Since I first bought my '06 MCS I've been having an issue with the steering wheel. It is turned to the left like 10 degress or more. I've checked the alignment twice and it is ok. I took it to the dealer several times and they ignored like the first 3 times, then they told me that the car needed alignment... Ok, go ahead and do the alignment so... But oh surprise when these guys from the dealer told me that the total cost of fixing the issue was $1400!! According to them, the car had a mushroom in the front strut tower, so they had to fix it, also change the whole strut tower (he said it could be damaged, and they prefered to prevent any further issues by changing it), also they had to do the alignment and finally, the RF tires were according to them "worn" and had to be replaced... Ridiculous!!! I totally refused to do it. $1400 dollars to fix a brand new car with less than 7k miles under warranty?... Their last "offer" was that they would fix everthing, BUT I had to buy them 2 Run Flat tires plus installation... about $700 in total!! Blackmail!!! That is totally ridiculous! I even spoke with the manager and he told me the same. I spoke with MINIUSA directly and they told me that according to the Dealer's report, that would be the best offer! That sucks!! Where is the warranty so!? I had to take my car to a professional MINI shop who fixed the mushroom and I've also installed a M7 strut bar for protection. I also changed the tires. After that I took the car for alignment again to a Tire Kingdom and they told me the same... "The Alignment is OK", they couldn't find the issue with the steering wheel. So I took the car the the dealer again and told them that I've fixed the mushroom and everything, but still having the issue, so I need them to fix it. I told him that I'd pay them to fix it. His answer was "We won't do work on your car"... They refused to fixed my car even under warranty and me paying to do it!!! That sucks! I spoke with MINIUSA and told them about the whole situation, they told me that any dealer has the right to not do service on your car!! So the only solution would be changing of Dealer... What?...!
So finally and after almost a year of headaches and frustration, I took my car to a professional MINI aftermarket shop that is doing the work on my car... They told me that the issue could be that steering wheel came in the wrong centered position from factory, so they'd have to take it off, center it and put it back... I hope this is the end of this pain...

Now that I have to pay to fix this whole stuff I'll need the money, so if anyone is interested, I'm selling a new silver Aliph Jawbone Bluetooth headset that I bougth 2 days ago. I don't really need it now... It costs $119 + shipping. www.jawbone.com I'll give mine for $85+shipping, it is new.
PM me with your zip code.

I'll post the conclusion later today after getting the car back from the shop.

Thanks

 

All I can say is

I think that mushrooming is a well-enough-documented issue with these car to safely say that it's a design flaw, which MINI should bite the bullet on and cover under warranty work. . . but I'm not holding my breath and have the M7 STB. It's just a shame that it takes stories like yours to raise awareness.

 

Sounds like your dealer is one real pack of jerks.

The very first mod I did, was the M7 SRP's. I have a great dealer though, and they wouldn't give me the kind of grief you got.

 

its should take about 38 sec. for a knowledgable mech. to recenter the wheel... I'm a hack shade-tree mech. wanna-be (at best) and it'll take me about 1/2hr. (due to worring about airbag)

 

Did you buy the car new or used?

 

New... It was a demo car. I got it with less than 400 miles on it...

 

Your dealer is rediculous, run like hell.

But... If I had gotten my car aligned and it drove fine would it not have been the most obvious thought that possibly the steering wheel was just not on straight???? Instead of going through all that headache?

 

Your alignment shop doesn't know how to center the wheel by adjusting the tie rod ends? Good lord! You need to find some new shops to go to!

It's really very simple: if the wheel is off-center left (for example) you adjust the left wheel out, and the right one in by the same amount. You have just turned the wheels left without using the steering wheel. Now when you straighten up the steering wheel, the wheels will follow. Should cost you all of $30-40 to get it fixed.

 

+1 ^

 

Bingo!! I'm going back to my dealer Mon to have them center the wheel after they did the alignment and didn't get it straight. Not off by much but I noticed it.


Steve