I don't think the black is paint. It looks like film, the same type of film used for the chrome look, or the film on the steering wheel that gives part of the steering wheel a flat, solid, gray look. On my late 2011 MINI, the grey on the steering wheel began to crack/peel where my hand made contact and I saw underneath it was shiny plastic covered by film. It was replaced under waranty.

 

As someone who sanded down their front bumper cover, I can assure you that it is neither paint nor film, but shiny solid black plastic. Which makes the white milky thing even more baffling to me.

 

It sure is baffling. My 2015 Cooper S was on the MINI lot since April when I recently bought it. There isn't discoloration on mine. It's good that it's a solid color but unfortunate this has happened to so many.

 

Sorry to drag this from the back of the barn, but I thought it best to keep all the follow-up on this issue in one spot. Our friend BellaF56 was able to obtain a "defect code" from a recent warranty claim:

 

What proof do you have of this? Why would US-spec cars use "second run" or "alternate supplier" parts? The cars are all built on the same lines.

 

I talked to MINI Product managers over the years. Not US run cars at the factory ( they all use the same production stock as all the cars on the line ), what I meant is US stock parts here stocked in warehouses.

 

Just an update we have the PDC version aftermarket in stock now! They look great and have the same UV resistant gel coating of the other aftermarket ones we sell. Non PDC version aftermarket is linked above.

https://www.ecstuning.com/Search/Sit...h/51117379434/

 

I honestly wish someone in aftermarket would just make a full plastic replacement trim that eliminates this weird bumper plastic thing. The concept GP3 has one which is perfect.

 

This one?

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-bremmen-...139481307~brp/

 

These were recalled at one point. The prt comes molded in black and fades, turns a purple color. Bome BMW's have the same problem with black molded parts.

 

Yep they fade like this if the original Genuine MINI ones.



or this