Didn't notice this 5 days ago when I bought the 2022 Countryman Oxford but, oddly the whole steering wheel or, steering column tilts to the left.
Of course, it's now annoying and I want to have it sorted.

Before I drive to dealership I'm wondering, is this considered "a thing" with mini / BMW in some cases?
I tried to search the forum and online but not seeing anything that's been documented or, discussed.
Other than potentially tie rod adjustment / alignment related, and seeminlgy tweakable.

 

This normal. It is a very slight (almost imperceptible tilt to the left). I noticed this in my old 2018 Countryman. It only bugged me when I thought about it. Again, it is normal at least in my limited experience. Hopefully others will chime in.

 

I hear you, though I'm not sure what normal means exactly as I've never experienced it with any other vehicle. Normal for mini, or BMW maybe?
I can say that when I was at the dealership earlier, one the service guys & I checked out another Countryman (an S 2022) ...it "it too" had the tilt to the left thing. Hmmm.

Thus far, it appears alignment specialty type places can sort this out relatively painlessly but, the dealership (2 different ones actually) is ostensibly pretty clueless, at least so far. I for one, would prefer for them to deal with it under warranty than pay an outside shop to do so. Hoping it can be sorted when the dealership has an appointment open. They're kinda backed up it seems.

Bottom line, is it a major thing? not really but, I do find it annoying enough since realizing it that "IF" if can be made to be straight (as others say it certainly it can) ...I'd sure prefer it not feel a bit dodgy leaning to the left as it now does.

I'll pass on a few links that speak to it further fwiw to all..
Hope it's of help for others.


see post #3 for the fix:...
https://www.mini2.com/threads/steeri...centre.129343/

another thread that talks about it:
https://www.mini2.com/threads/steeri.../#post-4514575

not mini specific but, video talks about the tie rod adjustment to straighten the steering wheel tilt:

 

Oh I see what you mean now. I was referring to the steering column being slightly tilted to the left. That’s what bugs me. I don’t think this is fixable; it just is that way.

I think you’re describing the steering wheel not being straight when straightening the front wheels, but turned to the left. That doesn’t seem normal and I would want that fixed too.

 

What bugs you is actually exactly what I'm referring to. ie; "the steering column being slightly tilted to the left"
What I find interesting is how many mini's exhibit this, and why??

However, I do think it's fixable. At least based on some of the info found in those links in my last post, and the video as well.
Fingers crossed.

 

Our 2022 JCW Countryman is the same. I notice it most because the digital display is slightly crooked to the left as it is mounted on the steering column.

 

If it is fixable I’d like to find out how as well.

 

X2.
Thus far, it seems it is more so by an alignment / tie rod specialist however.

If it landed up being an odd quirk w minis (&?) that cannot be reasonable addressed ...then so be it.
But if it's something that can be relatively simply remedied then, yes please.

The dealership showing less of a willingness to be helpful, and more of a patronizing attitude (to a customer that bought a new vehicle from them less than a week ago) always warms the heart though.

 

1. Of course it's fixable. The wheel should point straight ahead when the wheels are pointed straight ahead on a level surface. While driving, heavily crowned roads will often make it seem like the wheel is cocked off the straight ahead position as you drive on a straight section of road, but that doesn't seem to be the case here.
2. It's not acceptable to leave it like that. The dealership should simply fix it. The fact that they seemed patronizing about it is unfortunate, but I would push for a solution. If they still seem hesitant, tell them that you will bring it up with the national BMW office. It's your car and this is not being picky in my opinion.

 

Just to clarify, I believe the OP is not talking about the orientation of the steering wheel being upright and centered when the wheels are pointed straight. - OP is talking about the steering column and the steering wheel is not parallel with the lateral lines of length of the vehicle - it is cocked to the left...Like the crappy drawing below:

 

Nice drawing! Yes exactly.

Main questions:
1. Will the dealership aqueous & acknowledge it shouldn't be that way & simply fix it ? (I'm told it's NOT a complicated tie rod related adjustment that any alignment specialist wouldn't break much of a a sweat over)
2. "why" is this even a thing with the Mini's I've sat inside & heard about ? ..I've never experienced this with any other vehicle I've driven.

A friend the runs another auto dealership suggested writing to BMW to generally inquire about it, & ask if there's ever been a service bulletin issued re; it.
We're all mostly busy with other, more important life concerns than this of course but, I'd still like to sort it & not feel slightly annoyed every time I drive my new CM.
Since noticing it, it's not something I can un-see/feel.

 

I wouldn't hold your breath :-) I doubt very much that the dealership will acquiesce to changing the angle of the steering column for you. A LOT of cars have slightly tilted columns. I'm sure there's a reason for it, likely because of the tight packaging to get the steering column and its associated universal joints through the firewall and around the other suspension components, transverse engine, etc., within the engine bay. My 2018 is the same, now that you mention it, and OCD as I am it doesn't really bother me.

 

Yeah with my F60 JCW (when I had it) the OCD part of me didn't like it. But I got over it by not focusing on it just focus on how fun the car itself is.

Tomorrow, I'll take delivery of my new F56 JCW. I don't know if it has a tilted column or not, but I don't care really because the car is so much fun to drive!

 

I hear all that. The OCD part of me could pretty much get over it as well. But, the part of me that's inclined to fight for what I think is reasonable & fair (within reason, I am married after all!) ...says hey, if an alignment specialist says this is a no brainer tie rod adjustment & there's no reason "not" to get it adjusted, then why the heck not!?

...Because the dealership doesn't want to be bothered? Is it not a reasonable request for a recent buyer of a quality vehicle?
I realize it's not a major thing, yet according to the guy in 3rd post of the thread I linked above, his dealership got it fixed for him, albeit on the 3rd attempt. But I digress.

 

Thought to check back and ask, how did delivery of your F56 JCW go? Curious if the column is similar.
Though I too, try to just get over it and drive. And yeah, the dealership pretty much ignored my original inquiries.

 

I forgot about this too. Delivery was fine, no issues.

Yeah same leftward tilt, slightly less than the F60, but still present. I just try not to dwell on it and have fun driving it. I am very detail-oriented and it seems you are too. Most people don't notice it/perceive it otherwise there'd be others camping on this thread. :-)

 

Exactly! Good to hear you're coping. I'll consider it support for me to do the same

 

...and they all had a Happy Holiday that year after all!

 

My F60’s digital cluster is also angled to the left. I assumed it is to reduce reflections so the driver can see it properly.