torque steer with performance upgrades

Asked by Jonpft Nov 15, 2010 at 07:13 PM about the 2009 MINI Cooper Clubman S FWD

Question type: Car Customization

I have just purchased a 2009 clubman s. I  am looking to install the following: Magnaflow exhaust, Alta r-56 cold air intake, high flow throttle body 59.75mm, and Alta Access port ecu performance recalibration. So my initial concern was the torque steer. So if after installing the aforementioned and torque steer is bad, how would you minimize it?

1 Answer

3,865

Fortunately, the "torque steer" you observed in your Clubman S, which is present in all 2nd gen MINI, is not real torque steer. The car pulls only when there is uneveness on the pavement. This is a result of the overly soft bushings being used in the front control arms. The suspension geometry does not stay true in such situation and the resulted uneven traction across the front axle causes the car to pull. This problem becomes more pronounced only when the suspension is lowered (increasing the neg. camber), or when wider/lower profile/stickier tires are used. As a result, the list of mods you mentioned is, at least, not going to make the "pull" worse. There isn't yet a solution to completely dial out this "pull", but if you still wish to alleviate the problem, put in aftermarket polyurethane (or even harder - solid bearings) control arm bushings and there should be noticeable improvements. The ride quality, on the other hand, will be compromised as a result.

Your Answer:

Own this car?

Share your experience with others.

2009 MINI Cooper Clubman

Review another car

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    Amandarutt4950
    Reputation
    890
  • #2
    Guru53CZ5
    Reputation
    360
  • #3
    Sponger128
    Reputation
    270
View All

Know more, shop wisely

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used MINI Cooper
411 Great Deals out of 6,034 listings starting at $900
Used Jeep Wrangler
3,268 Great Deals out of 57,716 listings starting at $2,950
Used Honda Civic
1,347 Great Deals out of 28,458 listings starting at $600
Used Ford Mustang
916 Great Deals out of 22,896 listings starting at $1,502
Used Mazda MAZDA3
501 Great Deals out of 11,981 listings starting at $1,500
Used Volkswagen Golf GTI
154 Great Deals out of 3,930 listings starting at $1,800
Used BMW 3 Series
1,161 Great Deals out of 12,961 listings starting at $516
Used Toyota Tacoma
1,906 Great Deals out of 30,714 listings starting at $3,500
Used Volkswagen Beetle
148 Great Deals out of 1,736 listings starting at $975
Used Lexus IS
294 Great Deals out of 5,262 listings starting at $1,000

Used Cars For Sale

2024 MINI Cooper Clubman S FWD For Sale
53 listings starting at $34,045
2022 MINI Cooper Clubman S FWD For Sale
30 listings starting at $23,888
2021 MINI Cooper Clubman S FWD For Sale
13 listings starting at $20,977
2020 MINI Cooper Clubman S FWD For Sale
35 listings starting at $18,990

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.