2004 Mini Hardtop Mini Hardtop 2004

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2004 Mini Hardtop repairs by problem area

Engine (33%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (5%)

Brakes and Traction Control (12%)

Suspension and Steering (31%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (12%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (3%)

Other (4%)

Chart based on 75 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the 2004 Mini Hardtop.

2004 Mini Hardtop repair cost distribution

$2500+ (6%)

$1000 - $2499 (10%)

$500 - $999 (14%)

$100 - $499 (37%)

< $100 (33%)

Worried about potential repair costs? An extended warranty can provide peace of mind.

Chart based on 63 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

2004 Mini Hardtop

Engine not specified

Mini Hardtop in Indiana, United States
Dec 2013 - Dec 2013
Dec 2013

62000 mi
Bad Evap sensor, bad gas cap 

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2004 Mini Hardtop 2dr Hatch

supercharged 163hp 1.6L I4 6-speed manual FWD

Mini Hardtop in Great Britain
Apr 2014 - Mar 2016
Apr 2015

98000 mi

£20
seized caliper broken exhaust clamp 
Jan 2016

£300
Noise from wheel bearing 
Mini Hardtop in Wisconsin, United States
Nov 2014 - Dec 2014
Dec 2014

70000 mi

US $161
Check engine light for fuel issues were check and light turned off. Oil dipstick broken and purchased a new one. 
Mini Hardtop in Ontario, Canada
Dec 2014 - Jan 2016
Jan 2015

59860 mi

C $2
CEL reporting code P2097, a fuel adaptation value hard ecu reset fixed the problem. 
Mini Hardtop in New York, United States
Dec 2015 - Sep 2016
Jun 2016

53000 mi

US $360
Grinding noise prompted me to replace the front wheel bearings. Problem solved. 
Jul 2016

53000 mi

US $2500
An oxygen sensor failed. I replaced both, but computer had to be reprogrammed and throttle body "unit" was replaced by a mechanic. The car suddenly want into "limp" mode only going 30mph no matter what. 
Mini Hardtop in Maine, United States
Apr 2010 - Jun 2011
May 2010

85000 mi

US $650
electric steering pump failed and was replaced. 
Mini Hardtop in Florida, United States
Apr 2013 - Jun 2016
May 2013

102000 mi

US $2500
Replace worn clutch and rotors. Replace bushings. 
Apr 2014

124200 mi

US $500
Alternator quit 
Jul 2014

130000 mi

US $2200
Oxygen sensor Radiator fan 
Mar 2015

138000 mi
New compressor. Replaced dryer and condensor also. Oil filter gasket and water pump Supercharger beginning to fail 
Oct 2015

142300 mi

US $600
Replace original shocks, struts, bushings, and rear control arms. 
Mini Hardtop in New York, United States
Oct 2020 - Oct 2021
Sep 2020

108000 mi

US $80
Replaced timing chain tensioner 
Sep 2021

113000 mi

US $200
Replaced motor mounts 
Mini Hardtop in California, United States
Dec 2010 - Jan 2018
Sep 2011

94000 mi

US $160
A pillar exterior finishing panel detached during normal highway driving. replaced with updated design from dealer. Common issue 
Nov 2011

95400 mi

US $60
replace oil pan gasket replace left front shock mount replace oil pan gasket replace left front shock mount 
Jan 2013

124200 mi

US $65
Replaced passenger front strut bearing. Original part with 104k on it. Strut bearing was cracked 85% through and making noise on bumps. Replaced driver front strut bearing. Part covered under parts warranty, as it had 6k miles and 12 months on it. 
Dec 2013

112000 mi

US $2600
New clutch & flywheel 
Jan 2014

105500 mi

US $190
Power steering suction and return hose replaced 
Feb 2014

113100 mi

US $300
rear wiper motor shaft leaking washer fluid, replaced with updated motor, new arm and new electrical lead 
May 2015

123000 mi

US $140
Driver side window regulator needed replaced due to broken plastic mechanism. 
Aug 2016

133100 mi

US $200
Passenger window regulator failed 
Mini Hardtop in Massachusetts, United States
Jan 2012 - Sep 2015
Aug 2012

112600 mi

US $360
Common R53 problem; no. 2 spark plug blew out of the engine, stripping the head of the spark plug threads. Bought tapping set $300, locktite, thread sleeve, and plugs to repair. 
Apr 2013

126500 mi

US $450
Rebuild of the rear brake calipers. Had to order seals, brake fluid, pads, and $60 in tools to extract piston. 
Jun 2013

134000 mi

US $30
Simple A/C recharge 
Oct 2014

149300 mi

US $90
Front end alignment. Front tires were wearing excessively on the inner edges. Report from shop is to look at passenger right front control arm bushing soon. 
Nov 2014

150400 mi

US $450
Replaced rear control arm bushings with Neoprene aftermarket parts. 
Mar 2015

154000 mi

US $200
Bearing noise on the alternator (continued to work). Replaced the alternator, and the idler pulley (not the idler pulley assy). Replacement SuperCharger, and Waterpump was bought - not installed. 
Apr 2015

154500 mi

US $44
Crap AutoZone belt blew out in 9 months on the highway. 
Mini Hardtop in California, United States
Dec 2012 - Aug 2016
Sep 2013

74000 mi
Random overheating under load. Thermostat was sticking and the coolant was flushed & replaced. 
Dec 2013

77000 mi

US $200
Rear trailing arm bushings & top shock mounts were replaced. Originals had softened enough that the toe in on the rear tires would change over bumps & grooves, making the car wander. 

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2004 Mini Hardtop 2dr Hatch

115-horsepower 1.6L I4 6-speed shiftable CVT FWD

Mini Hardtop in North Carolina, United States
Jan 2013 - Jun 2014
Sep 2013

120000 mi

US $327
Had to re-program Transmission 

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2004 Mini Hardtop 2dr Hatch

115-horsepower 1.6L I4 5-speed manual FWD

Mini Hardtop in Maryland, United States
Dec 2016 - Jul 2018
Oct 2017

152000 mi
Had the alternator replaced but the ground came loose for the second time making it charge only sporadically. 
Jul 2018

154100 mi
Headliner is coming loose on either side of sunroof. Pulled trim piece, sprayed lightly with contact cement and reset headliner cloth. 
Mini Hardtop in Great Britain
- Aug 2009
Aug 2009

10000 mi
Warranty claim for new steering pump 
Mini Hardtop in Texas, United States
Feb 2013 - Jul 2018
Jul 2013

40300 mi

US $450
The power steering pump and associated equipment caught on fire. This has been a problem and BMW extended the warranty to 130k miles for this model. Repairs were done but took over a month in the shop waiting on parts. if no warranty $7000+ 
Jul 2014

52000 mi

US $5662
transmission grinding badly wheel bearing hubs completely worn down 
Oct 2014

57000 mi
radio amplifier burned out, $1,000 to fix 
Apr 2015

60300 mi

US $442
Had to reepalce ABS speed sensors in front 
Mar 2016

70000 mi

US $1034
The brake lines were corroded and developed several leaks. Had to hot shot new lines and replace. 
Jun 2018

83000 mi
did oil change, noticed for my 2004 cooper the spring was installed backward and cage was missing. My mechanic serviced last oil change. Determined that his helper installed wrong and misplaced part. Had to convert to a different oil filter housing (cost $256) as no cages or springs are manufactured any longer. Mechanic replaced for free due to their error. 
Mini Hardtop in New Jersey, United States
Apr 2011 - Dec 2011
May 2011

118000 mi

US $300
Broken tie rod - mechanic replaced rather easily. Had alignment done afterward. 
Nov 2011

131000 mi
Clutch went out, grinding noise followed by loss of pressure and not working at all. Needed to be replaced. Traded it in instead. 
Mini Hardtop in Massachusetts, United States
Apr 2010 - Jun 2018
Dec 2010

77000 mi

US $1100
Leaking valve gasket and leaking oil pan gasket. control arm bushings worn so replaced oxygen sensor replaced for service engine light; second time in the car's life; MINI has extended the emissions warranty to 10yr/100k because a known problem. 
Jun 2012

90000 mi

US $800
Needed new driver's side rear brake calipers; seizing and scraping. Driver's side emergency brake cable snapped. 
Oct 2012

93000 mi

US $1300
Progressive, loud, rubbing noise from left rear wheel. Diagnoses as worn wheel bearing. Loud muffler, hole found in pipe and muffler, hangers replaced as well 
Dec 2012

94000 mi

US $550
Brake lines rusted through and thusly were leaking. 
May 2013

99000 mi

US $650
Hinges for rear hatch failed, couldn't close hatch, wasn't aligned any more 
Jul 2014

108500 mi

US $265
Refilled freon, fixed short that was preventing compressor from turning on. 
Oct 2014

111500 mi

US $500
Caliper seized then new caliper seized. Second caliper covered by parts warranty 
Jul 2015

118000 mi

US $1200
Car would not start. Solenoid in starter failed. Right front grinding noise, wheel bearing failed. Valve cover gasket leaking, last replaced 60k miles before. 
Jan 2016

115300 mi

US $600
Power steering lines leaking. Valve cover gasket leaking. Replaced only 6 month prior so dealer covered cost. 
May 2016

123700 mi
Leaking power steering fluid. Power steering pump was faulty; due for power steering pump recall to change pump so pump changed. 
Dec 2016

129000 mi

US $300
Wheel speed sensor broken, triggered ABS and low tire pressure yellow warning lights 
Mini Hardtop in Slovenia
Apr 2007 - Sep 2010
Jun 2007

27900 mi

€200
replaced main shaft seal 
Aug 2007

31000 mi

€680
replaced power steering pump 
Mar 2009

42160 mi

€100
replaced left rubber engine mount. 
May 2009

27280 mi

€65
replaced oil pan seal 

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See TrueDelta's information for all Hatchbacks
See TrueDelta's information for all Mini models.

2004 Mini Hardtop Repair Histories

See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how frequently 2004 Mini Hardtop problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.