| 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
2008 Mini Hardtop repairs by problem area
Engine (58%)
Transmission and Drivetrain (3%)
Brakes and Traction Control (4%)
Suspension and Steering (2%)
Electrical and Air Conditioning (19%)
Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (7%)
Other (6%)
Chart based on 127 repairs.
2008 Mini Hardtop repair cost distribution
$2500+ (4%)
$1000 - $2499 (16%)
$500 - $999 (11%)
$100 - $499 (27%)
< $100 (42%)
Chart based on 90 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.
2008 Mini Hardtop
Engine not specified
| Mini Hardtop in California, United States Nov 2010 - Jun 2011 | |||
| Dec 201025000 mi | I had to hire a lawyer because nation BMW would not repair my car which was still under warranty. (Rapid oil consumption & broken timing belt at 24,000) | ||
| Mini Hardtop in Oregon, United States Jun 2012 - Jul 2012 | |||
| Jul 2012US $1616 | clutch went out and needed replacement at 38,780 miles. Although my car is still under warranty the dealer claims the clutch failed due to improper use or abuse. I have driven manuals for 30+ years with no clutch replacements prior to this | ||
| Mini Hardtop in Minnesota, United States Nov 2010 - Jun 2011 | |||
| Jan 201144700 mi | Timing belt replaced. Symptoms were rough idle and noise (death rattle) on cold morning starts. | ||
| Apr 201149300 mi | carbon buildup in cylinders caused rough idle at low speeds and finally triggered an engine light. | ||
| Mini Hardtop in Ohio, United States Nov 2010 - Mar 2011 | |||
| Feb 201137300 miUS $9200 | engine blew 330 miles after timing chain HAD to be replaced. 13000 miles left on warranty. BMW/Mini said I misused car and would not cover charges. They would not put in writing causes. will not go back. | ||
2008 Mini Hardtop 2dr Hatch
turbocharged 172hp 1.6L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| Mini Hardtop in Virginia, United States Nov 2009 - May 2012 | |||
| Jun 201020000 mi | Timing chain tensioner and chain replaced per technical service bulletin. Had a loud diesel like knock noise present at cold start, due to problems with original timing chain tensioner design and resultant chain stretch. | ||
| Sep 201022000 mi | Rattle from rear hatch area. Readjusted rear hatch latch and problem was solved. | ||
| Dec 201025000 mi | Rear hatch latch that was previously repaired became loose so the hatch would not close properly. It required realignment and tightening. | ||
| Sep 201136000 mi | Hose from turbo to air intake kept getting loose and falling off turbo. Hose and clamps replaced. Hatch latch intermitently would not reset to allow latching unless remote or latch button was pushed again after opening the latch. It should reset automatically. Dealer replaced latch under warranty. Door handles increasingly hard to pull to activate latch to open doors. Dealer lubricated handles, problem apparently solved. | ||
| May 201245000 miUS $708 | Turbo oil line was leaking. Apparently this is a growing issue with MINIs due to the line press fitting gasket failure due to turbo heat. The dealer replaced both turbo oil lines. There are many complaints on this issue on the MINI forum. | ||
| Mini Hardtop in Maryland, United States Jan 2013 - Dec 2015 | |||
| May 201359139 miUS $368 | Replace thermostat housing and assembly to fix coolant leak. | ||
| Apr 201471398 miUS $765 | Replaced expansion tank and cap. Pressure tested. Replaced oil pan gasket and spark plugs. Replaced passenger seat sensor. Replace oil stand gasket, turbo oil turn rube, and turbo oil supply pipe | ||
| Aug 201475979 miUS $1265 | Water pump was leaking & drive belt cracked. Replaced water pump and drive belt. | ||
| Oct 201478219 miUS $1399 | Replaced brake vacuum pump. Replaced intake vanos actuator and intake vanos solenoid. | ||
| Apr 201584700 miUS $1308 | Oil change plus oil leak | ||
| Oct 201590300 miUS $2600 | Timing change needed replaced, gadget was replaced to stop oil leak. | ||
| Mini Hardtop in Texas, United States Nov 2011 - Dec 2011 | |||
| Dec 201136000 mi | Decarbonize intake valves for second time. Issue caused by DI head design, no fuel to wash out the oil from the crank case breathing system so it can be burned. Later sold to avoid having to pay for intake cleaning out of warranty. | ||
2008 Mini Hardtop 2dr Hatch
turbocharged 172hp 1.6L I4 6-speed manual FWD
| Mini Hardtop in Florida, United States Jul 2013 - Dec 2015 | |||
| Jan 2014US $300 | Replaced car antenna. Molding around front windsheild is complete off. Back latch is complete out and the sun never shine on this dealer wants 400$to to repair. Took it in for using oil, thought oil pan leak. Oil changed. Found no leaks in oil or water. Within 100 miles oil was a quart low and no water in the radiator. We been paying for all our repairs since 60000 miles it getting to expensive to keep this mini | ||
| Dec 201593000 mi | Using oil 1qt. Per 1000 miles. Codes for everything is up on the computer. | ||
| Mini Hardtop in Minnesota, United States May 2013 - May 2015 | |||
| Oct 201357800 mi | Trouble starting when engine is cold. Dealer replaced a temp sensor. | ||
| Jul 201470200 miUS $115 | Rear hatch rattle. they replaced the striker. Oil leaking from valve cover Replace timing chain Crankshaft seal leaking oil | ||
| May 201583000 mi | It had (another) oil leak at the time. I was told it wasn't anything that needed immediate attention but if I saw drops on the garage floor to come in and have it fixed. Estimate for repair was $1300. | ||
| Mini Hardtop in Colorado, United States Sep 2012 - Jun 2022 | |||
| Jan 201345000 miUS $150 | Technicians detected a rattle on start up. Tensioner was just beginning to fail. Chain was measured, but had not stretched out of spec. Tensioner was replaced | ||
| May 201450000 mi | Service bullitan - Timing chain, tensioner, and rails replaced | ||
| Sep 201451000 miUS $370 | Orange engine light, car reported being too hot. Thermostat replaced. | ||
| May 201760000 miUS $4000 | New clutch. Had been slipping for a while. Leaking turbo line | ||
| Mini Hardtop in California, United States Jun 2013 - Aug 2018 | |||
| Sep 201367000 miUS $160 | Timing chain rattle at 2k-3k rpm when engine hot. Replaced timing belt tensioner. Solved issue. | ||
| Jun 201473000 miUS $730 | turbo oil seal leaky, engine was making some smoke from hot oil. required replacement oil seal on turbo plus installation of bmw-recommended heat-shield to protect turbo oil seal. most of the cost is labor. | ||
| Jan 201676000 mi | Water pump / coolant system leak. Replaced pump, hose Excessive carbon buildup on intake/valves. Walnut media blast to clean. Mechanic failed to secure plastic shield on underside of car after pump replacement. Owner reinstalled to save trip, but garage would have fixed it on their dime. | ||
| Apr 201785000 miUS $1120 | Replace intake vanos solenoid and adjust camshaft solenoid Replace valve cover gasket Replaced left front wheel bearing due to excessive road noise / drone | ||
| Jun 201785500 miUS $700 | Check engine - O2 sensor failure, replaced Worn rear pads, replaced | ||
| Jan 201889000 miUS $1700 | Replace alternator Dead, normal wear and tear, original battery from 2008 | ||
| Mini Hardtop in Minnesota, United States Feb 2013 - Mar 2015 | |||
| Jun 201376000 miUS $150 | Turbo oil input line was leaking - replaced both input and output lines. Had to disassemble front half of exhaust to get to it. | ||
| Feb 201481700 miUS $200 | Drivers side tail light had a short in the backup light socket. Tried replacing the bulb, but still didn't work, so I replaced both tail light housings with after market LED versions (so they matched). | ||
| May 201486000 miUS $50 | Plastic chrome trim ring popped off the end of the handbrake lever. Had to buy whole handle trim assembly as the piece I needle was not available separately. New piece snapped right on. | ||
| Mar 201588000 mi | Timing chain wore out (loud rattle prompted me to have MINI look at it and they confirmed). I was already considering a 3rd gen MINI so I decided to trade it in instead of fixing it ($2000 estimate). | ||
| Mini Hardtop in Delaware, United States Sep 2015 - Sep 2015 | |||
| Sep 201597000 mi | Replace HID headlight bulb. | ||
| Mini Hardtop in California, United States Dec 2014 - Jun 2016 | |||
| Jan 201597000 miUS $2000 | a box next to the engine made the engine noise really loud | ||
| Feb 201597300 miUS $3000 | The chain in the engine was scraping a part of the engine, along with other parts needed to be replaced | ||
| Mini Hardtop in North Carolina, United States Apr 2014 - Jul 2014 | |||
| Jul 2014107000 mi | Thermostat replacement | ||
| Mini Hardtop in Rhode Island, United States Feb 2012 - Jul 2014 | |||
| Oct 201255000 miUS $1000 | Noticed the dreaded cold start rattle. Diagnosed as a failed timing chain tensioner. Replaced on the house, given that I had purchased the car only a month earlier. | ||
| Dec 201374000 miUS $1000 | Power brakes failed. Diagnosed as vacuum pump failure. Pump was replaced. | ||
| Mar 201470000 miUS $50 | Cracked valve cover failed temperature sensor oil leak at turbo | ||
| Mini Hardtop in Wisconsin, United States Aug 2013 - Jun 2016 | |||
| Nov 201346000 mi | A heatshield on the turbo oil line was installed per a service action by MINI. | ||
| May 201565000 miUS $500 | Coolant temperature sensor leaking, was replaced. Timing belt appeared to be cracking, was replaced Timing chain tensioner bolt was leaking oil. Replaced | ||
| Mar 201676000 miUS $270 | Oil filter housing leak, coolant was leaking. Replaced Turbo Oil Line, Oil Filter Housing. | ||
| Mini Hardtop in California, United States Apr 2011 - Apr 2014 | |||
| Feb 201226600 mi | Valve cover leak, Aux water pump replaced | ||
| Apr 201436000 miUS $140 | Turbo pressure valve failed | ||
| Mini Hardtop in Vermont, United States Nov 2009 - Mar 2011 | |||
| May 201015000 mi | loud rattle at cold start, dealer replaced belt tensioner window motor quit working, rolled window half way down when rolled all the way up, auto window close did not work. software flash resolved. | ||
| Mini Hardtop in Mississippi, United States Jan 2009 - Jul 2010 | |||
| Jun 200914000 miUS $110 | Door handle began to malfunction requiring multiple attempts to open door. The door handle is the comfort access with the keyless entry radio transmitter. The part was ordered and was in within 3 days. | ||
| Mini Hardtop in New Jersey, United States Dec 2008 - Mar 2010 | |||
| May 200910000 mi | Windows incorrectly dropping for anti-pinch protection. Footwell module ordered. | ||
| Jul 200911000 mi | Replaced footwell module to solve window problem. | ||
| Sep 200914000 mi | Hood scoop melted & replaced under warranty | ||
| Mini Hardtop in Quebec, Canada Apr 2009 - Jul 2019 | |||
| May 201435960 mi | timing chain replaced after recall by mini. ratty cold start noise disappeared | ||
| Jun 201645260 miC $3500 | Clutch slipped over 2-300km and then no catch. | ||
| Sep 201645880 miC $1000 | Clutch was changed last month but service found it was catching. New clutch and flywheel changed under warranty Also tie rod changed, brake fluid drained as per periodic maintenance | ||
| Mini Hardtop in Massachusetts, United States Jul 2010 - Jun 2011 | |||
| Aug 201034000 mi | Car overheated while coasting about 20mph, had the same problem the first day I got the car from the dealer and did not make it home in the vehicle | ||
2008 Mini Hardtop 2dr Hatch
118-horsepower 1.6L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| Mini Hardtop in New Hampshire, United States Jun 2014 - Jul 2017 | |||
| Aug 2014122200 mi | Driver's window would not consistently close or open and did not "dip" when the door was opened. Dealer updated vehicle SW and then re-initialized windows. Problem solved. Rear window defroster inoperative. Problem discovered to be fault inside of rear window itself. Dealer replaced window. Note this was noticed after used car purchase but within first 30 days. | ||
| Oct 2014122200 miUS $240 | Radiator started leaking and was replaced. | ||
| Jan 2016123000 miUS $540 | Thermostat was stuck open and car would not heat in the winter. Had the t-state and connector pipe to water pump replaced. Cost is for parts, labor, and coolant | ||
| Feb 2016123300 miUS $350 | Oil seepage from oil pan gasket, valve cover gasket, and front main seal. All seals replaced either under dealer warranty (oil pan gasket) or extended warranty w/deductible. | ||
| Jun 2016124000 miUS $600 | Transmission fluid pan replaced (could not drain fluid). Fluid and filter replaced. | ||
| Mar 2017125100 miUS $180 | Flex pipe had rusted out - new one welded into system. | ||
| Mini Hardtop in California, United States Dec 2008 - Jun 2011 | |||
| Feb 20097000 mi | Replaced all four fuel injectors due to oxygen mix problem. | ||
| Jun 200910000 mi | Faulty clamp to catalytic converter caused the oxygen mix to be all messed up and CEL light to constantly warn. Dealer fixed clamp and assured me that this issue has been put to bed. We'll see. | ||
| Mini Hardtop in Illinois, United States Jan 2011 - Jun 2022 | |||
| Jan 201680500 miUS $300 | leaking coolant from the thermostat housing. | ||
| Mini Hardtop in Maryland, United States Jan 2012 - May 2015 | |||
| Aug 201238000 miUS $1300 | There was a leak in engine coolant. had to replace the gasket; and the pump. It was covered by extended warranty but I don't think it should have happened in such a short time. | ||
| May 201577000 miUS $600 | Oil leak in housing and gasket. | ||
2008 Mini Hardtop 2dr Hatch
118-horsepower 1.6L I4 6-speed manual FWD
| Mini Hardtop in Finland Feb 2009 - Jan 2013 | |||
| Aug 201237920 mi€150 | ABS fault | ||
| Mini Hardtop in New Hampshire, United States Mar 2011 - Oct 2018 | |||
| Dec 201265000 miUS $464 | water pump leak, clacked plastic housing | ||
| Apr 201370000 miUS $150 | Remote control in key stopped working | ||
| Sep 201380000 miUS $68 | VANOS inlet fault code | ||
| Dec 201384000 miUS $1778 | Front left spring broke, punctured front tire. Replaced thermostat and VANOS sensor while waiting for springs from Germany. | ||
| Nov 2016118700 miUS $677 | Replace water pump second time along with idler and belt. It appears the failing idler caused the water-pump to leak. To bad they didn't replace the idler with the first water-pump. | ||
| Apr 2017129000 mi | Had the clutch (original) replaced as well as the slave cylinder and line and the differential output shaft seals. | ||
| Jan 2018134000 miUS $670 | Corrosion in radiator caused leaking coolant. Replaced radiator. | ||
| Mini Hardtop in Illinois, United States Jan 2009 - Oct 2013 | |||
| Mar 200919000 mi | Minor problem with windows not closing correctly - no auto-up on passenger's window, and sometimes required a few tries to get it closed even manually. | ||
| Oct 200932000 mi | Gas gauge reading sometimes inaccurate. Repaired even though they couldn't see it happen. | ||
| Jun 201045000 mi | Driver's mirror noisy (squeaky). Replaced but still noisy. Window auto-close function broken again. | ||
| Mini Hardtop in British Columbia, Canada Dec 2008 - Jun 2018 | |||
| Jan 20093162 mi | Warranty repair - drivers door window not operating correctly - required computer reinitialization | ||
| Dec 20097440 mi | Known problem with window computer - computer loses track of the window position and does not roll up or down properly. Fixed by recoding the computer module. | ||
| Aug 201010840 mi | Broken clutch return spring on clutch pedal. | ||
| Jun 201218600 mi | Rattle behind dash that was repaired. | ||
| Mini Hardtop in Massachusetts, United States Dec 2008 - May 2019 | |||
| Dec 201032000 mi | Service light came on. it was about a month early, but that is OK. I will probably have to go back in 4 months for oil change. | ||
| Dec 201252000 miUS $250 | Computer had to have software updated or reinstalled to fix a problem with the passenger window rolling up but not staying up: It immediately would Goode 6" | ||
| Jan 201632000 miUS $450 | new coils and plugs. The parts are $$$$. also did oil and some light bulbs. | ||
| Aug 201698000 miUS $400 | Thermosrat for coolant was leaking. Car was overheating. Repaired without incident | ||
| Dec 2017110000 miUS $300 | Hood release broke | ||
| Jun 2018115000 mi | Hood release broke again. Shop fixed it for free | ||
| Mar 2019123000 miUS $400 | Only rear brakes needed work. | ||
| Mini Hardtop in Virginia, United States Dec 2008 - Jun 2009 | |||
| Jan 20099000 mi | Passenger air bag light illuminates, meaning the air bag has been disabled in spite of there being a fullgrown passenger of sufficient weight seated properly. Driver's side window malfunction - window was "possessed" and opened halfway automatically when driver tried to close the window. | ||
| Feb 200910000 mi | Window malfunction - auto up failed and when closed using switch, window would automatically open halfway. | ||
| Jun 200911000 mi | submitted lemon-law paperwork; dealer could not replicate for our 2008 MINI, but the service manager and head mechanic did witness this problem when we test drove a dealer-buyback 2009 to replace the 2008 | ||
| Mini Hardtop in British Columbia, Canada Apr 2009 - Jun 2011 | |||
| Jun 20092480 miC $150 | Sunroof stuck when warm out. Lubricated and re-aligned. | ||
| Mini Hardtop in Nebraska, United States Dec 2008 - Mar 2016 | |||
| Sep 200912000 mi | A broken clutch pedal spring was replaced | ||
| Jan 201014000 mi | passenger window wouldn't automatically go up. | ||
| Sep 201020000 mi | Check engine light came on. Service department determined that the thermostat housing needed to be replaced and work was finished in a couple of hours. | ||
| Oct 201126800 mi | Airbag warning light on. Diagnosed as a faulty sensor in the driver's seat that controls the rate of airbag inflation. | ||
2007.5 Mini Hardtop 2-door
4-cylinder manual 2WD
| Mini in Great Britain Aug 2013 - Dec 2016 | |||
| Nov 201334300 mi£1053 | Total ABS controller failure requiring that the complete unit be replaced. Dealership agreed to pay labour if I paid parts. | ||
| Aug 201544200 mi£200 | Leaking water pump. | ||
| Nov 201545400 mi£200 | Broken rear spring. Had to replace entire set of springs. | ||
See TrueDelta's information for all Hatchbacks
See TrueDelta's information for all Mini models.
