Value champion of the year, that will be the MINI Countryman, well, In Germany.

A new winner in a familiar story: for the tenth time in a row, the title of 'Value Champion' goes to the British premium brand MINI. For the first time, it is the MINI Countryman that has been voted as the car with the highest value retention level its class on the German car market. The MINI Cooper S Countryman gained the top position in the small car category of the ranking list published in the 'Auto Bild' motoring magazine, making it the 'Value Champion 2014'. It follows in the footsteps of the MINI and MINI Cabrio, which ever since 2005 had been alternately winning the top position for outstanding value retention.

Since its launch, the first MINI with four doors and large tailgate has developed into a worldwide success, attracting new customer groups who are excited to discover the brand’s trademark driving fun. The MINI Cooper S Countryman has not only successfully translated the unmistakeable style of the brand into one that suits a new vehicle segment but it also enhances its characteristic agility in a decidedly sporty manner. Its perfectly coordinated four-wheel drive results in an optimum level of road stability while the attractive vehicle design also guarantees maximum value stability. This latest study, conducted by 'Auto Bild' in association with the market-monitoring institute Schwacke, attests a residual value of 59.1 percent to the MINI Cooper S Countryman, which translates to the best value retention in its class.

The results of the comparison are based on a forecast conducted by car market experts of the sale price that can be achieved after four years with a car first registered in the year 2014. The calculation takes numerous factors into account that determine the ongoing popularity of a model in the used car market. In addition to the car's specific characteristics, other factors are also taken into consideration, such as its new price and operating costs, its performance in comparison tests, and its brand image, as well as general market trends. The current comparison values were determined for eleven vehicle classes and subsequently published in the current issue of 'Auto Bild'.

As the difference between the new price and later resale price represents a considerable cost factor, value constancy can be seen as a decisive purchasing criterion for many potential new-car customers. The 'Value Champion' ranking can therefore be regarded as an important aid to customers when it comes to choosing a new vehicle. The current list is yet further proof of how much investing in typical MINI riding fun pays for itself in the long run.

TMW THOUGHTS

WOW, well, what to say, it might have great value retention, but the Countryman has to be without any doubt one of the worst cars I have had the misfortune to drive, the list of things that this car fails to deliver is long, and faults too.

FUEL ECONOMY

The stated fuel economy for the Countryman Cooper SD ALL4 falls a considerable way from it's stated mpg, even the local dealer confirmed that the stated figures are NEVER likely to be achieved or even get near.

RIDE QUALITY

This has to be one of the harshest, stiffest ride ever, every small dimple in the road gets felt through the seat, which is also one of the hardest i have sat in, even more so that a late 80's Ford Transit. Take the car slightly off road, or even just a dirty road and the stability makes you feel fairly uncomfortable.

ACCESS+BOOT SPACE

This car is aimed at the family, four doors and a huge HEAVY tailgate, yet you have to be a contortionist to get into the back of the car due to the lack of room, and then leg room it's self is small, for a very large car, it is a joke really, then comes the tailgate and boot space, the tailgate is heavy, anyone with mobility issues or elderly will struggle a lot, , you have to lift your packages up and over the highish lip, and then the space in the boot, is TINY, the Hyundai i10 has a slightly smaller boot, in a vastly smaller car.

RELIABILITY

So far the the car has been recalled once because the steering column could, and would catch fire, even if the car was not being used, it has issues whereby the the battery is draining when the car is not being used, and nice little pictures on the speedo display of a car on a repair ramp means it needs to go back again, and the customer service at my local dealer is dire, the person I originally spoke too failed to recognise that the recall was urgent, as per the letter, and tried to book me in some considerable weeks in the future, and then decided that i was to be given a car completely unsuitable to my specific needs (disabled customer), even though it was explained slowly and carefully for her to understand (three times), eventually after a brief and not complimentary message on Facebook, I had the manager call and boom, sorted, all in 2 minutes, rather than the 45 i was on the phone before, at least I learned that facebook does have a use after all.

OVERALL

I hate this car with a passion, it is horrid, I miss my Jaguar, which was perfection, no issues, great fuel mileage, comfortable, but low down, bugger, but I await the day the new C-X17 SUV comes to town, or maybe the new XS, I have my deposit sitting here ready to go.

If i were to offer an opinion on what to get instead, for that size car, the Nissan Qashqai, looks a good package, or the Renault Captur or even the Citroen C4 Picasso but now the C4 Cactus has appeared, this has shot to the top of the B list, after a list of Jaguars and Range Rovers. Anyone have this weeks lottery numbers, please send them here.