Recent News:US examining Mini Cooper Steering

[Choulao]

Hi All

I heard that news on BBC the other day, us are now investigating Mini Coopers (04/05 Reg) for unexpected loss of power steering. (Read more: U.S. examining Mini Cooper steering )

I got the 04 Cooper, when I took it for service last month, they told me that the power steering pump and pipes require replacement, which will cost £1,000. I know power steering repairs are expensive, but the car isn't really that old.

They said the car is still safe to drive, but I can hear a lot of noise from the pump once the car is turned on which is very annoying.

Just want to know has any one in the UK had problems with the power steering?

Many thanks

Jo X

[minicore]

BBC Watchdog in the UK covered this last year too.

Quote:

BMW say that they're aware of an electrical issue which has the potential to affect the Electro Hydraulic Power Assisted Steering system fitted to more than 223,000 petrol-powered Minis sold between 2001 and 2007. This includes 175,000 Mini one, Mini Cooper and Cooper S cars sold between 2001 and 2005, 9,000 convertibles and 32,000 Mini Hatch cars sold in 2006 and 7,800 Mini Convertibles sold in 2007. BMW say that in January 2005 a modification was made to the pump supplied with all new Minis which virtually eradicated the issue.

Full story and video report here.

The risk is only "potential" and there are plenty of other reasons why your power steering might fail. If it was a widespread problem, a much larger percentage of the 223,000 customers mentioned by MINI would be kicking up a fuss.

That said, there are a few threads on here discussing the topic in some depth.

[MINIAC]

Quote: Originally Posted by Choulao (original)

Just want to know has any one in the UK had problems with the power steering?

Keyword(s): power, steering ; Forum: First Generation Faults & Fixes

[Choulao]

thank you.

the link was very useful.

[mab01uk]

More info on MINI PS pump here which may help,
Click Link:
Power Steering Pump replacement - Forums

There is no need to spend £1000 on fixing a MINI power steering pump, any good independent garage or DIYer can replace with a recon pump in around 2 hours.........unless you ignore the problem and then leave a faulty pump running continuously with the ignition off. When it overheats further damage is done to the wiring loom and the overheated PS fluid damages the seals inside the steering rack causing a far more expensive job in labour and parts.