Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2008 COOPER - Convertible R52.
The 2008 Mini COOPER Convertible R52 arrives as a passenger-car drop-top built on the R52 platform with its namesake engine, paired to an automatic transmission with variable gear ratios and returning 22/30/25 mpg combined. Its powertrain calls for 4.4 quarts of 5W-30 oil, a detail that underscores the compact engine's specific maintenance demands. Reliability records show 283 owner complaints filed, with the engine category leading the tally, and four recalls issued — a profile that places this model year as a documented trouble spot in the convertible's history, signaling that prospective owners should weigh the open-air appeal against a higher-than-average service footprint.
Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.
Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.
From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 47 · 480 CCA battery, OE oil filter 11427562249. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.
| Engine oil filter | 11427562249 alt 11427509211 |
| Engine air filter | 13717568728 alt 13717561235 |
| Fuel filter | 11252754870 alt 16146757196 |
| Battery | 61217575326 alt 61217571896 |
| Front wiper blades | 61610028137 |
| Thermostat | 11537596787 alt 11518613803 |
| Cabin air filter | 64319127516 alt 64319257505 |
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Automatic (variable gear ratios) |
| Overall length | 143.3 in |
| Overall width | 66.5 in |
| Overall height | 55.9 in |
| Wheelbase | 97.2 in |
| Curb weight | 2701 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 57.5 / 57.5 in |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 61/39 |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 22 / 30 / 25 mpg |
| Drivetrain | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Passenger volume | 70 cu ft |
| Cargo volume | 7 cu ft |
| Recommended fuel | Premium Gasoline |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine holds 4.4 qt of 5W-30 engine oil, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 103 ft-lbs.
| Automatic Transmission Fluid | With CVT: BMW part number 83220136376 |
| Brake Fluid | DOT 4 |
| Engine Coolant | ETHYLENE GLYCOL |
| Engine Oil | SYNTHETIC · 5W-30 |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 4.4 qt |
| Engine Oil | SYNTHETIC · 5W-30 |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 4.8 qt |
| Engine Oil | SYNTHETIC · 5W-30 |
| Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs | 22 ft-lbs |
| Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs | 6 ft-lbs |
| Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts | 19 ft-lbs |
| Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts | 18 ft-lbs |
| Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts | Bolts: 11, nuts: 15 ft-lbs |
| Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts | 18.4 ft-lbs |
| Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts | Bolts: 11, nuts: 15 ft-lbs |
| Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts | 18.4 ft-lbs |
| Lug Nuts | 103 ft-lbs |
| Curb Idle Speed (No Load) | 770 rpm |
| Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load) | 50 rpm |
| Spark Plug Manufacturer | BMW |
| Spark Plug Gap | Not adjustable in |
| Spark Plug Torque | 14.8-19.2 ft-lbs |
| Refrigerant | R134a |
| Standard BCI Group Number | 47 |
| Standard BCI Cranking Performance | 480 cca |
| Pressure Test | 29.0 psi |
| Radiator Cap Pressure Relief | 18-22 psi |
| Thermostat Opening Temperature | ------- °F |
| Engine Compression | 116-174 PSI. 43 maximum variation. psi |
| Torque to Knuckle | 81 ft-lbs |
| Minimum Pad Thickness | Front: 0.118; Rear: 0.0118 in |
| Rotor Nominal Thickness From | 0.394 in / 0.866 in / 0.945 in |
| Rotor Nominal Thickness To | 0.394 in / 0.866 in / 0.945 in |
| Rotor Minimum Machining | 0.031 in |
| Rotor Discard at or Under | 0.331 in / 0.803 in / 0.882 in |
| Rotor Finish | 0.00013 μin |
| 1 | 4 ft. lbs., Step 2: 7 ft. lbs., Step 3: 130 | 4 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 4 ft. lbs., Step 2: 11 ft. lbs., Step 3: 130 | 4 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 6 ft. lbs., Step 2: 22 ft. lbs., Step 3: 90 | 6 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 6 ft. lbs., Step 2: 22 ft. lbs., Step 3: 90 | 6 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 22 ft. lbs., Step 2: 150 | 22 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 37 ft. lbs., Step 2: 100 | 37 ft. lbs |
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 100,000 mi.
| Every 100,000 mi | Oxygen Sensor (replace) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill) |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
Owner complaints about the 2008 Mini COOPER - Convertible dominate in one area — the engine, 101 of 283 reports (36%), well ahead of the next concern. None of this vehicle's 1 recall campaigns target the engine, so those reports read as owner-reported wear-and-tear rather than an acknowledged defect. 4 of the reports describe a crash and 14 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the engine pattern above. These are tallies of what owners actually reported to the federal government, not an editorial score — and higher-selling models naturally rack up more reports.
All 283 complaints on record, top 8 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
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… Remedy: 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…
Showing 5 of 122 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| M010616 | 2026-05-06 | Electrical System | The Footwell Module (FRM) limited warranty for defects in materials and / or workmanship… |
| M610226 | 2026-04-30 | Electrical System | While performing a 12-Volt battery jump start, disconnect, or replacement, vehicle test… |
| M010616 | 2025-03-18 | Electrical System | The Footwell Module (FRM) limited warranty for defects in materials and / or workmanship… |
| M511616 | 2023-11-02 | Structure | Cavity protection applied to underside of the hood is leaking out onto the wheel arch… |
| M610607 | 2023-10-25 | Electrical System | MINI electrical systems have continued to develop over the past few years. As a result… |
The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.
Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.
Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.
Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
4.4 qt of USE MINI SYNTHETIC 5W-30 MOTOR OIL, per the factory manual.
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 22 city / 30 highway / 25 combined mpg.