[paultrfc]

hi i am the proud owner of a mini cooper s
done about 1500 mls so just running it in.
i have noticed that it does pull to the left if not corrected.
i know due to the camber of the road it will do this but it seems to be worse than any other car i have driven.
has any one else noticed this??
what needs to done to correct it??
i know i can take it back to the dealer i was just wondering what you all thought.

cheers

paul...

[Gotham Taffer]

This is a bit of a tough issue. I've noticed here in the States that the car definately does tramlining, which is pulling to whichever side of the road is lower or following groves in the road when the road is worn. On uneven surfaces, I really have to pay attention. If you search posts here on the board, the most common comment is that it is a byproduct of the wire-to-wire steering, lower weight, tyres, and the exceptional handling. There are flat roads where the car goes as straight as an arrow, and other roads where it really pulls.

In the process of tightening up the steering, you may loose some of the handling, but again, I think it's whatever the preference of the owner is. I don't know how much the dealer can do, though.

[DJC]

Hi, i bought my Cooper laast year, and it pulled to the left badly. I used to work in the Motor Trade and could not believe a 6 month old car pulled so badly. It went to the dealers, in the end it had new shocks, new drop links, new top mounts and now it tracks straight and true. In my opinion i f i were you i would take it to your supplying dealer and get them to fix it. It was a known problem on this forum when i got my car last August. Hope this helps you, all the best Damian.

[Old School Jonnie]

I know that pullig to the left was an issue with the first batch of cars produced as I had to reject the One i purchased 2 years ago. Apparently it was something to do with the weighting of struts on the the front end?
They did come up with a fix for it. Perhpas worth mentioning to your dealer?

[Root Ginger]

Hmm maybe the pull to the left fault is rearing it's ugly head.

The best method for testing whether it camber related (this means there's no problem, just the nature of the car) or a pulling problem is this.

Find a road that the car pulls to the left on. When everything is clear and paying attention to any keep left signs etc. Pull onto the right side of the road (as if driving abroad).

Does the car pull to the right?

If it does this is perfectly normal and you will get used to it!

Does the car still pull to the left?

If it does this you definitely have a problem. Take it to your dealers to rectify. You should drift to the right on the wrong side of the road as the camber will be opposite.

*** Disclaimer: Although I have used this method myself to prove to a dealer the problem was a pull and not a result of the camber, I take no responsibility for you trying the above method, and you should take utmost caution and obey all relevant road traffic laws if you attempt to do it. ***

[Nic D]

My dad thought my car pulled to the left, my brother thought it pulled to the right!

We've all decided that its the awful run flats & tramlining...

[SoggyCornFlakes]

Let's hope the pull to the leg issue is not going to rear it's head again, that seemed to be one thing BMW Quality Assurance did get resolved

[Steeljacket]

Quote: Originally Posted by Ginge

Hmm maybe the pull to the left fault is rearing it's ugly head.

The best method for testing whether it camber related (this means there's no problem, just the nature of the car) or a pulling problem is this.

Find a road that the car pulls to the left on. When everything is clear and paying attention to any keep left signs etc. Pull onto the right side of the road (as if driving abroad).

Does the car pull to the right?

If it does this is perfectly normal and you will get used to it!

Does the car still pull to the left?

If it does this you definitely have a problem. Take it to your dealers to rectify. You should drift to the right on the wrong side of the road as the camber will be opposite.

I have a 10 week old MCS and have had the same problem since day 1. Its been back to the dealers 4 times and they say it does not pull its the camber of the road, I told them that I have tried the above method, which still pulls left or drives straight depending on the severity of the camber when on the wrong side of the road, they have agreed for a technician to come out with me but I will leave it a few weeks for everything to bed in first. Plus it has the yo-yo which the dealer says they can't reproduce so I'll show them that as well.

[paultrfc]

thanks for the advice i shall try it all out sometime this w/e..

paul...

[Root Ginger]

Quote: Originally Posted by Steeljacket

I have a 10 week old MCS and have had the same problem since day 1. Its been back to the dealers 4 times and they say it does not pull its the camber of the road, I told them that I have tried the above method, which still pulls left or drives straight depending on the severity of the camber when on the wrong side of the road, they have agreed for a technician to come out with me but I will leave it a few weeks for everything to bed in first. Plus it has the yo-yo which the dealer says they can't reproduce so I'll show them that as well.

Sounds like a proper pull. But don't go panicking yet. Could be something as simple as the tracking out!

[Steeljacket]

Quote: Originally Posted by Ginge

Sounds like a proper pull. But don't go panicking yet. Could be something as simple as the tracking out!

they have KDS'ed it twice

[Root Ginger]

Quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally Posted by Ginge
Sounds like a proper pull. But don't go panicking yet. Could be something as simple as the tracking out!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Quote: Originally Posted by Steeljacket

they have KDS'ed it twice

OK panic away