Here's my dilemma - I will be ordering my MINI in the next couple months (I've gotta get in on the '06s) and I thought I had my final specs all set. But lately I've been running numbers and I don't feel comfortable with the payments I'll be looking at. In looking at stuff to potentially drop today, I realized there was a lot in the Sport package that I wasn't sure I wanted. All I'm really interested in are the bonnet stripes and Xenon headlights. And when I drop the Sport package I'm able to add the HK stereo, which I'd love to have, and still come in cheaper than with the Sport package. So, my question to everyone here is: is DSC worth having? I'm aware of its safety factor, but I've also read others here who say that they feel it can take away from the motoring experience sometimes. And I've never had it before, so I'm used to safely driving a car without it. What do you think?

Thanks for any input!

 

I have nothing against DSC but...I didn't get it...I specifically didn't want it. That's my preference. It's a personal choice I think. No accidents/problems for me(even in snow and ice). I'm a good driver though, so if your not, DEFINITELY get it. Or if an unexperienced driver is gonna use your car..get it.

BTW you can turn it off via toggle switch, or get auto off if you don't like it. Then turn it on for rain/snow if you wanted to.

I've heard it's a great system tho if you want a stability control program.

just my $.02

 

Personally, I think it is a safety feature that is worth having. It is also something that may help the car sell down the road (safety features are always a plus). And, if you want to turn it off, you can with the flick of a switch.

 

and I think it's worth having. I also don't buy the arguements "I've never needed it, so I'm not gonna buy it" The same arguement could be used for not buying auto insurance....

There are even posts by some track drivers that it's saved them on wet tracks before they knew the layout.

I've used it as a driving coach, to improve my skills. (I've even gotten the car to the verge of 4 wheel drift without it cutting in. It just couldn't figure out how to do anything better!).

Also, don't you loose the SS+ suspension if you don't get the Sport package? I'm not sure on that one...

Anyway, I'm definantly in the vote "for" catagory. But others have different opinions....

Matt

 

Avoid the DSC, LSD is safer and much better trip!!! ok, well maybe not safer depend upon how you drive, but I can get out of a bad situation and predict what the cars is going to do better with mechanical linkage than computer calculations. And I'd rather rely on the nut bheind the wheel.
example snow, if I didn;t shut it off the car was constantly trying to fix a precieved spin, and I had to hit steering wheel lock to go straight, shut it off let the LSD work bam car went where I told it to. Also I don't have to worry about limp mode with it off, so if I hit gravel or sand starting up in an intesection The car won't cut out in front of a semi barreling down on me. Or cornering, I learn and know where the limits of the car are and know how to do skid recovery so I can again put the car where I need it to be to stay safe.

 

DSC + LSD, save money and drop the a

 

yea definitely +1 for LSD on an S. Can you get that with auto? im not sure

 

Haven't experienced DSC kicking in on a Mini, but I did the one-day M School at the BMW Performance Center about two months ago, and driving an M5 on the skidpad without and then with DSC engaged was night and day.

I'll be ordering it on my Mini...don't know how often I'll leave it engaged, but I want it to be there if I need it.

 

there are a few times i would have been boned with without DSC, that my LSD just can't help in. Those situation are with lots of slushy snow or very very slippery situations on hills. One time going up one of the passes here in utah the traffic came to a stop, there was a good amount of slushy snow on the ground, DSC is the only reason i was able to get going again, or else i would have been stuck spinning the wheels, i have studded snow tires too. I have tried in those condition without DSC on hills and haven't gone anywhere haha.. When going around town and stuff when the roads are covered in snow i turn the dsc off so i can enjoy the ebrake, LSD and the fun of having studded snow tires.
Anyone ever take there mini ice racing? The mini is by far the most fun car i have ever had in the snow.

 

Remember the pedal on the right is a throttle not an on-off switch. Nothing can replace being smooth in inclement conditions, period.


But yes the MINI is the most fun car I have ever driven.

 

^^ I agree! Love driving this car in the snow. I have snow tires and it's funnnnnnnnnnnnnnn. I wish it snowed more here (Maryland)

DSC is good in snow/ice/hills (i have heard)

 

haha, i know, i am an experienced snow driver, but some times no matter how much you feather it your not going to go anywhere. the DSC really does a good job in making sure that you don't break traction.

 

Get the DSC and turn it off when you want to have fun.

 

I end up having to shut it off every time I drive on the beach, and it has made the car do all sprts of crazy things in the snow so I've found it safer to have off but each to his own.

 

I have the DSC and love it. IN Winnipeg (where I live) there is LOTS of snow and LOTS of ive in the winter. Although I absolutely HATE when it cuts the power upon sensing wheel spin I love that the "peace of mind" that it (IMO) does handle safe driving in bad conditions very well.

It does turn off and the LSD is still acitve (ABSOLUTELY WORTH LSD!!!)

 

I hate that too! If only it was a little more graceful in preventing wheel spin in those situations.

 

That's actually ASC, not DSC helping you there. This is standard on the S.

 

I'm one who says to err on the side of caution and get it. You can always turn it off, and it only needs to save your butt once for it to pay for itself. Having stuff like DSC is good, knowing how to drive (without it) is key, and having both is the best.

Get the LSD too!

 

You cannot get LSD with the auto tranny.

 

Hey there,
I bought a used 04 MCS with the DSC - I didn't like it around town - it cut in to much ( gravel on the road = wheel spin ). But on my last club run up South Mountain here in Phoenix - it was great!. There were about 14-15 MINI's running up and down the mountain - we were able to "close" the roads with our members - It was fun , like the old days in SCCA. I never "felt" the DSC kick in, but the light was on - ALOT. The car always felt like it was in control - even around some very wicked hairpins .

I vote for DSC - you can always turn it off if you need to. But it just might save your a$$ someday - maybe

Good luck

 

Add one more vote for DSC.

How much do you pay for insurance each year?
I like to think of DSC as a one time insurance payment. Heck, up your deductible for a year or two and call it even!

The only time I've had it kick on while driving down the road (as opposed to pulling out of slick/loose driveways) was in Kansas in a wicked downpour. It kicked in several times, indicating I was hydroplaning enough to have one wheel not spinning as fast as the others. Would I have been fine without it? Maybe. One time insurance payment - with an off switch. If you were in SoCal I'd ponder, but in VA

I'd ditch the Sport just to lose the S-heavies.
I'd also vote for the LSD.

 

Take the $500 it costs and divide that by the number of months you're loan is...I bet the additional monthly cost is less than half of a typical cell phone bill.

Absolutely worth it. I have it on my Saab and it's helped me out a few times. My mom's suv has it as well, and she swears it's kept her out of a few major accidents.

My new MCS has it as well, as will all my future cars.

 

Do you have to turn DSC off every time you start the car? Or does the car remember the settings of certain things?

 

I agree.. It's a great system.. no weight penalty as it is just software using the ABS system.. It great to have for situations you can't predict or control...
When it's time to play , you just toggle it off... I agree with the others.. The LSD is a must have on the S

 

Yes, you have to turn it off every time you start the car - the computer resets it automaticly. Just in case we "forget"