My wife has purchased a very original R56 2007 mini. It has the double door seal system, panoramic roof and is very original and clean. Both door seals leak in teh same place approximately 175mm from the door piller above the door cill. I have removed the carpets and all trims having found around 10 litres of water between both front footwells and more to the rear. I have checked the gutters to the sunroof, checked around the windscreen, pulled off all trims, dried the car and have identified the water ingress location. I am very surprised that this hasnt been reported more openly on the internet as there is no apparent defect to the door seals but a very significant problem; possibly others arent aware of the issue due to the deep sponge in under the carpet layer. Is this simply the case of buying 'new improved doors seals', or do i simply address the issue with a sealing compound (sticks on wet or dry gutter sealent)

 

Probably because this isn't a known major issue. You bought a used car, are you sure that it wasn't in an accident and repaired incorrectly? Also, what is "double door seal"? There are known leaks that happen, but nothing like you are describing.

 

Pictures needed of leaking area.