Have two issues with my GF's '06 Cooper S and was wondering if anyone had some input:

1) Ever since hitting a large pothole (enough to require a new wheel/tire) with the driver's side front wheel the car has pulled to the driver's side to some extent and very dramatically when shifting (I believe mostly when downshifting- it momentarily jerks). I know the constant slight pull is because the alignment off, is the sudden pull just more dramatic sign of the same? Oh yeah- in case it matters she has the 6-speed with an LSD.

2) It was a balmy 94 today (99 with humidity)...do Cooper S's heatsoak dramatically? Her car was down on power in the heat after stop and go driving. She said it was improving slightly as her speed increased so I'm thinking that's it- but not sure since I've never owned a Mini myself.

Thank you much for your help!

 

2) My care was waining in the heat due to the intercooler dieing in the heat.

 

1) sounds like you knocked something loose..or blew out a control arm bushing...do you notice any wobble in the wheel at speeds like above 60ish?

 

2) to the IC is directly over the engine, heat rises and well yeah unless you moving your generaly screwed. If looking to do some track time in high heat, dump some ice on the IC or spray it with some cooler water. Regular driving, just find a way to get moving and the power will be back.

 

check your strut tower, is it mushroomed? If you needed to replace the wheel, you prob bent the tower... speaking from experience here

 

Drove it this evening- once the outside temperature fell and the car got moving- power returned.

As for the strut tower- it looks ok. There also isn't any wobble- just a light pull that increases with speed and a more sudden pull on shifts, it's nothing violent- just a lot more sudden.

Thank's for your inputs. I'll get an alignment done and see if that fixes it. I'm thinking of the power is being applied non-evenly (such as one wheel being out of alignment and the other not) that could cause it to pull... We shall see...

-Brian