they used to be really mini with those 13 inches wheels I loved them then and they creamed everybody in the monte carlo rallies for years
but I digress sorry bill could not resist
Wasn't it 10" wheels? Even the mid 60's local full size GM Holden 165 ci and 186 ci 6yl sedans and station wagons here only had 13'' rims, 14' arrived on the '68 model GM Holdens here IIRC. My '81 BMW 323i 2.3l 6 still had 13" but I upgraded them to BBS 13" Porsche wheels.they used to be really mini with those 13 inches wheels I loved them then and they creamed everybody in the monte carlo rallies for years
I have a 2012 base model and love it. I would try to get a newer model (2012 or newer) as they have had problems with cooling and turbo stuff on the earlier models. The JCW is the top of the line model with a lot of get up and go! Here is what I found as good: Really responsive and fun to drive, excellent fuel mileage, nice accessories (actually being British/German, a lot of electrical gizmos) and sound system (Harmon Kardon). The bad: Must use premium fuel (turbo only), back seat passengers have to be really tiny, I would assume the repairs must be expensive but have never had to have mine to the shop, turbo models have to have the intake media blasted about every 40K miles (cost $400) as they are direct injected and get valve gunk which must be removed. I picket mine up three years ago with less than 20,000 miles for about $14,000. It now has a little over 50,000 trouble free miles. You have to be careful of used cars as many have been thrashed pretty hard (just like buying a used Rocket). Overall I would buy another in a heartbeat! If purchasing one in your area, try to get a model used only west of the Cascade Mountains!
now the Germans own them 
