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
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2dr Convertible FWD | 143.3 in | 66.5 in | 55.9 in | 97.2 in | 57.5 / 57.5 in | 2,701 lb | 61/39 |
| Classic/Cooper 2dr Hatch FWD | 145.7 in | 66.1 in | 55.5 in | 97.2 in | 57.1 / 56.7 in | 2,546 lb | 62/38 |
| Clubman / Cooper Clubman S 5dr Hatch F | 155.9 in | 66.1 in | 56.3 in | 100.4 in | 56.7 / 57.1 in | 4,720 lb | |
| S 2dr Convertible FWD | 144.1 in | 66.5 in | 56.3 in | 96.5 in | 57.5 / 57.5 in | 2,844 lb | 59/41 |
| S 2dr Hatch FWD | 145.7 in | 66.1 in | 55.5 in | 97.2 in | 57.1 / 56.7 in | 2,668 lb | 62/38 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cooper | 1.6L 4-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 28 / 37 / 32 | +58% | $2,550 | 278 |
| Cooper | 1.6L 4-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 26 / 34 / 29 | +44% | $2,850 | 306 |
| Cooper S | 1.6L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 26 / 34 / 29 | +44% | $2,850 | 306 |
| Cooper S | 1.6L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 / 32 / 27 | +34% | $3,050 | 329 |
| Cooper Convertible | 1.6L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 / 32 / 26 | +29% | $3,150 | 342 |
| Cooper Convertible | 1.6L 4-cyl | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 / 30 / 25 | +24% | $3,300 | 355 |
| Cooper S Convertible | 1.6L 4-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 / 29 / 24 | +19% | $3,400 | 370 |
| Cooper S Convertible | 1.6L 4-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 / 29 / 23 | +14% | $3,550 | 386 |
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
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 MINI Cooper (this car) | 32 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2008 Volkswagen Beetle | 23 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2008 MINI MiniE | 100 mi | Not rated | 0 |
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.
Not every 2008 MINI Cooper is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2008 MINI Cooper buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Air Bags — 71 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Engine — 69 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Electrical System — 14 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 80,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- 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 →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Cooper | 31 | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2026 Cooper | 32 | 152.8 in | Not rated | 1 | 3 |
| 2025 Cooper | 32 | 152.8 in | Not rated | 4 | 6 |
| 2024 Cooper | 32 | – | Not rated | 2 | 2 |
| 2023 Cooper | 32 | – | Not rated | 2 | 12 |
| 2022 Cooper | 32 | – | Not rated | 2 | 9 |
| 2021 Cooper | 31 | – | Not rated | 4 | 7 |
| 2020 Cooper | 31 | – | Not rated | 4 | 13 |
| 2019 Cooper | 32 | – | Not rated | 2 | 17 |
| 2018 Cooper | 32 | – | Not rated | 0 | 8 |
| 2017 Cooper | 32 | – | Not rated | 3 | 34 |
| 2016 Cooper | 32 | – | Not rated | 4 | 51 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or MINI. How we calculate this →