Anyway to check if a Mini has an LSD without the spinning wheel test, or running the vin? Like did it come with a certain package or other option? Ex. LSD equipped cars never have DSC. Just an example, don't know if thats true or not.

Alot of cars I'm looking at are 2nd or 3rd owner vehicles or mom and pop dealers and they aren't too bright or educated on the cars options.

 

Not sure on the answer to this one, but I can tell you that the LSD wasn't offered on the 1st gen R53 MINIs until the January 2005 builds. Thus, if the MINI you're looking at has a production date prior to that, then is definitely doesn't have a LSD.

Also, I can tell you that LSD equipped R53 MINIs make a pretty distinctive groaning noise when turning full stop at low speed. You'll know the LSD is there for sure once you drive it. If someone isn't familiar with LSD equipped MINIs, then they could possibly mistake the noise for meaning that something is wrong with the steering (pump, rack, etc.). Not sure if this is something MINI addressed in later builds of the LSD, but I know that my Jan 2005 built R53 has done it since day one (and still does nearly 7 years later).

 

nismo4life,

The best way for you to find this information is thru the VIN number. Perhaps you could contact UnderratedMINI via a PM (see thread below) and see if he would run the number for you.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...r-car-has.html

 

Thank you for your prompt responses

 

the LSD is a stand alone option. I bought it used, but got the sticker and option list via the dealer. It was a separate line item and charge. Car had most all the packages, and it wasn't in any of them. And yes, the car has DSC as well.

 

DSC, when it was available (2005-2010?) was a stand alone option, it didn't have to come with any package, or affect the presence or absence of any other option, except for the MINI being a Cooper-S. It wasn't available on Coopers. Our 05 and our 08 had LSD.

I don't remember our R53 (with LSD) make any particular groaning noise.

 

+1 that is the best idea.

BTW if you are Nismo for life why are you looking at a MINI?

 

@Btwxy,

There's a big thread about the LSD groaning noise here:

Calling all S owners w/LSD

Apparently, it can be quieted down some by replacing the gear oil. Replacement gear oil was never offered to me even though there is a service bulletin about it (TSB# SE M 23 01 06). Maybe I should try that some day. Sucks that they didn't do it while the car was under warranty though (especially since the gear oil is lifetime and doesn't require service).

 

My 06 JCW cabriolet has LSD and has never made any rude noises. There was a service bulliten about a change in the lube for LSD equiped Getrags and I'm assuming mine had the change. It definately has LSD, though, as I impressed the hell out of a friend once by laying down two nice black stripes in the parking lot one time.

 

I thought that the second gen cars were not available with true LSD. If my understanding is correct, then your 08, unless it is a cabriolet, doesn't have LSD but instead, has a feature of the braking system that simulates an LSD.

Or am I wrong?

 

Not only does the car have to be an 'S' to have LSD, it must have the manual transmission as well - there were no LSD-equipped automatics. (I know that was probably too obvious for you to mention, but I promise there's someone out there that doesn't know it.)

 

You're wrong. Its a hardtop and has a real mechanical LSD. They offered that in the early years of Gen 2 MINIs. Then they introduced DTC with the ELSD. For a while you could configure both on the same MINI. Then they dropped the LSD around 09 or 10.

 

Interesting. Thanks.

I wonder if the electronic LSD in the later years can be turned off without turning off the stability control? Probably not. If I were ever to get a much later Mini, I'd want a real LSD and would likely have a Quaife unit installed.

 

As I understand it, ELSD stays on after you've turned off DSC and DTC. I don't think it can be turned off.