So I just bought R56 Mini One and the car has a bad oil leak. I get a decent oil patch on the floor after leaving car overnight. I have attached the pic of the leak.i know that the oil sump is leaking. But it seems terrible lot of oil than from just the oil sump.

where could the leave be from?

 

Mate, that looks like the drive shaft. Is that tranny fluid from the seal. I'm confused at the area of oil.

 

I have re-attached the photo with mark ups. Found 4 spots with oil. (In blue) Does look like it is leaking at drive shaft and oil sump. Could other areas result in the leak seen?

Also, how can I differentiate transmission oil from engine oil?

 

Auto transmission fluid usually has a reddish tint to it and have a strong smell. Motor oil will usually be brownish in color, and not smell as strong.

It "Looks" like its coming from the driveshaft area, but could be coming from above it... I would clean it all up REALLY good, then go for a drive around the block to see how much is leaking out, and try to see where it might be coming from.

 

I suppose the leak could be coming from oil cooler/oil filter on the front of the engine. That's a pretty common leak, which would run down and pass over the tranny housing. As the other responder said spray it off with a can of brake cleaner (excellent degreaser) and then look again aft the next drive. I don't remember what yr and model your car is, but oil leaks suck. I would rather an oil pan leak on a justa, non S. Also, you can tell "by the smell, when you mini's not feeling well". ATF has strong odor.

 

I vote for tranny oil.

Get a clean white rag, wipe suspect oil, remove dip stick, wipe on rag near tranny stain. If both stains same color, mystery oil comes from engine, otherwise tranny fluid.

 

Looks more red to me than motor oil.

 

managed to lift it up and have a check, looks like it is from the drive shaft.

 

Well, at least the (right) passenger side is the easiest side. You don't have to fight getting the drive axle out of the tranny. What a nightmare the driver side is. Whew
I'm talking about repairing the axle seal at the tranny.