All the comments I've been getting from the majority of my car crazy friends are that the Mini S has a huge fun factor and is a good driving instrument as well.

As mentioned, I drove the 135i and it was a blast, but I'm hoping the Mini will be even more fun, which I'm betting it will be.

 

A buddy of mine is selling his '05 S and is getting either a 135i or an Audi A3 (he got a really bad deal when he traded in is Saab Viggen for his Mini - he is paying more than I'm paying for my '06 530xi).

After driving both, I agree the 135 was a blast, but man is it boring. I definitely have more fun in my Mini.

 

I'd driven a Viggen a while back and could not stand the torque steer.

I hear that many feel the 2.0T is the engine of choice for the A3. But I personally haven't driven one. I like the look of the car. But I'd probably just go GTi. I had a '84 GTi for almost a decade. Great little hatch.

 

I've kept my 2002 330 Ci convertible (Buffy), but when I decide which one to drive in the morning I really just want to drive the Clubman. The BMW has only 5800 miles on it after 6 years, and she is a pleasure in a different way, but I love the handling of the MINI more. Two different worlds. I would love to sell the BMW for a 2009 Cabrio, but we'll see. Buffy is a beautiful car and paid for, plus her tags are not expensive any more. I don't think I'll ever spend 55K on another BMW after driving the MINI.
Every time I think I'll sell her someone sees her and tells me what a beautiful car it is. That makes it hard as she is still like new inside and out. I never drive her or the MINI in bad weather and neither has had passengers except the gorilla girls.
I don't know what to advise you. I'm having trouble deciding on my own.

 

Regarding the original post:

I don't think I would lease the same car again for another 3 more years. I think it could be fairly boring, unless you absolutely loved that car.

 

I have heard that with 3g's worth of mods,the 135i is a m3 contender.That is tempting.Can you say back door tii on a budget?....i knew you could... Its only the thing for the cash thats tempting.Still love my little beasty though!

 

Hey SYCO GT

My mom thinks it's too small and doesn't like being confined in the front seat. I can't win with her, she used to moan and groan about the BMW being too low to the ground and too hard to get into. The Mini is much easier to get into for her so I just don't get it.... I gave up arguing with her about it, so it's easier just to drive the BMW when I'm with her.

By the way, I'm probably going to trade it in for a 135......

 

You're trading the convertible for a 135i?

I think you'll love it. That is a powerful and responsive engine and will be lighter and smaller than your convertible.

 

Going from a 540i to MCSa. Picking up my MY/W next week. Sold on the MINI the first time I test drove. Took me 3 years to switch, but don't regret it for a minute.