I'm in the final stages of ordering my MCS and am debating the merits of the standard ASTC vs DSC. I've read articles pro and con on both, and am hoping to hear real world experiences from primarily 'S' owners with ASTC...how it performs in winter driving with the runflats. I'd also like to hear from 'S' owners with the DSC as to winter driving experiences...do you mostly turn it off, or do you leave it on?

Living in Seattle, I'm leaning toward ASTC with maybe a second set of winter tires....any comments?

 

I love the DSC. The first thing I do when I get on the track (after I turn the SPORT button on) is shut the DSC off.

I drove through quite a bit of snow a couple weeks ago and the DSC was very useful. This is the 2nd MINI I've had it on. I would defininitely get it again.

 

like a good book ,there is a full days+ reading on DSC ,here on NAM, in a nut shell, I pass SUV's in the snow and the DSC keeps me going in the right direction, but you have to have snow tires .

 

In this thread the DSC came up as the third-most-popular "must have" option. My own experience is that it is of tremendous benefit when driving on the slippery stuff (and this comes from someone very experienced in driving RWD, FWD, and AWD vehicles of the non-DSC/ASTC variety in the crud).

~Neal

 

We got some pretty bad snow in PA about a month back. DSC kept me motoring quite sure-footed even on the stock 16" A/S RF's. Could just be because I'm a relatively new driver, but DSC is a huge confidence booster when your driving. Nice to know it's there, within reason of course, keeping your MINI pointed where it should be.

 

Not cause of what I read here, but because of what I've read about accident statistics on these types of systems.

Matt

 

Exactly. That plus the fact that it will be mandated by law in the not so distant future shows the merits of DSC. The MINI is my first vehicle, but I'll never buy another one without it.

 

On any MINI where it's an option I won't buy it, until they upgrade the system. Sure would be nice if they'd use what Porsche uses.

I would buy the LSD & snow tires for winter use. 33,000 miles & counting & I'm pleased with my decision & others are pleased with theirs. Freedom of choice, is this a great country or what?

I have my ASCT traction nanny turned off with one of Ian's fine circuits.

 

I"ll never complain about your lack of consistancy!

Matt

 

Thanks Doc!

 

DSC works very well in the snow. You will still need snow tires, but the DSC is very nice to have. If you plan on driving in snow, I'd certainly opt for getting DSC in the car.

 

Thanks for all the help. I've been lurking here reading all the postings all over the site, and think I've learned a lot.

So here's the config as it stands now...MCS in laser blu/blk top, dark tint windows, DSC, 16-in. S-Winders, front and rear fogs, Xenon's, auto, sport seats w/cloth, pac blu color line, gotham grey interior, alarm, multifunction wheel, invisishield, blk rubber mats, and bumper protection.

Leaning toward brushed alloy dash..........comments?

Also, would like to get the wheels painted black, will use the 16's down the road for winter tires and get a set of 17's for summer tires. Would like to get away from the runflats, but don't know how to deal with flats......comments?

Also, don't know about the driving lights...are they worth the $$'s with the Xenon's?

I wanted the melloyello/blk, but wife wanted the blue/wht...so we compromised.

Think the DSC makes sense. Liked the stock sound better than the HiFi, since will mostly be playing wma files from the Zen, plan on adding hand held nav later.

Is this a great site or what!

 

Sounds like a nice car. I'd recommend the auto dimming mirror. I love mine. Nice of you to compromise with your wife on the color & smart too.

 

Congrats on your imminent purchase!!!

Have you seen the brushed alloy in person? I ask because it's a rather rough material. Doesn't bother me so much, but some don't like it for that reason alone. Also not sure how it'll match up with your gotham grey interior. Haven't seen many MINIs with the GG.

IMO driving lights are unnecessary with xenons unless you're getting them more for aesthetics. OEM driving lights only come on with your high-beams anyway (correct me if I'm mistaken). Since they're bi-xenon the high beams are extremely bright.

Good choice on LB (my second choice) and also very interested to see it in combination with black roof/mirrors. Most seem to go for LB/W. Oh and definitely keep the DSC. It more than makes sense. It'll most likely save your butt!

 

Get the DSC. It keeps my MINI straight and true when others are all over the road. Only time I have needed to turn it off was when I foolishly stopped in my driveway, covered with 8 inches of snow. Rocking it out of the rut required shutting down the DSC.

The hill assist feature has saved my clutch lots of unnecessary wear, as well.