I have an '09 JCW with about 500 miles on it. Yesterday, I noticed a spot on the driveway about 2x2 that appears to be oil. It is right behind the left front wheel, slightly inwards. Today, I noticed another spot the same as the other other one. It does not look like a lot of fuild and almost look like it was splattered on the ground.

Anyone have an idea?

Thanks

 

Sounds like a seal is starting to leak. I'd get it back to the dealer for a checkup.

 

French engines do that a lot.

 

This is my second Mini and my '07 do not do that. I did notice oil would collect around under the hood apparantly from a breather, but never leaving anything on the ground.

Could there have been just a little too much oil in the engine fromthe factory and it is getting pushed out through the PVC system?

 

At 500 miles from new, that may not be engine oil, more likely it's cosmoline melting out of some hidden spot. While messy, it won't hurt anything if that's what it is......

 

I think that you may be right on. I was just out taking a look at it and we have had some rain in Chicago overnight, so the car was wet. When I popped the hood, of course, all of the water ran to the back of the hood onto the cowl and then into the drain holes. The interesting thing is that the water was draining from the same spot as the previous fluid stain.

This makes totally, sense because the stain had a splatter type pattern which would not have happened unless a ton of oil or some fluid had leaked out. Friday night I had washed the car, brought it home and it sat all day, so I am sure that the water mixed with the cosomoline is what I saw.

I will keep an eye on it, but after what I saw this morning and MiniDave's comments, I agree that it is more than likely nothing.