The 2009 Mini Cooper is a decent little budget compact that comes with a higher cost of ownership than you might expect. But, if you’re willing to shell out for BMW repair costs on a Hyundai-grade hatchback, the 2009 Mini Cooper is priced fairly, with a typical listing going for around $6,500 at the entry level.
Is the 2009 Mini Cooper a Good Used Car?
- Overall Rating 7/10 – The Mini Cooper is charming and capable, but ultimately kind of mediocre. Still, the car’s unique style has earned it a loyal fan base.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 7/10 – It’s moderately comfortable, but it’s not winning any awards in this category, even in the budget compact class.
- Reliability 7/10 – The 2009 Mini Cooper is built to last and will likely cross 250,000 miles, but repair costs are pricey, given the car’s BMW roots.
- Safety 7/10 – Standard safety equipment is good, but crash test scores are mediocre.
- Gas Mileage 8/10 – The base model gets around 28/36 miles to the gallon, city/highway, which would earn it a 9/10 if it didn’t demand premium gas.
- Value 7/10 – High cost of ownership offsets the fair sticker price. But, if you love the look and feel of the Mini Cooper, don’t let us talk you out of it.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the 2009 Mini Cooper?
Consumer Reports named the 2009 Mini Cooper the best of the brand for the model year, and not just for the price, rating the compact higher than the Cooper S and the Clubman, thanks to a better ride, superior fuel economy, and sharp handling. Their only minus: The car is premium-fuel-only.
Kelley Blue Book users give the 2009 Mini Cooper a lukewarm 77% recommendation. They note that the car handles really well, taking the tightest corners with ease, with the tradeoff being limited interior room, especially in the back seat where taller passengers may wind up riding with their knees up to their chins.
Edmunds gave the 2009 Mini Cooper strong points for its “stellar fuel economy,” as well as the excellent handling, and they liked the “endearing retro styling,” calling back to the hip pop-art vibes of mid-century London. Fidgety controls, cramped backseats, and poor visibility earned some knocks.
What Common Problems Does the 2009 Mini Cooper Have?
The 2009 Mini Cooper has generated just 129 complaints with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Around half of these are for problems with the airbags, with drivers reporting the warning lights staying on without explanation.
44 engine complaints point to rough idling and jerking while driving. Drivers frequently find that this comes down to what appears to be a defective timing chain tensioner, which can lead to total engine failure. There has been no recall on the matter.
A recall was issued in 2023 for a potential short circuit in a control module in the footwell. Should the module short circuit, you have a risk of electrical fire. The recall affected nearly 100,000 units in total.
The 2009 Mini Cooper has only been recalled once so far.
How Long Will the 2009 Mini Cooper Last?
The 2009 Mini Cooper is surprisingly reliable, with drivers reporting around 250,000 miles before the more expensive repairs start to pile up. This depends on the previous owner’s maintenance habits, of course, but if you can find one with low mileage in good condition, there’s no reason you can’t hit a quarter million.
Repairpal estimate an annual maintenance cost of around $846, which is a bit high for a budget-friendly compact, but remember, Mini is a BMW brand, so it checks out that specialty maintenance would drive the repair bills up. The most expensive common fix is a new exhaust manifold, starting at around $2,430.
In a word? No. A inborne issue dealing with the timing chain and guide assembly has to ability to completely destroy the engine if left unchecked, and is a problem that will manifest at some point in its lifetime. Other issues such as slightly flimsy trim panels, and general electronic gremlins make it a poor choice for those without mechanical inclination.
This car had problems from the first day I bought it. My mechanic has driven this car more than I have.
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment technology in the 2009 Mini Cooper is adequate, but basic. Even in the high-end models you’re not getting much more than a CD/MP3 player with 6 speakers.
Safety technology in the 2009 Mini Cooper is impressive for a budget-priced compact. Anti-lock brakes, corner brake control, and an active rollover protection bar all come standard. But, crash test scores are mediocre.
Is the 2009 Mini Cooper a Good Value?
The 2009 Mini Cooper is a fair value, but hardly a bargain. The base hatchback lists for around $6,457, while a high end John Cooper Works model will usually go for around $8,417. These prices aren’t bad, but they’re a bit high compared to other budget compacts.
What really cinches it is the slightly-higher-than-average cost of ownership. It’s reliable, but basic maintenance is expensive. The car gets excellent mileage, but it only takes premium. This is BMW doing its best impression of Hyundai, and, as it turns out, Hyundai is much better at being Hyundai than BMW is.
What are the Different Models of the 2009 Mini Cooper?
The 2009 Mini Cooper is offered in three models, being the base, S, and John Cooper Works, but they all share the same list of standard features:
- CD/MP3 player with 6 speakers
- Anti-lock brakes and traction control
- Remote keyless entry
- Manual air conditioning
- 6-way manual adjust driver seat
- Leatherette seating
What Engines Come In the 2009 Mini Cooper?
- The 2009 Mini Cooper packs a 1.6L inline-four engine delivering 118 horsepower and 114 lb.-ft. of torque. This is paired to a 6-speed manual transmission in front wheel drive, and it averages 28/36 miles to the gallon, city/highway.
- In the S model you get a turbocharged version of the 1.6L i4, delivering 172 horsepower at 177 lb.-ft. of torque. This is paired to a 6-speed automatic in front wheel drive, and it averages 26/34 miles to the gallon.
What Colors Does the 2009 Mini Cooper Come In?
How Comfortable Is the 2009 Mini Cooper?
The 2009 Mini Cooper is moderately comfortable for small groups. You can seat four adults, but those in the back may feel a bit cramped with just 44 inches of shoulder room. The ride is smooth enough in the city, but you’ll want to avoid dirt roads and broken terrain.
How Much Storage Space Does the 2009 Mini Cooper Have?
The 2009 Mini Cooper’s cargo space is miniscule with the seats up, packing just 6 cubic feet. This is enough space for a couple large suitcases and not much else. With the seats down you can expand that to 24 cubic feet, which is a bit larger than a full-size sedan’s trunk.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
2009 was the 4th model year for the Mini Cooper’s 2nd Generation.
2007: BMW debuted a diesel-powered Cooper D in 2007.
2008: The headlights were mounted to the body, rather than the hood, for 2008.
2009: New color options were the biggest change for 2009.
2010: The rear end got a split barn door for 2010.
2011: Some under-the-hood tweaks brought the base engine up to 121 horsepower, and the turbo version to 181.
How Does the 2009 Mini Cooper Compare to the Competition?
The 2009 Mini Cooper is one of those cars that has a diehard fanbase. We can tell you that the 2009 Hyundai Elantra typically lists for around $1,500 cheaper than a comparable Mini Cooper, and it lasts longer, and it’s cheaper to maintain, and it doesn’t require premium fuel. But, it’s not a Mini Cooper, is it?
Likewise, the Toyota Yaris, an affordable, long-lasting hatchback with a charming body design and excellent fuel economy. It typically lists for around a thousand bucks cheaper than a comparable.
However you slice it, the 2009 Mini Cooper just isn’t the most practical option if you’re after a used budget compact. But, it does have a charm that no other nameplate can match. Toyota and Hyundai both beat the Mini Cooper on paper, but if you have an emotional attachment to the cute little British city car, it’ll get you where you’re going in style.
Do Owners Recommend the 2009 Mini Cooper?
The 09' mini cooper base is a fun city car and has a spirited driving feel despite not having the power of it is higher trim levels. Mechanical problems plaguing this year model make it hard to recommend as a 'good' vehicle though.
This is a car that you will love to hate. Overall I love driving this car however the problems that occur outweigh the positives.
