Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2008 COOPER S - Hatchback R56.
The 2008 Mini Cooper S Hatchback (R56) is a front-wheel-drive passenger car powered by the R56 engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, delivering EPA-estimated fuel economy of 23 mpg city, 32 mpg highway, and 27 mpg combined while requiring 4.4 quarts of 5W-30 oil. With 16 owner complaints on file—most frequently centered on the seats—and a single recall, this model year occupies a spot in the R56 generation’s reliability history that signals a need for careful inspection of seating components, though it does not reflect the more systemic issues that would emerge in later years.
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 (S6) |
| 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 | 23 / 32 / 27 mpg |
| Drivetrain | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Passenger volume | 76 cu ft |
| Cargo volume | 6 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 S - Hatchback top in one area — the seats, 2 of 16 reports (12%), well ahead of the next concern. None of this vehicle's 4 recall campaigns target the seats, so those reports read as owner-reported wear-and-tear rather than an acknowledged defect. 0 of the reports describe a crash and 2 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the seats 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 16 complaints on record, top 8 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
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… Remedy: 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…
BMW IS RECALLING 28,450 MY 2007-2008 MINI COOPER S VEHICLES. THE CENTRALLY LOCATED TAILPIPE EXTENSION PROTRUDES SLIGHTLY BEYOND THE REAR BUMPER. IT IS POSSIBLE FOR INADVERTENT CONTACT TO OCCUR WITH A PERSON'S LEG. Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TAILPIPE WITH A NEW SHORTER TAILPIPE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JANUARY 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-866-275-6464.
Showing 5 of 27 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| M610607 | 2023-10-25 | Electrical System | MINI electrical systems have continued to develop over the past few years. As a result… |
| M240118 | 2018-02-01 | Power Train | AISIN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISISON: RIGHT SIDE OUTPUT SHAFT SEAL REPLACEMENT |
| BMWJUL1316 | 2016-07-29 | Equipment | MINI Water Pump Class Action Settlement |
| M320214 | 2016-03-01 | Steering | This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI 32 02 14 dated August 2014. SUBJECT… |
| 12 09 15 | 2015-07-01 | Electrical System | MINI: FAULTY SOFTWARE FOR THE TANK VENTILATION CONTROL DISPLAYS ENGINE THROTTLE REACTION… |
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 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 23 city / 32 highway / 27 combined mpg.