OK... prepare yourself for a potentially stupid noob question... but here goes:

Playing with the "build your own mini" program online I see that one of the options is a limited slip differential. It seems odd to me that this wouldn't be a stock part in a front wheel drive (or any) car, but I'm sure that you could list 100 others that don't have it.

Is there a noticable difference between the cars with, and the cars without the limited slip differential? Anyone who has driven one of each?

Shopping used cars... is there a way to tell if the car in question has the limited slip differential just by looking at it (under the engine, at the tranny itself, under the hood somewhere-like a code or somthing)?

This is an option that (I'm pretty sure) I would like... so how can I be sure I'm getting it with a used MINI?

 

Basically, a LSD (Liimited Slip Differential) helps the front wheels get some grip.

It is built inside the transmission and if a wheel spins, torque is trnasfered to the other wheel... up to a 30% torque ratio.

It helps a bit in the straight lines, especially on slippery surfaces. But the biggest advantage is while exiting a corner and flooring it. Instead of have the inside wheel spinning like crazy, the torque is transfered to the outside wheel and the car has better traction.

There is no way to see if a MINI is equipped with a LSD from a visual inspection. You got to drive it to know.

My 03 MCS didn't have the LSD option when I got it, but now that I need a new transmission, I bought a 2005 tranny with LSD. I'll get it installed in 3 days and let you know my personnal opinion about it!

 

Is the reason why LSD becomes unavailable with an auto tranny because it simply just won't fit?

 

You're right ! The auto tranny is a complete other construction, so it just won't fit to it.

 

My '03 MCS doesn't have LSD, but I had an HR Compound rear swaybar installed at MOTD06 in May, and I LOVE it!

I have Maximusmini's '06 MCS with LSD at my home, and have driven most of it's 850+ miles (long story, don't ask ). I really like the LSD with the DSC turned off...it makes the steering spot-on. I may install an after-market LSD at some point, probably a Quaife. Hope this helps.

 

I had a Quaife LSD installed in my Mini 2 years ago. When autocrossing it's amazing. It's also fun for launching hard on the street.

Interestingly, I've seen 2 factory diffs fail while autocrossing. The second one grenaded the whole trani and clutch to the tune of $4000. Ouch!

 

LSD is AWESOME and well worth the money, because if you decided to get one after ordering your mini you will most likely be paying alot more then $500 just for the part, not including labor (if you cannot install it yourself) the Quaife LSD (although better then stock) costs about $1,200 just for the LSD itself.

On an open differential car (one without LSD) the engine will deliever the power to the wheel with least resistance IE: the tire that is spinning, which is NO GOOD! you want the wheel that has all the traction and weight on it to receive all of the power. This is exactly what the LSD does. It is done by gears in the LSD, therefore it is constantly working and scavaging for traction as you drive your car.

Ever been in or seen a car at a stop sign take off very fast and make a right hand turn. It is very easy to make the wheels spin because the inside tire has no weight on it. The LSD would put the power to the outside tire with all the traction on it and pull you through the turn alot faster. LSD's are great for performance and they even help with mother nature. Rain, snow, puddles of beer on the side of the road, whatever...if the tires are wanting to spin the LSD will help.

Although it feels cool to spin your tires and make alot of noise/smoke, it isnt very good for performance.

Get the LSD or you will end up wishing you had!

Edit: LSD and DSC are by far the best options you could buy for a mini, i consider these two "Must haves". All other options are just neat toys.

 

I have LSD on my new MINI, did not on my last one both 06's. I had asked about what the difference was too and was told there was quite a difference in curves, sharp ones, but didn't know if I wanted to have the added cost for it. I can say now that there is a difference and I felt it a couple times on curves this last weekend. If you hit a hard curve and are turning, then you hit the gas the car feels like it is pulling you through the curve. It was a very pleasant experience and I could really feel the difference in the traction and control with the LSD. It is hard to describe other then the car has more control and really feels like it is pulling you through the turn.

I would recommend the LSD if you have the $.

 

There should be a way to tell if a MINI has an LSD by looking at the VIN. MINI USA could probably tell you exactly how. None of the cars built before Jan. '05 had the factory LSD. In autocrossing or other types of racing, it's a must. I have it on my '05 and it really helps put the power to the pavement.

 

To tell if a used MINI has LSD:

(1) this was a factory option for '05+ cars only, so '02-'04 cars will not have it unless they were retrofitted.

(2) I've never tried this with a FWD car, so someone correct me if this will not work with a MINI. On a RWD car with an open diff. if you raise both back wheels and spin one, the other rear wheel should turn in the OPPOSITE direction. I remember being told that the wheels will turn in the same direction if a LSD is fitted. I'll confirm this tonight.

 

You are correct. An LSD equipped tranny will spin both tires..and same direction.