[8GranCouper]

I'm curious as to what the main differences between the Mini and X1/X2 are - is there any reason the Mini is a few grand cheaper than the BMW equivalents besides brand?

[MMandov]

It seems like a bit less premium car, even if the same, with some cloth on the dash instead of leather or similar. Its down to Mini design styling I guess. It doesn't have an instrument cluster, just the huge circle in the middle. As its windshield is a bit more vertical, its HUD is not projected on the glass, but on some plastic plate.

[tex2670]

Originally Posted by 8GranCouper

I'm curious as to what the main differences between the Mini and X1/X2 are - is there any reason the Mini is a few grand cheaper than the BMW equivalents besides brand?

A Mini should be cheaper than a BMW. I think the X1 has more features, but you'd want to do a side-by-side comparison of all standard and optional equipment to confirm.

Personally, I really liked the styling of the prior Countryman,but not so much this generation.

[SnowCover]

Originally Posted by tex2670

A Mini should be cheaper than a BMW. I think the X1 has more features, but you'd want to do a side-by-side comparison of all standard and optional equipment to confirm.

Personally, I really liked the styling of the prior Countryman,but not so much this generation.

I prefer to think of it as the difference between Rolls-Royce Ghost(?) vs BMW 7-series. They also share the chassis and many parts. (in this scenario, the X1 is the Rolls-Royce and the Mini Countryman is the BMW 7-series) The BMW 7-series is much cheaper.

or VW Group's Bentley Continental and Porsche Panamera, which also share the same chassis, but are priced very differently.

[verdaine]

A few months ago, I had the opportunity to directly compare the iX2 and the Countryman during a launch event at a BMW/Mini dealership. Both cars were side-by-side.

I came there to see the Countryman, not interested in the iX2 which I thought was another piece of awkward BMW design but the overall feel once sat behind the wheel clearly was in favor of the BMW. The materials, the instruments cluster, the seating position were a class above in the BMW.

And guess what, in the flesh, as many, I eventually thought the iX2 looked kind of cool. I just ordered a sapphire black, M-Pack iX2 xDrive30...

[8GranCouper]

Originally Posted by MMandov

It seems like a bit less premium car, even if the same, with some cloth on the dash instead of leather or similar. Its down to Mini design styling I guess. It doesn't have an instrument cluster, just the huge circle in the middle. As its windshield is a bit more vertical, its HUD is not projected on the glass, but on some plastic plate.

Interestingly the new X3 has the same cloth material on the dash as the Mini.

I'm most curious about the differences in ride refinement and sound insulation, I would expect the X1 to be better than the Mini but reviews say they're very similar in that regard. In fact I've heard that the Mini has better transmission tuning. Don't know how that can be the case when it's the same setup as the X1...

[Tomduck]

Mini smaller and lower, debateable if it’s an SUV

[SnowCover]

Originally Posted by 8GranCouper

Interestingly the new X3 has the same cloth material on the dash as the Mini.

I'm most curious about the differences in ride refinement and sound insulation, I would expect the X1 to be better than the Mini but reviews say they're very similar in that regard. In fact I've heard that the Mini has better transmission tuning. Don't know how that can be the case when it's the same setup as the X1...

speaking of sound insulation. that's the other thing I both like and dislike about the X1. The cabin is very quiet for a small SUV in this class and price range($50k and under). However, the exhaust is way too silent. Someone suggested that I put it in sport mode, but it's still relatively quiet. My sister has a 2023 X3(a base model with few options) and it has a really nice exhaust sound even at idle. It's not just the xdrive28i. I test drove the X1 M35i and it also didn't not sound loud enough.

[8GranCouper]

Originally Posted by Tomduck

Mini smaller and lower, debateable if it’s an SUV

The new one is pretty much the same as an X1.

https://www.carsized.com/en/cars/com...units=imperial

[8GranCouper]

Found this comparison video, it doesn't seem like there's much different besides design:

[SnowCover]

[8GranCouper]

Just found out that the Countryman (and every other new Mini) doesn't have Homelink available, at least in the US market. Bizarre thing to cheap out on, and a complete dealbreaker for me.

The X2 would be my top choice if it had an opening pano roof like the X1.

[Pja]

personal preference. very similar car but in my opinion, having driven a Mini for well over 10 yrs the drive and lux feel can not compare. I personally am not a fan of the new mini aesthetics. I like a small car and after comparison I went with the x1 28I . I liked the drive and overall feel. I also do not have a mini dealer local and the local BMW wont work on them. personal preference I guess

[Speedbird71]

Originally Posted by Pja

personal preference. very similar car but in my opinion, having driven a Mini for well over 10 yrs the drive and lux feel can not compare. I personally am not a fan of the new mini aesthetics. I like a small car and after comparison I went with the x1 28I . I liked the drive and overall feel. I also do not have a mini dealer local and the local BMW wont work on them. personal preference I guess

My local MINI dealer didn’t make it through the covid downsizing so I went with an X1. The price delta between MINI and X1 wasn’t materially different to me either.