I love this car more than anything ive had but the car is scary when i hit bumps on the highway going over 60 the car jolts to the side and if u dont have a good hold it could be a problem, this is why i dont let my mother drive it. Also the scariest thing is when u take curves fast for which this car was desighned for and hit bumps its time to pray. My altima 300hp modded out never jolted like that even our 95 rx7 took bumps so much better. Im worried about how the car will handle winter conditions if its gonna react like this. If anyone drives on I87 N by cross county in yonkers ny u will no what bumps im talking about. If someone has a recomandation let me no?

 

todoubled, sorry for the concerns. It might help to know your car's setup: sport suspension (?), tires, LSD, and other mods?

My test drive of a Clubman S on an on ramp, with a bend, and a bump in the road was a bit exciting. If I get the S I am electing to go without the 17" tires and the sport suspension that was on the test car, though think I would still get the LSD. My MA said that these changes would make for a slightly smoother ride. Have you tried runflats?

Sorry I can't be much help as I know very little about cars and have yet to receive mine, but hopefully others can help as well. Good luck!

 

Haven't experienced what you have but I drive faster and probably weigh more

I have 17" runflats on our S auto. I typically drive in Sport mode which keeps the steering a little more responsive. I keep a pretty good grip on the wheel.

I just don't get that bounce you are describing, but have experienced it in other vehicles when I am not paying attention and not reading the road ahead.

Good Luck and be safe...

 

Two things: Stock front control arm bushings, and bad alignment from the factory. Get both those fixed and it'll be Velcro'd to the road at all times, mid-corner bumps included.

 

Might be something as simple as tire pressure... what are they on your MINI?
M

 

I experience the exact same thing with my 08 MCS. Aggressive driving through bumpy twisties is not for the faint of heart. A firm grasp of the steering wheel is needed at all times or the car can really get away. With the amount of low-end torque this little fwd car has, power-on shifting is defintely an issue. If I don't get my right shifting hand back on the wheel quick enough my left can be in for quite a wrestling match. The torque steer is quite pronounced in my LSD equipment MCS. Most cars these days pretty much "drive themselves" and are very forgiving, that's not the case with the MCS. This is definitely a "drivers car". It really reminds me of my old RX-7, that too was a drivers car and I loved every minute of driving that little beast.

 

You have the stock runflat tires on? I've got sport suspension and it used to be horrible. Just threw on a set of Goodyear GS D3's and the ride is buttery smooth now. I actually aim for potholes just so I can feel how excellent the improvement is.

 

That's interesting, I don't get torque steer problems to the same degree. To me, it's quite managable, but some of that might be the auto tranny. I almost can't stand not having a manual tranny, but those flappy paddle shifters certainly make up for it.

I can certainly see how someone might think the car's leaping to the side after bumps in a turn. Best part is realizing that the car is still in control after the bump and you can keep on pushing. If nothing else, the Mini lives up to it's "go-kart handling" advertising.

While we're on the subject of ride quality: I just drove a Grand Cherokee 500 miles last weekend and a month ago drove my Mini 2500 miles. I was much more relaxed after driving the Mini than I was in the Jeep. So much for firm rides being uncomfortable.

 

check pressures and alignment, and if you want to go for it, get the front bushing upgraded. The mini has little bumpsteer from the factory (steering change on suspension compression), but some of this may just be getting used to a very short wheel base car.

Matt

 

I have this problem on my 08 as well.

Sport suspension, limited slip, stock all-season Continental run-flats.

There are a couple highway on-ramps around here with bumps and it does make the steering wheel float to one side. Especially in a bend.

 

+1

I have the sport suspension (MC) w/ the 16" stock continental run flats and when I take a bump (especially on a turn) I feel like I am on a bicycle and pop a wheelie and need to line the front wheel up on the way down as not to flip myself over sideways....ok maybe a little overdramatic but when I do hit a bump it feels like the car want to travel in a different direction and if you don't hold the wheel firm you will fly into the other lane....something that I haven't experienced in any car in the past.

33 psi cold on all tires.

 

Yes I know those bumps and they are very dangerous in any vehicle....especially the one going around that sharp left turn in the left lane before the county center.

 

I'm experiencing the same handling woes... Ryan, what bushings do you recommend?

 

I know what the OP is talking about, but not from my MINI. I had a GMC Yukon that did this with highway bumps and curves. It turned out to be the alignment and wheel balance. The OP should really get these checked out.

I've currently got an 08 Clubman S with normal suspension, stock 16" wheels with runflats. It rides great. No jumping or side slides when going over bumps at all.

 

I had bump steer with my run flats. The absolute best place for it to show was crossing the little drainage dips at intersections while turning at speed. The first tire hits the dip with the car flat and pushes weight to the outside tire. The outside tire hits the dip at a different angle with the added load. Repeat for the back wheels. You end up with 4 distinct impulses from the steering wheel and the odd sensation that you weren't really steering anymore. Not really true, but the sensation is there.
The difference between "twitchy" and "responsive" varies from driver to driver. We changed tires and went with BFG G Force Super Sports. I didn't think Percy was too twitchy on the run flats until after we switched to the Super Sports. Both are stiff side walled tires, but the SS's leaned more to the responsive side than the run flats.
I hope what I am typing makes sense. What you described is real close to what I was feeling on my run flats. Mine felt better when I went to a different tire.

 

Romi will go into a 4 wheel drift if I am in a curve and hit rain slots cut into the road surface. If I hit minor shuffleboard in a curve she will drift all over the place.

Currently she has 16" wheels with the Dunlop performance runflats. I am sure they contribute to the problem due to how stiff they are. The 24 pound bridge spokes cannot help either.

I look forward to installing 11 pound forged aluminum 15" wheels, without runflats.

 

I'm finding it interesting to see all the brands of run-flats that came stock on these cars, mine came with Goodyears.

 

Don't hit bumps at 60.

 

I've got the Continentals. The seem fine to me. No complaints what so ever. If anyone here wants to ditch their new runflats, I'll be glad to take them off their hands. I can stack 'em up in the basement til I need them.

 

It would be a combination of stiff suspension, short wheelbase and runflat tires. Had continental all season run flats and did not like them. Changed my tires to Dunlop Direzza Z1 star spec a few days ago and it calmed down a lot. Sometimes the tires still slip on bumps in turns but it is a lot better. But what a difference in the handling!

 

Had exact same problem 6 weeks ago with my 07MC on 16" Goodyear "Excelence" OEM run flats.

Country road, doing 50+ and hit some rough spots in a left hander. Car snap hooks to the left and almost into an oncoming car!!!

Got it quickly back on course, drove home and bought (4) Bridgestone Potenza G-019 Grids. Installed them next day and threw away the run flats - had 15K on them. Big improvement in ride quality (less harshness) without giving up much performance.

If you've got an MC with a spare, ditch the run flats!

 

I've got Dunlop RF's on Astro, with LSD, Sport Pkg, 17" crowners. I can get popped up from my seat when I hit some bridges that are not in the same plane as the pavement.

And when I hit it coming out of a ramp or parking area into traffic, the torque steer is insane. First time I was a bit puckered.

But now I manage it. I've lowered the pressure on the RF's from recommended 36 down to 32 and the ride is a bit better. After a few more hundred miles, I'll likely get rid of the RF's. They really do suck.

And yes, sport mode nearly all the time.

 

Are you talking about changing the stock bushings with the PSRS bushings?

 

well that is strange because this is the best bumping taking and handling car I have ever driven. It does a pretty good job with absorbing the bumps and keeping the weight transfer where you would expect. Always good to keep both hands on the steering wheel at all times. compared to my previous car I had on 12 and 14 kg/mm springrates its feel like im riding on marshmallows.

 

Agree it's a great handling & very responsive. I think the difference is in the overall road quality. I've lived in Cincy and return frequently. Compared to roads here in NJ/NYC you're driving on concrete carpet while we're driving on concrete mine fields!!