It looks like MINI may have quietly solved the paint rub issue with new cars:
This looks like MINI's solution to the paint abrasion problem. I wonder if the mat can be retro-fitted. Of course, my mat has a cut-out around the intercooler intake, and I haven't looked at the underside of a Cooper. The surface of the mat is almost like the side-skirts and spoiler material. As I point out at the photos, one should probably make sure that the gasket faces are always clean, so they don't get abrasion. It's some slick engineering.
Scott
This is encouraging news for us with the paint rub issue. However I feel like I've seen a couple recent build Coopers that don't have this mat yet. If anyone out there with newer MINIs (MC or MCS) can take a look at the underside of their hood we could try track down when this change happened and how widespread it is. I'm also curious if this is just for the MCS or will eventually make it's way throughout the line.
For more information about the problem read this post and then this follow-up story. Here are more photos of the mat: 1, 2.
<p>Gabe,</p>
<p>I just picked up my new cooper, there is some sort of black cover made out of material covering the hood on the inside.</p>
<p>Ive taken some pictures just after reading this:
<a href="http://apostrophe.ca/MINI/gallery/Bulldog/Cover.jpg">http://apostrophe.ca/MINI/gallery/Bulldog/Cover.jpg</a></p>
<p><a href="http://apostrophe.ca/MINI/gallery/Bulldog/Cover_1.jpg">http://apostrophe.ca/MINI/gallery/Bulldog/Cover.jpg</a></p>
<p>Not sure if these are new to recent builds (late May build here)</p>
<p>James</p>
<p>This mat is already attached to the bonnet underside of my MCS (Sept. 2002 build) so it's not a new feature. While part of the radiator rubber surround does indeed touch this mat and thus the underside paint is protected, there are still two large areas on the left and right of the mat that are exposed (and that's where I have the paint coming off from the abrasion of the radiator rubber surround). This does not solve the abrasion problem entirely. I can see how this would help anyone with a MC without the mat, but it does not solve the problem as some areas are still exposed. MINI still needs a solution to this (perhaps a new, larger mat that covers more of the underside).</p>
<p>Great info – thanks guys!</p>
<p>My March 21,2003-build MCS appears to have the extended mat which covers any area where the radiator gasket might touch.</p>
<p>James – just checked out your pictures. Your mat appears to have two rubber strips extending from the mat towards the lights. This is not on my MCS mat and that is the exposed area I was talking about in my previous post. This rubber addition does appear to fix the exposed area where I have some abrasion. I better check with my dealer to see if this is a fix that can be retrofitted to existing bonnet mats. Thanks for the pictures!</p>
<p>I see the strips and don't have them. Seeing where they go, I was able to see the place where the actual wear is occuring and it is occuring on my car as well. Time to talk to my service rep.</p>
<p>Bob</p>