We've got a baby one the way and if Mini had a 4/5 door available we'd get one in a snap. As it is, we've got to sell my wife's beloved Mazda MX5 (anyone want it, 1999 V 17,000 miles?
) and will be getting an Audi A2, so that we've at least got one practical(ish) car.
A while back I read that Mini were rumoured to be doing a 5 door amongst other variants because nowadays to be profitable you can't just have different engines in one platform, you also need different styles. However, they did say that they had no plans for a people carrier style or SUV since this would mean highering the ride height and ruining the 'point' of a mini - ie. near go-kart like handling.
My own gut feeling is that they will eventually lengthen the wheel base to allow 5 doors, but also potentially to aid high speed stability for a 4WD rally going version..... now that WOULD be nice!!!
Cheers,
Simon
In wet Manchester, who's ONE still creaks and groans, but I love it.