I know where you guys are coming from saying big power in fwd is not the best, but unfortunatly thats how minis have been made, also guys dont forget the accelorator pedal is not an ON OFF switch!
I have around 200hp on my mini at the moment and can say it is a breeze to drive. Yes you will find it wheel spins if you hold it flat in 2nd gear, but you learn to control the amount of pressure your right foot gives out and drive sensibly.
I dont know where these storys of uncontrollable driving when a mini has over 140hp, if anyone would like to see for them selves i dont mind taking people for spin. I only have SIME tyres on mine and they will hold 170hp@wheels in 3rd gear no problems. Torque steer is as bad as my old swift gti which had about 80hp@wheels.
Braking is upto the task aswell, it only has to pull up 700 odd kilos really, and after 15-20 consecutive laps at wakefield park mine had no problem braking into corner one at over 180kph down to 80kph everytime.
If you want a mini that you can, and need to hold the pedal flat all the time then by all means stick with under 140@flywheel, but to say that a fun weekend/track car with lots of power is no use is not quite right imo.
Go the b16a i say and turbo the thing to get some mid range power and unreal top end, but dont drive it like an a series powered mini.
_________________
1974 Moke - 998cc
76 Clubman B16a2 Vtec AWD Turbo 12.9@105mph
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9PW49e1hYs
but most can't 