If you're getting an MCS, I'd say get it if possible. I don't have it on my Cooper and have not ever had occasion to want it....but then Coopers aren't making the kind of power MCSs are and so keeping control when pressing the pedal may be a bit easier. I agree it is a valid safety feature...if you're gonna pop for an H/K, it's hard to justify not spending on something like DSC.

 

But Ian Cull's Auto Up Circuit (that's a mouthfull) has a race mode that turns it off all the time.... I think one of the vendors is selling it now. Search on Auto Up and you'll find more info...

Matt

 

I'm not quite sure I understand. Doesn't the toggle switch allow you the opportunity to have it turned off all the time?

 

The toggle will reset itself to back on every time the car restarts so the auto off will keep the system off even if you shut the car off and turn it back on. there are many MINI owners who get used to seeing a little yellow light on while drving around.

 

That's what I do.

 

-1
Depends how you like to drive I guess. If you like to kick back and let the car take you to your destination it may be handy.

If you drive for the fun and sport of driving and race around town, then you will probably turn it off every time you get in the car.

Mine is always off.

 

I think many people confuse the ASC (all-season traction control) and DSC (dynamic stabiliity) modes.

If you order DSC, you automatically get ASC. If you use the toggle switch to disengage the DSC then you also disengage the ASC.

If you don't order DSC, then you get ASC as standard (which you can also switch off with the same toggle).

The ASC (not DSC) is usually the culprit for cutting engine RPM when wheel spin is detected e.g. straightline acceleration on snow/ice or gravel or general aggressive acceleration from stationary etc. Because of this, some people prefer to order the LSD option (a less intrusive mechanical version of ASC) and drive with the ASC switched off.

The DSC will kick in if the car senses you're heading in the wrong direction relative to the steering direction (i.e. if you encounter severe understeer/oversteer during cornering or due to ice, oil, gravel etc) to attempt to put you back on the intended path. If you really overcook it, DSC (nor ASC) will prevent the inevitable from happening.

 

that good driving will do all that DSC can do. The reaction times of a human are much slower than that of these electro-mechanical systems. Also, there's no way that a driver can apply braking differentially to each individual wheel. And there's no way that an LSD can do everything the DSC can do. Like the posted above indicated, doing a driving test on a wet skidpad with and without DSC will show you that it can provide tangable benefits for maintianing directional control in situation when there are problems with traction on one or more wheel.

I drive very, very hard in the hills where I live. I leave the DSC on, and it rarely intervenes. There are no corner workers on public streets to warn of debris or water. It has it's place, and does decrease the chance that you will loose it in a turn.

That said, I also have modified traction control via ECU remap, so the power hit isn't nearly as bad as it is stock.

Matt

 

Good driving may not...but GREAT driving might.

 

Hmmm. My MC had ASC, hated it. My MCS has DSC, doesnt seem any different to me, still bogs me down when I am trying to have fun.

 

I didn't think you could get ASC on an MC...

 

Learn how to push it without turning off DSC...I remember reading somewhere about a guy who can get the car sliding a lil in turns with DSC on and it doesn't kick in.

I used to have my DSC turned off all the time, then I crashed and totaled that MINI. Now I only turn it off when I feel very comfortable that if I lose it I wont end up in a wall.

I say get get DSC, and then you can do like matt and map it so it doens't intrude as much.

 

Mine does so I guess so.

 

Canadian car?

 

I am for it....... i have not read every post but on wet slick pavement the Mini WILL come around on you without it....it happened to me when I was having a code issue that turned it off...... I ended up in the other lane facing the wrong way......I was not driving fats at all..... If you know Atlanta ....it was an off camber turn on one of our hills that I drive several times a week....fortunately there was no other car coming.......I leave it on in the rain and if I'm driving places that I don't know........get it,.... be safe

 

Canadian Launch Edition #342/500, for sale.

 

Gotcha. And I think I'm going to end up getting it. Thanks for everybody's input.

 

Ah, that explains the ASC.

 

i say drop the auto and that saves you the money

 

I refuse to drive a manual

 

In other words, you refuse to drive at all.

 

I just can't figure out why someone would get a MINI and get the slushbox...other than the fact that they just couldn't drive Manual do to an injury or whatnot. You want the sit-and-get transmission, go get yourself a station wagon.

We had DSC on our '02 Cooper S and it annoyed me several times. If I shifted a little hard going into gear ...there it was like a naggy nanny, cutting the power (at least that's what it felt like - wasn't it a brake engagement?). I'm sure it can save you in situations you dont' expect, but when you want the car to do certain things it's rather annoying to have it pop in and spoil the fun. I guess the "switch it off" camp is right though - better to have it for the 90% of the time that you're going to have it on anyway. You can always switch it off when you're at the track.

 

Some would think that, yes

I can drive a manual, I just don't like it. I want to push the pedal and go without having to think about pushing another pedal and moving a little stick into the right position, all at a precise time and all without breaking something, running into something, or stalling. IMHO, a manual is only worth it on a true sports car - a Viper, Corvette, Porsche, Ferrari, etc. Then again, my feelings could be based on the fact that the only manuals I've driven have been tough transmissions and no-fun cars. Oh well. The sour taste in my mouth won't go away until I have a Viper

 

In that case then... why not skip the MINI and get your "true" sportscar?

 

Because I've always wanted a MINI! I'm not dumping on those people who enjoy driving a manual transmission - more power to you, but to each his own. I don't believe the MINI is defined by its transmission.

As for actually buying one of those sports cars, there's a little thing called price that's kinda in the way of that actually happening . And besides, I don't consider the MINI a sports car. It's more of a "sporty" car.