As I go through this search, I'm finding that to be my issue. I custom ordered my last MINI and am being way to picky on when searching for a used one. I'm leaning towards a cpo'd r56 since I need to replace my 10 year old commuter car now and will revisit the f55 in a year or so when I have the time to order it exactly as I'd like.

The demos hat I've looked at have been picked up really quickly which hasn't left me with much to to view them so with my schedule/kids it's difficult. The one I had seen seems to have been abused a bit based on how high up the clutch take up was. I dove a new one back to back with it just to confirm it wasn't just a my unfamiliarity with it.

Thanks for all of the insights and input. It's been helpful. Hope to be motoring again soon!