We are on our 2nd Mini Cooper S, both have been primarily used as daily drivers, commuting in NY/NJ metro area. Fun to drive for sure, but they begin to unravel at about 80k from experience. Our current is a 2013 Cooper S John Cooper Works, at about 79k. One issue we have found is the suspension travel is very small, and therefore the car pounds in our northeast potholes. I've lost count of how many sets of tires we have put on the car, probably 6 to 8...not due to treadwear but due to sidewall bulges from the aforementioned potholes and lack of suspension travel. The pounding also causes the front strut mounts to fail, and sometimes the shock towers themselves mushroom out.
I hate DIY on these cars too...not engineered to be repaired.
I'm planning on selling the car very soon. If you're not scared by the above this car is currently parked at my home in Quakertown PA and you're welcome to come by for a test drive some weekend.
