| 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
2007 Mini Hardtop repairs by problem area
Engine (66%)
Transmission and Drivetrain (4%)
Brakes and Traction Control (4%)
Suspension and Steering (6%)
Electrical and Air Conditioning (9%)
Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (7%)
Other (4%)
Chart based on 164 repairs.
2007 Mini Hardtop engine repair cost distribution
$2500+ (7%)
$1000 - $2499 (6%)
$500 - $999 (20%)
$100 - $499 (29%)
< $100 (37%)
Chart based on 99 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.
2007 Mini Hardtop
Engine not specified
| 61000 mi US $7500 |
Cylinder #1 no compression. Need new engine. |
| 51000 mi | catalytic converter broke off from exhaust. Covered under federal emissions warranty |
| 24800 mi | Timing chain broke in December, finally repaired in February. Air intake frozen most of December, but undrivable in January due to broken timing chain so cold weather problem not replicated. Told this was fixed twice before 2007, 2008. BMW waiting for warranty to expire before fixing it apparently. |
| 88800 mi | Water pump and thermostat |
| 101000 mi | Check engine light appeared. Drove to dealer for appt. was told valves needed cleaned. Cleaned and paid for the job and within 20 miles from dealer same problem occurred. Valves machined. Dealer spoke to Mini Corp. who supposedly agreed to pay for half of the repairs and dealer indicated they would split the cost of the repair w/ owner. Ultimately owner did not pay anything because of service charged that wasn't rendered. |
| 59000 mi | The rear main oil seal leaks and has for many years. this is a common issue with this engine. the repair is extremely expensive, so I just lived with it for 7 years. |
2007 Mini Hardtop 2dr Hatch
turbocharged 172hp 1.6L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 24000 mi | Timing chain and tensioner replacement |
| 19200 mi US $530 |
It's valves had become clogged with carbon. The dealer blasted them with walnut shells to fix it. |
| 27000 mi US $800 |
Coolant leak in or near oil pan. |
| 28000 mi US $550 |
Coolant leak in thermostat housing. |
| 61700 mi US $500 |
Mechanical water pump failed and was causing coolant to leak at an unsafe, fast rate |
| 77000 mi | Oil was leaking into the engine in two different locations |
| 31000 mi | Replaced timing chain and tensioner. Apparently, a common problem. |
| 50000 mi US $50 |
thermostat control replaced |
| 73000 mi US $3080 |
Turbocharger failed. I had complained to the dealer about rough running when cold and a clicking sound for the last two years. They told me it was normal (the common response) or my tires (the last two responses). |
| 55000 mi US $350 |
Coolant leak from thermostat gasket. Replaced. |
| 55300 mi | Leaking filler cap was replaced. Auxiliary water pump was replaced on manufacturer's recall. |
| 450 mi | Check Engine Light - Faulty gas cap? 2 days in the shop |
| 800 mi | Check engine light came back on - 2 weeks in the shop to replace carbon canister on gas tank - Service department not very nice, but the loaner car was OK |
| 18000 mi | Whistle from under hood. Dealer replaced belt tensioner, but did not fix problem. |
| 26000 mi | Engine Check Light Again Check Engine Light Again part 2 Warning light went off and they fixed it after having the car for 3 days. Light came back on in a couple days and needed to spend another week in the shop to fix. |
| 28000 mi | Coolant leak after an oil change. Dealer replaced a line. |
| 52300 mi | During routine oil change and maintenance the tech left the cap off the radiator resulting in overheating. |
2007 Mini Hardtop 2dr Hatch
turbocharged 172hp 1.6L I4 6-speed manual FWD
| 102000 mi US $3000 |
Seal in the turbocharger failed causing oil to be spit directly out the exhaust. |
| 119000 mi | Went in for flywheel/clutch replacement, mechanic noted oil ring failed on #3 cylinder |
| 66300 mi US $450 |
walnut blast on the valves--runs much better now |
| 18000 mi | Timing chain tensioner failed resulting on loud rattling at idle. Repaired under warranty. |
| 74000 mi | Timing chain tensioner replaced along with sprockets, chain and high pressure fuel pump. 2nd repair for the same issue, done under warranty. |
| 90000 mi US $90 |
Cracked thermostat housing. |
| 117000 mi US $135 |
Turbo oil feed line leaking. Put front in service mode to replace, diy took 10 hours. |
| 131200 mi US $2400 |
Burnt exhaust valve on cylinder 3, requires cylinder head R&R and exhaust valve replacement. Intake valves were extremely carboned up requiring cleaning and valve job. |
| 135000 mi US $295 |
PCV valve cracked causing large vacuum leak and resulted in CEL. Replaced valve cover (PCV valve is integrated, can't be replaced separately). |
| 152000 mi US $45 |
Cracked thermostat housing, required replacement. Serpentine belt snapped. |
| 162000 mi US $250 |
Water pump and harmonic balancer needed replacement. Oil filter housing gasket leaking oil. |
| 62500 mi | 1. four new coil packs, plugs and a valve cover gasket for $600; 2 a new serpentine belt and a belt tensioner. Timing chain assembly was replaced in October 2013 under a recall. It is failing again. |
| 63400 mi US $45 |
Timing chain assembly was fine. Oil was low by 3 Qts. as a result of difficulty readin oil level with dipstick. There is a YouTube video about this. |
| 78000 mi US $400 |
Thermostat failed. Dealers would not sell the part keeping them for their customers. Had to order from supplier. Actual repair took 2 hours with pressure test. |
| 83000 mi US $450 |
Replaced thermostat and sensor connector Valve cover was replaced as it had a vacuum leak. |
| 44000 mi US $18000 |
Drive chain completely broke at 40,000 miles. |
| 44000 mi | Cylinder misfire. Cylinders cracked or bent. Leak in system. We traded it in and obtained another vehicle (Toyota) |
| 10371 mi | Burning engine oil smell. - Dealer could not find any leaks. |
| 34000 mi | This trip was yet another time I'd reported the noisy timing chain tensioner, along with a grinding noise in the steering system. |
| 92000 mi US $300 |
Cracked thermostat housing replaced |
| 74200 mi US $3400 |
Car started misfiring randomly one morning, I changed coil and plug on suspected cylinder, no change. Dealer confirmed no compression on cylinder #3...engine is being replaced, parts covered under goodwill but labor paid by owner. |
| 29000 mi US $3100 |
replaced clutch and timing belt, four new tires, electrical module (major malfunction). Some covered under warranty. Still pulls to right |
| 34000 mi | Timing chain guide failure, timing chain too slack, unable to re-insert dipstick due to above. |
| 37000 mi US $150 |
Coolant leak from Thermostat housing. Housing replaced, coolant flushed. |
| 48000 mi US $150 |
turbo pressure regulator |
| 33000 mi US $500 |
Water pump replacement |
| 36400 mi US $50 |
Engine was sounding rough, buzzy. Afraid it was the turbo but turned out there was almost no oil left. No warning light came on and the mechanic could not see any obvious leaks. Just filled it with oil and told me to keep an eye on the dipst. |
| 45000 mi US $750 |
Fan was running after shut-off. Thermostat and housing replaced. |
| 50500 mi US $1000 |
Car overheated, water pump replaced. Mechanic recommended replacing the belt tensioner too. |
| 47200 mi US $150 |
Turbo inlet tube was loose and displaced, just needed to be re secured |
| 58000 mi US $800 |
Carb buildup on intake side |
| 112500 mi US $80 |
Replaced O2 sensor that is after the Catalytic Converter. |
| 115000 mi US $320 |
Replaced the Upper Valve Cover Gasket as it was leaking oil badly in that area. |
| 124700 mi US $120 |
Oil Filter Cooler and Oil Filter Housing rubber seals leaking oil badly. |
| 69500 mi US $720 |
Coolant leak was found to be coming from the thermostat housing. The thermostat housing was replaced. Turbo oil supply line leaking. Dealer quoted $1300 for replacement. I declined and took it to an independent mechanic. |
| 78700 mi US $1498 |
New clutch kit, flywheel resurfaced |
| 46500 mi US $60 |
Replaced seal between the oil filter/cooler housing and the engine block. Small amount of coolant was leaking and seal needed to be replaced. |
| 50000 mi | Noise in front of vehicle. Found engine mount bracket that needed the fasteners to be retorqued. |
| 48560 mi C $700 |
Changed tensioner to fix the dreaded cold start rattle |
| 83080 mi C $200 |
Serpentine Belt replacement |
| 85040 mi C $175 |
Replaced high pressure fuel pump. It was covered because Mini extended the warranty on this part to 10 years |
| 83700 mi | Car is running on 3 cylinders! Valve on cylinder 1 is burnt. |
| 65000 mi US $275 |
While replacing front brake pads I found a lower radiator hose that had a broken hold down device. Hose had been rubbing on a sharp edge and was worn almost through. Had dealer replace it. |
| 71000 mi US $250 |
Paid for diagnosis of loss of power under acceleration. Found bad coil on Cyl. 2. I purchased the part (as well as spark plugs) and installed myself. Plugs were maintenance item not included in cost of repair. Car ran badly under acceleration. Dealer diagnosed a bad coil on cyl. #2. Said I also needed plugs, injectors cleaned and carbon removed from intake valves. I paid for their diagnosis, and bought plugs and coil which I installed myself. |
| 89000 mi US $1360 |
Replaced timing chain, sprocket & tensioner |
| 101200 mi US $125 |
Removed and replaced leaking thermostat. |
| 42000 mi | Turbo oil supply line was leaking. Dealer replaced line. Did routine brake flush and cabin air filter while in shop. I reported small hole in valve cover, but dealer said this is normal on all Mini's. |
| 63000 mi US $850 |
Divert valve, turbo |
| 39000 mi US $400 |
Mass Flow Sensor Reset |
| 107000 mi US $4500 |
Replaced entire engine. |
| 139000 mi | Oil leak around timing chain tensioner. |
| 75000 mi US $350 |
noisy lifters |
2007 Mini Hardtop 2dr Hatch
118-horsepower 1.6L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 21700 mi R 650 |
Faulty fuel pump sensor unit (corrosion). Unit replaced by dealers. |
| 89600 mi US $330 |
Leaking thermostat housing. Coolant evaporating, so no visible sign other than low level in coolant tank. Excessive smoking on acceleration after sitting at an idle. Assuming a bad pcv valve in valve cover. Must replace entire valve cover to replace pcv valve. Horrible design. |
| 109000 mi US $900 |
Burnt 2 exhaust valves. Had head reworked, New timing chain, waterpump, exhaust cam phaser and all associated gaskets and seals |
| 34000 mi | Weird cranking sound when slowing down or pressing on gas on left side driver side of car up front. Took the Mini to the dealer and they replaced a transmission mount that was bad and had a TSB for it. Perfect now and no sounds. |
| 27200 mi US $350 |
Check engine light came on, idle became rough one morning. Car was very sluggish. Replaced oxygen sensor ($100 warranty deductible) then VANOS solenoid ($250). Shop then suspected VANOS unit, referred me to the dealer. |
| 27900 mi US $100 |
Dealer said nothing wrong with VANOS. O2 sensor possibly also not needed. Instead, diagnosed damaged cylinder head, from oil starvation. Never had low oil light. Would have been $6,000 without warranty. My key would fall out of the ignition occasionally while the car was running, whether in drive or park. Replaced ignition housing. |
| 30000 mi | Currently I have an issue with the check engine light coming on and staying on. It has been to the shop for diagnosis but they can find nothing wrong with it. They reset the light, but it came on again within a few days. |
| 122800 mi US $300 |
Cam sensors replaced debugging. Needed exhaust cam actuator which was replaced. |
| 75000 mi US $450 |
I needed to replace my coils and plugs to fix an engine misfire. Oddly, I got no check engine light for this. |
| 95000 mi US $1200 |
Also needed a new water pump |
| 102200 mi US $650 |
Leaky cooling system |
2007 Mini Hardtop 2dr Hatch
118-horsepower 1.6L I4 6-speed manual FWD
| 162000 mi US $20 |
Replaced valve cover gasket |
| 167000 mi US $700 |
Leaking from unknown location around water pump side of engine. Replaced water pump but leak remained. Then replaced hose near firewall that goes from water pump to thermostat. |
| 30000 mi | Replaced catalytic converter |
| 63000 mi | Replaced footwell control module, due to reverse light issue. |
| 95000 mi US $550 |
Replacement of water pump due to leak. |
| 97000 mi US $600 |
coolant leaked until reservoir was empty. the seal for the coolant reservoir was replaced. thermostat had to be replaced, entire cooling system was taken apart and cleaned. |
| 109000 mi US $900 |
oil leak around filter housing |
| 96500 mi US $600 |
Failed thermostat. replaced. |
2007 Mini Hardtop 2-door
turbocharged 4-cylinder automatic 2WD
| 34300 mi | While in for the emergency aux water pump recall, I advised dealer of intmt check engine light. Seems that the MAP Thermostat ECU input had failed, part of the emissions system. |
See TrueDelta's information for all Hatchbacks
See TrueDelta's information for all Mini models.
