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2008 mini Cooper engine problems

severe 159 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100

Complaints
159
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Avg fix
$3,100

What owners are reporting 12 most recent

engine · filed 12/29/2017

CAR TAKES A WHILE TO "WARM UP" HOWEVER AFTER A VERY SHORT DRIVE THE HOOD IS HOT TO THE TOUCH. IT ALSO SMELLS HOT. I LOOKED ON LINE AND SEEN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS AND THERE IS ACTUALLY AN AFTER MARKET 'DEFLECTOR' TO CHANNEL HEAT FROM THE HOOD. I HAVE NOTICED THE PLASTIC HOOD SCOOP IS DEFORMED FROM HEAT. I FEEL IT IS A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE A FIRE OR OTHER REACTION, E.G., HEAT CAUSES ANOTHER PART TO …

engine · filed 12/28/2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SMOKE WAS SEEN COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO COOL DOWN SO THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE OR DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED AND HE WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE FOR MORE THAN A FEW M…

engine · filed 12/26/2012

VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT IN FOR WARRANTY REPAIRS JUST BEFORE WARRANTY EXPIRED (6/9/12). SERVICE DEPARTMENT WAS ASKED TO INSPECT 'TURBO OIL SUPPLY LINE' AS THIS WAS TSB (SIM-11-03-08) FOR CLOGS/BLOCKAGE CAUSED BY THE DETERIORATION OF THE RUBBER O-RING IN LINE THAT WHEN HEAT CYCLED FALLS APART AND CLOGS THE LINE CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE TURBOCHARGER. SERVICE DEPARTMENT STATED A INSPECTION WAS PERFORMED AND …

engine · filed 12/19/2012

MINI COOPERS YEARS 2008 AND 2009 HAVE A ISSUE WHICH I BELIEVE IS KNOWN BY MINI USA, BUT THEY HAVE FAILED TO INITIATE A VOLUNTARY RECALL. THESE VEHICLES HAVE A TIMING CHAIN THAT CAN PREMATURELY FAIL (IN MY CASE AT APPROXIMATELY 25,000 MILES). IF THE TIMING CHAIN FAILS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN, IT WILL CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO SLOWLY COME TO A FULL STOP. IN THE EVENT THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRI…

engine · filed 12/17/2015

IN THE SPRING 2014 I PURCHASED A 2008 MINI COOPER 2D HATCH WITH AROUND 98,0000 MILES FOR $14,000 WITH WARRANTY IN IVRINGTON, NJ FROM SPRINGFIELD AUTO GROUP AUTO SALES. IN JANUARY 2015 I HAD A TUNE UP DONE AND THE MECHANIC REPORTED TO ME AFTER DOING A ENGINE DIAGNOSTIC TEST THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH MY IMMEDIATELY REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO MY WARRANTY COMPANY THAT WAS PROVIDED THROUGH MY THE CAR…

engine · filed 12/16/2013

THE CAR STARTS VERY ROUGH ESPECIALLY IN COLDER WEATHER. I WAS TOLD BY A MINI DEALERSHIP THAT COULD HAVE BEEN DUE TO LACK OF OIL, WHICH IS NOT THE CASE AS THE OIL WAS JUST CHANGED. ALSO WHEN IN TRAFFIC COMING TO A STOP THE CAR WILL DROP IDLE AND STALL OUT. THE CAR WILL STALL IN NEUTRAL OR WITH CLUTCH FULLY PRESSED IN. RESEARCHING ONLINE AND WATCHING SOME VIDEOS, IT SEEMS MUCH LIKE THE TIMING TEN…

engine · filed 12/16/2010

2008 MINI COOPER S. NO ENGINE MODIFICATION. LOUD KNOCKING NOISE ON START UP AND CONTINUES FOR ABOUT 5 MINS OF DRIVING AND THEN GOES AWAY. MILE IS UNDER 8900 MILES. *TR

engine · filed 12/14/2009

NOISE IN ENGINE AFTER COLD START. ENGINE WAS REPLACED BY MINI OF PEABODY MA AFTER A INTERNAL ENGINE FAILURE. THIS IS A 2008 COOPER S JCW AND THE ENGINE HAS BEEN NOISY SINCE IT WAS REPLACED. NOISE GOES AWAY AFTER IT WARMS UP. DEALER TELLS ME NOTHING IS WRONG. ORIGINAL ENGINE FAILED AT 8,000 MILES AND SO DID THE TRANSMISSION AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AS WELL. NOW AT 17,000 MILES TRANSMISSION OK BUT ENG…

engine · filed 12/09/2016

THE TURBO OIL FEED LINE IS INHERENTLY FLAWED AND PREMATURELY FAILS BECAUSE OF A BAD DESIGN. THIS FAILURE CAUSES HOT OIL TO LEAK ALL OVER A HOT TURBO. I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO NOT HAVE MY ENGINE CATCH FIRE WITH THE FAILED O-RING ON MINE. I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN LARGE CLOUDS OF SMOKE BEGIN TO FLOW FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I WAS FORCED TO PULL OVER AND GET TOWED HOME. I WAS OUT OF WARRANTY…

engine · filed 12/01/2015

ON 15 AUG 2015 I PURCHASED A 2008 MINI COOPER 2D HATC WITH 122,629 MILES FOR $6,325 WITH NO WARRANTY IN STANFORD, NC FROM KARAS AUTO SALES, INC. ON 27 OCT 2015 THE MINI COOPER BROKE DOWN WHILE DRIVING AND PULLED IT OVER BESIDE THE ROAD. THE WRECKER SERVICE TOOK THE MINI TO A MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC STATED THE TIMING CHAIN HAD BROKE AND THERE WAS MAJOR ENGINE DAMAGE AND THE REPAIR BILL WILL BE FROM …

Common questions

How serious is the engine problem on the 2008 mini Cooper?

It's a meaningful issue. 159 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $3,100.

At what mileage does the engine typically fail?

Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.

What does it cost to fix?

Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.

Are there any recalls related to engine?

No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.

Other problem areas on this vehicle

Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.
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