My friend has had a clio 197 fi team r27 now for 6months and the i have driven on several occasions.
If you are going to be using the car for trips to work on motorway then i would definitely not go for the clio as i is sooooooo noisy on the motorway at 70 mph when it is reving a 4500 rpm in 6th and it has a very annoying noise that irritates you ears!!
If you are wanting the car for flying round back roads and on the track then the clio is the car as the handling is truly awesome for such a car.
The clio's lose money very badly and have problems as all Reanults do!! my frien has had an entire brembo brake change including calipers once and then has had 3 sets of warped pads. Warped pads happen the second you touch the brake pedal in the clio.
Oh yeh he has had to have the upholstery redone as the recaro buckets fabric wears through very quickly and he has had a new radiator.
All gone wrong on a brand new car within 6 months.
I have had my mini for 3 years and not a problem. My friend is now changing to a mini due to the car been too problematic and my mini puts more of a smile on his face than his car and i only have a mini one with a bluefin chip 130bhp.
So if i were you i would go for the mini any day as your money i safer and you will permanently have a smile on you face in the car.
I fogot to mention the service of the clio is going to cost £250 to £300 a time !!! which is extortionate.