MINIprofile #003 :: George's 2011 MINI Cooper S Countryman, a.k.a Fenton

 CountrymanMotoring's thrid MINIprofile looks into George's 2011 Cooper S Countryman All4, a.k.a Fenton. His Countryman was actually a shipmate of my own Countryman - they were both aboard Auriga Leader for a long cross Atlantic voyage - as another MINIprofiler Chuck & Yolanda. The Fenton actually came out of the factory with Black roof, but switched his hat to white recently. You can find out the behind story in this session of MINIprofile!


1. What is name of the car carrier vessel that carried your MINI?
Auriga Leader

2. When was your MINI delivered?
5/19/11
3. "Make your own" or "I want it now"?
Made my own

4. What drew you to MINI Countryman?
5-door hatch, independent suspension, all-wheel drive, good mileage, fun to drive

5. What other cars did you consider?
Nissan Juke, Audi A3, VW Golf, Subaru Forester, Honda CR-V, Kia Sportage, Mitsubishi Outlander, Jeep Patriot, Toyota Matrix, Toyota RAV4, Saab 9-3x, Volvo XC60

6. What car did you drive before?
Honda Pilot

7. Is the your first MINI or second, third, fourth, etc?
First MINI

8. What is your favorite part/feature/function of your MINI?
Adaptive xenon headlights

9. What do you not like about your MINI?
Very skittish when encounter bumps in turns - suspension/tire tuning doesn’t maintain good contact with the road
Not much available wheel travel
No lumbar support with leatherette seats
First gear in manual rather tall

10. What do your family and friends say about your MINI?
It looks cute, fun to ride in

11. What is your favorite story about your MINI?
I can spend lunch time taking about an hour drive that includes a twisty road near the office (over 100 turns in 11 miles) and get back with a smile on my face

12. What is your favorite place to drive your MINI?
Any twisty, windy road, best if dirt or gravel.

13. Who gets to drive your MINI other than yourself?
My spouse anytime.  My son on occasion.  My daughter hasn’t yet, but she’s ordered a hardtop for her family.

14. Any name for your MINI?
Fenton

15. One word best describes your MINI.
Fun

16. Any Regrets?
Lack of built-in lumbar support in front sport seats (use a 3rd party cushion for passenger)
All-season run-flats have very little stick

17. Anything else you'd like to share?
We changed the black top to a white top, added white bonnet stripes - in an effort to increase visibility.
I’m adding a skid pad under the engine area non-paved rides.  I wish it went full length - things look pretty vulnerable under there.

18. What options/packages does your MINI have?
white turn signals
center arm rest
adaptive xenon headlights
automatic AC
cold package (heated seats, heated mirrors)
rain-sensing wipers and headlights
power folding mirrors
bluetooth and USB
2-part rail
anthracite 17s

19. Any mod/tuning?
Added mud flaps, skid plate, protective strip for top of rear bumper at hatch

20. What’s your plan next?
Get out and learn more about getting it sideways and drifting on the loose stuff

21.  Anything significant happen to your MINI up to this point?
At 4500 miles the right front corner was removed in a collision with a Honda Odyssey (no one injured),
followed by about seven weeks in the shop getting the fourth wheel restored.  I found  the feeling  that
the ALL4 is strong and stiff is well founded. 

Owner information
First Name : George
City, State   Sunnyvale, CA
Occupation  Engineer in Silicon Valley

MINI information
Year 2011
Model MINI Cooper S Countryman ALL4
Mileage 5000
Color Light coffee with black top and mirrors -> white top and bonnet stripes
Any modification (engine, suspension, transmission, exhaust, brake, wheels/tires, body... etc)
Detroit Tuning skid plate under front end

CountrymanMotoring thanks George for sharing his story and enthusiasm/passion for MINI!

Wanna tell us about your own MINI Countryman? Become the next star of MINIprofile>>!!