Greetings, After reading all the excellent suggestions regarding keeping our MINIs in pefect condition, I thought I'd contribute an idea I hadn't seen yet. I got my '04 MCS last month and, being as "retentive" as I am, gave a good look to find areas I thought would wear the easiest. I found a few that I THINK I have addressed such that they'll be well protected. The door sills were the 1st surface to catch my eye. Thinking of how easy it would be to scratch them up, I covered them with adhesive backed clear film. Essentially, I placed the film on the sills and trimmed it to the exact size with a razor blade. You'd have to look VERY closely to know its even there and offers a great deal of protection against any kind of scuff.
Using the same film, I placed a small (i.e. 2x4") piece on each area where the jacketed cable makes contact with the painted surface when the boot is lifted. The cable I'm referring to is at the very top of the boot and makes contact with both the boot and the body when the boot is opened.
As to the film I'm using...I got mine from a workplace I was employed at a long time ago. However, I believe its very similar to the clear film available for lining shelves. I hope this post was as easy to understand as applying the film was.

 

Wetwillie,

Aloha and welcome to NAM.

Thanks for the tip on clear protection. As long as it sticks well and doesn't eventually peel off with heat and time or turn yellow then it should be a good cheap addition.

I just routinely clean my sills weekly and that seems to work pretty well. I don't have any scuffs. There is an aftermarket rear bumper sill chrome plate that can protect that bumper. Your clear protector could also help there.

 

I did the same exact thing to my 91 Isuzu Rodeo and it worked well. I replaced the tape periodically, but usually it would last for 2 years or so. Since the sills are covered by the door when it is closed, rain and dirt were not that huge a problem. The trick is to use good quality tape with a waterproof adhesive. They make a special crystal clear very thick package sealing tape available at Staples that works well.

 

The adhesive-backed film that I used is similar to the film used on some electronic faceplates to keep them from getting scratched during assembly. The adhesive itself is not very aggressive at all and doesn't leave a noticeable residue when removed. In fact, I think its held on more by the intimate contact between the two surfaces than by the glue. It can be easily peeled off and replaced when/if it gets scuffed by someone's shoes as they get in or out.
It was while drying the doorjams that I took a good look at the sills and thought of how easily they could get marred. I had a '93 MR2 turbo before my MCS and I was surprised at how scratched and scuffed up the sills were while the rest of the car looked showroom. I'm just trying to prevent the same thing from happening with my MINI. I know, I admit and I accept that it is very **** of me. LOL