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New prospective MINI owner wants help making decisions before ordering
I haven't fallen in love with a car like this...well, ever: now on to the hard decisions of color, features wanted, etc., before I order my Mini...BUT for those of you who own Minis already, I live in the mountains of western NC (1/2 hour from the dragon and about the same from access to the Blue Ridge Parkway, Cherokee, Nantahala River is 2 miles away from my house) so hilly, windy ALWAYS - and wet, cold, slippery sometimes in winter: the Dynamic Stability Control seems like a good option to choose as does the Ltd Slip Differential - or maybe just add the sport pkg. Is the DSC worth the cost as a safety feature for those who have it? (I'm sure it's worth it if it saves you from an accident...) What other options are must haves? Cost is always a factor - I'm an educator. Other advice? Your input is appreciated. Thanks! -Regina
DSC is an electronic nanny that helps save your bacon in those hairy moments where you could go flying off the cliff. Those who do a lot of performance driving deem it too intrusive and annoying. But it truly does work as a safety feature, which it sounds like you want.
In your case, I would recommend it. If you don't like it intruding in your driving, you can always turn it off, which is nice.
If you had the money, the limited slip would be also very good to have, but if you had to choose between one or the other because of cost, at least get the DSC.
That's my vote...
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2004 MCS: RMW 201.5 dyno-tuned WHP, Webb 15% pulley, Alta CAI, Milltek exhaust, Palo Uber bonnet scoop, Alta intercooler air diverter, Alta rally-style light bar, JCW steering wheel/shift knob, and more... Check It
"ESC has been found to reduce fatal single-vehicle crash risk by 56 percent "
"It reduces the risk of fatal single-vehicle rollovers ... by 77 percent for cars."
"If all vehicles were equipped with ESC, as many as 10,000 fatal crashes could be avoided each year."
It sounds like a good idea to me, even if its been occasionally annoying. The R56 DSC is much less intrusive than the gen1 DSC was.
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Serial MINI owners (keep 2), Shawn: 08 Cooper-S (DS/B with red cloth/leather interior). Tristan: 07 Cooper (LB/W with blue cloth/leather interior). Quentin: 05 Cooper-S (PH/W). Our first: 04 Cooper (Indi Blue/White)
The way I look at it is this: better to have it, and be able to disable it if you wish, then to not have it at all.
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2004 MCS: RMW 201.5 dyno-tuned WHP, Webb 15% pulley, Alta CAI, Milltek exhaust, Palo Uber bonnet scoop, Alta intercooler air diverter, Alta rally-style light bar, JCW steering wheel/shift knob, and more... Check It
Thanks to both of you for the stats and the input. I knew this was going to be a great group of folks! (BEAUTIFUL little blue and black Mini, too - sorry if I don't know the EXACT shade of blue ;)
hilly, windy ALWAYS - and wet, cold, slippery sometimes in winter
With these conditions you'll be glad you have DSC. Are you getting a manual or automatic? With a manual, DSC also gets you hill-assist feature that really helps with launching on hills.
Someone mentioned DSC would be a standard feature soon. Anybody hear more on this??
+1 for both DSC and LSD (especially 'cause these are not options you can add later if you change your mind . . . I know there are aftermarket LSDs (it's on my wish list), but they ain't cheap)
Ordered this past Monday with Ltd Slip Diff and the Dynamic Stability Control...sans sports pkg...didn't need all of it and the $1500 pricetag on the full pkg was a bit over my head. One dealer told me there wasn't a Mini in the States on a lot with both already on it. I thought that was a bit odd, but...
I can't wait...thanks, again. Love the Magic 8-Ball, too. Mine will be laser blue with white roof & bonnet stripes...
See, you're already learning the "real" colors! Congrats on ordering. I'm also a huge fan of the DSC - it's great in rainy, leafy, wet, and snowy weather. That's really interesting on those statistics, Bytwx, thanks!
I also HIGHLY enjoy my cold weather package - I have never yet had to scrape my windshield in the cold (in Germany, and between two MCS!), and I LOVE "toastie tushies" with the seat warmers. Great for back aches, too...um, yeah...I have to go drive to...fix my back problem....
Oh, the cold weather pkg was NEVER in question as an option...yes, toastie tuchies and built-in heating pads on the way to and from work never a doubt as to whether those few hundreds were worth it. Educate me, please - what is BRG MCS? ...I get the turbo part. Mine will also have that "S" in its name when it rolls off!
MCS is just the S version of the MC (MINI Cooper.) I have to admit a MINI is a MINI, but the Ss are SOoooo much fun! I envy you living so close the Dragon - I couldn't do MOTD this year, but my friends and I are CERTAINLY planning on it next!
'05 MCSc Jet Black - "Magic 8 Ball" 
Mine will also have that "S" in its name when it rolls off!
