Does this seem to be a MINI issue or has anyone checked other cars for this problem as well? I haven't looked at mine so I don't know if it's happening or not.

I'm just wondering if, say the 3-series, suffers the same fate of the rust under the doorseal, but owners of other brands aren't as likely to lift the rubber up to look.. MINI owners are more fanatical about their cars, so possibly we've caught sight of something that others don't bother to look for. Just wondering..

 

I agree, DJA, and will move this from the Beneath the Bonnet forum to MINI Talk.

 

Thank you.

 

I know you're not going to like me for this, but as I stated earlier in this thread Beneath the Bonnet is the right forum for this discussion.

As I said before we will sticky this thread in Beneath the Bonnet to give it visibility there, and by way of the thread move a link will be left behind in MINI Talk to Beneath the Bonnet.

Dave

 

How about a more "general" title, since this does not concern only the 02 models? It would definitely get more attention. Thanks.

 

Good point. Title changed to make it more descriptive of both the problem and the years affected so far (if there is a documented '06 example I'll be glad to modify the title).

 

Well, FWIW, I still think it should be wherever it would receive the most visibility - regardless of past practice. But when I have my own forum, I can call the shots. Would this be considered a documented '06 example?:

 

Whatever, Dave. I really don't care, but do think more people read MINI Talk than Beneath the Bonnet. As this is not a rust issue under the bonnet, so to speak, I think MINI Talk is just fine for it, but if you insist, keep it in BTB. LOL!

 

just keep the action up and people will have to see it......I'm surprised the problem is as wide spread as it is.....this is not a few cars but a manufacturing goof...(goof is a technical term I will explain if necessary )

 

OK, we have the forum listing,and the corrected title..

now back to my previous post:

Does this seem to be a MINI issue or has anyone checked other cars for this problem as well? I haven't looked at mine so I don't know if it's happening or not.

I'm just wondering if, say the 3-series, suffers the same fate of the rust under the doorseal, but owners of other brands aren't as likely to lift the rubber up to look.. MINI owners are more fanatical about their cars, so possibly we've caught sight of something that others don't bother to look for. Just wondering..

 

I picked my car up and had my Service Advisor, as well as some other guy who I can only presume was the service manager, take a gander. They were both entirely shocked, had never heard of the problem, said they were going to contact the regional service rep and consult "their internet" and get back to me...

They also documented it on my service slip (and made copies for "the file")

 

I just read this yeaterday, Monday. Being the new owner of a '04 MCS, I went home and checked it out. No rust, but it was still wet from washing it last Saturday! The previous owner lived in Florida and the car was always garaged and never driven in the rain...

Shoult I be worried?

 

If you want to.

 

for David

 

I forgot to mention -- when I showed the guys at my dealership, the Service Manager did say; "Well, the rust isn't the problem -- the problem is it's staying wet under there"

Um...?

 

It sounds like toyota's 5 whys' rust...why? water....why? leak..why? etc...

 

I have found rust on my passenger side and my car is an 04. Built Apr 04. I will post pics after I get home tonight.

You should not see rust on an automobile this new. I wonder if Kia's have a rust problem?

 

Kias do, that's what I swapped my MINI for. I didn't kare about the Kia. It could have rusted to the ground b/c it was a cheap disposable kar. I DO care about the MINI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Here is another why: Why am I servicing my car at that dealership (with an incompetent service manager)?

 

I can tell you this......please keep up the pressure as the message is getting through.......you will do a lot better with honey than vinegar......mention that you are posting all of your conversations and interactions on this website and others and give them the link or better yet take them to their office and log on and show them how wide spread the problem is.......they do not want the resale market letr alone the new market to collapse.......

 

FWIW: I just checked my 05 MCS convt (took delivery in Nov. 04) with just under 14,000 miles on it. Both the driver and passenger sides were both bone dry with no signs of rust. I also just checked my wife's 06 MC (took delivery in Nov. 05) with just over 11,000 miles on it and it was very wet under the strips! I did make one observation: There is a significant difference between the design of her rubber strip and the design of my rubber strip. Mine seems to be more substantial with more rubber (oval like) on outside bottom of the strip. Don't know if the design is different because one is a convt. and the other isn't, or if it's different because of the year of manufacture.

 

I'd like to know how many people with this problem also keep the mini in a garage.

 

Mine's garaged and I don't even drive in rain very often. It gets wet and stays wet under the rubber, and I've found little bubbles in the paint where rust is starting. I have a 2003.

 

Mine's been garaged as well since we got it in '02. Lots of rust on passenger side, not much on drivers.

 

My Oct 03 build has a tiny bit of rust. Both sides total a pin head together. It is seldom in rain and everything, including door hinges, is dried after a wash. I do have the clamp points as unpainted. If they are taped, I cannot feel it. Since this has been improved in more recent models, it is clear that BMW recognized the shortcoming and made a running change to production. In effect, convicting their previous technique. Notwithstanding, it is not a perforation and won't be this decade. I intend to clean it up, and cover the area with clear finger nail polish. Then watch it. The advantage of clear nail polish is that it seals well, dries very quickly and you can watch what is going on under the coating. It is unfortunate and unnecessay in 2006 to have this. Saturns have a better record on sheet metal rust...