I had my MINI in for a coolant system flush today, and while on the lift (viewing the car from a whole new angle), I noticed 3 or 4 bubbled spots (less than 1 inch long) in the paint just above the bottom edge of the driver's side door. I pressed on one and it was compliant, actually squeezing out a drop of water from a slight slit in the bubbled paint, the others looked the same but didn't give as much. I am familiar with what the beginnings of rust look like - as the owner of a '65 Mustang convertible, so there is no doubt that this is what I am looking at. The car is new to me as of about a month ago. It is an '03 (10/02 build) with about 31k miles and no wrecks in its past, and no scrapes or other paint issues in this area.

Does anyone know if I am still under warranty for this? I am unclear on which, if any of the warranties are still in effect.

 

Early model years like yours have a 6 year rust warranty.

 

Two more questions:

1. What is MINI's definition of rust perforation? Is bubbled paint adequate, or does there literally have to be a hole through paint or metal?

2. Will I have to show evidence of regular dealer inspections? The car was always serviced at Peabody, but is now in Atlanta, so it will not be going to the original service dealership. Peabody never stamped the maintenance/warranty manual, though I have all of the records of oil changes, etc.

 

I was detailing my car today and noticed the exact same thing in my 10/2003 build MCS... Going to call global imports tomorrow to see what they say.

Juaclark, did you get yours fixed???

 

So I got the Regional Field Service Engineer to look at my car about the rust issue. He used a magnetic paint thickness measurer to determine how thick the paint was and said it was too thick to be factory paint (out of factory specs) and thus the warranty is voided. THING IS, I have been the sole owner of the car and the door has never been repainted... I even check to see if it got repaired at the Vehicle Distribution Center or the dealer before delivery, it hadn't.

Now I am talking to MINIUSA about it. I found that others (like juaclark) have nearly the exact same issue so I know its not just me.

If you have rust on your lower door edge (hard to see, easier to feel), post here.

Here are some other post of similar rust issues:

http://www.mini2.com/forum/exterior/...aint-work.html
http://www.mini2.com/forum/faults-fixes/51744-rust.html
http://www.mini2.com/forum/exterior/108230-rust.html
http://www.mini2.com/forum/exterior/...-made-out.html

 

Good to know. I've yet to get mine in for inspection, but hopefully I'll be able to find some time over the holidays. I'm concerned to hear the "out of specs" claim. I've noticed that my drivers door is a slightly different shade of silver than the adjacent quarter panel, but matches the cowl. Not noticeable expect in full direct sun. I am about 99% certain that this is factory, but may have been replaced or repainted prior to delivery, as I thought the entire body including doors, hood, and hatch were painted together on these. Being the second owner, it's hard to say for certain, but I do have all of the service records and the vehilce has never had an accident.

 

i have some rust at the front of the drivers door on the inside where the outer sheet metal meets the rest of the door frame, not real happy about it. But i didn't know it had a 6 year rust warranty.

 

YES I have the same thing and was given the same answer even though the car (11/02 build 2003 model) has ORIGINAL PAINT since new.

 

Okay, despite cleaning and waxing along the edge of my doors, my 05 has an incredible amount of rust along the lower edge of the door. The paint is bubbling and a large piece of the door peeled off today.

One of the above posts suggests posting 'here' does that mean in NAM or mini2 forum?

 

I was referring to here. I did get the regional mini rep to agree to fixing it if I allowed the dealer to sand through the paint and inspect it or if rust/water was coming out under the paint. Despite this, I have yet to bring it in. It has not gotten visibly worse but I may bring it by this month anyways.

 

I just spoke with Mini USA. My contact - Adam - said that the rust protection warranty is for 6 years with unlimited mileage. He sent me a copy of the warranty from Mini, a file number and I have an appointment set for next Wed morning at the dealership.

I'll keep everyone posted...

...if I were a betting man, I would suggest that the rubber strip along the inside of the door edge accelerates rust; cleaning effectively by hand is near impossible but with a toothbrush and I cannot imagine that this area dries out well. And, if some of you approach winter cleaning like I do, the local automatic car wash will not reach this area very well, despite a follow-up by hand.