Resources for the Repair and Maintenance of your Mini Cooper
Mini Cooper Models:
Mini Cooper Problems
Electric Power Steering Pump May Fail
Minis have an electric power steering pump that is prone to failure. When replacing the pump, our technicians advise inspecting the cooling fan because it is often the cause of the failure of the pump.
Electric Door Locks May Malfunction
There are reports of the electric door locks malfunctioning.
Clutch May Wear Prematurely
There are reports of premature clutch wear on cars equipped with manual transmissions. Clutch replacement on these vehicles can be quite costly.
Service Recommend for "Sealed For Life" Transmissions
Failure of the automatic transmission is common. Even though the automatic transmission is advertised as "sealed for life," our technicians recommend the automatic transmission fluid be replaced every 30,000 miles with only the approved Mini/BMW fluid. Our technicians recommend thorough troubleshooting before replacing the transmission because programming procedures can affect how the transmission shifts and there is a special procedure to ref...
Service Recommend for "Sealed For Life" Transmissions
Failure of the automatic transmission is common. Even though the automatic transmission is advertised as "sealed for life," our technicians recommend the automatic transmission fluid be replaced every 30,000 miles with only the approved Mini/BMW fluid. Our technicians recommend thorough troubleshooting before replacing the transmission because programming procedures can affect how the transmission shifts and there is a special procedure to ref...
Mini Cooper Recalls (Recent)
Tire Pressure Label May Be Incorrect
RepairPal Expert Overview:
The incorrect tire pressure label may have been installed during assembly. Some vehicles were equipped with 17-inch wheels, but the label is for 16-inch wheels; inflation pressure may also be incorrect. Tire durability and vehicle stability can be affected by incorrect tires or tire pressure, increasing the risk of a crash. Dealers will mail customers the correct tire pressure labels, or they will install the correct label if you prefer. This recall is scheduled to begin by Match 4, 2010.
Learn more »Some Vehicles Delivered with Incorrect Wheel Size
RepairPal Expert Overview:
Twelve Mini Cooper vehicles were assembled with 15-inch wheels instead of 16-inch wheels and tires as indicated on the tire frame label on the door frame. This does not conform with with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard regarding tires and wheels. Dealers will replace the 15-inch wheels and tires with the-16 inch wheels and tires free of charge. The recall began May, 2009.
Learn more »Mini Cooper Questions and Answers
if engine cold may hear slight shriek when engaging 1st gear but all gears fine and when engine warm virtually nonexisten:
What could be the problems? How much would repairs cost? Thanks.
Car has passed the 60,000 mile mark - recommended service light is on - what is the recommended service at this point? Car new to me. Have no mini mechanic in Seattle,Wa yet - any recommendations?
Radiator fan was running constantly and drained battery. After replacing battery,disconnected a couple of times and then stopped working. No visible signs of overheating now. What are consequence...
How can I fix the radiator fan from sticking? Do I have to replace the fan?
Is the fan running by fuse or electrical?
I had water leak in around the sunroof of my MINI and when it found the lowest point it exited to the right of my glove box. Shortly thereafter, it was as if my car was possessed. Windows didn't go...
Mini Cooper Stories
LOVE THIS CAR! Awesome in the snows of New England, very reliable and so fun to drive. Made it my only car and haven't had any issues.
DO NOT BUY A 2002 TO 2006 MINI COOPER.... WARNING!!!!TRANSMISSION PROBLEM!!!...
This is a really reliable car. It's not quite as reliable as the 2007, which was a major model upgrade and has much more BMW parts in it, but it's still a great car that doesn't spent much time in the repair shop. Compared to my Mazda MX6, it was more reliable.
Great car. Mine is a Cooper S with the JCW air intake/exhaust add-on. Fun to drive. Plenty of front seat legroom (and I'm 6'2"). Rear seat is usable in a pinch, even by me, if the person in front moves the seat up a bit.
The supercharged engine has plenty of pep. In fact, I used to have an early '80s Porsche 911 and this car is almost just as fun to drive as the Porsche! Just be careful of the terrific torque steer to the right when starting aggressively from a standing stop. This thing will squeal the tires in the first 3 gears without really trying.
So far, it's been reliable and low-cost on the maintenance. There are some interior rattles, but nothing obnoxious yet.
If you are thinking of buying a MINI, you need to know they do NOT come with a spare tire, so they are equipped with run-flat tires that are expensive to replace. That wasn't a deal breaker for me, though.
Overall, this has been a great car for me. I've put a little over 60k miles on it in 5 years and had a few issues in the first couple of years that were fixed free of charge by the MINI dealer. If I recall, there was an issue with the suspension, the rattle under the dash that almost all the MINI's seemed to have at one point or another, and the problem with chips/cracks in the windshield due to the angle of it.
Everything else has performed almost flawlessly and it's still a lot of fun to drive.