So I have an '03 S with about 87k on it now. And I have noticed recently that I am having an oil leak on the passenger side of my car. It seems that the passenger a-arm is covered in a light film of oil. I have looked both under the hood and under the car but can't seem to see and leaks. Could it be the drain plug? I looked at the filer and that appears to be on tight enough too, and without any leaks from what I can see. Anybody had this problem before???? HELP!!!

 

Did you recently have a oil change? If so did you change the oil filter? I've had 2 similar leaks both underneath the passenger side. Both times was due to a aftermarket oil filter.

 

It's possible your motor mount is failing. Check under your motor mount on the passenger side for any oil residue. The oil will be dark and nasty looking.
Just my 2cents.

 

The oil pan and seal had to be replaced TWICE on my '05 R53 S last year when the car was still under warranty (Second replacement was required as the dealer tech did not do the first oil pan seal repair properly).

The oil was leaking from the back of the engine. It was a very slow leak but a leak nevertheless. Oil Pan seal failures are common in these cars and unless you put it on a lift you don't realize it (That was my case as the leak was minimal).

 

He has a 2003 MCS. The engine mount on pre-2005 MINIs is completely different and uses no oil.

 

Is this true about the pre 05's? I have an 03 and what I thought was a hydraulic mount was replaced when i got in an accident with an all rubber one. It appears to be leaking a little and my engine has developed a slight vibration under load (only noticeable in 5th or 6 when accelerating from 2500 or 3000 +). Did they put the entirely wrong kind of mount on my car?

 

Probably the mounts are interchangeable. Next time look the mount of a 2002-2004 MINI (MC or MCS) and compare the mount with a 2005 or 2006 to see the difference.

Supposedly the oil filled mounts in the 2005+ are better for the purpose of dampening engine vibrations but the mount itself is defective and leaks the fluid all over the place. The old mounts did not have this problem.