i have this exact problem, any ideas?

 

I had a similar groan coming from my 2004 Mini Cooper S. It turned out to be mechanical in nature related to the steering column lower U-Joint. I had the steering shaft replaced due to age related damage to the lower U-Joint and the groaning is now gone.

 

do you have the part number of the lower u-joint? thanks

 

Mine is making the same noise.

 

Look at the Front Shock Mounts.

Open the hood, and look in the hole in the shock mount, have someone turn the wheel (with the car off) while you look at it.

If its ripped you will see it move and see the tare, replace the mounts.

 

I have new mounts.

 

The part was : 32-30-6-763-722-M26

The lower steering column and U-Joint. I know you can find it from a number of places. I think it costs around $165 to $200.

I would really check the strut mounts in the front as well before changing out the steering column with the lower u-joint. I know you can get a groan from bad strut mounts too. My strut mounts were brand new with less than 100 miles when we narrowed it down to the steering column and lower U-joint.

 

I had a torn upper strut mount, which was silent.
The new replacement mount gave a noise like that, only not quite as bad,
mostly in cold weather, and mostly near the extremes of wheel turn.
It's been gradually diminishing over the last couple years since it was put in.
A spray of silicone lubricant helped.

 

My R53 did the same thing and was solved by lubing the u-joints and slip joint with Wurth spray lubricant.

 

I have a Steering Column u joint if some one wants it for 65.oo