Recently I spent a Saturday night cruising through town in a convertible BMW. It was a good time, but had I watched "BMW: A Driving Obsession" (CNBC, 9 tonight), I would have appreciated it all the more.

Because what you learn in this report, hosted by Carl Quintanilla, is that the folks who make Bimmers approach the task with a slavish devotion to excellence that make the vehicles worth every penny.

Quintanilla takes us into the car maker's tech center where you see that the meticulous commitment made to ensuring that each BMW is the finest engineered car on the road. I mean, there's a sound engineer who spends hours finding just the right tone so that the pings from, like, the car's seat belt reminder doesn't annoy you.

For all those people in the market for a high-end condo overlooking downtown Raleigh and a Mini Cooper, you're in luck.

Bloomsbury Estates, the 56-unit development at the corner of Boylan Avenue and Hargett Street, is now offering a new Mini to buyers who sign a contract by the end of October and close by the end of the year.

"We just thought that was a cute idea," said John Bruckel, Bloomsbury's developer. "In this economic environment people are looking for value."

The promotion is a partnership between Bloomsbury and Flow Automotive Group of Winston-Salem, which will open the Triangle's first Mini franchise early next year on Capital Boulevard. Several Minis will be at Bloomsbury starting tomorrow, and the devleopment will be offering condo tours and test drives at an open house on Saturday from noon to 5 p.m.

None of Bloomsbury's units, which range from $329,900 to $1.12 million, have sold thus far. Bruckel said six are under contract.

Bloomsbury will cover the cost of the vehicle, but not taxes, tags or any upgrades, Bruckel said. The models being offered by Bloomsbury range from just under $20,000 to about $26,000.

Those buying one-bedroom Bloomsbury units are eligible for the Cooper Hardtop, the least expensive Mini. Buyers of two-bedroom units are eligible for a Cooper S, while buyers of three-bedroom units can get a Cooper S Convertible.  

Bruckel said Bloomsbury and Mini Cooper are a perfect match.  

"We have an English, high-quality no compromise type of building," he said. "It's fun and contemporary but rooted in tradition."