Lars997:
Hi RC - just noticed now that you got another Mini 

Yes, got one for my mother (well, actually she wanted a Mini and I had to get that JCW my sales person had just registered for him
) but I am driving it pretty often (mostly to work) because I already have over 7000 km with my 911 GTS. My mother likes the car a lot and I will buy it out when the lease ends because my daughter gets her driver's license in two years and she loves Mini. I know, I know, a JCW is not necessarily a car for a beginner but my daughter is very cautious and I trust her. Also, I will do a lot of training with her, we already were to a training with the Mini (ADAC) and she loved it. My son would be a different story, I would never get him such a car but thanks god, he has another five years until he can actually get a driver's license.
When we got ours a year ago there was no JCW available, I for sure would have bought one, too. And - as I stated earlier it was a spontaneous shopping, didn't even had the intention to buy a car, just dropped a friend which wanted to pick up his car from service - I did see it and I bought it
. The car on display was a Cooper S-Diesel and so I got that one (didn't even test drive it). Nevertheless - we drove that car in the last year a lot. I love the ride in it, take it weekly to my airport trips and park it there. In the past when I came back to the airport parking I never was sure with my Seven Series or 911 if any idiots scratched it, banged the door on it, etc. Today - I can be relaxed with the Mini. No jealousy there and the car is so tiny, that door bangs are nearly impossible and also I mind much less a scratch in the Mini than in the Porsche. So what should I say - perfect car for me to commute to the airport. And another great part - city parking is just super convenient - you always find a spot with that tiny car.
Regarding the S-Diesel. The torque is enormous but as you say - the traction is quiet good. I also think that the tires could have been wider. I added some spacers and so it got a bit better while in narrow corners it got a bit worse. Did I miss not having bought an S instead of an S-Diesel? I miss the sound of the S but I dont miss anything which I would call "fun factor". The fact that I can drive 700km with one tiny 40l tank is helping not being continuously at the petrol station. Specially when commuting to the airport (each way 100km) - I can go for 3 weeks without being worried filling up the car again. Just for the record - I wouldn't care about 3 liters more consumption on the petrol based car, but I love the fact of having a bit more range. Overall a fun car which I drive much more often than I thought. Would I buy a Diesel over an JCW after the one year experience. Probably yes as the range is superb, but if my car enthusiast heart would dominate - never ever! 
I tried a Mini Diesel as well and the torque feel was impressive. Just not a fan of Diesel cars and I really knew that I am going to drive the Mini more often than I actually want, so I chose the JCW in a very egoistic way. 
However, I am a little bit disappointed. The JCW is powerful and fun to drive but it doesn't provide the go-kart like driving feel I expected from this car. On the other hand, it is a very comfortable car and right now, not only me and my mother enjoy it but also my wife as well. Especially when she drives downtown where finding a parking lot with her Macan is a bit harder.
Also, the Harman Kardon sound system of the JCW, I think it is a 800 EUR option, sounds better than the BOSE on my 911 GTS. Porsche really sucks when it comes to car sound systems and Burmester is no big improvement but I really regret not getting Burmester for my 911 GTS. Actually the only regret with that car.
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RC (Germany) - Rennteam Editor Porsche 991 Carrera 4 GTS Cabriolet, Porsche Macan Turbo, Ford Mustang GT500 Shelby SVT (2014), Mini JCW (2015), Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT (2014)