Hey Spacey and/or 'fredo

i believe fredo also has one. 

The wife loves hers. I don't drive it all that much, but when I do, I see why she does. Yes, it is the S model, with a 6-speed manual transmission. I'd not dream of configuring it any other way. Way fun, like a go-kart for grownups. It's quick, handles like it's on rails, and gets reasonable gas mileage (low 30s, though it would probably get better if you don't drive it like a teenager, but so far I've found that to be unpossible. I put a new cold air intake on it and K&N filter, best $200 I ever spent, or at least in the top 20, definitely helps the supercharger breathe, and gives a bit more pep, without sacrificing fuel economy. They said it should actually improve mpg, but if it does, it's negligible.)

Premium fuel? Yes, but when you put it in perspective, that's really only $1.50 or so more per fill-up, I don't really consider it that much of a downside. If you buy your fuel at Costco, which we do, it really ain't no thing.

The only downsides I can think of: The sport tuned suspension on run-flat tires means you feel every bump, tar strip, or piece of gravel on the road. IMO, the seats are good for about 200-250 miles at a stretch and then you want to not be in the car anymore, not a great roadtrip car. It's also not the quietest car on the road, though definitely not the loudest. Also, we can't find anyone outside of the BMW dealer who will actually service the thing, which means $$$. (And it requires full synthetic oil, but I do the oil changes myself- saves about $60 per, over having the dealer do it.) Other than that, I can't complain. It's a great car.

[edit] By the way, my 6'3" 270lb brother fits in the driver's seat no problem, though unless you ain't got no legs you're not going to fit in the back seat behind him. (Which fits normal sized adult humans relatively comfortably when there are normal sized adult humans in the front seats.)

so much for getting that Spanky, to hand a vehicle down to the son, it doesn't need special maintance (bmw only), nor does it need to have the sports car driving capabilities. 

I'll pretty much echo everything spacey said although our mini is in fact mine and not the wife's.  I'm glad I got the S but it gets less mpg.  Mine is closer to a 27-28 mpg average but that mainly all city driving.  The tank holds 13 gallons so .20 cents more for premium a gallon so an extra $2.60 a tank.  But it does run better with premium so it's a wash IMO.  More highway driving and it could easily do low 30's. 

It basically drives like a little BMW and is really sturdy.  It handles great but gives you a full driving experience by the way it allows you to feel the road.  You don't just go run an errand in it.  You happen to make stops whilst motoring around town.  It makes driving fun and enjoyable again.

I've only had it for like 9 months so can't speak on reliability yet.  But BMW's first 3-4 year standard service is the best in the industry.  For comparison, Lexus can't compete IMO with that from exerience. 

Check out the local mini boards for mechanics.  Our area has one so I bet the DFW area does too.  And with the little cult following you should be treated well.  I would think it would be a great car to keep for a long time.  They seem simply built with the intent to last a long time. 

Hey, you can probably get this one cheap.