Yes I did purchase from checkered flag and am very pleased with their service. If you make the appointment 2 weeks in advance, you are guaranteed a mini loaner. Last minute appointments may get a a mini, but not guaranteed. Like I said, my wife has had terrific service after five years of ownership so I bought into Checkered Flag because of the great work Frank does there with the mini customers. I have heard others say to watch them carefully so they don't do something you don't need, but to be honest, I have not seen any of that or known of anyone who has had a negative experience. I am sure there are others who will contradict this. So be it. All I can say is they have been awesome to deal with. They guaranteed my mini would be built in exactly 7 weeks and it was to the minute! It came exactly 7 weeks from the minute I ordered mine. That was before gas went up over $4.00 per gallon so there may be a longer wait right now. There are no minis on the lots any more. Custom is cooler anyway. Go order one!

 

pics are attached of the loaner!

 

That Cooper is not as quick as your MCS, but if you didn't enjoy the drive, you're not driving it RIGHT.

And dealers handing out JCW MINIs as loaners... they're as bad as crack dealers giving out freebies.

 

Very cool you got the keys to a JCW....we got to poke around one the other day, but didn't get to take it out. It's probably sold by now.

As awesome as JCWs are, I've always been perfectly happy getting back into my Cooper, which is perfectly suited for the urban motoring about that I do. In that context, I think for me the added power is unusable and even masks the superb handling that is the basis for my attraction to the car. That's just me, though.

 

It's not just you! ... I really feel the same way 2 days into driving an S loaner.
The driving feel of the S is a bit too jumpy ... it reminds me of my old Mazda where you step on the gas lightly and it already jumps out. In traffic and slow moving city this is a bit annoying. The previous gen S did not have this quality from what I remember and I spent extended times in it as well.

I am really digging my Cooper more than ever now.
Not the the S is bad its just not suited for my style around the city.

 

That first image looks like you are part spiderman as you seem quite elevated off of the garage floor....perhaps it comes with the power of the JCW?...

 

so for the first time I noticed how much bigger the Clubman really is as I still have this S loaner and had to drive my folks around today for a bit.

Getting in the back for my father was downright painfull ... he is in his late 70's but still somewhat agile ... and getting out, I thought I will need a corkscrew.

That 3rd door and few inches of legroom make all the necessary difference in this car.