MINI on WATCHDOG MON 16th Feb

[Lix]

BBC - Watchdog

Cant wait to see this along with everyone else who's had their powersteering pump fail while driving.

[mlj]

i think you might mean febuary

[LookalikeJCW]

There has been contact from the BBC advising MINI that they are planning to do
an article on their Watchdog programme regarding MINI products on Monday evening. This story is in relation to the failure of power steering pumps on
MINI's produced 2001 and 2007.

Below is the statement that will be issued by MINI UK.

"MINI UK strives to provide the best possible service to its customers and is
concerned when they are not satisfied with their cars. We can appreciate that
individual issues such as these MINI owners experienced can be disturbing, but
we have thoroughly investigated the cases of each customer, and worked hard to
eradicate the issues described. As with all modern cars, power steering systems
are an added support function that makes steering easier, especially at slow
speeds, when parking for example. They are not an essential component of
steering systems and cars can be driven perfectly safely without power steering
assistance. All new MINIs on sale today also feature new power steering
mechanisms completely unaffected by these issues.

However, MINI UK takes such incidents very seriously and has worked closely with
the independent regulatory bodies who have liaised with us on the most
appropriate route to take with this issue. Furthermore, we would advise that if
any owner of a petrol-engine MINI produced between 2001-07 has experienced a
similar situation, they should contact their dealer or a dedicated MINI UK
Customer Service line on 0870 5050 132.
Please do not print this email unless you really need to. Thank you."

Just to make anyone aware. Hope this has been of help to someone out there

[barleyS]

Did anyone watch this tonight. Apparently BMW have admitted there is a problem with the power steering pump on models up to 2005?

Did anyone else spot the minimaina sticker on the red S at the end?!

Bit off free advertising for you there guys!!

Tom.

[REDHOT CHILLI COOPER]

Yet another sensationalised piece of journalism from the BBC.

Yes there's a problem but it's not new, and the "dozens" of people it's happened to out of the millions of MINIs sold I say not that common either.

I had the same issue on an old Golf GTI that had a tendency to stall at junctions and roundabouts due to the idle stabilization valve not working therefore causing the power steering to stop functioning.
Was there a recall for that or an article on Watchdog.... No.
Was it a common problem with Golf Digifant engines - Yes.

Slow day in the news office I reckon.

[mlj]

just watched it, and i noticed the sticker!, nice red and orrange S's aswell

[I love MINI, Laura]

Cheaky for them to say its just an assistment of steering. My old MINI's steering failed (fully repaired my BMW almost pain free) and I could not move it I was not strong enough to move the wheel its so heavy. I agree they have changed the system.

[mlj]

anyway, back on topic, there have being many MINI's sold and the amount of faults is very small compared to the number of cars sold.

[Bluejuice]

Looks like it was filmed at Llandow Circuit in south Wales.
Also noticed the MM sticker along with Cardiff Mini Club sticker on the window.

[NicPlusOne]

Who's was that orange MINI? It was lovely

[mlj]

Quote: Originally Posted by I love MINI, Laura (original)

Cheaky for them to say its just an assistment of steering. My old MINI's steering failed (fully repaired my BMW almost pain free) and I could not move it I was not strong enough to move the wheel its so heavy. I agree they have changed the system.

Glad BWM repaired it for you with little hassel, hope it wasn't too scary an experience and you did'nt have a bump.

[*Vikki*]

So this wouldn't be the steering spindle as well would it? Steering rack too?

[marten_mini]

I don't understand it, the pump sqeals like a pig at the slaughterhouse on almost every mini and for a 20k pound car i don't think this is something one should accept as being TADTS

especially now it's been proven some people almost got into some serious sh*t after the pump failed

Evenso MINI knows the pump wasn't the best one on the shelf as they now use different pumps

So what is wrong if this is pointed out in a consumer programme, I would be really gratefull if this would lead to MINI admitting something is wrong and have the cars be recalled for inspection

before a few lives will be lost due to a bad product and probably being used untill a better version was ordered costing 50 p more (whaheyy saving untill 2007 do some maths 800000*50 p = 400000 pounds = nice fat cat bonus)

[brinks]

Watch again here or if you missed it

[brinks]

Sorry about that, here's the URL

BBC - Mini power steering failures - Watchdog - Blog