I am looking for an MCS equipped with the Limited-Slip Differential option, available on '05 and later cars. Can anyone tell me how to identify if a car has this option? (Most sellers say they don't know if their car has this or not.) Thanks much...

 

One way is to have the car on a lift. Then with the car in neutral, turn one of the tires by hand. If the other side spins in the same direction then the car have LSD. If the other side turns in the opposite direction, then no LSD.

Or if you have the VIN handy, you can always try calling MINI USA.

 

If your driving the car, take all TSC/DSC off, turn take a corner and get on the gas hard in the turn (while the steering wheel is turned) it should not spin the inside tire. If the inside tire just spins like crazy it has no LSD or a very worn one.

EDITED: Got mu inside outside and reversed :P

 

if you didn't say that then I didn't say this.

 

I should have clarified further, my apologies.

If you turn right the inside tire is considers to be the right one, cause it is on the "inside" of the curve. Likewise when your turn left the lefthand side tire is the "inside".

The one with the least load will get all the torque and if you corner hard the load should shift to the outside and then with no LSD the inside should spin.

 

Thanks. However, as most of the cars I am finding on the web are in other states, I have no way to put them on a lift or take them for a test drive, though both of these suggestions would obviously help to identify an LSD. (BTW, you still get wheel spin on an LSD-equipped car, just not as much.)

I am hoping for a simple way for someone to identify a Mini LSD by just looking at it. That way, when I ask a prospective seller if their car has an LSD and they say they don't know, I can tell them how to check (without requiring them to take it somewhere to put it on a lift, or take it for a hot lap and rely upon their judgement about wheel spin that is).

 

Call Mini USA with the VIN? I could do that with my Miata. DOn't see why they wouldn't be able to find out by the VIN.

 

LSD is all internal, so the only way to tell short of testing it is with the VIN and a call to MINI.

 

I was also looking for an '06 MCS with LSD. You need the VIN number and you need to call a MINI dealership. MINI USA will not tell you, I tried calling. They used to but they don't want to be liable in case the car was modified or something.

In fact, MINI USA told me I had to call the dealership where the car was purchased. They WERE able to tell me which dealership to call. I called with the VIN and found out.

However, I was also able to call my local dealership with the VIN and they were able to tell me as well. Just ask to talk to service.

Hope this helps.