quick test drive

[Qisl]

An SE ALL4 finally arrived at my dealer. My MA sent me a text and offered to let me take it for a short drive. Given that it only had 8 miles on the odometer, I was very gentle with it. I didn't bother with changing any of the modes. I started off in B mode. (The manual uses the word 'recuperation' instead of 'regen'.) B mode has the highest default recuperation.

It is certainly higher off of the ground than my SE. Acceleration was smooth; and when I pressed the accelerator down, the car easily moved forward. (I test drove an S ALL4 when it first appeared, and it was much more sluggish by comparison.) I did try changing its mode to D from B, but as I was approaching a red light, I quickly put it back into B so that I wouldn't have to use the brakes.

I think the only thing that former Subaru owners won't like about this car is the lack of a heating element for the windshield wipers. (Decades ago, I was one of the last drivers on the road, in my Forester, in NE Oklahoma's first ever blizzard warning. Without that windshield wiper heating element, I'd have been sidelined long before I'd reached my destination.)

I was quite happy to hop back into my SE, カスミ (Kasumi, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Misty_(Pokémon) ), for my ride into work. Quick, nimble, and low to the ground. カスミ was quite spirited for the rest of the day. (If I'm not careful, I'm going to start getting some 'awards'.)

Smokey green is an interesting colour.

 

[teslarati97]

Smoky green is probably the best matching color if for the favored trim and vibrant silver. Personally it's closer to almond nougat. I took a look at all the U25s at my dealer some colors really clash with vibrant silver. Not loving the dark petrol seats as well because it feels like sitting in a big blueberry muffin.

The heated wiper thing is a mixed bag. Doesn't do anything in -30F weather.

 

[Puppethead]

The heated wiper thing is a mixed bag. Doesn't do anything in -30F weather.

Also turning on the defrost and blasting warm air at the inside of the windshield will do a lot to keep the ice off the outside. Sometimes ice can build up on the wiper blades themselves, but that's for pretty extreme conditions.

 

[Qisl]

Also turning on the defrost and blasting warm air at the inside of the windshield will do a lot to keep the ice off the outside. Sometimes ice can build up on the wiper blades themselves, but that's for pretty extreme conditions.

That's exactly what I experienced during a blizzard warning.

 

[goaheadbackup]

My dealer provided a Countryman SE yesterday for a brief test drive. The route included highway and a few suburban streets. The performance was as expected – quick and comfortable. Stepping over to the Countryman from a 2025 Mini S (ICE) loaner vehicle (my 2022 SE was receiving the HVB software update), I had already become accustomed to the controls and display. The Countryman did not feel overwhelmingly large with good visibility all around. It was reasonably “nimble” but the vehicle’s weight certainly couldn’t offer the fun of my 2022 SE. I should note that I am a bit disappointed in the materials that MINI/BMW is using for the switches below the screen and on the doors – they are plastic and not of high quality. A deal breaker? No. While some have complained about the steering wheel, I found it to be quite comfortable. The OLED display (in both the Countryman SE and 2-door Cooper S ICE) was responsive and I quickly sorted the best method to get to the most used controls. I did note some unexpected wind noise at the A-pillars at highway (over 70) speeds. I am not used to driving a “tall boxy” vehicle. When speaking with my motoring advisor about the vehicle’s range, I learned that, to date, there isn’t enough anecdotal evidence about “real world” numbers. Just like my 2022 SE, could the Countryman SE frequently offer much more than the GOM suggests?

As a side note, the 2-door Cooper S F66 loaner in Ocean Wave Green was enjoyable. The engine-stop start and DCT were disconcerting at first but I soon learned their limitations. As a daily driver, the car could work well with 201hp and decent mpg (it showed 34 mpg). The 2025 interior is a little more spacious than the 2022. I believe the track was increased a small amount to afford a slightly wider passenger compartment. Also, the seats are not as heavily bolstered (still quite good, however) and the doors/door handles do not intrude as much as the previous model. Since the car is no longer than the F56, the leg room (?) in the rear is the same. It seemed, too, that MINI stepped up the sound proofing as the ICE car was quieter than expected.

Thanks go to my MINI motoring advisor, Corrine.