From F56 SE to U25 SE

[MichaelC]

Hello! I just traded in my 2021 MINI 2-door hardtop Cooper SE for a lightly used 2025 MINI Countryman SE ALL4.

My plan was to upgrade to a JCW J01 2-door, but it looks like I'll have to wait for BMW's Neue Klasse generation of MINIs to eventually be developed and produced (and hopefully not be scuttled by trade war shenanigans). In the meantime, I would like to take more road trips with a little less planning and without depending on every charger working. I test drove this Countryman, and it was actually much better than I expected. Say hello to "Dory" (as named by the previous owner):

 

[teslarati97]

I'm amazed that you were able to snag a low mileage U25 BEV for such a good price! Do you have a 1.25 in. tow hitch receiver on your vehicle? It's only available as an option for the favored trim.

mistermatcha also says hi to Dory!

 

[insightman]

Hello! I just traded in my 2021 MINI 2-door hardtop Cooper SE for a lightly used 2025 MINI Countryman SE ALL4.

My plan was to upgrade to a JCW J01 2-door, but it looks like I'll have to wait for BMW's Neue Klasse generation of MINIs to eventually be developed and produced (and hopefully not be scuttled by trade war shenanigans). In the meantime, I would like to take more road trips with a little less planning and without depending on every charger working. I test drove this Countryman, and it was actually much better than I expected. Say hello to "Dory" (as named by the previous owner):

Did you trade in Wattson for Dory at a (MINI?) dealer? I wouldn't have expected a dealer to bother remembering a car's affectionate name.

I don't like the weight, I don't like the headlights, but I applaud your long-range Leipzig SE for not having a fake, skeuomorphic hood scoop [ends criticism on a positive note].

 

[teslarati97]

Did you trade in Wattson for Dory at a (MINI?) dealer? I wouldn't have expected a dealer to bother remembering a car's affectionate name.

I don't like the weight, I don't like the headlights, but I applaud your long-range Leipzig SE for not having a fake, skeuomorphic hood scoop [ends criticism on a positive note].

I fixed the lights for you, but there's no way around the weight.

 

[MichaelC]

I'm amazed that you were able to snag a low mileage U25 BEV for such a good price!

This one was in a "minor fender-bender" that the dealership's body shop repaired, which helped lower the price. It's a BMW + MINI dealership, and I am told that the BMW sales manager's girlfriend was the previous owner--which explains why it came off-lease so early with so few miles.

Interestingly, there is a Smokey Green U25 with 18" wheels & about 3k miles on it in Des Moines for a rock-bottom price of $38,900! Looks like they have had it in inventory for quite a while and want to get rid of it. I would have made the trip if I wanted the absolute best deal...but my sentimental heart is hoping that Wattson stays local, and I'm still hoping for an electric JCW at some point so I don't mind supporting my local dealership.

Do you have a 1.25 in. tow hitch receiver on your vehicle? It's only available as an option for the favored trim.

No tow hitch receiver. I don't have any plans to tow, anyway.

mistermatcha also says hi to Dory!

Did you trade in Wattson for Dory at a (MINI?) dealer? I wouldn't have expected a dealer to bother remembering a car's affectionate name.

Yes, I did. This dealership occasionally hosts events for the Kansas City MINI Enthusiasts club, so they "get" the culture. My sales person didn't know the name, but the MINI sales manager was able to find out pretty easily through the connection explained above.

I don't like the weight, I don't like the headlights, but I applaud your long-range Leipzig SE for not having a fake, skeuomorphic hood scoop [ends criticism on a positive note].

I agree it's heavier (and larger) than I prefer. Stylistically and size-wise, I would have preferred the Aceman, but that also isn't an option for us here in North America.

That said, it has enough power to get out of its own way quite well, and the all-wheel drive ensures that it accelerates quickly without drama. I think that's one reason why many people complain that the Countryman isn't as engaging to drive; with the front-wheel-drive F56 you're dealing with reduced traction and torque steer, which is certainly more engaging. But the F56 is also much lighter and therefore more tossable 'round the roundabouts...

 

[teslarati97]

That said, it has enough power to get out of its own way quite well, and the all-wheel drive ensures that it accelerates quickly without drama. I think that's one reason why many people complain that the Countryman isn't as engaging to drive; with the front-wheel-drive F56 you're dealing with reduced traction and torque steer, which is certainly more engaging. But the F56 is also much lighter and therefore more tossable 'round the roundabouts...

There are a lot of compromises with the UKL2 platform. For the BEV drivers, BMW cut down the number of cells per module (all series), resulting in low pack voltages, slower DCFC numbers, and mediocre max range. For the ICE U25, I've been hearing that the transmission is lackluster, but the under floor area in the trunk is exceptional (BEV rear motor takes up most of the space).

My A/S tires are on lighter aftermarket wheels, and my winter tires are on the kaleido spoke wheels. There's a significant difference in handling once you swap out the wheels.

 

[MichaelC]

I am under no illusion that the U25 is a class-leading BEV by any means. Then again, neither was the F56. Honestly, I'm just biding my time until the Neue Klasse generation MINIs become available, hopefully with a JCW 2-door hardtop.

Lighter wheels are one of my go-to/must-have mods, and that is on my list. I don't see a wheel & tire thread in this forum yet, so I think I'll start one.

 

[insightman]

I am under no illusion that the U25 is a class-leading BEV by any means. Then again, neither was the F56. Honestly, I'm just biding my time until the Neue Klasse generation MINIs become available, hopefully with a JCW 2-door hardtop.

The F56 BEV is in a class by itself, thereby class-leading by default (also, unfortunately, thereby worst-in-class).

People who want a MINI BEV are lucky BMW made the (non-US) iX1 BEV; without that vehicle's platform there would be no MINI Countryman SE ALL4.

Sadly, I doubt MINI will ever bring another car (BEV or ICEV) to the SUV-loving, tariff-taxing US.

 

[MacMini34]

I am under no illusion that the U25 is a class-leading BEV by any means. Then again, neither was the F56. Honestly, I'm just biding my time until the Neue Klasse generation MINIs become available, hopefully with a JCW 2-door hardtop.

Lighter wheels are one of my go-to/must-have mods, and that is on my list. I don't see a wheel & tire thread in this forum yet, so I think I'll start one.

You'll have to get one of the upcoming iX3 and slap MINI badges on it (is that car incest?) as I doubt they'll make a MINI version of it and it's supposed to be very good. I just hope it's not silly expensive like the iX is.

cheers
MacMini34

 

[MichaelC]

You'll have to get one of the upcoming iX3 and slap MINI badges on it (is that car incest?) as I doubt they'll make a MINI version of it and it's supposed to be very good. I just hope it's not silly expensive like the iX is.

I think that's called "badge engineering".

Size is a very real concern for me, as my 1986-era 2 car garage is just big enough to fit the U25 Countryman and my wife's ID.4. The X3 would simply be too big.

And while the U25 feels huge to me in comparison to my previous F56, it's still much smaller than most of the behemoths rolling around here in the Midwest. Maybe that 'Undercompensating' decal I had on my F56 wouldn't be too far-fetched on the Countryman after all?

 

[Puppethead]

Maybe that 'Undercompensating' decal I had on my F56 wouldn't be too far-fetched on the Countryman after all?

I think for many MINI drivers the Countryman feels huge, but compared to other car models it's actually on the smaller side (in North America). which is shameful but what can you do.

 

[teslarati97]

I've heard all the complaints about the U25:

• Too big to be a MINI
• Looks too much like a modern KIA
• Looks more like a cat/fish and less dog-like in pictures
• Not a bespoke MINI platform made in UK (aka house of Hanover & house of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha)
• Interior resembles too much of Classic Mini and cheapens the marquee MINI R53/R56 look
• Lack of toxic foam backing on hard plastics to caress and prod while driving
• Lack of genuine holy cow animal skin and formaldehyde signature new-car scent
• Tattoos no longer match the U25 vibe

 

[Barbouille]

Hello! I just traded in my 2021 MINI 2-door hardtop Cooper SE for a lightly used 2025 MINI Countryman SE ALL4.

My plan was to upgrade to a JCW J01 2-door, but it looks like I'll have to wait for BMW's Neue Klasse generation of MINIs to eventually be developed and produced (and hopefully not be scuttled by trade war shenanigans). In the meantime, I would like to take more road trips with a little less planning and without depending on every charger working. I test drove this Countryman, and it was actually much better than I expected. Say hello to "Dory" (as named by the previous owner):
View attachment 24406

I’m wondering after a few weeks driving the Countryman SE 2025, are you happy with the switch? Any regrets?

I reached out to the mini dealer here and asked questions and offered my Mini 2023 2 doors up for an exchange. Looking for more km but wondering if I should wait for the neue klass models…


Envoyé de mon iPhone en utilisant Inside EVs

 

[insightman]

wondering if I should wait for the neue klass models…

I haven't seen any hints regarding the time frame for MINI to be replacing their current vehicles. Based on BMW/MINI's J01/J05 mis-step, I wouldn't be surprised if the neue klasse MINIs will also be built in China (hence, not for NA).

 

[teslarati97]

I'd rather snag the U25 right now to get the $7,500 lease credit, plus any extras like loyalty. If you want to wait for Neue Klasse Countryman, that will start production Nov 2028.

 

[insightman]

I'd rather snag the U25 right now to get the $7,500 lease credit, plus any extras like loyalty. If you want to wait for Neue Klasse Countryman, that will start production Nov 2028.

Will BMW be making that in Germany like the U25?

Is a new small MINI Electric coming to NA, or will it be a bigger car based on the Neue Klasse i3?

 

[MichaelC]

I’m wondering after a few weeks driving the Countryman SE 2025, are you happy with the switch? Any regrets?

I'm finally feeling comfortable with the larger size of the U25 Countryman. That was honestly the biggest learning curve for me. Overall, I'm very happy with it.

My primary goal was making road trips easier, and I can confirm the U25 definitely meets that need after taking it on 2 road trips. The U25 is less efficient than the F56, but the larger battery compensates well enough for my needs. Driving from my home in the southwest corner of Kansas City to visit my mother in Des Moines required 4 charging stops in my F56, whereas the U25 can do it in 0 or 1 charging stops, depending on my state of charge when I leave home (but, honestly, I'll need at least one stop for biological reasons anyway). The driving assistance features and softer ride also make the trip more comfortable/easier.

The built-in navigation is perfectly adequate for these trips, adding charging stops (which I cross-reference with PlugShare) and preconditioning the battery for those charging stops. Estimated state of charge at arrival (both charging stops and final destination) has been accurate enough that I trust it. While the navigation does get realtime traffic data, it isn't perfect for in-town routes. One time it directed me to turn onto a street that its map clearly showed as closed (confirmed by real signs), so I had to revert to CarPlay navigation. That happened before I got the latest over-the-air update, so maybe that has improved.

Even with the greater weight, the additional power and all wheel drive can get the U25 off the line quicker than my F56 could (which was tuned to progressively apply torque in order to avoid snapping the drive axles). It's fun to drive, but the additional weight and softer suspension make it less sporty than the F56 in the corners. Likewise, I will need to upgrade the tires for better grip (preferably with lighter wheels) before the suspension's comfort tuning becomes a "real" problem.

My only regret is that I couldn't keep my F56 so I could have both vehicles, as they each shine in their own way.

 

[teslarati97]

Will BMW be making that in Germany like the U25?

Is a new small MINI Electric coming to NA, or will it be a bigger car based on the Neue Klasse i3?

The earliest would probably be March 2028 and that would be based on the rear wheel drive i1? The ICE F65/F66 is end of production in 2030.

Even with the greater weight, the additional power and all wheel drive can get the U25 off the line quicker than my F56 could (which was tuned to progressively apply torque in order to avoid snapping the drive axles). It's fun to drive, but the additional weight and softer suspension make it less sporty than the F56 in the corners. Likewise, I will need to upgrade the tires for better grip (preferably with lighter wheels) before the suspension's comfort tuning becomes a "real" problem.

My only regret is that I couldn't keep my F56 so I could have both vehicles, as they each shine in their own way.

The most depressing thing is putting the U25 in sport mode and realizing 50hp is all you need for comfort driving. As for the OEM 19 inch wheels, I don't know how to describe the feeling other than being really numb...still have a couple of months before I have to switch back to the 947 spoke + winter tires.

 

[goaheadbackup]

I have both the F56 (2022) and U25. The are very different creatures with the F56 delivering an “always satisfying” drive. I’ve grown to appreciate the U25’s strengths but the vehicle’s weight does negate “sportiness.” I’ll be making my first out-of-state road trip this week. I’ve been learning the finer points of ABRP to minimize issues. Part of the trip will include Maine and New Hampshire - both not known for a robust EV charging infrastructure. Several Tesla Magic Dock and Destination chargers will come into play.

BTW, has anyone used a Matcha public EV charger? An installation just popped up in my anti-EV town.

 

[grozier]

The U25 route planning is good. Set up the drive in the phone app, check it on ABRP and send it to the car.