| 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
2008 Mini Hardtop repairs by problem area
Engine (58%)
Transmission and Drivetrain (3%)
Brakes and Traction Control (4%)
Suspension and Steering (2%)
Electrical and Air Conditioning (19%)
Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (7%)
Other (6%)
Chart based on 127 repairs.
2008 Mini Hardtop engine repair cost distribution
$2500+ (6%)
$1000 - $2499 (19%)
$500 - $999 (14%)
$100 - $499 (25%)
< $100 (35%)
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.
2008 Mini Hardtop
Engine not specified
| 25000 mi | I had to hire a lawyer because nation BMW would not repair my car which was still under warranty. (Rapid oil consumption & broken timing belt at 24,000) |
| 37300 mi US $9200 |
engine blew 330 miles after timing chain HAD to be replaced. 13000 miles left on warranty. BMW/Mini said I misused car and would not cover charges. They would not put in writing causes. will not go back. |
| US $1616 | clutch went out and needed replacement at 38,780 miles. Although my car is still under warranty the dealer claims the clutch failed due to improper use or abuse. I have driven manuals for 30+ years with no clutch replacements prior to this |
| 44700 mi | Timing belt replaced. Symptoms were rough idle and noise (death rattle) on cold morning starts. |
| 49300 mi | carbon buildup in cylinders caused rough idle at low speeds and finally triggered an engine light. |
2008 Mini Hardtop 2dr Hatch
turbocharged 172hp 1.6L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 59139 mi US $368 |
Replace thermostat housing and assembly to fix coolant leak. |
| 71398 mi US $765 |
Replaced expansion tank and cap. Pressure tested. Replaced oil pan gasket and spark plugs. Replace oil stand gasket, turbo oil turn rube, and turbo oil supply pipe |
| 75979 mi US $1265 |
Water pump was leaking & drive belt cracked. Replaced water pump and drive belt. |
| 78219 mi US $1399 |
Replaced intake vanos actuator and intake vanos solenoid. |
| 84700 mi US $1308 |
Oil change plus oil leak |
| 90300 mi US $2600 |
Timing change needed replaced, gadget was replaced to stop oil leak. |
| 36000 mi | Decarbonize intake valves for second time. Issue caused by DI head design, no fuel to wash out the oil from the crank case breathing system so it can be burned. Later sold to avoid having to pay for intake cleaning out of warranty. |
| 20000 mi | Timing chain tensioner and chain replaced per technical service bulletin. Had a loud diesel like knock noise present at cold start, due to problems with original timing chain tensioner design and resultant chain stretch. |
| 36000 mi | Hose from turbo to air intake kept getting loose and falling off turbo. Hose and clamps replaced. |
| 45000 mi US $708 |
Turbo oil line was leaking. Apparently this is a growing issue with MINIs due to the line press fitting gasket failure due to turbo heat. The dealer replaced both turbo oil lines. There are many complaints on this issue on the MINI forum. |
2008 Mini Hardtop 2dr Hatch
turbocharged 172hp 1.6L I4 6-speed manual FWD
| 34000 mi | Car overheated while coasting about 20mph, had the same problem the first day I got the car from the dealer and did not make it home in the vehicle |
| 45000 mi US $150 |
Technicians detected a rattle on start up. Tensioner was just beginning to fail. Chain was measured, but had not stretched out of spec. Tensioner was replaced |
| 50000 mi | Service bullitan - Timing chain, tensioner, and rails replaced |
| 51000 mi US $370 |
Orange engine light, car reported being too hot. Thermostat replaced. |
| 60000 mi US $4000 |
New clutch. Had been slipping for a while. Leaking turbo line |
| 57800 mi | Trouble starting when engine is cold. Dealer replaced a temp sensor. |
| 70200 mi US $115 |
Oil leaking from valve cover Replace timing chain Crankshaft seal leaking oil |
| 83000 mi | It had (another) oil leak at the time. I was told it wasn't anything that needed immediate attention but if I saw drops on the garage floor to come in and have it fixed. Estimate for repair was $1300. |
| 81000 mi US $300 |
Took it in for using oil, thought oil pan leak. Oil changed. Found no leaks in oil or water. Within 100 miles oil was a quart low and no water in the radiator. We been paying for all our repairs since 60000 miles it getting to expensive to keep this mini |
| 93000 mi | Using oil 1qt. Per 1000 miles. Codes for everything is up on the computer. |
| 46000 mi | A heatshield on the turbo oil line was installed per a service action by MINI. |
| 65000 mi US $500 |
Coolant temperature sensor leaking, was replaced. Timing belt appeared to be cracking, was replaced Timing chain tensioner bolt was leaking oil. Replaced |
| 76000 mi US $270 |
Oil filter housing leak, coolant was leaking. Replaced Turbo Oil Line, Oil Filter Housing. |
| 35960 mi | timing chain replaced after recall by mini. ratty cold start noise disappeared |
| 45260 mi C $3500 |
Clutch slipped over 2-300km and then no catch. |
| 67000 mi US $160 |
Timing chain rattle at 2k-3k rpm when engine hot. Replaced timing belt tensioner. Solved issue. |
| 73000 mi US $730 |
turbo oil seal leaky, engine was making some smoke from hot oil. required replacement oil seal on turbo plus installation of bmw-recommended heat-shield to protect turbo oil seal. most of the cost is labor. |
| 80200 mi US $2200 |
Water pump / coolant system leak. Replaced pump, hose Excessive carbon buildup on intake/valves. Walnut media blast to clean. |
| 85000 mi US $1120 |
Replace intake vanos solenoid and adjust camshaft solenoid Replace valve cover gasket |
| 85500 mi US $700 |
Check engine - O2 sensor failure, replaced |
| 55000 mi US $1000 |
Noticed the dreaded cold start rattle. Diagnosed as a failed timing chain tensioner. Replaced on the house, given that I had purchased the car only a month earlier. |
| 74000 mi US $1000 |
Power brakes failed. Diagnosed as vacuum pump failure. Pump was replaced. |
| 70000 mi US $50 |
Cracked valve cover failed temperature sensor oil leak at turbo |
| 15000 mi | loud rattle at cold start, dealer replaced belt tensioner |
| 97000 mi US $2000 |
a box next to the engine made the engine noise really loud |
| 97300 mi US $3000 |
The chain in the engine was scraping a part of the engine, along with other parts needed to be replaced |
| 26600 mi | Valve cover leak, Aux water pump replaced |
| 36000 mi US $140 |
Turbo pressure valve failed |
| 107000 mi | Thermostat replacement |
| 76000 mi US $150 |
Turbo oil input line was leaking - replaced both input and output lines. Had to disassemble front half of exhaust to get to it. |
| 88000 mi | Timing chain wore out (loud rattle prompted me to have MINI look at it and they confirmed). I was already considering a 3rd gen MINI so I decided to trade it in instead of fixing it ($2000 estimate). |
2008 Mini Hardtop 2dr Hatch
118-horsepower 1.6L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 122200 mi US $240 |
Radiator started leaking and was replaced. |
| 123000 mi US $540 |
Thermostat was stuck open and car would not heat in the winter. Had the t-state and connector pipe to water pump replaced. Cost is for parts, labor, and coolant |
| 123300 mi US $350 |
Oil seepage from oil pan gasket, valve cover gasket, and front main seal. All seals replaced either under dealer warranty (oil pan gasket) or extended warranty w/deductible. |
| 125100 mi US $180 |
Flex pipe had rusted out - new one welded into system. |
| 38000 mi US $1300 |
There was a leak in engine coolant. had to replace the gasket; and the pump. It was covered by extended warranty but I don't think it should have happened in such a short time. |
| 77000 mi US $600 |
Oil leak in housing and gasket. |
| 7000 mi | Replaced all four fuel injectors due to oxygen mix problem. |
| 10000 mi | Faulty clamp to catalytic converter caused the oxygen mix to be all messed up and CEL light to constantly warn. Dealer fixed clamp and assured me that this issue has been put to bed. We'll see. |
| 80500 mi US $300 |
leaking coolant from the thermostat housing. |
2008 Mini Hardtop 2dr Hatch
118-horsepower 1.6L I4 6-speed manual FWD
| 20000 mi | Check engine light came on. Service department determined that the thermostat housing needed to be replaced and work was finished in a couple of hours. |
| 65000 mi US $464 |
water pump leak, clacked plastic housing |
| 80000 mi US $68 |
VANOS inlet fault code |
| 84000 mi US $1778 |
Replaced thermostat and VANOS sensor while waiting for springs from Germany. |
| 118700 mi US $677 |
Replace water pump second time along with idler and belt. It appears the failing idler caused the water-pump to leak. To bad they didn't replace the idler with the first water-pump. |
| 134000 mi US $670 |
Corrosion in radiator caused leaking coolant. Replaced radiator. |
| 101200 mi US $450 |
new coils and plugs. The parts are $$$$. also did oil and some light bulbs. |
| 98000 mi US $400 |
Thermosrat for coolant was leaking. Car was overheating. Repaired without incident |
See TrueDelta's information for all Hatchbacks
See TrueDelta's information for all Mini models.
