I'm likely going to be ordering a new Clubman S in the next week or so and I was curious options wise what was smart to order. I was planning on ordering it with the premium, cold weather, and convenience packages but the LSD caught my eye. How bad is the car with out an LSD? What other options are good for resale?

 

I felt it was a real bargan for a $500.00 option (for my 05), a must have for me ! I think it would be a benefit for resale value on any Mini.

 

Extremely bad. A lack of LSD would make an already-bad situation worse.

 

I don't have LSD on my '05 R53 S and haven't missed it, but then again, I do not track my car. I also ordered a new Clubman S but with the automatic, so even then, the LSD is not an option. It all boils down to your driving style, needs and environment. If you can justify it on those 3 key points, then perhaps the $500 for the factory LSD will be money well spent.

 

IMO, buy your car to drive it, not sell it.

I'd go for the LSD.

If ROI is your main goal, then no, don't get the LSD, because the vast majority of drivers a) don't know what it is; b) would not utilize it; c) would not understand how/why it is utilized.

 

LSD is listed as the most popular R56 option in this thread.

~Neal

 

I didn't buy it and I don't miss it.

 

I think that LSD for our cars is generally an enthusiast option. Most of the folks buying an S who also post on NAM probably add it on, but I would bet that the average "John Q Public" doesn't even know what it is and wouldn't want to pay an additional $500 for a used car car because it has it.

I got my MINI to drive (occasional DE event), so I chose to get the LSD. I've been on the track without it and it reaffirmed my decision.

 

I wish it was an option when my car was built. I can't afford to add one right now.

 

One of the best reasons to add it when you order - to add it later is cost prohibitive.

I don't know the specs on the Mini LSD but most LSD's lock under both acceleration and braking. Not sure of effect here on a front wheel drive car but I can testify that I have driven race cars both with it like my GT3 Cup and without it like the Boxster Spec and the difference is night and day. Under hard acceleration in a tight corner the Boxster will spin the unloaded wheel (even with race tires) and you cannot trail brake into corners (meaning turning while braking) without the locking LSD.

I also have owned and driven street car with and without and having an LSD is much prefered.

That may seem like an unnecessary option for the street until you consider spirited driving on mountain roads - especially in low traction conditions like wet pavement. Again I have little experince with front wheel drive LSD vs. no LSD and it may not be as dramatic as a RWD car but it will definately make a difference.

 

But how many people that would buy a clubman are actually gonna track or autocross it?

 

Not I, this is mostly just a glorified grocery getter in my case.

 

LSD is prob the only option i wish i had ordered when i ordered my car.
Im still kicking my a*s for not doing that

 

Then it's not really a need, you'd probably be better off spending the $500 on other goodies.

 

Leave the track out of it - how much is foul weather traction worth? Adding an LSD later is a $2000-2500 proposition, so it's more for enthusiasts, but IMHO if I can have BOTH front wheels pulling instead of ONE, that's a 100%* increase in available traction (in some circumstances).

Now, don't get into how traction control (ASC or DSC) interferes under hard acceleration, that's another thread. Seriously, you guys, don't get into it. Separate issue. Stop it. Now.

Suffice it to say, if you want to accelerate, hard, on even a slightly slippery surface, you're best off turning the traction control/DSC off, and having an LSD so both tires are working.

Net advice: I've had good (and not so good) FWD cars with it and without it, and both noticed it and missed it when it wasn't there - in every case. $500 is a bargain, especially amortized over the life of the car.

*(I admit, it's probably more like a 50% net increase in traction, given the type of LSD available, the specific circumstance, etc, but that's still a double digit percentage).

 

Who says that I won't be taking my Clubman to the track? Ahhhhhhhhh!!

 

The LSD is a great option, even if you don't track the car. Nothing like trying to accelerate onto a busy street with cars coming, and getting but a one-wheel peel (and consequently, not moving into traffic at an appreciable rate).

Definitely get it!

 

Note: You'll only get that one wheel peel if you turn the DSC/ASC off. Otherwise it'll be the hard accel - screetch - OHCRAPTHECOMPUTERCUTMYPOWER!!! - mild accel.

Or worse - the cycle continues if you're on low-traction surfaces. Not having an LSD makes this happen more.

 

Good point - that the LSD allows the ASC to engage later would be reason enough to purchase it.

 

I have a non-LSD car. I have driven it on the track and an LSD on the track. LSD is a must for any future car.

 

I drove a non LSD car tonight... That's just not safe on Michigan roads, especially not in the winter.