I've got a 2011 MCS on order. Will I be able to shut off the electronic nannies like traction control when I go to the track? If so, how?

 

Easy as pressing a button, located by the base of the shifter

 

Should be in the manual... I know you can shut off the DSC by pressing the button twice, or something like that.

(Edit - Minnesota beat me to it! )

Spridget

 

I'm a BMW tech so to disengage the dsc press and hold the dsc button for three seconds I thing it applies for minis to because they have the same electronics ad a 3 series

 

newminidude I believe is right

Spridget......nice Midget (I actual sold my midget to but money down on the MINI). I had '77 in high school and '74 until a few years ago.

Claud.... more import to disengaging the DSC is a button is just a few inches to left (engaging the sport button). Have fun!!!!

 

I'm all about the sport button, but when I'm driving on the track at VIR, I want me to be the only one driving my car. I could cut them off in my 335i BMW, but I wanted to know about Mini.

 

I have a 2011 MCS and I can confirm:
1. press the DSC button briefly and the traction control turns off. It puts the word "TRACTION" under the digital speedo. I have read that the electronic nannies ease off a bit overall - I think that could be right.
2. hold down the DSC button for about 3 seconds and it turns off the DSC entirely. At this point none of the electronic nannies are operating, but the software preventing torque steer still is (and I presume the antilock braking still is - haven't tested that). It puts the words "DSC OFF" under the digital speedo - but first it gives you a warning indication on the speedo for what seems like ages! It also puts the traction control light on on the central speedo.

If you have the electronic limited slip diff (which I do), that remains operative even with the DSC off.

My other comment is that my car understeers quite strongly under power with the DSC off - and this is with an Alta 22mm rear bar on its mid setting. The handling is much nicer and more neutral with traction off but DSC on. MINI/BMW seems to have done a fabulous job with the software. I'd recommend trying DSC both on and off at the track and see which works best. And the LSD gives massive understeer if you break traction in the wet with DSC off - definitely worth trying the DSC on if it's wet IMHO!

Finally - the Sport button doesn't have anything to do with all that. It increases the weight of the steering and sharpens the throttle response. It's independent of the electronic nannies.

 

PWR4,
How did you get LSD? Was it one of the packages? I don't remember it on the configurator.

 

Always get a kick out of peeps insisting on disengaging traction control and then looping it about mid apex after entering in too fast. and or too early.

 

You're more likely to get understeer on MINIs turning off the traction control. That said, the DSC is very effective on oversteer too. If I throw the car into a corner under brakes with such a large rear sway bar, the back steps out quite sharply but the DSC catches it very quickly and well before the car loops - and without spoiling the fun. (Not that I rely on the DSC, but I'm prepared to admit its reaction times are better than mine.)

Yes, it's an option on the S, at least on the Euro spec cars we get in Australia. It's called Dynamic Traction Control on the configurator. (I guess that name gets the message across to people who don't know much about cars - but if they don't care much about cars they wouldn't be likely to order a LSD anyway IMO! )

 

Fortunate with my 07 MCS I just picked up. The previous owner seemed to know EXACTLY what he/she was doing.

Sport Suspension, LSD no sunroof, no comfort, no nothing!

 

PW4,
DTC is part of the Sport package here. My MCS was ordered with it. When I do HPDEs, the first thing the instructor does is asks you to cut off all the electronic nannies. My last instructor was a bit different in that he wanted to see how fast and what the car (BMW 335i Cp) did with them on , then as we reduced them. I was actually faster with them reduced one level. You get braver when you know they are there to keep your butt on the track.