I took my mini in for a badly needed alignment. When I got it back I found out that my mini was both a manual alignment and a computer alignment to get everything into range. Can someone shed more light on the specifics of how that system works? I believe that the ECU governs the potency of the power steering based on the speed you're going, but I'm unsure on if the ECU does anything with the suspension. Just curious about it.

 

Ecu is JUST engine management......think you misunderstood....
When they said they did a computer AND a manual alignment was how the WORKER did it.....

 

+1

 

Gotcha, I appreciate the clarification on that. It probably didn't help that I wasn't the one picking up the car so I wasn't able to ask the technician these questions =p

Thanks

 

...and the fact that R53 has hydraulic steering - not controlled by a computer.

As mentioned above, I think you misunderstood that it the operator used his computer and manual equipment to get everything aligned. Either that or they're just talking through their buts

Good to see everything's taken car of now though.

 

LOL, well I appreciate the further clarification on the power steering as well! And yes, the alignment, new tires, and new front end bushings made a night and day difference. Feels like a new car!

 

makes sense...

 

I was thinking because the power steering pump is electric, it could control the actual voltage/amps to it which would regulate the efficiency of it. I actually didn't second guess that part when he mentioned it. The suspension though I didn't think had anyway of being controlled by the ECU.