I can’t keep my Cooper S in a straight line!

[CJ1]

Hello Everyone,
I’ve just picked up a 2014 Mini Cooper S F56 in from the dealer in Southampton. Absolutely love the car but have one slight issue. During the 1 hour m27 journey back home I physically could not keep the car in lane! I was cruising at a steady 70mph and if I moved the steering wheel an inch I would be veering off towards oncoming traffic!

I’ve just let my dad have a go who’s driven many new cars in his time and says this isn’t normal how “darty” it is.... he pulled over midway to let me finish the drive as he didn’t feel confident. My previous car a 2011 VW Polo was nothing like this...

Is this just a Mini trait that I will eventually get used to has time goes on? Or maybe an issue with a steering component?

Thanks
Cj

[CJ1]

steve-5snwi said:

Check the tyre pressures .... and while your their check to see if they are runflats .....

They are indeed brand new Falken Runflats, will check the tyre pressures now.

[CJ1]

It’s Darty in both directions, it’s quite stable under hard acceleration, and stays dead straight if i take my hands off the wheel. It’s only when I’m doing 60mph+ that it becomes dangerously accurate/twitchy. I have kept the car in MID mode and sport mode doesn’t really make a difference.

As I said previously il get the pressures checked, and if they are normal I guess it’s just me!

[CJ1]

DelicaL400 said:

Don't F56 Cooper S's have tyre pressures on the central display and a warning if they drop?

It does indeed I’ve just found this after fiddling with the screen. 2.1bar front and 2.3 bar rear.

[CJ1]

Thanks Guys, I have done nearly 500 Miles now. The tyre pressures seem fine. I think it’s a mix of myself not being used to the minis driving characteristics and the runflat tyres which bounce the car around a lot.

Apart from that I am beyond impressed with the Mini. Hasn’t dropped below 43mpg and it’s spent most of its time in Sports Mode! Even saw 53mpg yesterday, Which is better than my old 1.6tdi Polo!

[CJ1]

Hammy98 said:

My F56 S had the alignment done twice to resolve this, there was a big improvement but it was still a bit 'wandery' at motorway speeds as if there was a deadzone in the steering rack.

Ditching the runflats pretty much sorted it.

I think you are right, the runflats are an absolute nightmare. I don’t mind the firm ride it’s just impossible to put any power down as you’re bouncing around everywhere, never mind the wandering on the motorways.

Been offered a set of new Dunlop Sport Maxx’s for £150 so that’s what il do!