First impressions are good. Walking around the exterior (which takes longer than you expect since the car is so much bigger than old Mini) shows up the care that has gone into the fit of the panels. Ours seems perfect, and inside it's a similar story΂ ΂- apart from a couple of glitches and one glaring faux pas, namely the seats. Now, I'd been warned about these sports seats not being up to scratch by evo's road-test team but even so I'm amazed at the slap-dash fit of the baggy leather trim (cleverly finished to look like plastic). The overall effect is of cheap aftermarket seat-covers thrown over the base seat option, rather than the ultimate trim for BMW's new baby.

The other feature that doesn't quite gel is the door trim. First impressions are good ΂- when you open the door, the shiny silver architecture looks nicely distinctive ΂- but as soon as you touch it you realise that it's made up from two different materials, and strangely the bit you get to touch when you close the door is made of the cheaper stuff, which feels rough and unfinished compared with the rest of the pretend aluminum surround.

The only other fault I can find is with the fuel gauge, which refuses to show full. About 3/4 is all that it can manage, no matter how patient you are when filling up. I wish we had the ΂£100 computer option, which would have added a range function to the dash display ΂- much better than having to rely on a dodgy gauge.

There were only 32 miles on the speedo when we collected the Mini so running-in was always going to be the priority this month. Yet even on the first drive home it was obvious this car is a bit special: the nuggety ride hints at Mini's sporty intent, and the sharp steering re-enforces that first impression within the first 200 yards.

But the seats continue to disappoint. Not only are they badly trimmed but they offer no support whatsoever, the plasticated finish of the leather giving you sweaty thighs/back within 20 minutes of setting off. They will have to go. I just wish we could have saved the ΂£530 this seat-trim option cost and put it to better use by getting the seats trimmed properly at a specialist. Any trimmer wanting to help out, please give us a call.

There's no question this is an evo car, in the same way the Ford Puma became known as a driver's car as well as a style statement. I've just got to work out how to hide the keys from the rest of the evo crew for the next year or so, as we find out just how special it really is.

The rest of the UK's queueing up to get its hands on the Mini too, it seems. Only press cars and demo cars have so far been built in right-hand drive, and RHD customer car production won't start up again until October. With orders cascading in at double the expected rate, the chances of buying one this year are, at best, slim.