Three problems related to side/window air bag have been reported for the 2008 Mini Cooper. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Passenger side air bag, when a person is sitting in the seat, the air bag sensor indicates the air bag is not on.
My car only has 47,000 miles on it and has the same passenger side airbag issue. It started off at times having the problem, now is on all the time. Mini wants $125 to diagnose the problem, which seems evident. Also paid $425 to fix electrical wiring that corroded and $1,700 2 months earlier this year when wheel sensor went bad and 3 lights went off in the car.
Passenger side air bag sensor mat faulty. Same issue as other Mini Coopers that have been recalled. Was told I have to replace entire seat. $1,000. Was told there is a nation wide back order for the seat. This repair should be covered by Mini (BMW).