New (to me) Cooper, but a problem?

[bigjimmy]

The Wife and I have just got a Mini Cooper, 02 reg with 36k. Its very nice, Sliver with Black roof and S 17's. All the kit as well.

There is a slight problem with the steering rack. It makes a knocking/creaking noise down in the dash when turning at low speed or at a standstill. I didn’t notice it on the test drive as I didn’t do much manoeuvring and turning at slow speed turns. It doesn’t really bother me as a noise, but I would like to fix it if it’s going to get worse.

Anyone else had this problem? Is it easy to fix?

Thanks
Jimmy

[hollypop]

I think i've got this problem! Although it's getting louder now so i've booked it in with MINI on Friday for them to check over. Will let you know what they say.

Edited by hollypop on Tuesday 25th September 18:55

[Mustard]

TADTS

Circa £500-£600 to fix with a new steering column (main dealer price) I'm affraid

Edited by Mustard on Tuesday 25th September 18:59

[hollypop]

Mustard said:

TADTS

Whats that?

Would it be covered under warranty?

[Mustard]

They All Do That Sir!

Yes its covered under 3yr warranty

[hollypop]

I think we have an extended warranty. I bloody hope so now anyway!

[bigjimmy]

Bugger.. Not a great start to my Mini ownership.

Do let me know how the visit to the garage goes. No warranty for me.

[Hobzy]

You may be able to get it done under goodwill as its probably done it since new - most Coopers had the rack done early on if the owner bothered to take it in. If its from a dealer get them to sort it... if it was private then thats obviously out of the question.

[Jolly]

My bros '54' plate (05 facelift spec)ONE D has just had this problem, sorted out by the dealer. All gratis under warranty.

I have an 06 plate ONE D, just wandering if it effects all the cars or some of the earlier ones?

[hollypop]

Just got the car back, still broken.

It is the steering coloumn and if it wasn't under warranty it'd be £400 or so. Parts £200 or so and labour on top etc.

It's booked in for next Wednesday as they have had to order parts in.

Holly

[hollypop]

Steering rack all fixed... kind of.

I have a wonky steering wheel now. They said to me it's nothing to do with the new parts and it was probably like that before. NO!

So mini has to go back to MINI to try and fix the wonky steering wheel now! Bloody hell.

[autocross7]

Hi all! Just dropping from the Esprit list to see if I can learn a thing or two as my mom and dad are seriously looking at a Mini...

Anyway, regarding the above - I see that dealers are dealers... and a fine example of why I started doing my own work! I hope you get it sorted out free of charge as I am inclined to think they are a little nuts or telling you your wonky steering wheel "was like that before". With any luck it is a simple adjustment (one that dealers have been known to forget even during an alignment job) and you will be back driving in fun again in no time!


Drive topless!!!
Cameron

[hollypop]

Yep got it sorted after numerous phone calls. Took them an hour of fiddling though.

[Ballistic Banana]

autocross7 said:

Hi all! Just dropping from the Esprit list to see if I can learn a thing or two as my mom and dad are seriously looking at a Mini...


Cameron

Wouldnt touch one with a barge pole...Had a mini one for 16 months brought from dealer second hand.
Had nothing but trouble with it from start. Even the stuff we got sorted under the 12 months warrenty where a complete arse ache from day one too. Seemed like Mini where the sister the BMW dealer didnt really want. Where treated like second rate owners and hence never going to BMW or at least that dealer again.

Steering problems are a complete joke. How can you have a Car that has a steering whine as TADT FFS.
Steering pumps they seemed to have aproblem with over heating and getting gunk in them adn should have been a recall but hasnt been. Just check on the mini2 website for the amount of problems.

A shame as a fun ride ( oo er) but never again for us.

BB