| 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
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.
2003 Mini Hardtop repair cost distribution
$2500+ (4%)
$1000 - $2499 (10%)
$500 - $999 (16%)
$100 - $499 (31%)
< $100 (38%)
Chart based on 136 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
| Mini Hardtop in New York, United States Jan 2011 - Feb 2011 | |||
| Feb 201173000 miUS $450 | knock and other sensor replaced | ||
| Mini Hardtop in Virginia, United States May 2009 - Mar 2010 | |||
| Jun 200950000 miUS $600 | The new service manager of MINI at Sterling of BMW & Sterling - saved my life - she got Mini of NA to pay half for the repair ref. good will because of on-going problems with the transmission. She was a fantastic advocate for my problem with my 03 Mini. | ||
2003 Mini Hardtop 2dr Hatch
supercharged 163hp 1.6L I4 6-speed manual FWD
| Mini Hardtop in Ontario, Canada Apr 2014 - Mar 2015 | |||
| Jun 201465100 miC $500 | Alternator seized, replaced it as well as supercharger oil, thermostat, belt and idler pulley. Replaced rear wheel bearing, noisy. | ||
| Feb 201570680 miC $150 | Replaced battery | ||
| Mar 201570680 miC $300 | Tie rod end replacement | ||
| Mini Hardtop in Washington, United States Dec 2014 - Mar 2015 | |||
| Dec 201496000 miUS $300 | throughout bearing failed. Replace clutch assembly. Replace worn serpentine belt | ||
| Feb 2015113000 mi | Got back from a week long trip and the AC compressor would no longer run | ||
| Mini Hardtop in Pennsylvania, United States Dec 2013 - Mar 2018 | |||
| Jan 201476000 miUS $612 | Front control arm bushings gone. | ||
| Jun 201482000 miUS $75 | Right rear wheel arch trim clips came off; trim piece flapped in the wind. | ||
| Feb 201584000 miUS $720 | Power steering pressure lines were leaking and replaced. | ||
| Jul 201588500 miUS $1200 | Exhaust rusted, replacement required Brake line wearing, rubbing on control arm. | ||
| Jul 2016100700 miUS $115 | AC compressor pulley clutch | ||
| Nov 2017118000 miUS $400 | Power steering pump replaced with rebuilt model. | ||
| Jan 2018120000 miUS $300 | Leaking coolant dropped coolant level below pump | ||
| Mini Hardtop in Kansas, United States Aug 2013 - Jan 2018 | |||
| Sep 201350000 miUS $60 | Coolant expansion tank was leaking slightly when I acquired the vehicle. Replaced myself with a genuine BMW OEM part for $60. | ||
| Dec 201351000 miUS $20 | Supercharger oil change. Rear water pump drive housing completely dry. Will have to monitor for "death rattle" and eventually replace the supercharger itself. | ||
| Oct 201569700 miUS $80 | Airbag control unit had a hardware failure, replaced it with a used one. Found out I can't use a used control unit if the VIN from the donor car is too far from my own. Now need to purchase a new OEM part. | ||
| Jan 201785300 miUS $90 | Second OEM plastic coolant expansion tank began to leak. Replaced with aftermarket aluminum tank. | ||
| Mini Hardtop in Illinois, United States Dec 2012 - Nov 2014 | |||
| Jan 201464000 miUS $400 | Short in the starter which caused the car to start repeatedly while running | ||
| Mini Hardtop in Ohio, United States Mar 2013 - Jun 2014 | |||
| Jul 2013125300 miUS $7000 | Rod bearing failed. Replaced entire bottom end of engine. | ||
| Apr 2014128000 miUS $7000 | Threw a rod. Replaced engine with short block. Did all maintenance items under hood. | ||
| Mini Hardtop in Nebraska, United States Jan 2015 - Jul 2015 | |||
| Mar 201583000 miUS $405 | Driver side wheel bearing and passenger side tie rod replaced | ||
| May 201584000 miUS $180 | Battery was down to five functioning cells. Replaced battery to fix. | ||
| Mini Hardtop in Oregon, United States Dec 2014 - Jun 2021 | |||
| Nov 201579900 miUS $150 | Anti-lock braking, traction control, & tire pressure monitor all failed due to sensor failure on driver front wheel. Sensor replaced; problems solved. | ||
| Sep 201684000 miUS $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. Since I bought the car used, the rear bushings which had been replaced by solid ones by the previous owner, were very noisy. As they wore, the rear suspension felt loose. Replaced with new solid bushings. Drives and sounds great. | ||
| Mar 201786000 miUS $200 | Replaced vacuum hose and changed oil. | ||
| Jun 201787000 miUS $750 | Replaced oxygen sensor Front strut mounts were worn. Replaced. | ||
| Mini Hardtop in Oregon, United States Dec 2015 - Sep 2018 | |||
| Apr 201798000 miUS $225 | Turned out to be an improperly seated pad. Check dragging right rear caliper, flush brake fluid. | ||
| May 2018101000 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. | ||
| Mini Hardtop in Vermont, United States Jul 2017 - Jun 2018 | |||
| Jul 2017107000 miUS $600 | (4) new wheel bearings, not all done in same visit. | ||
| Jun 2018112000 miUS $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. | ||
| Mini Hardtop in Maryland, United States Jul 2011 - Sep 2011 | |||
| Aug 201129000 miUS $1900 | Electrical, other than above, repair | ||
| Mini Hardtop in Minnesota, United States - Jun 2007 | |||
| Jun 200781000 miUS $876 | Power steering pump, and cooling fan need replacing. BMW parts quoted $876.00 for PARTS ONLY! found online for $450.00 replaced myself. | ||
| Mini Hardtop in Illinois, United States Nov 2003 - Jul 2011 | |||
| May 2003135 mi | Bonnet stripe application. | ||
| Feb 200411760 mi | Dash trim and center console 'downtubes' rattling. Covered by warranty. | ||
| Mar 200530607 mi | Replace one front pulse sender, and a steering angle sensor. Tail light bulb replacement. Replace crankcase breather line. Covered by warranty. | ||
| Jun 200535869 mi | Front and rear brake pad replacement, Xenon headlight replacement, passenger side window motor replacement, sunroof shade re-attachment, ABS fluid repaclement. All covered by warranty. | ||
| May 200648672 mi | End of warranty at 50k. Alignment, replace the clutch, steering rack, re-hang the driver's side door, driver and passenger side window motor replacement. All covered by warranty. | ||
| Mini Hardtop in Hawaii, United States - Oct 2003 | |||
| Oct 2003 | Window inoperative. | ||
| Mini Hardtop in Virginia, United States May 2012 - Jul 2012 | |||
| Jul 201237000 mi | Power lock on driver side required new actuator | ||
| Mini Hardtop in California, United States Dec 2012 - Dec 2013 | |||
| Nov 2013107900 miUS $700 | lower control arm bushings loose/worn out catalytic converter fell apart internally | ||
| Dec 2013110000 miUS $600 | low speed fan module defective, required a lot of labor to dig it out. | ||
| Mini Hardtop in Connecticut, United States Mar 2009 - Aug 2020 | |||
| Dec 2013111000 miUS $500 | Thermostat replacement including coolant flush. Review extensive oil leaks, apply oil tracing liquid to determine source of leaks. | ||
| Mar 2014113000 miUS $50 | Leaking power steering | ||
| Oct 2014117300 mi | Leaking battery, checked regulator and all is ok. | ||
| Apr 2015120300 miUS $1200 | Clogged heater core | ||
| Jan 2017122000 miUS $335 | Post Catalytic Converter Oxygen Sensor "Lifetime" Xenon headlight bulb replaced, passenger side only. | ||
| Mini Hardtop in New Jersey, United States Jun 2010 - Jun 2011 | |||
| Jul 2010124000 mi | driver's door would not open from inside the car | ||
| Mini Hardtop in Illinois, United States Dec 2010 - Oct 2014 | |||
| Jan 2011102000 miUS $235 | transmission failed at 35,000 miles. Dealer replaced entire transmission and clutch both front control arm bushing needed to be replaced I replaced them myself at 65000 miles left HID Headlight ballast, and HID Bulb needed to be replaced under original warranty, at 45,000 miles Right HID Headlight ballast, and HID Bulb needed to be replaced under extended warranty, at 65,000 miles CD player needed to be replaced with newer OEM model, 2003 version's LCD display would pixelize in temps under 20 degrees. Known issue when I brought it to dealer, and they replaced it with newer build date CD player Rear hatch license plate light socket disintegrated. Metal tabs for bulbs totally corroded away - had to replace entire rear hatch handle assembly, and have it painted, since it only comes primed. 90,000 miles | ||
| May 2011107000 miUS $235 | 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 alternator died | ||
| Jun 2011107000 miUS $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. | ||
| Nov 2011116700 miUS $1200 | CV joints starting clicking, and then went to a heavy vibration when on the gas. needed to replace both driver and passenger axle's and CV joints, and have the passenger side bearing pressed off the old axle, and pressed onto the new axle. | ||
| Mar 2012120000 miUS $1800 | OEM flywheel has internal grease in it. This grease was expelled from the flywheel, contaminating and ruining the clutch | ||
| Jun 2012123000 miUS $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 | ||
| Oct 2012125500 miUS $670 | power steering pump failed. $550 for a new one. replaced feed and return lines also, as they were leaking. | ||
| Dec 2012126000 miUS $280 | thermostat housing cracked again - replaced it Both wheel bearings are shot again. I drive the Dragon, and I drive the car hard all the time, wheelbearing replacements are normal maintenance for me :) | ||
| Feb 2013128200 miUS $1400 | the gears in the trans shattered. I got a fully re manufactured trans from the UK, $1270 shipped from http://www.minigearboxes.co.uk/. I also replaced my ebrake lines, one had rusted solid had a hole in the intercooler, which got replaced | ||
| Sep 2013130000 miUS $420 | rear hard lines had rusted out in spots and were leaking. Parts were 120, dealer wanted $700 to install. I bought a brake line bender and did it myself. I replaced all the ball joints I replaced a worn out tie rod end | ||
| Oct 2014138000 miUS $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 | ||
| Mini Hardtop in California, United States Apr 2009 - Jul 2016 | |||
| Aug 2009102000 miUS $479 | Parking brake cables misaligned, causing uneven wear of the rear pads. | ||
| Oct 2010111500 miUS $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. | ||
| Dec 2010114000 miUS $21 | Cowl vent foam had deteriorated and almost completely disappeared over time. Replaced foam with pre-cut foam from Minifini. | ||
| Aug 2011118000 miUS $7 | Power steering fluid had been leaking from reservoir cap for months. I assumed it was due to overheated fluid spewing from the breather. Found out that a bad o-ring on the cap is a common problem. No evidence of leakage since the repair. | ||
| Mar 2012120000 miUS $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. Side marker bulb apparently overheated and melted the plastic at the socket. The socket broke off the lamp housing and was dangling by its harness. There were no signs of external damage. Replaced side marker lamp assembly. | ||
| Feb 2013127300 miUS $1 | Had to pull inner door handle 3-7x before the door would open. Cable had stretched and cable end had popped out of its holder. Reinstalled in holder, routed cable to take up slack, put a fastener in an unused hole to keep cable in place. | ||
| Apr 2014140200 mi | Glove box would fall open when hitting large bumps. Eventually it just started falling open frequently and randomly. Removed glove box and adjusted latch. Problem fixed. | ||
| Jun 2014141000 mi | Power steering fluid leak from reservoir. Engine oil leak(s). | ||
| Apr 2015146200 miUS $12 | Oil was leaking from the valve cover gasket. Replaced gasket. The sunroof deflectors rattled while the roof was closed. I removed them years ago because of this, but the air is very turbulent when the roof is open. Reinstalled deflectors, using new springs. The new springs didn't help the rattling. | ||
| Jul 2015147200 mi | Sunroof deflector rattle never fixed. | ||
| Mini Hardtop in Wisconsin, United States Jul 2011 - Dec 2017 | |||
| Oct 2011122200 miUS $176 | Power steering pump | ||
| Sep 2012155000 miUS $250 | Burnt exhaust valve | ||
| Jan 2013165000 mi | Steering pump stopped working. | ||
| Apr 2013174800 miUS $110 | Heater core was leaking. | ||
| Jan 2015170800 miUS $900 | Burnt an exhaust valve on cylinder #2 | ||
| Sep 2015222000 miUS $120 | Rear wheel bearing was noisy. Front suspension control arm bushings were replaced. A little worn but had many miles on them. | ||
| Jul 2016233300 miUS $70 | Wheel bearing was noisy. | ||
2003 Mini Hardtop 2dr Hatch
115-horsepower 1.6L I4 6-speed shiftable CVT FWD
| Mini Hardtop in California, United States Aug 2005 - Jun 2011 | |||
| Apr 200516868 mi | Stereo head unit replaced under warranty. | ||
| Sep 200952000 miUS $260 | Replaced radiator due to small crack in side of tank. | ||
| Nov 201061200 miUS $2220 | Radiator fan assembly failed due to short. A/C compressor also failed and receiver dryer was leaking. Mechanic determined that the A/C compressor may have caused the short. | ||
| Mini Hardtop in California, United States - Nov 2009 | |||
| Dec 200555000 miUS $7500 | Transmission Broke. Had to replace whole new transmission. | ||
| Apr 200788000 mi | Transmission replaced again because it would rev up too high before shifting into a higher gear at around 70 mph. Fortunately it was still covered under a two year warranty from the original repair in 12/05. | ||
| Jul 200794000 miUS $500 | O2 sensor needed replacing. Left rear control bar was bent and also needed replacing. Dealer wanted $1500 for the job. Went somewhere else and have never returned to the dealer. | ||
| Sep 2008120000 miUS $850 | Power steering pump failed and needed replacing. | ||
| Oct 2009135000 miUS $225 | Power steering pump fan needed replacing. | ||
| Nov 2009136000 miUS $400 | Radiator leaked and needed replacing. | ||
| Mini Hardtop in Michigan, United States Nov 2012 - Jun 2015 | |||
| Feb 201390000 miUS $100 | Drivers Door Handle frozen and would not release when cold weather.. TSB said to R&R door handle. | ||
| May 201390300 mi | Passenger Side window .. Motor drive broke.. second time.. The Window lift cables and the regulators jamed the window after it was down. | ||
| Oct 201391200 mi | This is the third time for repairs to the passenger window motor and cable assembly.. The first time was $350 for parts alone.. then the next 2 were covered under warrenty. | ||
| Feb 201494600 miUS $185 | Oil Pressure illum engine check lite | ||
| Nov 2014103900 miUS $270 | Starter Failed | ||
| Mini Hardtop in California, United States May 2010 - Jun 2012 | |||
| Mar 201159000 miUS $500 | 2 power steering hoses leaking. Parts ordered and replaced. Pump fine no problems. | ||
| Mini Hardtop in Arizona, United States Apr 2009 - Jun 2018 | |||
| Jun 200941000 mi | ignition switch | ||
| Jul 201047000 miUS $730 | new starter | ||
| Apr 201564300 miUS $500 | cooling fans | ||
| Jun 201566000 miUS $501 | sensor | ||
| Jun 201668000 miUS $200 | replace o2 sensor | ||
| Jan 201874000 miUS $495 | Headlight repair box | ||
| Mini Hardtop in Washington, United States Sep 2009 - Mar 2013 | |||
| Jun 201246000 miUS $1001 | R & R electronic power steering pump. Design is prone to failure, and it was beginning to whine incessantly, "bump" on turns and I've read enough to know that this is a common failure on the BMW design. | ||
| Mini Hardtop in Oklahoma, United States Sep 2021 - Jun 2022 | |||
| Oct 2021120000 miUS $500 | repaired vacuum leaks with new lines. replaced plugs, wires, coil. O2 sensor. Also replaced front struts. General cleaning. Polished and waxed. replaced some trim parts that were broken or missing. The car had been neglected for some time. | ||
2003 Mini Hardtop 2dr Hatch
115-horsepower 1.6L I4 5-speed manual FWD
| Mini Hardtop in South Carolina, United States - Jul 2009 | |||
| Jul 2009121000 mi | New owner of a used mini, right away power steering started malfunctioning & runs after car is shut off, other forums report this as widespread problem, planning to repair myself at cost of aprox $300 for rebuilt part. No other problems to report | ||
| Mini Hardtop in Minnesota, United States Sep 2003 - Dec 2013 | |||
| Aug 20032000 mi | warranty covered squeaky speaker grill in passenger door and loose lens on rpm gauge on dashboard | ||
| Oct 201259200 mi | Driver door lock no longer controlled by key fob | ||
| Dec 201365000 mi | Driver door lock no longer controlled by key fob | ||
| Mini Hardtop in Alberta, Canada Apr 2009 - Jul 2018 | |||
| Sep 201234100 miC $400 | Engine light on, diagnosed as thermostat, replace same. Currently solved. | ||
| Mar 201440300 miC $160 | Battery died, replaced. Battery was original from 2003. | ||
| Mar 201865720 miC $150 | Replaced leaking thermostat housing. Replaced power steering pump | ||
| Mini Hardtop in Massachusetts, United States Apr 2009 - Mar 2010 | |||
| May 200912000 mi | Light indicated overheating went on during commute home. Coolant level very low. Radiator will need to be replaced. | ||
| Mini Hardtop in North Carolina, United States Aug 2013 - Dec 2017 | |||
| Jun 201482000 miUS $17 | Headlight replaced. | ||
| Sep 201485000 mi | Power steering pump replaced due to intermittent loss of power steering. This is common and well documented but NOT a Recall! If you let them know you are aware of how widespread the problem is, the dealer will replace the pump, NO CHARGE. | ||
| Dec 201489000 miUS $17 | Twice, I've had to replace the same headlight! Also one lower "custom light" is out but haven't replaced it yet. | ||
| Feb 201590000 miUS $2800 | Whirring noise under hood, confirmed to be bad transmission. Replaced with rebuilt transmission, new clutch and rear main oil seal. | ||
| Dec 2015100000 miUS $164 | 2 circular wheel decals, "Mini" wing emblem (back), cup holder & clamp - Black panel, separating windshield from door. This is the 2nd panel (other side) I've replaced! Parts guy said they break ALL the time. Cheap plastic garbage! | ||
| Jun 2016107000 miUS $45 | Third time in 2 1/2 yrs that I've had to replace low beam headlight. Attempted to replace it myself but it still wouldn't work. Took it to a shop and discovered I was sold a burned out bulb! Still, it's worth noting frequency of this repair. | ||
| Nov 2016110000 miUS $583 | Right front wheel bearing replaced. Front end alignment. | ||
| Jun 2017115804 miUS $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. Replaced left & right front CV axle shaft. Replaced shift cable. Replaced AC compressor, expansion valve. Machined rotors, new brakes. | ||
| Mini Hardtop in Florida, United States Jul 2013 - Mar 2014 | |||
| Aug 201393300 miUS $100 | Hatch would not align when closed - discovered rusted hinges cracking | ||
| Nov 201394600 miUS $250 | Driver's side window motor died. Replaced rotor. | ||
| Mini Hardtop in New Jersey, United States Jul 2009 - Dec 2012 | |||
| Oct 201158200 miUS $1300 | Replaced shocks had to replace exhaust Switch for raising and lowering windows is not working well...have to apply lots of pressure to the toggle. Was told the unit needed to be replaced. The cost was not worth it to me, as the issue is a minor nuissance. Praking brake needed to be tightened up. | ||
| Nov 201261300 miUS $2300 | Hinge for hatchback broke. Check engine light wnet on, some sensor needed replacing. | ||
| Mini Hardtop in Nebraska, United States Mar 2016 - Sep 2017 | |||
| Apr 2016107500 miUS $200 | Broken shift cable | ||
| Sep 2016116000 miUS $2272 | Suspension worn. All four struts and mounting plates replaced. | ||
| Oct 2016118000 miUS $749 | Replaced torn lower control arm bushings | ||
| Jan 2017US $1525 | Replaced water pump, thermostat housing, thermostat, and related hoses and seals | ||
| Jun 2017136000 mi | Compressor failure | ||
| Sep 2017143000 miUS $90 | Replaced broken oil filter housing and gaskets. #2 spark plug ejected from cylinder head | ||
| Mini Hardtop in New Jersey, United States Apr 2009 - Sep 2013 | |||
| May 200965000 mi | Clutch pedal no longer engaged clutch. Could not drive. | ||
| Mini Hardtop in California, United States Apr 2009 - Sep 2013 | |||
| Apr 201023000 miUS $5500 | rear wheel speed sensor replaced. Computer reset. Brake system flushed(preventative). | ||
| May 201125000 miUS $823 | Replace leaking high pressure power steering hose. | ||
See TrueDelta's information for all Hatchbacks
See TrueDelta's information for all Mini models.
