Six problems related to engine and engine cooling have been reported for the 2005 Mini Cooper S. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2005 Mini Cooper S based on all problems reported for the 2005 Cooper S.
Started vehicle in the morning of 11/14/2012. The shift indicator on the dash shows ep mode instead of d,r,n,etc. The car seemed to drive fine but there's something wrong with the shifter electronics. The car does not seem to know what drive mode is in. Putting the auto manual transmission into sports mode does not change the shift indicator on the dash. In sports modes it still showed ep. In ep mode the car does not rev beyond 3000rpm and drives rough at certain speeds. This may be a manufacturer defect with a transmission sensor, or the shifter electronics.
Defective cvt transmission! the dealership said that it was no fault of ours that we needed a new transmission, but due to the way this transmission was designed!!!!!!!!.
My 2005 Mini Cooper S out of no where buried the needle on the thermostat and was completely overheated. Unable to drive any further as I smelt smoke and possibly a sweet smell coming from the engine. Had it towed to a mechanic and have now seen that this is an item that has been recalled on all Mini coopers s from 2006 to 2011, I find it hard to believe that the 2005 does not have the same pump electrical circuit board etc. As those and I feel that my car should be also recalled for this item. Obviously, I can not drive it and the price is outrageous to fix it.
The vehicle began to feel like the transmission was slipping: hesitation, wheels skidding, rough acceleration and deceleration. The problem continues after 2 trips to Mini cooper in which the car's computer was "reset" because no problems with the transmission were found. The problem described above persists, but there was also one episode where the car did not start and later turned off while driving on a congested nyc road.
Takata recall. Dealership wanted to charge me $1000 to fix this airbag. Steering also stiff and at time unresponsive. Number three misfire is a design flaw. Horn does not work. Lens on headlights make light very dim.
The Mini cooper engine has an internal thermostat that is plastic, when mine cracked and leaked I had no signs showing that. The engine one day got hot, I drove about 5 miles and stopped. I took it to a repair shop and I need a new engine. The repair shop said this happens alot.