Mini Cooper options

["Gary Fellers" <gary_fellers@worldnet.att.net>]

My wife wants a Mini Cooper S for Christmas.  It's hard to be against 
getting fun little car that could be autocrossed, so it may come to be.

I can figure out whether or not it should have the bonnet stripes (yes), but 
I have a couple of other questions.  How worthwhile are the optional limited 
slip differential and/or dynamic stability control?  What about tire size? 
There are both 16" and 17" rims available.

Any thoughts or comments would be appreciated.  Thanks.

Gary