Hi,
I want to say that I really enjoy and appreciate all the info, opinions and pictures that I've found on the CM forum. I'm seriously considering an ALL4 and doing all the research I can digest.

As such, I've read quite a bit about issues with the power steering pump and motor on the earlier minis, some of which have ended catastrophically. I haven't managed to find any info suggesting that there has been a design change in the system that might actually alleviate the concerns.

Questions:
1. Does the CM share the same power steering system found in the standard S?
2. Have there been any design changes in the recent history that definitely resolve the issues?
3. Should I be concerned with the CM steering system?

Thanks,
Steve

 

Steve, Welcome to the forum. I believe the Power Steering issue you are referring to was related to the hydraulic system used on the generation 1 cars; R53 et al. When worked hard the system was prone to heat related failures. The generation 2 cars; R56 (2007 0n), R55 (2008 on)... and R60 series use an all electric system. The steering Rack is operated by an electric motor, not hydraulics. This system is electric actuated but not 'drive by wire' (yet). Only the accelerator is Drive by Wire. I do not believe there are any failure issues with the current Steering system. Happy Motoring

 

Thanks for the info. I got confirming info from Bill at Classic Mini also.

 

moe-j is right -- no known concerns with the 2nd Gen design.

I confess that sometimes I miss that distinctive whine of the pump in my old MINI, but I'm glad to be free of the associated failure risks.

 

My 03 had issues. the power steering used to stop working when it wants to. The dealer could not find what was wrong with it. I solved the problem, trading it in lol

 

The EPS unit on our 2012 CM All4 just failed, essentially stranding my wife n kids. Scary.


Is this a common thing?

 

No, I don't think so, of all the common issues that I read about on forums prior to purchasing a used 2011 CMS, power steering wasn't one of them.

I'm curious.. I expected that the car would still be driveable without power steering (therefore avoiding being stranded). Granted, it would require more effort at low speeds.

Was that not the case?

 

out of curiosity, does the gen3 use fly-by-wire steering? What other cars on the market uses fly-by-wire steering?

by the way, if the EPS failed, wouldn't it just be a heavy steering wheel only?

 

Not too common , I heard of the early R56 2007 units having issues. But not on newer MINIs.

 

There is a new standard coming for model year 2017+ ISO26262.

With this change electronic power steering systems will need to provide for continuous operation. So unlike today they error and strand you the new systems have on board redundant processing and sensors. This means once you get an error you can drive it to a dealership.

 

Figured it would change, must run constant power , other then shutting off.

 

Still less draw on the engine than turning a power steering all of the time.