Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified
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) |
Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2004 COOPER S - Hardtop R53.
The 2004 Mini Cooper S Hardtop is a passenger car defined by its R53 platform and corresponding R53 engine, delivering power through a 6-speed manual transmission. It returns an EPA-estimated 22 city, 31 highway, and 25 combined mpg, with its mechanicals requiring 4.8 quarts of 5W-30 engine oil to maintain proper lubrication. However, this specific model year sits at a contentious point in the platform's reliability history, as its 529 documented owner complaints—dominated by steering issues—and four separate recalls mean researchers must weigh its compact driver-focused packaging against notable operational vulnerabilities.
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 11421486687 |
| Engine air filter | 13717558382 alt 13727529261 |
| Fuel filter | 16146765124 alt 16146757196 |
| Battery | 61218377139 |
| Front wiper blades | 61610028137 |
| Thermostat | 11537596787 alt 11537512733 |
| Cabin air filter | 64319257505 |
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Manual 6-spd |
| Overall length | 142.9 in |
| Overall width | 66.5 in |
| Overall height | 55.9 in |
| Wheelbase | 97.2 in |
| Curb weight | 2524 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 57.9 / 57.5 in |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 61/39 |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 22 / 31 / 25 mpg |
| Drivetrain | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Recommended fuel | Premium Gasoline |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine holds 4.8 qt of 5W-30 engine oil. Torque lug nuts to 88 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 23.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.
| Engine Oil | SYNTHETIC · 5W-30 |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 4.8 qt |
| Engine Oil | SYNTHETIC · 5W-30 |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 5.1 qt |
| Power Steering Fluid | USE BMW PART NO. 82110148132 PENTOSIN CHF11S |
| Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs | 22 ft-lbs |
| Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts | 85 ft-lbs |
| Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts | 19 ft-lbs |
| Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts | 36 ft-lbs |
| Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug | 23.0 ft-lbs |
| Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs | 13 ft-lbs |
| Lug Nuts | 88 ft-lbs |
| Front Wheel Hub | 134 ft-lbs |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-3-4-2 |
| Curb Idle Speed (No Load) | 750 rpm |
| Curb Idle Speed (Secondary Under Load) | 750 rpm |
| Spark Plug Manufacturer | BMW |
| Spark Plug Gap | Not adjustable in |
| Spark Plug Torque | 16.0 ft-lbs |
| Refrigerant | R134a |
| Refrigerant Capacity | 0.89-1.00 lbs |
| Standard BCI Group Number | 47 |
| Standard BCI Cranking Performance | 480 cca |
| Pressure Test | ----- psi |
| Radiator Cap Pressure Relief | ------ psi |
| Thermostat Opening Temperature | ------- °F |
| Engine Compression | 138-196 psi |
| Torque Caliper to Bracket | 81 ft-lbs / 18-22 ft-lbs |
| Torque to Knuckle | 81-96 ft-lbs / 48 ft-lbs |
| Minimum Pad Thickness | Front: 0.118; Rear: 0.0118 in |
| Rotor Minimum Machining | 0.031 in |
| Rotor Discard at or Under | 0.748 in / 0.276 in |
| 1 | 4 ft. lbs., Step 2: 7 ft. lbs., Step 3: 130 | 4 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 |
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) |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
Owner complaints about the 2004 Mini COOPER S - Hardtop dominate in one area — the steering, 412 of 529 reports (78%), well ahead of the next concern. That matters, because the steering are also the target of recall 15V-660 on this vehicle — so the single most useful check before buying or servicing one is confirming it was actually performed. 12 of the reports describe a crash and 14 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the steering 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 529 complaints on record, top 8 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2002-2005 MINI Cooper and Cooper S vehicles and 2005 Cooper and Cooper S Convertible vehicles. The affected vehicles may experience temporary or permanent… Remedy: MINI will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the electro-hydraulic power steering system, replacing the components and wiring, as necessary, free of charge. Interim notices…
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FLAT TIRE MONITORING SYSTEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTLY PROGRAMMED. IN THE EVENT OF A FLAT TIRE, AN AUDIBLE SIGNAL WILL NOT SOUND TO ALERT THE DRIVER TO A FLAT TIRE. Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE VEHICLE'S SOFTWARE IN ORDER TO ACTUATE THE FLAT TIRE MONITORING SYSTEM'S AUDIBLE SIGNAL. THE RECALL BEGAN OCTOBER 13, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MINI…
Showing 5 of 51 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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… |
| M240112 | 2019-07-12 | Electrical System | Programming a Replacement EGS Module with ISTA/P. Programming a replacement electronic… |
| M650610 | 2018-06-01 | Equipment | NAVIGATION SYSTEM HAS MISSING OR INCORRECT ROAD MAP DATA: The route guidance is… |
| M650610 | 2018-05-01 | Equipment | NAVIGATION SYSTEM HAS MISSING OR INCORRECT ROAD MAP DATA: The route guidance is… |
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.
4.8 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 / 31 highway / 25 combined mpg.