We are on our 3rd Mini now, had a mcs in both r53 and r56. We got an amazing deal on factory JCW so took the plunge. It's got 2500 miles on now and loved every one of them. Me and the mrs both use it and fight for the keys!

I've owned much faster cars but the mini is so much fun. I can get a lot more out if it than I could from my s2000. I swear you can throw it in to any corner at any speed and it will always come out the other side. They do have some issues but no more than any other car, the timing chain issue has been sorted on later models.

Huge mod potential. A remap alone can take it to 270+ bhp, add coils, bigger ntercooler and a sports cat and it's a weapon!

Sorry but I thought I may as well post a pic

 

Indeed.

I had an older chap run a tuned Mini with me on the motorway in the 335i.
He was extremely surprised as I crawled past him.
But not as surprised as I was at how long it took me
This was a 1.7t 335i at just over 400bhp.

However, to qualify my first comment it was surprisingly lousy in the high speed twisties.
It seemed to be understeering badly so there was a lot of lifting by the driver.
This agrees with my pals thoughts, whom did many track days (and even a few rotations!)