will go to dealer tomorrow, still think of the DSC.
after reading this forum, most of the members suggested get the 16" wheel instead of the "sport package's 17" wheel" (yes, i need xeron light and fog light) So, is DSC really work on the mc-S? is it really improve the driving?
thanks,
g

 

with 4 years and 78k I can say without a shadow of a doubt that DSC has saved my A$$ on many occasions...........HOWEVER........there is snow where I live 6 months out of the year and I spend the rest of the year with the DSC turned OFF.I learned early on that when the DSC cycles to regain percieved lost control of the car, it does so by applying the REAR brakes.This will lead to early wear out of your rear brake pads and rotors. Food for thought. I'd say that if you don't have snow where you live , don't bother. It can be helpful in wet conditions too, but then again , you should probably be modifying your driving on wet pavement anyway.My $.02 worth.

 

seriously, I would not own the car without it..... our cars a are very short coupled and bad things can happen quick on slick roads...... I turn it off when I am purposely driving hard but for everyday I leave it on .... and yes it has saved my A$$ as well

 

why the 16s because you will go after market and throw them into storage?

 

Just a couple of items:
that's XENON.
we capitalize MINI and MCS to differentiate our cars from classic minis.
Wheel size is just a matter of personal preferance-don't pick one over another because "everyone else" does.( I have R88 16" wheels cause I liked em! see "my gallery")

motor on !

 

No, I don't think it's worth the money. Take that $500 & go to a couple of driving schools. You will learn car control there in a safe controlled environment. Money very well spent in my opinion. With DSC the car drives you. I like to drive the car myself. No electro nanny's needed or wanted.

The 16 inch wheels are lighter than the 17's, which gives them the performance edge. They also ride better too.

 

Get the DSC... It can save you when you least expect it. Thats the idea of the system... You may never use it but it is there and it works... So saving $500 and going to driving school is not a substitute for DSC...
I like the 17" wheels... they fill up the wheel well nicely and look great. I don't think they compromise the ride at all... Its not the wheel... its the tires... The run-flats are hard riding...

 

We orderd DSC on both our MINIs. I guess i have gotten to the point where i know i am not a great driver, and even if i was, it's not going to account for the stupid stuff outside of my control. (like the jacka$$ who pulled out right in front of me last week)

As for the 16 vs 17, and the sport package, we ordered both cars with the parts from the sports package ala cart as to not get the heavy S lites. I also love the look of them but almost 25 lbs per rim is too much for me on my MINI. You do what's right for you on yours.

-jac

 

We all need more driving school...that is a given.... I see a lot of stupid things being done on the track by people that have a lot of "driving school" ..... on the road there are many, many more unforseeable entities that driving school can not prepare you for......

 

and I'd never order a Mini without it. I look at this question more like "Is your insurance worth it?" I hope I never find out... But if I do.....

You get the idea...

Matt

 

The good DR.O and I agree

 

I say get it. It can help when you encounter a turn going too fast, when the rain or snow makes the roads dangerous, or just when you get in trouble and you're not expecting it.

Remember, you can always turn it off, should you not want the so-called electronic nanny.

But it is those moments when you are caught off guard that you need it. Maybe you hit a puddle at highway speeds and you start hydroplaning. Maybe you're doing some canyon carving, and you take a turn just a bit too fast, that's when it comes in handy.

Yes, driving school enhances your driving skills, but one could argue that driving schools help you when you're actively, intentionally motoring. What about those times when you're just driving, and you didn't see that puddle? That's where DSC really shines...

 

I would vote yes!

1. You might not need it when you are paying attention, but if you are distracted, tired or something unexpected happens it will save your a$$!! Or even if you let someone else drive your car. I usually turn it off, but when i'm tired or in bad conditions it stays on.

2. Resell value - most of the $500 will stay with the car if you ever sell it. Might also make the car easier to sell with the safety option.

phil.

 

Agreed.... DSC is not just for snow/ice conditions. You can be driving in a rainstorm and start hydroplaning and DSC can stop a spin of the car from the hydroplaning. If DSC saves the day just once, it has more than paid for itself.

Also, there is no way that any amount of driving school lessons can replace the functionality of DSC - there are 4 brakes to apply at millisecond intervals depending on what is happening to the car. Factor in throttle reductions (which doesn't slow the car as fast as an ignition retard) as well as the potential confusion/disorientation that could happen (nightime, glaring lights as the car starts to spin...) and the human mind just can't compete with a computer that is doing things in millisecond time intervals.

 

DSC has saved my *** as well....

It's been said before.. when driving hard it is often turned off and at least if you have it you have the option to turn it off... good luck !

 

I use it.....

and it is like "A crane from God" when your car starts to go sideways !!!!

It will put a smile on your face when it happens

 

No.

Except you might consider it if you are getting an S, or are not comfortable driving in certain conditions (rain, snow, etc...).

Think of it this way - Have you been fine without it in your other vehicles? If so, put the money elsewhere. Have you been in a situation where you wished you did have it? If so, get it. If not, you won't miss it. It's a personal preference mostly based on where you live and how you drive...

 

Driver schools are no substitue for DSC on the road; conditions are unpredictable (water, oil, gravel, potholes, etc.) even when the weather seems good. At a track you have flaggers out there giving you an idea about the conditions ahead of you.

I have 11 years of SCCA road racing experience, and I would never order a car without DSC or equivalent, if available.

 

yes, get it.

it pays when that hairy situation comes out of nowhere. or that hairy idiot...

if it didn't have incredible value, manufacturers wouldn't keep implementing and refining it.

turn it off when you're romping around, but most folks don't drive like that all the time. turn it off when you're starting from a standing stop in snow.

if you were a race car driver, you probably wouldn't have asked, right? later, when you really are a race car driver, you'll want other things.

this is kinda like arguing about motorcycle helmets. I don't get it. anything with reasonable cost and minimal invasiveness that significantly reduces risk to passengers... well... ah... what are you saving the money for? a TV or something? these are small cars... safe, but small...

get it.

 

I'd recommend it. I bought my 2006 MCS about 2 months ago. After I had it for a week, I was out for a drive in the country with a friend. I let him drive. Big mistake. It started raining a bit, we went around a corner, and he lost control, skidded out, and crashed my beautiful new MINI. After a month in the shop and over $6000 in repairs, I finally got her back (and seemingly good as new, until now). This is precisely the kind of thing that DSC could have prevented. Which brings me to my question:

Now that I've been in that accident, I'd be very interested in retrofitting my MINI with DSC. Could I have that done at a dealer or elsewhere, or am I screwed b/c DSC is a factory-installed option only?

 

DSC requires a number of components to work together. While retrofitting is technically possible, you won't get any kind of warranty on the results. And, the cost to do the retrofit is way more than $500. You are looking at either trading your non-DSC car for one with DSC or waiting for your next car to get DSC.

 

When my MINI was just a couple of months old I had a car come head on across the double yellow into my lane on a 4 lane highway (while he was talking on a cell phone). I made the MINI jump into the right lane, avoiding the collision and was steeled for regaining control when nothing else happened. I was already in control, cruising down the right lane listening to music. And you ask if it is worth $500? Yes.

This, you understand, doesn't count the little non-life threatening corrections it does in the snow. And there, by the way, the best thing it does it flash its lights so you have a visual message that the road is getting slippery.

 

Sounds like I'll have to be satisfied with ASC until the next go-around. Thanks for the reply.

 

I know most mini owners don't like to lend their car out, but its reassuring to know that its got a leash on anyone you loan your car to. . .

 

Get it, anything that improves handling and stability is worth getting!

I picked all my options individually, as i didnt feel the need to pay for things that i dont need/want. So...no packages for me.

I also kept the 16 V-spokes, but got the LSD, DSC, xenon, and front fogs. I do plan to go with aftermarket wheels (which will most likely be 16's also) Less weight, quicker acceleration, and more side-wall on your tires for those dreaded bumps in the road. Also i didnt feel the need to pay the extra money for the 17's if i was going to get aftermartket wheels.