I am still new-ish too Mini's, as I have purchased this vehicle for weekend fun up in my local canyon roads I definitely think LSD would be a good upgrade for me seeing as my mini does not have factory LSD. I have been doing some research and looking at the different companies that make aftermarket LSD for us, I defiantly do not want a low end LSD as it is a very important part to my car, and obviously they are pricey, looks like it's usually around $2000 installed at very minimum if you go with quaife and only skyrockets in price from there. I also looked up OEM replacement transmission with factory LSD. Just curious to see if I can get any input from owners who own aftermarket LSD and OEM LSD and which one would you go with for spirited canyon driving on the weekends based on bang for your buck! Thanks in advance!

I bought my OS Giken LSD from Mini Madness, located in the Portland OR area about 4 years ago. They had a how-to video on their web site to do your own LSD swap. If you don't do your own labor, it's gonna be pricey. While you're in there, consider the clutch / flywheel at the same time --- negligible added labor, just a lot more parts cost. If not a DIY job, make sure your chosen shop has Mini expertise --- these things are not the easiest to work on. And yes, Giken is among the most costly --- they're also among the most reliable. Have fun with your new toy ---

I went with the quaife, it doesn't have wear parts like clutch disk etc so that was my reasoning. I don't like the fact if one wheel comes off the ground that is the wheel that gets the power but for the street and spirited driving I figured it would work fine. It seams to be doing what it's supposed to and if your in a long swear corner and you put the steering wheel at 15 degs to the right or left with your foot on the floor it feels like you can let go of the steering wheel and it will stay in where you left it. Turns don't seam to fight you as much and tire spin is cut down.
Good luck and have fun

For Street, definitely Wavetrac LSD is the best.

Thank you for all of the feedback I will look into all of them

Has any one tried the oem r53 lsd as a cheap option
Looking at dropping the engine soon and thought it might be a cost effective upgrade ?