We were looking to replace the wifes Mini Cooper S R56 and my ML63 last year. I got creative and looked at a current (just) Clubman (estate) JCW so it had the BMW 2.0L Turbo 300 bhp engine and 4WD. Seemed like a good bundle of some estate and a rocket but small enough for her to be comfy and a Mini, which she loves.
It was like a ground seeking missile. Tiny, grippy, rocket, fun. I took it back before the end of the test drive (2 days offered) because there was no way I would keep my licence with it ragging me to push it. It had the Mini fun elements but a steroidal power pack, if there were clear roads and no one wagging a finger I would have gone for it but today it is just too much.
In the early years it was a combo of speed, cool and cost (car and insurance). Then it became speed, cool and practicality. Then I was lucky enough to be able to have a fun Morgan and a daily. Now I just cannot be ar_ed to push my luck in a car that can triple the speed limit on over-crowded roads when I sneeze. I like the Alpina diesels and could look at finding a nice two year old 5 series Alpina diesel estate next. However I don't trust what will happen to the black pump/tax/availability going forwards at this point.
