Just sent this to Mini, let's see what happens?

I just purchased a 2012 Mini; shortly after my purchase I noticed a stain on the driver side front fender, the black vinyl piece. I did some research online and found that the design of the Mini includes a substance under the hood that when heated by the sun will liquefy and run. Unfortunately for us owners when this substance runs it follows the seam along the underside of the bonnet and if it makes its way to the vinyl bumper it will leave a stain. After doing my research I took my Mini to the authorized service center here in Irvine, CA and the representative confirm what I found online, plus I was told it is a frequent issue. I asked if there was any way to prevent the substance from making its way to the fender, and I was told no. I asked if there is a way to remove the stain and was to no. I asked if Mini would replace the fender and was told yes, but it could only be replaced once under warranty and if the second fender stained that I would be responsible for the cost of replacing it. I was also told that it can take up to two years for the seepage to stop. So here are my choices if this information is correct. I can drive around for two years with a stain on my fender and then after the seepage stops I can have the fender replaced, hmm, don’t like this since I’m a pride of ownership kind of guy and believe that since I spent a lot of money on my Mini I should enjoy it. Choice number two, I can have the fender replace now, allow it to stain again and then either let it stay there or continue to pay out of pocket to have it replace. Option three, do nothing, now this is definitely not my style. Now here is the most disturbing part of my story. While I was waiting at the dealership I meandered through the use Mini section to do a little more investigating and what I found is the majority of the used Mini’s from 2009 through 2011 has the same stain, in the same place, on one or both of the front fenders? My assumption is that Mini has know about this issue for years and has done nothing to resolve it, why, perhaps there is a cost savings factor involved or perhaps you just don’t care? I would appreciate a response to this email.

Regards,

Ken

What is the substance?

I read on a Mini forum that the substance is called Cosmoline and it is sprayed between the bonnett panels to prevent rust. If you have a Mini does it have a stain on one of the front fenders?

I used to work in a bodyshop years ago and tbh that substance your talking about is just a rust proofing sealer that manufacturers put on all their cars.
It is usually a yellow tan colour and i have never ever heard of it deoxidising or melting and turning into a liquid?
To be fair it does feel and look like a wax coating, but how hot is it getting under the bonnet for it to turn back into a liquid, you can buy the spray from your local car shop but im sure it is heat resistant?

And my wife has the early cooper and there is no sign of any stains on the bodywork.
I wouldnt know what to do in your situation as there seems nothing you can do apart from maybe try and seal your panels with something so when the rust proofing substance does run you can then wipe it off and then re apply another coat on your fenders to protect it again.....have you any pics?

EDIT. the wife has just pointed out where you are from (california) with the heat of the engine combined with the outside temperatures you get over there it seems bmw havent taking into account the temperatures the wax sealer is going to experience under the hood. Over here in europe we don't get temperatures that high and so it would never be a problem for us.