As ever, thanks all. This is where this site really scores for me at the moment, being able to tap directly into owners experiences with the car. I've already modified the spec as a direct result of feedback from this site (adding a limited slip diff).
In answer to the suggestions to try a couple of cars, this is the funny thing, I have. The first was a
JCW Cooper S on 18's (which if anything should make the ride worse). This rode beautifully (and handled brilliantly!) I checked at the time and was told it had sports suspension.
I later drove a standard Cooper S (just to experience the standard car before ordering as that's what I'd be getting) and noticed two major differences. The first was the abundant torque steer where the
JCW car had none (I'm guessing the
JCW car might have had a LSD, now added to the spec of mine). But secondly the second car (standard 17 inch wheels with run flats) seemed to hop and bounce a lot more. I wonder now whether the first car (which had
JCW wheels, not factory wheels) had run flats, maybe that was the difference.
Anyway, on balance I'm going to stick with the sport suspension I think, and keep my fingers crossed it's ok.
Any more comments or advice gratefully received though, if anyone has any more to add on the subject.