I spent a lot of time deciding what car to get and went for the ST based upon cost:performance ratio. Fact is that the ST is slightly slower round the track than the cooper s, but it cost 10.5K compared to over £15k. The mini IMO is not £4.5k better and it doesn't have side stripes
Don't know what discounts can be got with the Pug, but mini would not budge on price for me on the cooper
If they're comparing against the cooper, then the ST should come out trumps.