2003 Mini Hardtop Mini Hardtop 2003

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2003 Mini Hardtop repairs by problem area

Engine (33%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (8%)

Brakes and Traction Control (6%)

Suspension and Steering (23%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (21%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (5%)

Other (4%)

Chart based on 168 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the 2003 Mini Hardtop.

2003 Mini Hardtop engine repair cost distribution

$2500+ (6%)

$1000 - $2499 (17%)

$500 - $999 (17%)

$100 - $499 (34%)

< $100 (26%)

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

Chart based on 47 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

2003 Mini Hardtop

Engine not specified

73000 mi

US $450
knock and other sensor replaced 

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2003 Mini Hardtop 2dr Hatch

supercharged 163hp 1.6L I4 6-speed manual FWD

50000 mi

US $60
Coolant expansion tank was leaking slightly when I acquired the vehicle. Replaced myself with a genuine BMW OEM part for $60. 
51000 mi

US $20
Supercharger oil change. Rear water pump drive housing completely dry. Will have to monitor for "death rattle" and eventually replace the supercharger itself. 
86000 mi

US $90
Second OEM plastic coolant expansion tank began to leak. Replaced with aftermarket aluminum tank. 
125300 mi

US $7000
Rod bearing failed. Replaced entire bottom end of engine. 
128000 mi

US $7000
Threw a rod. Replaced engine with short block. Did all maintenance items under hood. 
88500 mi

US $1200
Exhaust rusted, replacement required 
120000 mi

US $300
Leaking coolant dropped coolant level below pump 
84000 mi

US $280
Replaced failing aftermarket headers with new aftermarket headers.The replaced headers, on the car when Purchased it used, had been wrapped which caused rust which caused holes. New headers are not wrapped. Supercharger hose wore through, rendering supercharger inactive. Replaced hose; works fine. 
86000 mi

US $200
Replaced vacuum hose and changed oil. 
87000 mi

US $750
Replaced oxygen sensor 
112000 mi

US $200
O2 lights on dash. Trusted mechanic thought MINI S would need supercharger tear down to access forward sensor. Our online search showed more direct access to BOTH O2 sensors when car is placed on a lift. Cost estimate went from $2000.-(extreme labor demands) to $200 parts+$200 labor. A big win. 
101000 mi Oil leak or leaks. Too much of a mess to identify sources for sure. Gave up and will live work the leaks for now. 
30607 mi Replace one front pulse sender, and a steering angle sensor. Tail light bulb replacement. Replace crankcase breather line. Covered by warranty. 
155000 mi

US $250
Burnt exhaust valve 
174800 mi

US $110
Heater core was leaking. 
170800 mi

US $900
Burnt an exhaust valve on cylinder #2 
107900 mi

US $700
catalytic converter fell apart internally 
110000 mi

US $600
low speed fan module defective, required a lot of labor to dig it out. 
107000 mi

US $1800
Supercharger was out of internal oil. Mini USA states it is a wear item, and needs to be replaced once out of oil. normally 100,000 miles - part from dealer is $2600 for the part, + 7 hrs labor. I got mine rebuilt for $1200 plus 6 hrs labor thermostat housing cracked replaced it and thermostat crank seal leaking oil replaced 
107000 mi

US $115
both O2 sensors needed replacing. was able to get non-OEM ones for $55 each from advanced suto, and just splicesd the connector on. 
123000 mi

US $75
MAP sensor died. When the Map sensor dies, it throws the EML light, and the car goes into limp mode. I could sometimes restart it, and it would be fine for a little while, then it would sputter, and go into limp mode again 
126000 mi

US $78
thermostat housing cracked again - replaced it 
128200 mi

US $1400
had a hole in the intercooler, which got replaced 
138000 mi

US $9500
Number 2 piston and connecting rod broke up. Needs complete overhaul including sleeving the block due to damage to the bore from the piston. Opted for 1.8L stroker crate motor from revolutionmotorworks.com 
111500 mi

US $180
Noticed slight exhaust leak sound, couldn't find the source. After 1-2 weeks, the exh. manifold broke right at the 1st cat. Suspect it's too close to the cat to re-weld. Replaced entire mfld with used part. New was $1350 at discount dealer. 
120000 mi

US $153
Engine cooling fan low speed stopped working; fan would stay off until the car got hot enough to engage high speed. Replaced cooling fan/shroud assembly with aftermarket part. Bumper & radiator support must be slid forward for access. Small oil leak from front of engine and oil pan area. Since radiator support was already pulled forward for fan replacement, decided to replace the oil pan gasket and re-seal the crank angle sensor, both common oil leak locations. 
141000 mi Engine oil leak(s). 
146200 mi

US $12
Oil was leaking from the valve cover gasket. Replaced gasket. 
111000 mi

US $500
Thermostat replacement including coolant flush.  Review extensive oil leaks, apply oil tracing liquid to determine source of leaks. 
120300 mi

US $1200
Clogged heater core 
122000 mi

US $335
Post Catalytic Converter Oxygen Sensor 

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2003 Mini Hardtop 2dr Hatch

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

94600 mi

US $185
Oil Pressure illum engine check lite 
120000 mi

US $500
repaired vacuum leaks with new lines. replaced plugs, wires, coil. O2 sensor. 
41000 mi ignition switch 
64300 mi

US $500
cooling fans 
66000 mi

US $501
sensor 
68000 mi

US $200
replace o2 sensor 
136000 mi

US $400
Radiator leaked and needed replacing. 
52000 mi

US $260
Replaced radiator due to small crack in side of tank. 

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2003 Mini Hardtop 2dr Hatch

115-horsepower 1.6L I4 5-speed manual FWD

34100 mi

C $400
Engine light on, diagnosed as thermostat, replace same. Currently solved. 
65720 mi

C $150
Replaced leaking thermostat housing. 
118500 mi

US $1525
Replaced water pump, thermostat housing, thermostat, and related hoses and seals 
143000 mi

US $90
Replaced broken oil filter housing and gaskets. #2 spark plug ejected from cylinder head 
58200 mi

US $1300
had to replace exhaust 
61300 mi

US $2300
Check engine light wnet on, some sensor needed replacing. 
12000 mi Light indicated overheating went on during commute home. Coolant level very low. Radiator will need to be replaced.  
115804 mi

US $12711
Drove too long with burned valve. Instead of buying new car, replaced engine with 32k mileage from wrecked car (3 yr or 36,000 mile warranty). I saved money by repairing EVERYTHING that was wrong (details entered separately), rather than buying a late model used car. Little "Nigel" is a "Cream Puff", now! Well worth it, because I would have been miserable driving anything else. Replaced oxygen sensor, spark plugs & wires, ignition coil. Replaced water pump, thermostat & gasket, drive belt. 

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

2003 Mini Hardtop Engine Problems

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 2003 Mini Hardtop problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.