We're bi-minual here too Q......love them all.  Not the same, but same-ish, kinda, sorta. No hate. Life's too short.

We have an '09 & a '12 (both non-S' though)........and of course the Barnhill Minis, 1987 Austin RHD from Wales. (thanks David!)

Hi E...  glad to see ya back on the board..  later bc

About 6 months ago I bought an 07 Mini Cooper S. I haven't been able to drive it previously as much as I was sidelined by surgery. I was able to do a few upgrades to it during my downtime. Trust me guys, nothing sucks more like buying a car and installing a hop up part and not be able to test it out.

I upgraded the intake to a K&N kit, installed a short shifter kit, deleted the turbo muffler (I can actually hear the spool of the turbocharger). There's a set of Hotchkis adjustable rear camber arms and 22mm rear swaybars to go on but I don't have the energy to do this by myself yet.

Anyways, the past few days have been the first time that I've been able to really wring it out and boy I'm pleasantly surprised. And I haven't even gotten into bigger turbo, exhaust and tunes yet.

So moral of this story is for other holdout purists like myself, give this thing a try. It is the closest (not a replacement) I've been in a vehicle that is similar to our wea beasties. Again, I'm not saying that it's a replacement.

I know that the newer ones are now size queens but the earlier models from 2002 to 2006 are small (er) and with a supercharger can be had for $1,500 to $2,500 on Craigslist. I'm searching for an 04-06 to add to the fleet.

Thanks.