MiniCooper Clubman2008Overview/mini/cooper-clubman/2008/base/
R55 platform

2008 Mini Cooper Clubman

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2008 Cooper Clubman.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (S6)

The 2008 Mini Cooper Clubman is a passenger car built on the R55 platform, requiring 4.4 qt of 5W‑30 engine oil. It delivers an EPA‑rated 26/34/29 mpg and is paired with an Automatic (S6) transmission, while owner records show 283 total complaints with engine‑related issues as the top area and four recalls issued. Although the 2008 model precedes the 2011‑2014 complaint window, that period shows a decline from a high of 30 reported problems in 2012 to just 4 in 2014, placing the earlier year before the later improvement in reliability for the model line.

Model year202420232022202120202019201820172008

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.4 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30OEM · verified
Lug nut torque103 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy26/34/29 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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.

Battery groupBCI 47 · 480 CCAOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter11427562249 alt 11427509211
Engine air filter13717568728 alt 13717561235
Fuel filter11252754870 alt 16146757196
Spark plug12120035531 alt 12129071003
Battery61217575326 alt 61217571896
Front wiper blades61610028137
Thermostat11537596787 alt 11518613803
Cabin air filter64319127516 alt 64319257505

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S6)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length155.9 in
Overall width66.1 in
Overall height56.3 in
Wheelbase100.4 in
Curb weight4720 lb
Track (front / rear)56.7 / 57.1 in

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined26 / 34 / 29 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume76 cu ft
Cargo volume6 cu ft
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidWith CVT: BMW part number 83220136376
Brake FluidDOT 4
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine OilSYNTHETIC · 5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity4.4 qt
Engine OilSYNTHETIC · 5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity4.8 qt
Engine OilSYNTHETIC · 5W-30

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs22 ft-lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs6 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts19 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts18 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine BoltsBolts: 11, nuts: 15 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts18.4 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine BoltsBolts: 11, nuts: 15 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts18.4 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts103 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)770 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerBMW
Spark Plug GapNot adjustable in
Spark Plug Torque14.8-19.2 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Standard BCI Group Number47
Standard BCI Cranking Performance480 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test29.0 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief18-22 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature------- °F
Engine Compression116-174 PSI. 43 maximum variation. psi

Brakes

Torque to Knuckle81 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.118; Rear: 0.0118 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.394 in / 0.866 in / 0.945 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To0.394 in / 0.866 in / 0.945 in
Rotor Minimum Machining0.031 in
Rotor Discard at or Under0.331 in / 0.803 in / 0.882 in
Rotor Finish0.00013 μin

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
14 ft. lbs., Step 2: 7 ft. lbs., Step 3: 1304 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
14 ft. lbs., Step 2: 11 ft. lbs., Step 3: 1304 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
122 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
390 degrees; Bolts 11 and 1290 degrees
111 ft. lbs.; Bolts 11 and 1211 ft. lbs
290 degrees; Bolts 11 and 1290 degrees
390
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
122 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
390 degrees; Bolts 11 and 1290 degrees
111 ft. lbs.; Bolts 11 and 1211 ft. lbs
290 degrees; Bolts 11 and 1290 degrees
390
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
16 ft. lbs., Step 2: 22 ft. lbs., Step 3: 906 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
16 ft. lbs., Step 2: 22 ft. lbs., Step 3: 906 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
122 ft. lbs., Step 2: 15022 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
137 ft. lbs., Step 2: 10037 ft. lbs

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 miOxygen Sensor (replace) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2008 Mini Cooper Clubman sits at the beginning of the 2011‑2014 data set, where complaints rose from 17 in 2011 to a peak of 30 in 2012 before falling back to 17 in 2013 and 4 in 2014, while recalls remained low (1–2 per year). This pattern indicates a brief spike in consumer dissatisfaction in 2012 that was largely resolved by 2014. In 2008, the top complaint categories were Engine (101), Air Bags (51), Engine & Engine Cooling (50), and Electrical System (10), with 4 crash‑related complaints and 14 fire‑related complaints reported. Compared to the later years, the 2008 model had higher absolute complaint counts in its key areas, suggesting that the early part of the generation experienced more issues before the trend improved. Therefore, a 2008 Clubman may carry more of the initial problem set, and a later model year might offer a cleaner ownership experience.

4
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
122
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
2
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
283
Owner complaints
4 involved a crash · 14 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 283 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine101
Air Bags51
Engine & Engine Cooling50
Electrical System10
Power Train8
Air Bags,Seat Belts6
Air Bags,Seats5
Power Train,Engine5

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

23V337000Electrical SystemReported 11/05/2023

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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 122 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
M0106162026-05-06Electrical SystemThe Footwell Module (FRM) limited warranty for defects in materials and / or workmanship…
M6102262026-04-30Electrical SystemWhile performing a 12-Volt battery jump start, disconnect, or replacement, vehicle test…
M0106162025-03-18Electrical SystemThe Footwell Module (FRM) limited warranty for defects in materials and / or workmanship…
M5116162023-11-02StructureCavity protection applied to underside of the hood is leaking out onto the wheel arch…
M6106072023-10-25Electrical SystemMINI electrical systems have continued to develop over the past few years. As a result…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Cooper Clubman. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2008 Cooper Clubman take?

4.4 qt of USE MINI SYNTHETIC 5W-30 MOTOR OIL, per the factory manual.

Does the 2008 Cooper Clubman have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Cooper Clubman get?

EPA figures are 26 city / 34 highway / 29 combined mpg.