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I don't think Mini sales will come back until gas gets well above $4+ in the US. I bought a Mini in 2009 when gas was a lot more expensive than it is now which is $3 in South Carolina. For the price they don't have a overwhelming reason to buy one for the premium you pay. There is hardly anything unique about them other than the premium price. Others have done a better job with torque steer and better ride which might be due to the run flats. For the price you can get a much bigger car with more options. It's not like a 328 where you get rear wheel drive and a strong base engine, great handling etc. what is unique about a Mini? Countryman sells because it's got its own niche and offers all wheel drive. Maybe if Mini offered all wheel drive it could gain market share but I see this as pretty hopeless with $3-4 gas and premium price with no unique features.
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1995 325i, 1996 328ci, 1997 528i, 1997 Z3 2.8, 2000 528i, 2001 X5 3.0, 2001 330i Convertible, 2002 M3 Convertible, 2003 M3 Coupe, 2004 M3 Coupe, 2004 Z4 3.0, 2004 X3 3.0, 2007 X3 3.0, 2007 335i Convertible, 2013 X1 28 sdrive, 2014 M235 manual, 2020 X3 30i Xdrive
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