. Local Mini dealership has looked at the car and said there is nothing wrong, and that Cooper S Minis on their forecourt were 'a bit fuelly'. Fuel economy is not quite what it used to be either. See 11-3-2012 and 1-4-2013.
30-1-2017: Problems with 2013 MINI Countryman 2.0d ALL4 bought used at 14,780 miles and now at 22,500 miles have included: a jolting feeling when reversing or going forward with full (or near) lock at slow speed. Dealer spent a lot of money under warranty trying to rectify the problem. They now feel what is left is “acceptable” to MINI and normal. The day it was due to go in to have this work done it broke down after the EGR valve failed also see bills below. It is a low mileage car having done only 22,500 miles to date but only 14,780 when bought it. Owner assued EGR failure was due to previous lots of short journeys and therefore coked up. Also a vibration noise coming from the engine bay when initially setting off and it sounds louder outside.
19-10-2017: Report of clutch and DMF failure on 2012 MINI Countryman ALL4 at 22,500 miles. Quoted £2,000 to replace. Might get a Goodwill reduction, but £2k is the standard price.
11-1-2018: Report of failure of transfer box of 2013 MINI Cooper D ALL4 Countryman at 28,000 miles. Owner not warned that a disparity of more then 3mm between the tyres can cause this. Quoted £2,114 to repair.
12-3-2018: Report of centre clutch of 2014 MINI Countryman 1.6TD ALL4 failing at 26k miles. MINI wants £2,467 to replace because car had been serviced independently and centre clutch fluid and filter had not been changed.
23-5-2018: Report of sudden failure of N47 diesel engine of MINI Countryman SD ALL4 at 85,000 miles. BMW dealer ran up a bill of £1,000, then quoted £13,500 for a replacement engine in a car worth £7,500.
11-6-2018: Report of 2014 MINI Countryman Cooper S needing new waterpump, housing and pulley at 26k miles because the parts had developed surface cracks.
5-7-2018: Report of N47 engine of 2012 MINI Countryman 2.0SD "blowing up" at 48,000 miles. At first, dealer quoted £10,000 to replace it. But after a contribution from BMW cost reduced to £1,400.
23-8-2018: Report of engine failure of 2012 MINI Countryman at 71k miles, all servicing ahving been done on time by the MINI dealer. Had started to use more oil two months previously. Local garage could not work out why. Amber warning light lit up whern driving on M25. Nowhere to stop. Then engine cut out on slip road to M11. Dealer first thought head gasket had failed. Has now condemned engine as irrepairable.
19-3-2019: Report of failure of transfer box of 2014/64 MINI Countryman Cooper S All4 at 20,850 miles. We queried whether it could have been caused by a tread depth disparity of more than 3mm between the tyres.
16-6-2019: Report of engine problem with 2014/64 MINI Countryman (didn't say which engine) at 55k miles. Auto electrician reported that the timing chain was not turning the camshaft. Possibly due to a stretched timing chain.
8-11-2019: Report of stop/start stopping working on MINI Countryman diesel. Suspect battery.
20-11-2019: Report of timing chain of N47 2.0 diesel engine of MINI Countryman failing at 54,000 miles, at slow speed and without any warning. Car had been serviced at the (BMW) 'correct' intervals. (See: 23-5-2018.)
17-1-2012: More on the MINI Fires Issue. In perhaps the largest recall ever announced, MINI USA is recalling every Cooper S and JCW model sold from 2007 to 2011. The recall effects almost all 2007 – 2011 R55, R56, R57 and R60 models with the turbocharged Cooper S engine. The issue involves the electric auxiliary water pump on models that are equipped with the N14 turbo engine. The auxiliary pump is controlled electronically by an engine control unit. After switching off the engine, the electric auxiliary water pump conducts heat away from the turbocharger. Under certain conditions, the pump’s electronic circuit board can malfunction. The malfunction can occur as a result of certain design features in combination with high operating temperatures. If the water pump can fails, there’s a slight chance that the circuit board can overheat. And in an extreme case, overheating of the circuit board can lead to smoldering of the water pump. If smoldering occurs, this may also lead to an engine compartment or vehicle fire.
Models Affected:
2007-11 / Cooper S (Dec 2006 – Oct 2010)
2008-11 / Cooper S Clubman (Dec 2007 – Oct 2010)
2009-11 / Cooper S Convertible (Dec 2008 – Oct 2010)
2009-11 / John Cooper Works (JCW) (Jun 2008 – Oct 2010)
2009-11 / John Cooper Works (JCW) Clubman (Jun 2008 – Oct 2010)
2009-11 / John Cooper Works (JCW) Convertible (Apr 2009 – Oct 2010)
2011 / Cooper S Countryman (Nov 2010 – Jan 2011)
How can you tell if this is happening to your MINI? The first tip-off will be a plastic burning smell, or burning and/or smoke from the front of the vehicle may be noticed. You can continue to drive your car. However MINI recommends parking your vehicle outdoors until repairs have been performed. Those who own affected cars will receive a letter asking them to have this service performed by their authorized MINI dealer, do so as soon as possible. At this point MINI in the USA is fixing all cars in its inventory and will be announcing a formal recall shortly. Any new or pre-owned MINI in dealers inventory will be held until the recall can be completed, but customer cars are not yet being held and the recall repair will not be happening until the service bulletin is released. The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened an investigation into the cars after 12 engine fires had been reported including five that destroyed the cars entirely. In eight of the 12 cases, the fires occurred when the cars were parked and turned off.
1-9-2012: Some 2010-11 models may have oil leaking from the timing chain tensioner. In T.S.B. M110512 issued on Sept. 1, BMW said the problem in the Hardtop, Convertible, Clubman and Countryman models resulted from a timing chain tensioner seal ring that is too soft. Replacing the seal ring should do the trick.
1-10-2012: In T.S.B. M110612 issued on Oct. 1, Mini's parent company, BMW, said that technicians might find an O-ring in the oil filter housing when changing the oil. The O-ring is from the oil filter nonreturn valve inside the engine, and it dislodges because it is too small. BMW said that no further engine damage was caused by the O-ring, and that replacing the oil filter housing should clear up the issue. The problem can occur in 2007-12 Hardtops, 2009-12 Convertibles and all years through 2012 of the Coupe, Roadster and Countryman.
January 2010
MINI Countryman launched
Bridges the gap between the MINI and a modern Sports Activity Vehicle. The MINI Countryman offers unique MINI driving pleasure to people who require more space and flexibility. The first model in the MINI range with four doors and a wide-opening rear hatch, the MINI Countryman provides a slightly elevated seating position, and optimized driving comfort. Optional MINI ALL4 all-wheel drive offers additional capability.
As an option the MINI Cooper S Countryman and MINI Cooper D Countryman are available with permanent MINI ALL4 all-wheel drive, an electrohydraulic differential positioned directly on the final drive varying the distribution from front to rear in an infinite process.
The wide range of customisation options on both the exterior and interior again typical of MINI are supplemented by new, model-specific features exclusive to the MINI Countryman. New combinations in the range of interior colours, trim strips and upholstery enable even the most discerning customer to create his – or her – very special car with truly unique character.
At launch the Countryman range will include three petrol and two diesel models, as well as two ALL4 all wheel drive models – the Cooper D ALL4 and Cooper S ALL4. The petrol engines are the new 1.6 litre power plants already announced for the Hatch, Convertible and Clubman models due in March 2010. 1.6 litre, chain-cam N47 diesel engines replace the previous PSA 1.6 diesels engines and are shared with the rest of the MINI range.
The petrol engines all feature Variable Valve Timing (VVT) similar to the BMW Valvetronic system that produces more torque low down and aids overall efficiency. The Cooper S model also features a twin-scroll turbocharger and direct fuel injection that gives blistering performance with modest fuel economy and low CO² emissions. All engines meet EU5 emissions standards. The key performance data are listed below.
MINI Countryman One OTR Price: £16,000
MINI Countryman Cooper OTR Price: £17,510
MINI Countryman Cooper S OTR Price: £20,810
MINI Countryman One D OTR Price: £17,000
MINI Countryman Cooper D OTR Price: £18,810
The ALL4 models costs a modest £1,065 for the Cooper D and £1,220 for the Cooper S above the standard front wheel drive Countryman models and the penalty in terms of fuel consumption and emissions is smaller than one might expect.
16” wheels are fitted with 205/60 R14 tyres
17” wheels are fitted with 205/55 R17 tyres
19” wheels are fitted with 225/40 R19 tyres
February 2011
MINI Cooper SD goes on sale
The two litre four cylinder power unit follows the design philosophy of the familiar 1.6 litre engine but produces 143PS.
The MINIMALISM features include Brake Energy Generation, Auto Start/Stop, Shift Point Display, Electric Power Steering and demand-based ancillaries such as the alternator. Claimed economy is 65.7mpg on the EU cycle with CO2 of 114g/km.
SD Model
|
Top Speed
|
0-62 mph
|
Consumption
(mpg combined)
|
Emissions
|
OTR Price
|
Hatch
|
134 mph
|
8.1 secs
|
65.7 mpg
|
114 grams
|
£18,750
|
Clubman
|
134 mph
|
8.6 secs
|
64.2 mpg
|
115 grams
|
£19,790
|
Convertible
|
130 mph
|
8.7 secs
|
62.8 mpg
|
118 grams
|
£21,130
|
Countryman
|
123 mph
|
9.3 secs
|
61.4 mpg
|
122 grams
|
£21,970
|
Countryman ALL4
|
121 mph
|
9.4 secs
|
57.6 mpg
|
130 grams
|
£23,190
|
March 2012
MINI John Cooper Works Countryman announced
Has ALL4 all-wheel drive system. MINI's six-speed automatic transmission is an optional extra. Body kit, lowered sport suspension, 18-inch light alloy wheels, sports stripes. On sale in Autumn 2012 priced at £27,800 in the UK. .
Newly developed 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with twin-scroll turbocharger, direct injection and variable valve control based on BMW Group's VALVETRONIC technology. Maximum output 218PS at 6,100 rpm and peak torque of 280Nm between 2,000 and 5,600 rpm. Overboost briefly pushes this up to 300 Nm. 0-62mph in 7.0 seconds with either manual or automatic transmission. Top speed 140mph.
ALL4 all-wheel-drive system uses electromagnetic centre differential to distribute drive seamlessly between the front and rear axles. In normal conditions ALL4 allows 50 per cent of power to the rear wheels, rising to anything up to 100 per cent when the going gets tough.
A Sport Button is also fitted, sharpening the engine's responses, retuning the exhaust note and adjusting the steering's power assistance. MINIMALISM technology - including Brake Energy Regeneration, Shift Point Display and Auto Start/Stop for models with a manual gearbox - means maximum efficiency. The result is fuel economy and CO2 emissions figures of 39.2mpg and 167g/km respectively (35.3mpg and 187g/km on the auto).
June 2013
ALL4 available for the MINI Cooper Countryman and the MINI Cooper Paceman in Europe from July 2013. The new models are also fitted with 6-speed manual transmission as standard, with 6-speed automatic transmission available as an option.
In the new models MINI Cooper Countryman ALL4 and MINI Cooper Paceman ALL4, the all-wheel drive system distributes the power of a 1.6-litre 4-cylinder engine with an output of 90 kW/122 bhp between the front and rear wheels. Spontaneous forward thrust is guaranteed by the engine's maximum torque of 160 Newton metres (190 Nm with automatic transmission), at an engine speed of 4,250 rpm.
As a result, the MINI Cooper Countryman ALL4 sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in 11.9 seconds (automatic: 11.7 seconds). The top speed is 184 km/h (182 km/h). Due to the high level of efficiency of both engine and drivetrain as well as extensive MINIMALISM technology, the boost in driving fun goes hand in hand with low levels of fuel consumption and emissions. The MINI Countryman ALL4 has an average fuel consumption of 6.9 litres per 100 kilometres (automatic: 7.5 litres) on the EU test cycle and CO2 emissions of 167 (175) grams per kilometre.
July 2013
MINI Countryman Camp ALL4 Top Tent Camper Launched
Finding overnight accommodation can be a real headache, especially for drivers who have taken a spontaneous trip to a festival or beach. But there's no need to worry about finding the perfect place to bed down when travelling in this MINI. Even when completely off the beaten track, all the owner has to do is head upstairs.
The innovative roof-top tent is showcased above a MINI Countryman which, thanks to its intelligent all-wheel drive system ALL4, is well-suited to travelling over rough terrain. But this simple and practical sleeping solution can easily be mounted on a MINI or MINI Clubman. The upper half of the tent is simply folded out of its storage box. Plump up the pillows and two occupants are ready to relax, then wake up to a perfect view of the ocean, mountain or valley.
April 2014
MINI Countryman updated with styling changes and revised and improved engine range
Model
|
Power
|
0-62 mph
|
Fuel Consumption
|
CO2
|
One
|
89 hp
|
11.9 sec
|
49.6 mpg
|
134 g/km
|
One D
|
90 hp
|
12.9 sec
|
67.3 mpg
|
111 g/km
|
Cooper
|
122 hp
|
10.4 sec
|
47.9 mpg
|
137 g/km
|
Cooper D
|
111 hp
|
10.9 sec
|
67.3 mpg
|
111 g/km
|
Cooper S
|
190 hp
|
7.5 sec
|
47.1 mpg
|
139 g/km
|
Cooper SD
|
143 hp
|
9.2 sec
|
62.8 mpg
|
119 g/km
|
John Cooper Works
|
218 hp
|
6.9 sec
|
39.8 mpg
|
165 g/km
|
December 2015
MINI Countryman Special Edition launched
Fitted with a Space Grey Metallic roof and mirror caps, teamed with 18-inch 5-Star Double Spoke alloy wheels in black and Absolute Black Metallic body paint, up to 250 MINI Countryman Special Edition models will be available for customers in the UK.
Standard equipment includes MINI Navigation System, Voice Control, MINI Connected, Enhanced Bluetooth with USB audio and multi-function steering wheel. Front Seat Heating, Automatic Air Conditioning and Xenon Headlights are also included as standard.
Two trim levels, the MINI Cooper S ALL4 Countryman or the MINI Cooper SD ALL4 Countryman in either manual or automatic transmissions. Both model options are paired with MINI’s ALL4 all-wheel drive system.
Inside, the MINI Countryman Special Edition has interior surfaces in Piano Black and leather upholstery in Gravity-Carbon Black.