2011 MINI Refresh: Reducing Torque Steer

Sections: 2011 LCI | JCW | R55 (Clubman) | R56 (Hatch) | R57 (Conv.) Jul 5th, 2010 16 Comments

A few weeks back we heard a rumor of MINI altering the steering for the 2011 refresh. We now know why. It isn’t to give it more feel (as we reported) but to alleviate torque steer. More specifically the updated software uses the EPS to help the car maintain a straight line under full acceleration.

The update will be applied throughout the range but will be most appreciated on the JCW. And speaking of the JCW, we’ll have more tomorrow on 2011 model year changes for MINI’s range topper.

Written By: Gabe

hemisedan

Even though I’m not a fan of electronic anything, it seems that electronic means that it will go wrong when least expected. But I’m happy to hear that Mini is addressing the torque steering problem. I just wish that they’d have elected to correct it thru upgraded suspension, rather than the steering. I know that people think that this is a great problem, I’ve never thought of it that way, I just adjusted my driving accordingly. But in saying that, I do remember my daughters Dodge GLHS, now that car did have a serious torque steer problem.
rosvick

Try driving a late-model Monte Carlo SS or Impala SS. A 5.3L V8 with 303hp driving the front wheels creates huge torque steer. I’ve never had a problem with torque steer in a MINI in comparison!
Eysmahn

@Rosvick: Amen to that! In ’06, I worked at a Chevy dealership… Having small block v-8 power in those cars was great, but the torque steer was not to be believed. To the point that I warned people on test drives, “If you stand on it, you’d better make certain you’ve got a good grip on the wheel, lest you end up in the ditch!”
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001118351431 Robert Fairchild

I’m really digging those Black JCW rims though!

Torque steer – With a modified JCW I can get plenty of it. I just hang on and it’s not a problem.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=546386059 George Kaufmann

will any of these software updates be used on 2010?
http://www.motoringfile.com/ Gabe

will any of these software updates be used on 2010?

unfortunately no.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=529305914 Haemish Edgerton

Improvements are always welcome – and the 2011 refresh has plenty of them, but I’m saddened that this update won’t help the steering feel as previously thought. That alone is my #1 gripe about 2nd Gen MINIs vs. the 1st Gen. Oh well – perhaps they’ll improve it in the 3rd Gen!
KevinR

I don’t recall the torque steer being that bad on the ’09 JCW R56 I drove a few months ago. But, I’ve been driving FWD cars for over 25 years now, so I might just be used to it.

I agree that it would be preferable to “fix” it through an upgraded suspension, but at least they are doing something to respond.
that.guy

I don’t like the sound of this “fix”. We’ll see, but sounds like they are just adding more assist (at least under throttle) which will lighten the feel.
Captain

The JCW is the only one in the line that will have same engine/HP/torque pre/post refresh. Will it be ‘most appreciated’ on the JCW simply b/c it has the most HP?

I could arguably see the justification for doing this in the non-JCWs that have an increase in power for 2011, but adding it to the JCW when there is no change… is this to save money (do the same for all MINIs vs. just the new engines)?

My preference is less interaction by HAL, not more, usually the brain/body memory will compensate for any torque steer within a few dozen cycles (trips).

I will keep an open mind until we get road test feedback or more data around the overall impact to the JCW in coordination with all of the 2011 changes – eagerly awaiting tomorrow!
hemisedan

Now I could have read this wrong, but it looks like this is going to be across the board, not just for the JCW. Also, from reports that I have read in the past, the complaints about torque steer is more prevalent in the Mini S than the JCW, although it is there. Maybe JCW drivers are more use to torque steer and how to handle it.
Chilly

Good news but I really wish they’d address the steering ‘feel’ issue too.
Step

There going to use wheel speed signals to determin slipping the incremintally send a signal from the stability computer over the network to the eps which will incromentaly (and only when certain parameters are met) desensitize the power steering to try and numb out the spin then as wheel spin disapates the Power steering comes back
http://www.5280driver.com JohnJohn

I would prefer a fix for bump steer. My R55 is horrible. It was bad with OEM coils. Replacing them helped slightly. My old R53 had no bump steer, not even a hint of it.

Hey Mini fix the bump steer. It’s more of a liability too.
Pingback: 1991 Porsche 928 S4 from Sweden – Comments | Passion4Porsche
MiniToy

I agree JohnJohn, bump steer needs a fix. It is a huge issue on my 2009 and was not there at all on my 2005.

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