I have a 2004 MCS with 40k miles on it. My daily driver. Recently on start up the power steering is inop for a few minutes. This doesn't happen all the time. The past couple of weeks the power steering remained inop for the whole trip home. (just a few miles). Then the next morning all is well. Is this a common indicator that the ps is about to go completely? I figured it either works or it doesn't.

 

You do not have much time until it fails completely, start looking for a new one or getting it rebuilt.

 

Also, please don't forget to file a safety complaint with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration here:

https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/

It only takes a few minutes to file the report, and if enough people file one, maybe the NHTSA will force MINI to do a recall and you'll eventually get your money back. There's already a huge number of reports that have been filed (I just did mine the other day - it failed with only 21,000 miles and nearly caused me to hit a tree!).

 

Mine went a few weeks ago and I just got a rebuilt unit for BBA today.

Complain to NHTSA, because too many of us are experience this problem and it is not cheap to fix.

2004 MCS R53 less than 30k miles.

IMHO, they are lossing their reputation on this one.

 

Does this problem happen with the 2004 MCS specifically or does it happen in other models. I also have a 2003 justa with 75000 miles on it and it's just humming along.

 

Happen with all first gens.

 

err... well certainly it CAN happen, and apparently DOES happen too often...

but there's always the question of sample size - for example mine is running the original PS system at 165k miles and 7 years of autocross

(touch wood)

but to the OP, my sympathies, and when that happens to me I too will have to bite the bullet and shell out some serious cash...

cheers,

Charlie

 

My '03 S has the PS going off and on. I thought it was heat related, but if it is it is loosely correlated. This past weekend the car was at the track. Both sessions on Friday the PS did not work. PS worked for Saturday morning sessions, but not afternoon sessions. But then the PS came back on and worked for the last two sessions on Sunday. ?????

I wish there was a PS delete kit for the MINI. PS off is quite the workout, but you have much better feedback from the tires. No PS would be manageable with a higher steering ratio.