In a very general sense, the Non-S R56 should be more reliable than the S, simple because many of the recurring issues on R56s are specific to the S... HFPF, Hood scoops melting, throttle bodies freezing, carbon buildup, etc. Again, that's not a guarantee that a Cooper will be more reliable, but on average, it should be.

Of course, that's only for R56s, not the first gen cars you're currently looking at.

 

My late model 07 MC auto was acquired in October '11, from my daughter. She bought it new and used it to commute 30-40 miles per day until her job changed to a location that's walkable. She never experienced a problem.

I drove it from SF to Detroit (2400 miles in 3 days @ 43mpg), again, no issues. It is quite peppy (sport mode really adds to the experience) with a stiff, yet very comfortable ride. In fact, at the end of my trip, I did not feel a need for physical recovery. When I asked my Detroit mechanic about things I should watch for in the future, he said 'other drivers... this MINI is solid and should give you no problems..'

If you are buying price (over instant buzz), I'd certainly work hard to get deal on an MC auto, or manual. My auto version is very 'MINI' and quite snappy. It more than meets my buzz needs. I'll be very surprised to hear you are disappointed with either flavor.

Cheers...

 

I don't know about the leather, since all leather cars I've seen were low mileage (and looked fine). I have 130k on my cloth, and they look almost perfect when clean. My non-S has LSD because I did a 2005 S transmission swap. But as far as I know, only the 2005 and up S had LSD as an option. Not sure about 2nd gen.

 

Regarding LSD and 2nd Gen cars:

Cooper: No mechanical LSD, Electronic LSD became available with the advent of the DTC option beginning in Nov. '08 ('09 models).

Cooper S: Mechanical LSD was available from the beginning for the R56 MCS, but was phased out not too long after the ELSD (DTC) became available (see above). There were some 2010's built with the mechanical LSD, but it was phased out around March '10.

JCW: DTC (ELSD) was standard on Factory JCWs from launch in '08 (MY '09). There was never a mechanical LSD available on 2nd Gen factory JCWs.

 

GoThingNC, I need to get better pics. I see your's was a 73 mine is a 74. Thing is in the body shop, just replaced the passenger floor pan. Still doing some body work on it. original white, next owner painted red inside and out, next owner wanted a Acapulco thing and painted the outside Blue and White. Hope to have it ready by the spring.
Just bought the Mini over in Charlotte,NC
Ron