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pull is real, not psychosomatic

I had just got mine and had just come back from my first extended drive when I first noticed it. I had never heard of left pull, or this site before. I found MINI2 because I was searching the net to find out if anyone else's MINIs were pulling left.

And it wasn't due to the crown of the road. Here in the US, pull-to-the-left means propelling me & my smiley-faced new friend up over the crown and into oncoming Ford Brontosauruses.

I was appalled at my dealer's response. At first they said "Yeah it's definitely pulling. Must be wheel alignment" blah blah blah. Then after having talked to corporate, called back and said like brainwashed automotons "There is no pull. All front-wheel drive cars do this." Having driven nothing but Hondas for the last 15 years, I knew this was a lot o' hooey.

I decided to be philosophic and not engage in air guitar while driving. I knew that when they had a fix they'd let me know. These big monolithic corporations are inherently evil, but BMW seems to be making an honest effort in spite of themselves.

Yesterday they did call, saying the fix was ready. Surprise surprise -- especially since it was the first time they had admitted there was a problem! I only hope the mechanics at my dealer have gone to school on this. While nice as all getout, they don't seem to know a whole lot about the MINI yet.

Regardless, I love my MINI to the hilt!

 

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Re: Where did you get it fix zoom180 ???

Zoom180

I just got my Mini 2 days ago, and I already felt there is a slight left drift on the freeway. It is not that obvious when I am driving slow. However, if you let go the steering wheel, it will SLOWLY drift to the left.

Funny, I notice mine the most at slower speeds, like when coming to a stop at a red light. Especially if I goose the brakes a little extra at the very end of the stop. Gives a sharp turn left under those conditions -- very noticable. I think it's because I tend to hold the wheel loosely at such slow speeds. It's definitely there on the freeway too, but I've learned to keep my hands at 10 and 2 religiously, being the father of two little kids. It can get a little hairy, but that can be part of the thrill.

Zoom180

if possible, can you let me know the name of your dealer ?
Thanks

Batman,

Well, it's Crevier in Santa Ana. But I'm waiting to bring it in. I hesitate because whenever I bring it to them, they say mine's the first one they've gotten to work on.

When I brought it in that first time (early April), they said they'd try a wheel alignment and claimed grandiosly that they had the most advanced alignment machine in the world. Later they admitted they didn't know how to set it for the MINI's specs, just for Beemers. Kind of like going to a dentist who's very good but has never worked on your particular species before.

What I oughta do if I were a bit more cynical is send you in first and find out if you were satisfied with their fix, then bring mine in.

Anyway, congrats on getting your MINI. Hope we can have a honk & wave sometime if we ever cross paths... hmm, hope the "crossing paths" part is not the result of us both drifting left at the same time!

 

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Which front suspension struts do your cars have?

Don't know how to answer, but my build date is Feb 2000 if that helps. How about you Batman (and others)? And Apial, why do you ask? I know the fix is to the front struts, but are there more than one kind?