Steering.

[Laura452]

Hi all,

I have just joined the forum and hope I am posting in the appropriate place.

I have just bought my first mini, a mini one 2004 plate, very tidy car and a fantastic drive. The only thing I have noticed is that the steering is quite heavy, only when turning from a near standstill i,e when turning around or parking.
I am wondering if this is a mini quirk or whether it might be worth checking the steering fluid to see if there are any problems. I'm not very clued up on technical things with cars so would appreciate any advice or how I would check it myself.

I have heard some can suffer from steering issues, but don't want to fear the worst in case this is just part and parcel of owning a mini

Thanks.

Laura.

[mab01uk]

MINI power steering is heavier than most other small cars as the MINI is aimed at the more sporting driver who prefer more 'feel' to their steering rather than the superlight detached feel of some modern cars. If the steering whines that is an early Mini characteristic.....if it stops whining completely then you may have a problem! The wider tyres fitted to some Minis also increase the weight of steering effort required at low parking speeds.

[Laura452]

Thank you for the info.

To be on the safe side I'll take it to the garage and get them to have a look. My dad and I are regulars there so hopefully they'll be able to tell me (genuinely) if there is an issue or not.

Many thanks.