2024 JCW F57 -

I realize that everyone seems to love love love the Mini's steering feel.

So do I, mostly, but I can't stand the play in the center. I had a few rack&pinion sport cars back in the 1970's, and I don't recall ever feeling this "slop." When you moved the wheel even 1/2 inch, the wheels moved.

So are there any tweaks? I'm thinking maybe to replace all the bushing with solid / poly types, but is there a downside to that, such as a mire jarring feel on bumpy roads?


What about some kind of electronic coding? AFAIK, the Mini has electronically-assisted rack&pinion, which does an impressive job of making the car feel much lighter than it is.
So could the center-sensitivity be adjusted, somehow?

 

Electric power steering, no PS hydraulic pump, so effectively it's 100% coding-controlled... though I don't know exactly how one would specifically adjust it.

And yeah, I don't like the "slop" either (I have a 2017 Cooper S).

 

While the EPS plays an important part in “on-center” feel, tire compound, tire size, tire pressure, and alignment also play a part.