I currently have almost 82k miles on my MINI, and since I drive it year round including the Winter, I figured it would be useful to install a Quaife LSD.

I'm asking though is should I consider it or not? I do know that even in the summer time, it will deliver better cornering and overall better traction, along with the winter time as well.

Thoughts?

p.s. Before anyone asks, yes I do use snow tires in the winter.

 

If you are willing to spend the money it is 100% worth it.

 

If you do do it, let us know how it goes for you. My Mini is fairly new at this point (2005, 20k miles) but I've been looking at the idea, too. I've heard a lot of good things about it, but never from someone who has tried both the normal diff and the LSD.

 

If you have to replace the clutch, in my opinion it is worth installing an LSD. I would not do just an LSD install due to the labor involved in the process.

My 2003 MCS did not have LSD and my 2006 MCS does have the OEM LSD. The LSD is a huge improvement in traction.

 

Ah, that's right I forgot about the Clutch as well. My clutch at present is working perfectly, but I can replace it anyway. I don't know how much longer it'll last, but I hear at around the 100k mile mark is where I start hearing about replacements occuring. It would be nice to install a LSD before the the upcoming winter, but if I don't need to install a new clutch, then I might wait.

Another factor to consider in my case is to whether I'll be keeping my MINI for a long time. My idea was to keep it as long as possible and just fix it up. It's certainly cheaper than buying a new car. :p

 

Unless your doing a lot of autocrossing or track days, I'd say pass on the LSD. It is a lot of $$$ to spend just to get better winter traction.

 

An LSD is a great upgrade, but it is so much work do the clutch at the same time.

 

Yeah, the amount of work needed could be a pain, but if I plan on keeping it for another 3-5 years or more, it might seem worth it.

 

Honestly, if you're considering an LSD more for winter driving, I would consider a clutch type LSD like the OS Giken or factory LSD, not a Quaife. Don't get me wrong, the Quaife is an awesome LSD, however, with a Quaife, if one of your wheels slips on ice or other slippery surface, the LSD basically becomes an open diff. I have a Quaife in my other vehicle, and though I love it, it does have shortcomings.

 

If you track the car, you have to have an LSD.
For daily driving having an LSD is a LOT of fun too, but makes it very difficult to not get cited for (w)reckless driving ;-)
It's very expensive, so if you do it get the best (OS Giken) and do your clutch at the same time.

 

I have to say, I've heard good things about the OS Giken LSD. Is there really a big difference between a Torsen LSD and a Clutch LSD?

 

The OS Giken is a Great diff, but unless your building a full on track car the Quaife can save you $$ and still be super effective.

 

My car has an actual Torsen (a T2) in it. The Quaife is better than the Torsen, it can bias more torque.