Just wondering if other owners have noticed just how tight the steering is? The reason I ask is because I noticed that when I drive this new coupe, it feels like I am all over the road (drifting within the lane). The steering is so tight that moving the wheel by a mm will start the car moving out of the lane. I have never had this problem nor do I experience it on my 04 MCS or 08' M3. I kinda wonder if the alignment is setup so that the car does not want to really track straight - It feels like it is taking a lot more work to drive the car in a straight line compared to any car I have ever driven or owned.

Anyone else experiencing this?

 

Same here. Thought it was me!

 

Yep. My 2004 Cooper is a better (easier) highway cruiser.

 

Yep. if a road is slightly bumpy.. I have to handle my Coupe like a freaking race car..

(I like it )

 

Yes, the MINI Cooper is a car you have to drive which is something I like a lot about it. My wife has a Lexus RX 350 and that thing is like driving your couch down the highway. It's comfortable, but very boring.

 

Especially at speed on truck lanes with grooves. It's a both hands experience. Replace runflats for an overall better experience.

 

That I forgot to say I don't mind the feeling - it's just a little disconcerting the first few times you are zipping down the road (Mass Turnpike in my case) and you feel like the thing is going to sway and swerve into the guy next to you.

I will add that the ONE day we have had snow here, it was a whole new driving experience. Although I had no issues getting the coupe to go - that sensitive steering seemed magnified when I was in a constant 2 or 3 inches of snow. It was very strange for the first few miles. Like I was shimmying. Then once I realized I wasn't sliding/slipping I was OK.

Still, it is the first and only MINI (out of 4 previous) that has had such sensitive steering!

But I DO like it!

 

I don't know what the alignment specs are for the coupe but a little 1/16 tow in in the rear and "0" toe in front should produce an alignment that will track pretty straight.
Steve

 

If I turn off the sport button my steering wheel takes less "push and pull" to move. The steering ratio doesn't change, just the effort. It makes it seem to steer more boatlike to me.

 

I don't notice it too much on the freeway, but spirited driving on the back roads requires attention!...close to white knuckle level depending how spirited you get. The adrenalin raises as well...which is that fun factor. I had an R53 but haven't driven a Mini since 05 but I don't recall the car being as unsettled. Unsettled is perhaps a bit harsh of a description though for lack of a better term.

I've got a big rear sway ready to put on once my break in is done, along with Koni Sports, and I'm real interested to see how this does through the autox course on Hoosiers! Given that "unsettled" nature, I am a little concerned about spirited driving on street tires with the bar, but given the added grip of Hoosiers, I expect it to settle pretty nicely and rotate nicely. I will know pretty soon. March is just around the corner with the first Test &Tune of the season.

 

I've read good things about adding a rear bar to the Coupe. 19mm in particular for those who will be doing most of their driving on the roads, spirited and otherwise. Does equally well on the track. I plan on doing this as soon as I can.

The steering is indeed touchy but I'm totally used to it now. I love how responsive the car is and the fact that it goes exactly where I point it.

 

I've gone from an R53 to an 02 Lexus ES300 for the last 3 months and now to the R58.. I am looking forward to some response from the steering. I feel like I've been driving a leather sofa all this time.

 

Been on 2 road trips of 2k+ miles in my Coupé, and didn't notice any trouble keeping it pointed straight on the highway, except when I encountered rough road surfaces, truck grooves, etc.

Let me know when they invent a steering system that won't wander in those situations. lol