2008 Mini Hardtop Mini Hardtop 2008

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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.
See TSBs and recalls for the 2008 Mini Hardtop.

2008 Mini Hardtop repair cost distribution

$2500+ (4%)

$1000 - $2499 (16%)

$500 - $999 (11%)

$100 - $499 (27%)

< $100 (42%)

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

Chart based on 90 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

Mini Hardtop in California, United States
Nov 2010 - Jun 2011
Dec 2010

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) 
Mini Hardtop in Oregon, United States
Jun 2012 - Jul 2012
Jul 2012

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 
Mini Hardtop in Minnesota, United States
Nov 2010 - Jun 2011
Jan 2011

44700 mi
Timing belt replaced. Symptoms were rough idle and noise (death rattle) on cold morning starts. 
Apr 2011

49300 mi
carbon buildup in cylinders caused rough idle at low speeds and finally triggered an engine light. 
Mini Hardtop in Ohio, United States
Nov 2010 - Mar 2011
Feb 2011

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. 

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2008 Mini Hardtop 2dr Hatch

turbocharged 172hp 1.6L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD

Mini Hardtop in Virginia, United States
Nov 2009 - May 2012
Jun 2010

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. 
Sep 2010

22000 mi
Rattle from rear hatch area. Readjusted rear hatch latch and problem was solved.  
Dec 2010

25000 mi
Rear hatch latch that was previously repaired became loose so the hatch would not close properly. It required realignment and tightening. 
Sep 2011

36000 mi
Hose from turbo to air intake kept getting loose and falling off turbo. Hose and clamps replaced. Hatch latch intermitently would not reset to allow latching unless remote or latch button was pushed again after opening the latch. It should reset automatically. Dealer replaced latch under warranty. Door handles increasingly hard to pull to activate latch to open doors. Dealer lubricated handles, problem apparently solved. 
May 2012

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. 
Mini Hardtop in Maryland, United States
Jan 2013 - Dec 2015
May 2013

59139 mi

US $368
Replace thermostat housing and assembly to fix coolant leak. 
Apr 2014

71398 mi

US $765
Replaced expansion tank and cap. Pressure tested. Replaced oil pan gasket and spark plugs. Replaced passenger seat sensor. Replace oil stand gasket, turbo oil turn rube, and turbo oil supply pipe 
Aug 2014

75979 mi

US $1265
Water pump was leaking & drive belt cracked. Replaced water pump and drive belt. 
Oct 2014

78219 mi

US $1399
Replaced brake vacuum pump. Replaced intake vanos actuator and intake vanos solenoid. 
Apr 2015

84700 mi

US $1308
Oil change plus oil leak 
Oct 2015

90300 mi

US $2600
Timing change needed replaced, gadget was replaced to stop oil leak. 
Mini Hardtop in Texas, United States
Nov 2011 - Dec 2011
Dec 2011

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. 

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2008 Mini Hardtop 2dr Hatch

turbocharged 172hp 1.6L I4 6-speed manual FWD

Mini Hardtop in Florida, United States
Jul 2013 - Dec 2015
Jan 2014

US $300
Replaced car antenna. Molding around front windsheild is complete off. Back latch is complete out and the sun never shine on this dealer wants 400$to to repair.  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  
Dec 2015

93000 mi
Using oil 1qt. Per 1000 miles. Codes for everything is up on the computer. 
Mini Hardtop in Minnesota, United States
May 2013 - May 2015
Oct 2013

57800 mi
Trouble starting when engine is cold. Dealer replaced a temp sensor. 
Jul 2014

70200 mi

US $115
Rear hatch rattle. they replaced the striker. Oil leaking from valve cover Replace timing chain Crankshaft seal leaking oil 
May 2015

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. 
Mini Hardtop in Colorado, United States
Sep 2012 - Jun 2022
Jan 2013

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 
May 2014

50000 mi
Service bullitan - Timing chain, tensioner, and rails replaced 
Sep 2014

51000 mi

US $370
Orange engine light, car reported being too hot. Thermostat replaced. 
May 2017

60000 mi

US $4000
New clutch. Had been slipping for a while. Leaking turbo line 
Mini Hardtop in California, United States
Jun 2013 - Aug 2018
Sep 2013

67000 mi

US $160
Timing chain rattle at 2k-3k rpm when engine hot. Replaced timing belt tensioner. Solved issue. 
Jun 2014

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. 
Jan 2016

76000 mi
Water pump / coolant system leak. Replaced pump, hose Excessive carbon buildup on intake/valves. Walnut media blast to clean. Mechanic failed to secure plastic shield on underside of car after pump replacement. Owner reinstalled to save trip, but garage would have fixed it on their dime. 
Apr 2017

85000 mi

US $1120
Replace intake vanos solenoid and adjust camshaft solenoid Replace valve cover gasket Replaced left front wheel bearing due to excessive road noise / drone 
Jun 2017

85500 mi

US $700
Check engine - O2 sensor failure, replaced Worn rear pads, replaced 
Jan 2018

89000 mi

US $1700
Replace alternator Dead, normal wear and tear, original battery from 2008 
Mini Hardtop in Minnesota, United States
Feb 2013 - Mar 2015
Jun 2013

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. 
Feb 2014

81700 mi

US $200
Drivers side tail light had a short in the backup light socket. Tried replacing the bulb, but still didn't work, so I replaced both tail light housings with after market LED versions (so they matched). 
May 2014

86000 mi

US $50
Plastic chrome trim ring popped off the end of the handbrake lever. Had to buy whole handle trim assembly as the piece I needle was not available separately. New piece snapped right on. 
Mar 2015

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). 
Mini Hardtop in Delaware, United States
Sep 2015 - Sep 2015
Sep 2015

97000 mi
Replace HID headlight bulb. 
Mini Hardtop in California, United States
Dec 2014 - Jun 2016
Jan 2015

97000 mi

US $2000
a box next to the engine made the engine noise really loud 
Feb 2015

97300 mi

US $3000
The chain in the engine was scraping a part of the engine, along with other parts needed to be replaced 
Mini Hardtop in North Carolina, United States
Apr 2014 - Jul 2014
Jul 2014

107000 mi
Thermostat replacement 
Mini Hardtop in Rhode Island, United States
Feb 2012 - Jul 2014
Oct 2012

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. 
Dec 2013

74000 mi

US $1000
Power brakes failed. Diagnosed as vacuum pump failure. Pump was replaced. 
Mar 2014

70000 mi

US $50
Cracked valve cover failed temperature sensor oil leak at turbo 
Mini Hardtop in Wisconsin, United States
Aug 2013 - Jun 2016
Nov 2013

46000 mi
A heatshield on the turbo oil line was installed per a service action by MINI. 
May 2015

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 
Mar 2016

76000 mi

US $270
Oil filter housing leak, coolant was leaking. Replaced Turbo Oil Line, Oil Filter Housing. 
Mini Hardtop in California, United States
Apr 2011 - Apr 2014
Feb 2012

26600 mi
Valve cover leak, Aux water pump replaced 
Apr 2014

36000 mi

US $140
Turbo pressure valve failed 
Mini Hardtop in Vermont, United States
Nov 2009 - Mar 2011
May 2010

15000 mi
loud rattle at cold start, dealer replaced belt tensioner window motor quit working, rolled window half way down when rolled all the way up, auto window close did not work. software flash resolved. 
Mini Hardtop in Mississippi, United States
Jan 2009 - Jul 2010
Jun 2009

14000 mi

US $110
Door handle began to malfunction requiring multiple attempts to open door. The door handle is the comfort access with the keyless entry radio transmitter. The part was ordered and was in within 3 days. 
Mini Hardtop in New Jersey, United States
Dec 2008 - Mar 2010
May 2009

10000 mi
Windows incorrectly dropping for anti-pinch protection. Footwell module ordered. 
Jul 2009

11000 mi
Replaced footwell module to solve window problem. 
Sep 2009

14000 mi
Hood scoop melted & replaced under warranty 
Mini Hardtop in Quebec, Canada
Apr 2009 - Jul 2019
May 2014

35960 mi
timing chain replaced after recall by mini. ratty cold start noise disappeared 
Jun 2016

45260 mi

C $3500
Clutch slipped over 2-300km and then no catch. 
Sep 2016

45880 mi

C $1000
Clutch was changed last month but service found it was catching. New clutch and flywheel changed under warranty Also tie rod changed, brake fluid drained as per periodic maintenance 
Mini Hardtop in Massachusetts, United States
Jul 2010 - Jun 2011
Aug 2010

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 

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2008 Mini Hardtop 2dr Hatch

118-horsepower 1.6L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD

Mini Hardtop in New Hampshire, United States
Jun 2014 - Jul 2017
Aug 2014

122200 mi
Driver's window would not consistently close or open and did not "dip" when the door was opened. Dealer updated vehicle SW and then re-initialized windows. Problem solved. Rear window defroster inoperative. Problem discovered to be fault inside of rear window itself. Dealer replaced window. Note this was noticed after used car purchase but within first 30 days. 
Oct 2014

122200 mi

US $240
Radiator started leaking and was replaced. 
Jan 2016

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 
Feb 2016

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. 
Jun 2016

124000 mi

US $600
Transmission fluid pan replaced (could not drain fluid). Fluid and filter replaced. 
Mar 2017

125100 mi

US $180
Flex pipe had rusted out - new one welded into system. 
Mini Hardtop in California, United States
Dec 2008 - Jun 2011
Feb 2009

7000 mi
Replaced all four fuel injectors due to oxygen mix problem. 
Jun 2009

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. 
Mini Hardtop in Illinois, United States
Jan 2011 - Jun 2022
Jan 2016

80500 mi

US $300
leaking coolant from the thermostat housing. 
Mini Hardtop in Maryland, United States
Jan 2012 - May 2015
Aug 2012

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. 
May 2015

77000 mi

US $600
Oil leak in housing and gasket. 

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2008 Mini Hardtop 2dr Hatch

118-horsepower 1.6L I4 6-speed manual FWD

Mini Hardtop in Finland
Feb 2009 - Jan 2013
Aug 2012

37920 mi

€150
ABS fault 
Mini Hardtop in New Hampshire, United States
Mar 2011 - Oct 2018
Dec 2012

65000 mi

US $464
water pump leak, clacked plastic housing 
Apr 2013

70000 mi

US $150
Remote control in key stopped working 
Sep 2013

80000 mi

US $68
VANOS inlet fault code 
Dec 2013

84000 mi

US $1778
Front left spring broke, punctured front tire.  Replaced thermostat and VANOS sensor while waiting for springs from Germany. 
Nov 2016

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. 
Apr 2017

129000 mi
Had the clutch (original) replaced as well as the slave cylinder and line and the differential output shaft seals. 
Jan 2018

134000 mi

US $670
Corrosion in radiator caused leaking coolant. Replaced radiator. 
Mini Hardtop in Illinois, United States
Jan 2009 - Oct 2013
Mar 2009

19000 mi
Minor problem with windows not closing correctly - no auto-up on passenger's window, and sometimes required a few tries to get it closed even manually. 
Oct 2009

32000 mi
Gas gauge reading sometimes inaccurate. Repaired even though they couldn't see it happen. 
Jun 2010

45000 mi
Driver's mirror noisy (squeaky). Replaced but still noisy. Window auto-close function broken again. 
Mini Hardtop in British Columbia, Canada
Dec 2008 - Jun 2018
Jan 2009

3162 mi
Warranty repair - drivers door window not operating correctly - required computer reinitialization 
Dec 2009

7440 mi
Known problem with window computer - computer loses track of the window position and does not roll up or down properly. Fixed by recoding the computer module. 
Aug 2010

10840 mi
Broken clutch return spring on clutch pedal. 
Jun 2012

18600 mi
Rattle behind dash that was repaired. 
Mini Hardtop in Massachusetts, United States
Dec 2008 - May 2019
Dec 2010

32000 mi
Service light came on. it was about a month early, but that is OK. I will probably have to go back in 4 months for oil change. 
Dec 2012

52000 mi

US $250
Computer had to have software updated or reinstalled to fix a problem with the passenger window rolling up but not staying up: It immediately would Goode 6" 
Jan 2016

32000 mi

US $450
new coils and plugs. The parts are $$$$. also did oil and some light bulbs. 
Aug 2016

98000 mi

US $400
Thermosrat for coolant was leaking. Car was overheating. Repaired without incident 
Dec 2017

110000 mi

US $300
Hood release broke 
Jun 2018

115000 mi
Hood release broke again. Shop fixed it for free 
Mar 2019

123000 mi

US $400
Only rear brakes needed work. 
Mini Hardtop in Virginia, United States
Dec 2008 - Jun 2009
Jan 2009

9000 mi
Passenger air bag light illuminates, meaning the air bag has been disabled in spite of there being a fullgrown passenger of sufficient weight seated properly.  Driver's side window malfunction - window was "possessed" and opened halfway automatically when driver tried to close the window.  
Feb 2009

10000 mi
Window malfunction - auto up failed and when closed using switch, window would automatically open halfway.  
Jun 2009

11000 mi
submitted lemon-law paperwork; dealer could not replicate for our 2008 MINI, but the service manager and head mechanic did witness this problem when we test drove a dealer-buyback 2009 to replace the 2008 
Mini Hardtop in British Columbia, Canada
Apr 2009 - Jun 2011
Jun 2009

2480 mi

C $150
Sunroof stuck when warm out. Lubricated and re-aligned. 
Mini Hardtop in Nebraska, United States
Dec 2008 - Mar 2016
Sep 2009

12000 mi
A broken clutch pedal spring was replaced 
Jan 2010

14000 mi
passenger window wouldn't automatically go up. 
Sep 2010

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. 
Oct 2011

26800 mi
Airbag warning light on. Diagnosed as a faulty sensor in the driver's seat that controls the rate of airbag inflation. 

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2007.5 Mini Hardtop 2-door

4-cylinder manual 2WD

Mini in Great Britain
Aug 2013 - Dec 2016
Nov 2013

34300 mi

£1053
Total ABS controller failure requiring that the complete unit be replaced. Dealership agreed to pay labour if I paid parts. 
Aug 2015

44200 mi

£200
Leaking water pump. 
Nov 2015

45400 mi

£200
Broken rear spring. Had to replace entire set of springs. 

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2008 Mini Hardtop Repair Histories

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 2008 Mini Hardtop problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.