We purchased our 09 JCW 'vert and have been steadly putting miles on it. Bought it mainly for the wifey, but I drive it on any chance I can.

One thing that takes getting used to is the torque steer. Mini needs to fix this and I'm not sure why the didn't. The e-diff is crap as far as I can see. This car needs a real LSD OR a better solution (ie. see Cosworth Focus RS).

Well other than that, it's all miles of smiles

 

My '09 MCS has the factory mechanical LSD, and I am starting to wonder if an open differential may have been the better choice for a daily driver.
What I am having trouble coming to grips with (bit of a pun there ) is what I call torque/bump steer, where under moderate acceleration through a corner, when you hit a pothole or surface change the steering wheel is quite unsettled. There just seems to be less margin for error if you are expecting to be able to trace your path with confidence, like I could regularly do with my R50 Cooper. (granted that was a lot less torque to deal with...)
I have added the JCW rear swaybar, and will take a hard look at the TSW X-brace, which is reputed to help with the torque steer, and is especially recommended for convertibles to add some chassis stiffness.

 

I kinda like the torque steer. Especially when i fight the steering wheel through a corner :D

 

My '09 S is like that, too. Makes driving on anything but a completely flat and straight road an adventure, and there are so many flat and straight roads in Colorado. Mechanical LSD here, too. Ah, well.

Interesting info on the swaybar and x-brace. Might have to look into those.

 

Many MINI Owners have reported that the TSW XBrace helps with torque steer.

 

I have the ALta 22mm rear swar bar and adjustable end links and control arms. I don't feel any torque steer and I have even auto crossed the car. I have a 2009 JCW.

 

Apparently the best mod for r56 torque steer issue is lowering. Also TSW brace. Jcw could really do with some help on the bump steering and torque steering. Will be lowering and installing Alta PSRS to stop bump steering completely (I hope)

 

Thanks for the info on the TSW Brace! This is very similar to one I had on my old E36 M3.

 

Coilovers + swaybar will dial out 90% of that torque steer.

 

I have done numerous track days on my JCW this year. Learn how to manage the throttle and you will be happier. I recently installed koni yellows and stiffer springs along with a 19mm rear bar which also helped the cause.

 

I have a 2009 JCW and find the torque steer not bad at all. Torque steer is just a fact with a front wheel drive car and something to get familiar with. The more power the engine puts out the more you will notice the torque steer. I like the front wheel drive power pulling me through the corners. I guess it is really a learning thing that you have to experience after getting out of a rear wheel drive car. I don't even notice it anymore after getting used to it.
Ronnie948

 

Technically speaking torque steer only occurs when you are accelerating straight ahead. Most of us use the term to describe the fwd car's behavior while accelerating in turns however. As for the "bump steer" phenomenon tires make the most difference there imo. Swaybar probably doesn't.

 

I hear what you're saying, but I have reasonably sticky RE-01R tires and can't keep them planted while turning under power and encountering a bumpy surface. The JCW rear bar was a simple cost effective upgrade similar to the change I made on my R50 Cooper, going from the stock MC bar to the MCS bar - I am not expecting relief from the bump steer, so will have to pony up for another solution, hopefully the Xbrace helps. The PSRS system looks to be beyond my mechanical inclination, and alternatively a lot of shop hours at a competent garage.

 

Phsically what happens is that when the loaded up outside tire encounters bumps on the road it wants to hop up and down (d'oh) just like it does going straight ahead. But because the weight of the car is pushing it to the outside the tire/axle moves laterally and lands back on the ground. Etc. The only thing you can do is make the tire not hop up when it bumps. A softer tire (non RF), less pressure, or a softer spring or damper would help. Unfortunately those things tend to hurt hard cornering (except the change to a nonRF tire) and encourage understeer. The swaybar probably won't make much difference in wheel hop. It's a difficult problem to solve without affecting other aspects of handling. That's why I said optimal tires are the simplest.

 

Just fyi... I do not have the TSW Xbrace, so I am not speeking from experience, but I did read some where on NAM that someone was selling theirs because it will scrape bottom if your car is lowered. So those that are considering this might do a little more research.