Most liked posts in thread: I may have found it!

Most likely, it's fine. The steering is going to feel tons heavier than any God-awful GM vehicle. Always hated the feel of every GM I've ever driven.

 

I don't know what kind of answers you expect as I or probably most people haven't compared the steering of the Mini to Subaru's or Cadillac's. Your description of a heavy feel leaves it up to each individual reading your post to decide what they think the word heavy means.

The only unusual thought I've ever had about the steering on my Mini is that sometimes I think that turning my steering wheel is like turning the barrel of a micrometer. The steering is so fine and precise.

 

That's a beautiful R53 !! Hope everything goes well.

 

Keep in mind that the steering assist is speed-sensistive. The computer decides how much hydraulic assist to give you, based on your speed and who knows what else. These cars have algorithms that make them do all kinds of non-linear things. Recent Subarus or whatever also have speed sensistive steering, but the level of assist and how steep the curve is varies depending both on the mechanics of the car and the way it's programmed. Mechanically, there aren't that many cars with an electrical power steering pump, rather than a pump driven off an engine belt. That makes it feel different too.

The other thing is steering ratio. Minis have a quicker ratio than most other cars, which gives it that go-kart feel. AND first generation Minis had many ongoing problems with failures of the electric power steering pump. If for some reason this car hasn't had the recall work for this, you could be noticing a weak or failing power steering pump. Plug the VIN into Mini's website to see if it's been done or not.

 

The 1st gen MINI has the heaviest (and most direct) feel of any power steering I've known. However, I can't claim to have driven a large variety of cars.

Not as good as the very direct feeling of my Honda CRX which had NO power steering, but the tradeoff was having to deal with it while parallel parking.

 

Being old doesn't mean you can't enjoy nice things. You really make me smile: I'm 82.

 

With a MINI.... You will feel more connected to the road...
Hope it works out for you...

Space Blue is a very special color....

 

HA! Good luck and enjoy!

 

Just buy it. The only other choice would be to buy mine. The red would be faster than the blue and it gets more chicks!

 

LOL. In his case it would be 'hens' and not chicks!

 

Welcome.

My MINI's steering is heavier then my WRX's was. But it also has a more direct feel. Now that you have the car check to see if the recall on the steering has been done and the PS fluid level is good.

After that let the fun begin.