What are the most common MINI Cooper S problems?

According to Au7o's analysis of 5,500+ owner reports, the 2018-2018 MINI Cooper S has 2 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: Direct Injection Carbon Buildup on Intake Valves, Premature Clutch and Dual-Mass Flywheel Failure. None are rated critical, but regular maintenance is recommended.

Is the MINI Cooper S reliable?

The 2018-2018 MINI Cooper S has 2 known issues documented across 5,500+ owner reports. No issues are rated critical, suggesting generally good reliability. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.

How much does it cost to fix common MINI Cooper S problems?

Repair costs for known MINI Cooper S issues range from $400 to $2,800, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.

2018 MINI Cooper S Problems: 2 Issues Every Owner Should Know

2018 MINI Cooper S Problems: 2 Issues Every Owner Should Know | Au7o

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Community Reported

3,500 owners

On the 2007-2025 MINI Cooper S, all turbocharged direct-injection MINI engines (N14, N18, B46/B48) accumulate carbon deposits on intake valves since fuel is injected directly into the cylinder rather than washing over the valves. This reduces airflow and causes rough running.

This issue also affects: Citroën C3, Acura TL, Audi Q5

Common Symptoms

Rough idle
Hesitation on acceleration
Reduced fuel economy
Misfire codes
Loss of power

How to Fix

Walnut blast the intake valves to remove carbon deposits. This should be done every 40-60k miles as preventive maintenance. Install an oil catch can to reduce oil vapor reaching the intake.

What Owners Are Using

Parts and tips from 3,500+ owners who fixed this issue

Tip (Mishimoto #MMBCC-MINI-07)
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Tip
UpgradeBluetooth OBD-II scanner for reading engine codes and monitoring live data (BlueDriver Bluetooth OBD2 Diagnostic Scan Tool)
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UpgradeQuality synthetic oil and filter combo for engine maintenance (Mobil 1 Full Synthetic Oil and Filter Bundle)
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Typical repair cost:$400 - $800

Research This Issue

3,500+ owners have reported this issue

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Community Reported

High Confidence3,500 reportsLast reported by owners Feb 2026Reviewed Feb 2026

Community Reported

2,000 owners

On the 2007-2020 MINI Cooper S, manual transmission MINI Cooper S models experience premature clutch and dual-mass flywheel (DMF) failure, often before 60k miles. The DMF springs weaken causing chatter and vibration, and the clutch disc wears prematurely due to the turbo engine's torque characteristics.

This issue also affects: Acura TL, Acura ILX, Acura MDX

Common Symptoms

Clutch chatter on engagement
Vibration at idle in gear
Grinding noise from clutch area
Slipping clutch under boost
Difficulty shifting

How to Fix

Replace clutch disc, pressure plate, throwout bearing, and dual-mass flywheel as a set. Some owners convert to a single-mass flywheel for durability, though this increases NVH.

What Owners Are Using

Parts and tips from 2,000+ owners who fixed this issue

Tip
Tip (Valeo #52401225)
View on Amazon
UpgradeComplete clutch replacement kit with disc, pressure plate, and throwout bearing (Exedy OEM Replacement Clutch Kit)
View on Amazon

Typical repair cost:$1,200 - $2,800

Research This Issue

2,000+ owners have reported this issue

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Community Reported

High Confidence2,000 reportsLast reported by owners Feb 2026Reviewed Feb 2026

⚠️NHTSA Recalls4 recalls

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2023-2025 BMW, MINI, and Rolls-Royce vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models and model years. The integrated brake (IB) system may malfunction and result in a loss of power brake assist or cause the Antilock Brake (ABS) and Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) systems to not function properly.

Campaign #24V10400012/02/2024

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC):CONTROL MODULE

BMW of North America (BMW) is recalling certain 2023-2024 X1, 2024-2025 X5, 2025 X6, 2023-2025 X7, 740i, 760i, 2024 XM, 530i, 540i, i7, 750e, X2, 2024-2025 i5, 2024 Rolls Royce Spectre, 2025 MINI Countryman S ALL4, JCW Countryman ALL4, and 2025 MINI Hardtop 2 Door (Cooper, Cooper S) vehicles. Please refer to the recall report for the complete list of models. The welds in the servomotor of the integrated brake control module may break, causing a loss of power brake assist and rear brake function. In addition, the Antilock Brake System (ABS) and Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) system may not function.

Campaign #24V69700018/09/2024

SEAT BELTS

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 2 Series (230i, 230i xDrive, M240i, M240i xDrive), 330e, 330e Xdrive, 4 Series Coupe (430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive) M4 Coupe, M4 Competition Coupe, BMW 4 Series Convertible (430i, M440i), BMW X1 sDrive28i, xDrive28i, 2 Series Gran Coupe (228i, 228i xDrive, M235i xDrive), M2 Competition Coupe, 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive, M3, M3 Competition, 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, MINI Hardtop 2 Door (Cooper, CooperS, JCW), X2 sDrive28i, X2 xDrive28i, X2 M35i, Z4 sDrive30i, Z4 M40i, MINI Hardtop 2 Door (Cooper SE), MINI Convertible (Cooper, Cooper S, JCW), MINI Clubman (Cooper S, Cooper S All4, JCW), MINI Countryman (Cooper, Cooper All4, Cooper S, Cooper S All4, JCW All4), Rolls Royce Ghost, MINI Countryman (Cooper S E All4), Rolls Royce Phantom, Rolls Royce Cullinan, and Toyota Supra vehicles. The passenger seat belt Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) may deactivate early, before the webbing fully retracts. As such, these assemblies fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Campaign #21V55400021/07/2021

AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 X1 xDrive28i, X1 sDrive28i, X2 xDrive28i and X2 sDrive28i, 2020 MINI Clubman Cooper S All4, 2021 MINI Hardtop 2 Door (Cooper, Cooper S, John Cooper Works and Cooper S E) and MINI Hardtop 4 Door (Cooper and Cooper S) vehicles. Due to a problem with the rollover sensor within the air bag control unit, in the event of a rollover crash, the head air bag, seat belt pretensioners and other safety systems, may not activate.

Campaign #20V28300020/05/2020

Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check recalls specific to your vehicle.

2018 MINI Cooper S Problems: 2 Issues Every Owner Should Know

All 2 Known Issues

2007-2025 MINI Cooper S: Direct Injection Carbon Buildup on Intake Valves#

Common Symptoms

How to Fix

What Owners Are Using

Research This Issue

2007-2020 MINI Cooper S: Premature Clutch and Dual-Mass Flywheel Failure#

Common Symptoms

How to Fix

What Owners Are Using

Research This Issue

Other MINI Models

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common MINI Cooper S problems?

Is the MINI Cooper S reliable?

How much does it cost to fix common MINI Cooper S problems?

What is the 2007-2025 MINI Cooper S Direct Injection Carbon Buildup on Intake Valves?

What is the 2007-2020 MINI Cooper S Premature Clutch and Dual-Mass Flywheel Failure?