I lease a Just A Cooper 2011 and lease is coming to an end. Means I get to choose another MINI!! Yay!! I testdrove both models F56 and F56S at the MINI Test Drive Event.
The last four years I sometimes regretted not to have a Cooper S(usually only when I ride with the Cooper club and I am the only one non-s). Just love the sound and speed of course. Did not get the S for the extra costs in insurance and speeding tickets....!
With the 134HP and the sport button, the F56 goes already much faster than my current 120HPMINI. Or just go for it with the S? Sigh. I don't know. Any suggestions please?

 

If you want bullet speed acceleration go with the S model.

 

Only you can answer that question. I bought a '12 MCS for my wife a couple of years ago, she drives it like an old lady. Should have gotten her a non-S, but then again I do get to drive it once in a while

 

I prefer the justa. Better gas mileage, and better reliability.

 

If you're already experiencing S-Envy, might as well treat yo'self to the turbo this time around. You can get speeding tickets in anything, so don't let that dissuade you!

 

With both engines now being turbo, I suspect the reliability factor to be about the same. The justa does have less bells & whistles though. We're currently in a 13 MCS, but I would consider a justa next time.

BTW, I decided I was driving the MCS just too hard and was going to get in trouble. My wife is now driving it and I'm driving the 14 Beetle Turbo with the manual. Not as hyper as the Mini, but still fun!

 

Bang(fun) for buck: non-S
status: JCW
compromise: S (bite your collective tongues, I have one)

I would only consider a manual non-s with sport suspension in the F56.