I'd never buy a new one as just too much money for a MINI but 2nd good value. I quite the supercharged whine, my mate had the S with Hartge kit, which boosted power to 210bhp and made it one hell of quick car. Transformed 4th and made it have the same punch as 3rd!! Good fun but no roof down!

 

I've driven a 53 plate cooper S and it was fun to drive. I can't get passed the image though!

The only Mini I'd actually think about buying would be the GP1, I think they are gorgeous!!

 

i had an s works and loved it - image was no real bother to me because it was so much fun to drive (and bloddy quick on b roads) - but there are just too many of them now. And the build quality was indeed rubbish - I had over four grands worth of warranty work done on mine - all done happiliy (and free) by bmw but it was in there over 10 times in 2.5 years.
That said (not moaning just reporting) my s hasnt been much better - 6 warranty claims in 18 months/22000 miles.

Very different cars - i remember testing the s and being very dissapointed by the (again not moaning!) torque - but told myself that I would learn to extract the power and use the revs and its been a great decision!