Hi I have two mini coopers one a 05 JCW Cooper S with 33000 and the other I just got which is also a 05 Cooper S non JCW with 57000. I've noticed with the JCW the steering is very tight and is very responsive to the slightest movement of the steering wheel just like it should be. However the cooper S non JCW seems a little sluggish in terms of steering response. I compared the two and the JCW seems to have very tight tie ends and ball ends with no play what so ever. The slightest amount of steering wheel movement makes the wheels move. The straight cooper S I feel a tiny amount of play and sounds like it is coming from the ball that joins at the steering rack. I've not confirmed that by removing the boot but I can feel and hear a slight amount of slop when moving the tire/wheel from side to side when jacked up. My question is if I were to replace the tie rod assemblies from the rack to the steering knuckle do you think I would regain my responsive steering back and it would be just like my JCW?

Thanks in advance for all the input...

 

If it is worn, it will help to fix (or at least it can't hurt). Double check tire pressures as that and even tire style might do it. Also more tread = more slop so new tires are never as tight feeling as worn ones.