Power steering gone on R53 Cooper S

[chris watton]

My wife just rang me to tell me the power steering seems to have failed as she got to work this morning.

Is this a known issue, or could it just be a fuse?

(I can see a £500 bill for this....lol)

[chris watton]

cheers - have it booked into a garage for tomorrow to diagnose the problem - I have seen refurbed pumps for around £160, so if it is that, it may be a job I may try myself.

Have un-sorned, taxed and insured her other car, just in case it takes longer than expected.....

[chris watton]

Well, the verdict from the garage is that it is the steering pump. If we were to go brand new from BMW (£360!) it would be around £550 all in.

Cripes....

[chris watton]

Wife left the Mini with the garage (literally just a few doors up from where she works..). They are getting a refurbished pump for just a few pounds more than what it would have cost me on the net, so they may as well do it (£45 for an hours' labour..). Also, I have asked them to change the weeping engine mount and finally the car a full service - we bought the Mini last September and I think it could do with it.

Can't believe how much my wife loves this car!