I have what looks like an orange substance draining from the hood and down the front of the car near the headlights.

Any ideas what this might be? Cause for concern?

 

Is it oily? Chances are its the cosmoline they spray at the factory to prevent corrosion.

 

Yes, it is oily.

 

cosmoline....
do a serch...
it is like a WAX...
cars are sprayed with it when shipped..prevents scratches....
then at the port, it is MELTED OFF with a VERY HOT car wash....
the melted cosmoline is then used as FUEL to heat more water for the carwash....
So no waste...unlike makers who wrap their cars in plastic...
or maybe your car just has an infection!! LOL

 

I'm not sure about that... I saw my car shipped... Wrapped in plastic... It was also shipped in a covered transporter with other Mini products. ( I have pics).

IIRC the interior panels are sprayed... As a lifetime corrosion preventer... Much like the old Ziebart stuff.. VW does this as well. The interior of my MKIII and MKIV Golfs had it in most areas behind sheet metal..

 

mini has posted vids of the port operation....jersey city nj
kinda bragged about the waste free environmental benefits...
in the NE, cars are then shipped in covered/enclosed car carriers....
no plastic is used...
maybe plastic was applied due to alternate transport...aka a std car carrier..

 

It's cosmoline. I just had my front fenders replaced (under warranty) because one very hot week caused it to drip cosmoline down the fenders, staining them. They have new
Fenders with a specific cut out for the drips.

 

Welp, things may have changed?. My car came into Newark NJ.. Then transported VIA covered truck...