A friend has a Mini (it's an 06 but I'm posting here because I only view the R56 forum). She noticed that it was dripping a little coolant intermittently (she said just a few drops, the coolant level never went down). Called the dealer (Scottsdale Mini), they said not to worry, they do that. Just bring it in when you can (we're 100 miles away). She brings it in. They say she damaged the underside of the car, including the radiator, AC compressor, about $3000 worth and because they said it was her fault it's not covered under warranty. She says she never ran over anything or damaged it at all. Her ins. company now wants it taken elsewhere for inspection before they agree to foot the bill. Sounds pretty fishy to me. I'd probably have taken some pix of it in the air but I don't think she did. Her husband doesn't drive it and she has never lent it out either. She now wants to sell it after it's fixed because she doesn't trust the dealer nor the car at this point.

 

That is weird... r56 has a bottom hose pretty low to the ground as well. I am not sure if it is the radiator hose or the intercooler hose but it is very low and easily scrapeable.

 

Yes the R56 has a bottom rad hose that is just 1/2" above the plastic air dam. Too close for comfort IMO. What can happen is some of those parking stones are held down by two pieces of rebar which sometimes work themselves upwards and can tear the lower rad hose if parked too close. Minis are so close to the ground on the front..

 

We have used MINI North Scottsdale for the last four years. I think they are as honest as they come and would trust their workmanship.

 

Was this R53 purchased new by your friend? Kinda fishy. If something was hit/run over hard enough to make any car leak coolant and cause damage, you would think someone would notice. I had a difficult time just getting to my lower rad hose ('03 S) can't see how something could bonk into it. Alas, stranger things have happend. Just my 0.214626 pesos.