2005 Mini Hardtop Mini Hardtop 2005

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2005 Mini Hardtop repairs by problem area

Engine (48%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (7%)

Brakes and Traction Control (5%)

Suspension and Steering (15%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (12%)

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

Other (7%)

Chart based on 256 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the 2005 Mini Hardtop.

2005 Mini Hardtop engine repair cost distribution

$2500+ (3%)

$1000 - $2499 (18%)

$500 - $999 (16%)

$100 - $499 (32%)

< $100 (31%)

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

Chart based on 106 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

2005 Mini Hardtop

Engine not specified

64000 mi

US $2000
Cooling fan was replaced 
51000 mi Replaced O2 sensor. 
27000 mi

US $500
Broken engine mount 
66340 mi

A $700
head gasket engine mount 

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2005 Mini Hardtop 2dr Hatch

supercharged 207hp 1.6L I4 6-speed manual FWD

73000 mi

US $1752
Oil Pan leak - replaced Gasket - replaced "Failure of PRE CAT O2 Sensor" O2 Sensor Harness Heater Circuit 
87000 mi

US $24
Seal around the middle of the Engine Coolant Reservoir was leaking. Replied with sealant. 
85200 mi

US $40
Mini has a known weak point in the exhaust hangers, mine needed to be welded back on 
101000 mi

US $1600
Cracked radiator mount, cracked radiator and leaking expansion tank 
107000 mi

US $1317
Car had a couple of oil leaks that I have been ignoring, had them all fixed- Valve Cover Gasket, Oil Filter Housing and Oil Pan Gasket 
107000 mi

US $500
I had the parking brake cable replaced on the 05. The brake would not release in cold weather (under 20 degrees). Also new battery in same car. 

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2005 Mini Hardtop 2dr Hatch

supercharged 168hp 1.6L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD

84000 mi

US $3500
Motor blew, headgasket replaced, along with all other 80K maintenance, many hoses, valves, and gaskets replaced. 
33160 mi Slow antifreeze leak onto floor of garage. 
39680 mi

C $75
Dipstick broke outside sheath. Luckily didn't break off completely as is known to happen with this sad testament to normally technically excellent BMW design. Replaced with Craven Speed stainless steel spring with aluminum handle @ $75 US ! 
51396 mi

C $350
RT front fluid-filled engine mount leaking. Replaced. 
56720 mi Replaced cracked air tube. Replaced cracked air tube and used car delivery prep.  
59800 mi

US $115
Transmission went into "EP" mode and driver noticed harsh shifts and general sluggish performance. The shop retrieved error code 2C10. Updated tranny control unit with latest software. It's better but shop cautioned, be alert to more. Investigated trouble code:2C10 ("EP" displayed on tranny indicator). One occurrence of code. Fault was cleared. Car driven, fault did not reoccur. Tranny software upgraded. Shop cautioned vigilance to more occurrences.  
60400 mi

US $546
Replaced ignition packs on recommendation of shop. 
61200 mi

US $72
Recurrence of "EP" tranny warning light. Code scan revealed Code 2C10 again. Shop cleared code and drove extensively in attempt to have fault reoccur, which it didn't. But they did claim that tranny is "slipping" on shift of 2. Recurrence of "EP" tranny warning light. Code scan revealed Code 2C10. Shop cleared code and drove in attempt to have fault reoccur, which it didn't. But they state that tranny is "slipping" between 2nd & 3rd. Oil change, char 
61300 mi

US $8755
Replaced fuel pump. Replaced fuel pump. Replaced transmission. 
64000 mi "EP" in tranny display. No obvious impairment in performance. Six months since tranny was replaced. Repair consisted of reading code (code I.D. was not reported to owner), clearing error, relearning tranny "adapts" and test drive. 
65248 mi EP message in gear selector display, scanned as 2C10. Shop cleared and drove. Error did not return. Shop contacted PUMA (MINI's tech support network). PUMA advised that code has been related to low voltage. Batt. checked, terminal loose Yet another appearance of 2C10 in the gear drive indicator. The dealer went to extreme to try and trace the issue. But once the error was "cleared" the error would not repeat. PUMA contacted, if returns Engineer will be called in. Continued investigation of "EP" (2C10 scanned as cause). One day after return of PS hose replacement, "EP" appeared in tranny display. Kept car 10days, clear error, contacted PUMA. Ran PUMA list, nothing found. But not charged. 
67500 mi

US $518
Clear fluid leak. Dealer inspected, cited warped thermostat housing as cause. Replaced housing, thermostat, gasket and coolant was flushed. Addition repairs recommended. Engine mount $3C, brake fluid $1C, front control bushing $7C. 

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2005 Mini Hardtop 2dr Hatch

supercharged 168hp 1.6L I4 6-speed manual FWD

185000 mi

US $75
Valve Cover Gasket 
95000 mi

US $15
Missing at idle, bad fuel economy. Installed new air filter and ran techron fuel injection cleaner through the fuel tank. 
54900 mi

US $1200
oil pan gasket leaking. 
96200 mi

US $130
Replaced both oil cooler seals. 
71000 mi

US $330
Replaced the main gasket seal on the oil cooler 
82600 mi

US $493
Diagnosed as a starter issue, but turned out to be an ignition switch. Installed new starter and ignition switch. 
105000 mi

US $225
Upper right motor mount bolt broke off. 
121000 mi

US $215
Replaced a broken charcoal canister. 
122000 mi

US $1064
Crank pulley broke while driving the car. replaced crank pulley, serpentine belt, tensioner unit, and Idler pulley 
82000 mi

US $525
crankshaft pulley failure. Replaced crank pulley, idler, tensioner and serpentine belt. Also serviced supercharge (changed oil). 
90000 mi

US $95
Thermostat housing leak. Replaced housing, thermostat and gasket 
99000 mi

US $26
Check Engine light: evaporation system minor leak. Replaced gas cap. 
100000 mi

US $1850
supercharger bearing failure. Supercharger replaced 
54000 mi

US $100
Coldest day of the year, thermostat froze shut and car almost overheated. Self diagnosed as too little antifreeze in system due to constant topping-up as a result of leaky thermostat housing. Replaced thermostat and re-sealed housing. 
54000 mi

US $35
Right side motor mount needed to be replaced 
83000 mi

US $1500
Supercharger service, radiator, brakes, front suspension, struts 
20000 mi Defective thermostat caused car to overheat. 
84000 mi

US $1100
Thermostat was leaking coolant and another sensor seal was leaking oil. Thermostat and the seal was replaced. 
72500 mi

US $550
Thermostat housing leaking Valve cover gasket leak 
76900 mi

US $70
Low speed resistor failed on radiator fan 
79500 mi The catalytic converter broke open at a seam which created almost a cutout at the headers and the sound was quite loud in the car . The converter was welded closed and the rest of the exhaust system was replaced. Actually in January. 
91300 mi

US $750
Replaced exhaust system after catalytic converter. The shop did not align the hangers to the supports. Exhaust would twist and bang against the underside of the car. 
102500 mi

US $200
Valve cover gasket replaced 
112000 mi

US $158
Check engine light came on, diagnosed as faulty camshaft position sensor. Had to order part Replaced camshaft position sensor 
113000 mi

US $920
Both mufflers replaced 
60000 mi

US $800
Leaking main oil seal Oil leak - Valve Cover gasket Head gasket leak Low speed cooling fan failure 
129000 mi

US $325
Cleaned some sort of a boost sensor that was causing a miss under load. Total cost of $250, which was mostly diagnostic time. Replaced torn intake boot, $75. 
129500 mi

US $75
Replaced coolant expansion tank. 
132000 mi

US $350
Failed engine mount caused vibration under load. Mount replaced. 
132000 mi

US $380
Replaced leaking valve cover gasket.  
47300 mi

US $320
Slight leak from valve cover gasket was noticed during routine (5000 mile) oil change. Also had plugs changed during the VCG replacement. 
50000 mi Service Engine Soon light and Electrical Malfunction Lights came on. The car motor sputtered occasionally and the MPH decreased but the car remained driveable. The source of the problem was a disconnected air hose from the supercharger. 
62000 mi

US $200
Water pump required replacement. Covered under the extended warranty. 
77000 mi

US $200
Supercharger seal and motor mount seal leaking. replaced under extended warranty. 
118000 mi

US $1600
replace clutch 
132000 mi

US $150
Oil pressure sensor malfunctioned and had to be replaced. 
143000 mi Both check engine and service engine soon light came on. Dealer diagnosed the problem as a cracked valve require engine change. Local repair shop diagnosed the problem as failing supercharger. Both repair estimates high-will sell car. 
86700 mi

US $450
Fluid (oil) leaking from right side motor mount. Replaced right side motor mount. Second motor mount replacement in 24 months. Previous repair to same item done in January 2010. 
78000 mi

US $450
Cooling fan cycling on and off every 30 seconds. Needed replacement. 
80000 mi

US $400
Auxilliary cooling fan failed after being replaced in March. Kept cycling on and off repeatedly. Fan replaced at no charge. 
89000 mi

US $1100
Crank pulley broke and was replaced with new 
24000 mi

US $40
leak in thermostat seal, thermostat replaced. 
45260 mi During inspection, dealer noticed oil outside the engine. They replaced the head cover gasket and the oil pan gasket.  
62000 mi Fluid from engine mount leaked out. Dealer said it would still be okay to drive with it for awhile. Would replace at next routine maintenance. 
63860 mi

C $1700
Top engine mount leaked fluid. It appears to be a common issue. Replaced the mount. 
66340 mi

C $120
After repairing the top engine mount, the dealer said the lower engine mount was likely worn. Turned out the bushing was cracked. Lower engine mount was replaced. 
91140 mi

C $735
Fuel pump failure while on a MINI club drive 
104160 mi

C $2000
catalytic converter rusted and broke in half. Required new exhaust manifold and cat. 
127100 mi

C $200
Top passenger side engine mount leakage. Replaced engine mount. 
103500 mi

C $100
Coolant overflow tank cracked 
140740 mi

C $45
oil dipstick broke. replaced dipstick. Had to order it in as dealer did not stock it. 
143220 mi

C $400
O2 sensor failed . 
300 mi Replace supercharger belt tensioner. Under Warranty. Remedy Trim Rattles in P/S door pillar. Under Warranty 
29000 mi Leaking fluid. Found to be defective thermostat housing. Replaced Housing, Gasket and Thermostat. Added Coolant. 
40000 mi Oxygen Sensor 
63000 mi

US $1050
Leaking Engine Gasket and mount. 
68000 mi

US $700
Main Engine Fan was reported to be not working. 
20000 mi

US $199
Upper engine mount replaced 
67700 mi 02 sensor replaced by MINI no charge  
23000 mi

US $89
Check engine light turned on. Two faults, one about a misfire, the other about the ABS. Cleared it and hasn't happened since. 
44000 mi

US $500
Front and rear O2 sensors needed to be replaced after throwing faults. 
37000 mi Oxygen sensor, third time replaced. Check engine light has come back on, again. 
39000 mi

US $78
Problematic oxygen sensor replaced, yet again. 

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2005 Mini Hardtop 2dr Hatch

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

75000 mi

US $1000
Muffler was replaced for the first time, 
59000 mi

US $400
oil leak - replaced pan gasket 
75000 mi

US $245
Items noted during 75k mile checkup: - two belts replaced (original?) - cabin air filter replaced - tires rotated 
76000 mi

US $775
Exhaust system needed replaced. 
27280 mi

C $375
oxygen sensor was not working so was replaced 
29760 mi

C $320
Car was overheating thermostat was replaced. 
42780 mi

C $330
Diagnose problem code re air leak. Did some test to rule out any major issue. Appears that gas cap may have not been tightened properly. 
45260 mi

C $1400
Coolant leak found.Concern that it was the head gasket. Plastic thermostat housing leaking so was replaced. 

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2005 Mini Hardtop 2dr Hatch

115-horsepower 1.6L I4 5-speed manual FWD

55180 mi

C $200
Engine light on, to signal defective oxygen sensor, I believe related to antipollution system. sensor replaced. 
35000 mi

US $400
Thermostat housing was gone, new thermostat needed to be replaced, radiator had to be flushed. 
35500 mi Engine coolant appeared to be leaking (levels dropped significantly over 2 weeks) but the shop couldn't find any evidence of leak. 
44000 mi

US $500
The engine hydrolocked after driving slowly through a 3 inch puddle during flooding in MA. The car was declared a total loss due to the potential for electrical failure from water damage. A $500 deductible was paid and insurance cut a check for the car. 
55100 mi

US $110
hydraulic motor mount was gone. replaced it myself. 
99500 mi

US $505
Muffler hanger rusted apart and left muffler dangling. Needed new part, $125 of total. 
40000 mi Leaky oil pan repair. 
75700 mi

US $1500
electric radiator fan malfunction coolant leak 
85000 mi

US $500
fixed exhaust rattle/buzz 
241800 mi

C $1200
no heat in the car at all! - needed new heater core - dealer had no idea how to fix - replaced a new thermostat, replaced a good radiator, sensors,finally heater core. Dealers do not like working on these I think! 
56000 mi

US $3000
Replaced clutch. 
57000 mi

US $1150
Oxygen sensors were causing the "Check Engine" light to stay on. We took our out-of-warranty Mini to a reliable mechanic, but only the Mini dealership has the software to reset the "adaptations" to make the Check Engine light go off. 
137000 mi

US $271
Fuel Pump stopped working, replaced fuel pump and filter 

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2005 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 2005 Mini Hardtop problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.