I just bought my new 2010 Hot Chocolate Mayfair a month ago. Today I noticed 2 small places on the edge of the driver's door that look dirty. However, when I GENTLY scratched with my fingernail, I realized that I was taking paint off! Is this usual? Isn't this a paint defect? Now I have 2 vertical lines along the door edge, each about 1/4" inch long, where the paint is missing! Help!! Do I take this to the dealer? Try to touch it up myself?
I'm really dismayed that my soft fingernail could scratch off paint -- that just doesn't seem right!

 

It seems unlikely the paint is coming off without some outside force working on it. Are you sure you didn't open the door into your garage wall or another car? Go to the dealer and get some touch up paint. It will cost about $32, and it comes in a well-sealed applicator with matching clear coat.

Saying that, the paint on MINI's is really thin --unbelievably thin. The only thing that really protects the paint on a MINI is the clear coat. I'm sure there are people on this forum that know why MINI paint is so flimsy; I just know it scuffs and chips easier than any car I've owned. After having the front of my car repainted early this year, I had a 3M clear bra installed, which protects the front of the car from being splattered with rock chips.

 

that's why base/clear systems were developed. The pigment is expensive. Base color is applied very thin and has no 'toughness' or gloss for that matter. The protection comes from the clear - which should be 'thick' in comparison.

Almost sounds like your car had a small repair (perfectly legal in most states and does not need to be reported to the buyer) that was not done right because you should be scraping clear with your nail, not base color . . .

I'd address with the dealer but would expect less than a 20% chance of success getting them involved . . . next question is do you really WANT the door resprayed?

 

Post some pics when you have time.