Makes›MINI›Cooper›2008

2008 MINI Cooper

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2008 models.

Class
Minicompact Cars
Body styles
2dr Convertible FWD, Classic/Cooper 2dr Hatch FWD, Clubman / Cooper Clubman S 5dr Hatch F, S 2dr Convertible FWD
Engines
1.6L 4-cyl, 1.6L 4-cyl turbo
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
MPG (best)
32 combined · 28 city / 37 hwy
Length
143.3–155.9 in
Curb weight
2,546–4,720 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
4 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 32 MPG combined — 58% better than the average 2008 minicompact car (20.2 MPG).

Watch out for

  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2008 MINI Cooper is a minicompact car offered with 2 engines (1.6L 4-cyl and 1.6L 4-cyl turbo) and front-wheel drive.

It measures about 143 inches long and 67 inches wide on a 97-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 2,701 lb (2dr Convertible FWD).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 32 MPG combined (28 city / 37 highway), 58% better than the 2008 minicompact car average of 20.2 MPG, for an estimated $2,550 a year in fuel.

It has 4 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 164 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.

What changed for 2008

  • Lightest version 198 lb heavier

Compared with 2007; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2007 Cooper →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
2dr Convertible FWD143.3 in66.5 in55.9 in97.2 in57.5 / 57.5 in2,701 lb61/39
Classic/Cooper 2dr Hatch FWD145.7 in66.1 in55.5 in97.2 in57.1 / 56.7 in2,546 lb62/38
Clubman / Cooper Clubman S 5dr Hatch F155.9 in66.1 in56.3 in100.4 in56.7 / 57.1 in4,720 lb
S 2dr Convertible FWD144.1 in66.5 in56.3 in96.5 in57.5 / 57.5 in2,844 lb59/41
S 2dr Hatch FWD145.7 in66.1 in55.5 in97.2 in57.1 / 56.7 in2,668 lb62/38

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Cooper1.6L 4-cylManual 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive28 / 37 / 32+58%$2,550278
Cooper1.6L 4-cylAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive26 / 34 / 29+44%$2,850306
Cooper S1.6L 4-cyl turboManual 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive26 / 34 / 29+44%$2,850306
Cooper S1.6L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive23 / 32 / 27+34%$3,050329
Cooper Convertible1.6L 4-cylManual 5-spdFront-Wheel Drive23 / 32 / 26+29%$3,150342
Cooper Convertible1.6L 4-cylAutomatic (variable gear ratios)Front-Wheel Drive22 / 30 / 25+24%$3,300355
Cooper S Convertible1.6L 4-cylManual 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive21 / 29 / 24+19%$3,400370
Cooper S Convertible1.6L 4-cylAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive19 / 29 / 23+14%$3,550386
Spend $750Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
20.2 MPG2008 Minicompact Cars average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2008 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2008 MINI Cooper under the current (2011+) test program.

Similar 2008 minicompact cars

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2008 MINI Cooper (this car)32 MPGNot rated4
2008 Volkswagen Beetle23 MPGNot rated2
2008 MINI MiniE100 miNot rated0

Recalls (4)

Electrical System · May 11, 2023

NHTSA campaign 23V337000 · 97,933 vehicles

Problem
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2014 MINI Clubman Cooper, Clubman Cooper S, Clubman John Cooper Works, and 2007-2013 MINI Hardtop 2-Door Cooper, Cooper S, and John Cooper Works vehicles sold, or ever registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Washington D.C., and Wisconsin. The electronic control module in the driver's side footwell area may short-circuit, due to corrosion from water and road salt.
Risk
An electrical short-circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix
Dealers will inspect the sunroof drains, interior footwell area, and FRM and, depending upon the results of the inspection, certain components will be replaced. Owner notification letters were mailed May 13, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-866-825-1525.
Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Turbo/Supercharger · Apr 18, 2018

NHTSA campaign 18V248000 · 47,806 vehicles

Problem
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2012 BMW 550i, 550i xDrive, 550i Gran Turismo, 550i Gran Turismo xDrive, 750i, 750Li, 750i xDrive, 750Li xDrive, 760Li, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M, X6 xDrive50i, X6 M, ActiveHybrid7, MINI Cooper S Convertible, John Cooper Works (JCW) Convertible, Cooper S Countryman, Cooper S Countryman ALL4, Cooper S, JCW, Cooper S Clubman, JCW Clubman, Cooper S Roadster, JCW Roadster, Cooper S Coupe, JCW Coupe and Rolls-Royce Ghost, 2011 BMW X6 Hybrid and 2012 BMW 650i Coupe, 650i xDrive Coupe, 650i Convertible and 650i xDrive Convertible vehicles. The electric auxiliary water pump may fail and cause the circuit board to overheat.
Risk
If the circuit board were to overheat, it can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the electric auxiliary water pump, free of charge. Depending on the model, there are currently limited parts available, however not all parts are available at this time. Owners will be notified of the recall beginning June 11, 2018, and will receive a second notification when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at BMW 1-800-525-7417, MINI at 1-866-825-1525, or Rolls-Royce at 1-877-877-3735. Note: BMW recommends that owners park their vehicle outdoors until the recall remedy has been performed.
Air Bags › Frontal · Apr 6, 2015

NHTSA campaign 15V205000 · 91,800 vehicles

Problem
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2005-2006 MINI Cooper and Cooper S vehicles manufactured January 5, 2005, to November 28, 2006, and 2005-2008 MINI Cooper Convertible and Cooper S Convertible vehicles manufactured January 5, 2005, to July 31, 2008. Due to manufacturing, installation, and exposure issues, the front passenger seat occupant detection mat may not function properly and, as a result, the front passenger air bag may not deploy in a crash.
Risk
An improperly functioning mat may cause the passenger frontal air bag to be inactive when the seat is occupied, and in the event of a crash, the air bag will not deploy, increasing the passenger's risk of injury.
Fix
MINI will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger seat occupant detection mat, free of charge. The recall began on October 12, 2015. Owners may contact MINI customer service at 1-866-825-1525.
Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Turbo/Supercharger · Jan 11, 2012

NHTSA campaign 12V008000 · 90,368 vehicles

Problem
BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2011 MINI COOPER S, 2008-2011 MINI COOPER S CLUBMAN, 2009-2011 MINI COOPER S CONVERTIBLE, 2009-2011 MINI COOPER JCW, 2009-2011 MINI COOPER JCW CLUBMAN, 2009-2011 COOPER JCW CONVERTIBLE, AND 2011 COOPER S COUNTRYMAN PASSENGER CARS MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 14, 2006, THROUGH JANUARY 18, 2011. THE ELECTRIC AUXILIARY WATER PUMP THAT COOLS THE TURBOCHARGER HAS AN ELECTRONIC CIRCUIT BOARD THAT CAN MALFUNCTION AND OVERHEAT.
Risk
THE CIRCUIT BOARD MAY SMOLDER WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
Fix
BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WATER PUMP FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGANDURING FEBRUARY 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-866-275-6464.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2008 MINI Cooper is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

164Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
5Involved a crash
5Involved a fire
6Injuries reported
80,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Air Bags71
Engine69
Electrical System14
Seats10
Seat Belts7
Steering6
Vehicle Speed Control6
Fuel/Propulsion System6
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
20/06: 220/07: 120/09: 220/10: 121/01: 121/02: 121/03: 222/02: 122/06: 122/09: 122/12: 123/05: 123/06: 223/09: 123/10: 223/11: 223/12: 124/03: 124/04: 124/05: 124/07: 124/08: 126/01: 226/10: 120/0620/1021/0322/0923/0623/1124/0424/08max 2

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2008 MINI Cooper buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Air Bags — 71 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
  3. Engine — 69 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  4. Electrical System — 14 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 80,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2008 MINI Cooper. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Cooper years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2027 Cooper31–Not rated00
2026 Cooper32152.8 inNot rated13
2025 Cooper32152.8 inNot rated46
2024 Cooper32–Not rated22
2023 Cooper32–Not rated212
2022 Cooper32–Not rated29
2021 Cooper31–Not rated47
2020 Cooper31–Not rated413
2019 Cooper32–Not rated217
2018 Cooper32–Not rated08
2017 Cooper32–Not rated334
2016 Cooper32–Not rated451

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or MINI. How we calculate this →