looking for a used mini 05+
I found lots of them without the DSC.
is it a must for the mini?
thanks!
g

 

I don't think it is a must. You would have ASC without the DSC. I don't have DSC and live in Denver. I don't have any problems in the snow with snow tires. Or in the rain.

 

The MCS comes with ASC = traction control, if DSC is not spec'ed.
But the MC comes with NOTHING if no DSC.
(I'm not sure which "breed" you're looking at)

DSC is ASC plus dynamic stability which is supposed to attempt correction if you lose it going too fast round a corner. Most people never need DSC, but ASC which prevents wheel spin (mostly off the line) can be useful ... but then some people find it too intrusive!

 

Hmmm. My 2008 just-a-Cooper’s sticker says it has ASC, and it does sport the little button by the gearshift. And I don’t have DSC. I haven’t tried it cuz I just assumed they weren’t lying...and I haven’t been on anything that required it’s use.

 

forgot to mention i am looking for the S model.
I know the ASC is come standard on the S.

 

rob_gendreau,
If you have a button by the gearshift, then you have an R56 (2007+) - this discussion relates to the 2002-2006 MINIs ... spec's all changed in '07!

 

I do not have DSC and have never missed it - definitely NOT a "must", perhaps a "nice".

 

OOOPS! My bad...I obviously need navigation help.

But as long as I’m here, I was wondering: is DSC a computer function, utilizing the existing sensors for ABS, throttle, etc. and their controls, or is there actually some difference in hardware?

 

I installed a MCAW circuit so my DSC defaults to off. However, I do like it when the roads are wet.

 

i usually just turn mine off everytime i get in so id say not a must

 

Personally, I think its a must for slippery roads and in the winter.

And its a must to turn it off at the track (or even for dry spirited driving), so actually I give it not only one but two musts.

 

I don't think it's a must, but it's helped me giong in a little hot on corners in the country roads.

 

I'd vote no on the DSC as a requirement for your shopping...

Good hunting!

 

For me it's the other way around. I would love to have everything off in the Winter as I found multiple times that the systems are pretty retarded and interfere when not needed. Plus if you know what you're doing, you will stop way faster on snow without ABS than with one.
I'm going to pull the fuse on the entire DSC for winter and hope this disables everything with a stupid abbreviation (ABS, DCS, ASC)

 

^^ Yeah. I live on a hill, and in the winter when I can't get up it with DSC on, I flip it off and my MINI climbs right up. I probably wouldn't get it again as an option. I forget to turn it off and I'm too cheap to buy a circuit to turn it off all the time.

 

Like seat belts, in a perfect world with perfect drivers and perfect roads, it would never be needed. However, that's not the case. For me it was a must when purchasing a new MINI, but like others have said it's not truly mandatory. You will probably be able to motor a very long time without needing it. But you never know when you come into a situation where it can mean the difference of a having an accident or not.

Just ignore the folks who say it's dangerous by cutting power out when needing it. They are usually referring to traction control which is standard on the MCS and is way too aggressive. With or without DSC, it has no impact on that issue.

 

DSC is great technology that does what it supposed to when needed much better than a human can. If you always drive on dry pavement maybe you can do without. We get enough heavy rain and occasional snow/ice that I much prefer to have it.

 

Ill second the heavy rain, that's the only time Id ever want DSC because it does help check hydroplaning. As it is now, my 2005 S w/o DSC is kinda scary to drive in heavy rain, especially if there's pooling in lane depressions. If this happens, I get behind someone else to have them clear the path

 

+1. It kept me out of deep kimshee this past year. (But of course we get alot of rain/snow). DSC allows for differential braking, which you cannot do--unless you've equipped your car with 4 brake pedals for each wheel (It amazes me that people think they can perform as well or better than DSC in slick situations. They can't). DSC is most helpful when something happens when you least expect it-such as hitting a slick spot where the road looks perfectly fine. This is exactly the situation where it save my heinie...

 

Computer based, though DSC models include yaw sensors which I assume are not present in those cars w/o DSC.

 

If you live anywhere that snows or rains heavily I would recommend having DSC. I don't use snow tires so DSC helps me when I lose traction etc.

 

I have to respectfully disagree with you guys here.
Average "Joe" will probably benefit from the DSC in the slick situation but a lot of members here are better drivers than "Joe" and will be able to anticipate dangerous situations. When you're driving in snow and are takin a turn you should know what to do in case it turns out that you're taking this turn too fast because DSC is not going to save you from hitting the curb :rolleyes:
And I will give a cookie to anyone who can prove that they can stop faster in the slick stuff with ABS engaged than without one

 

rally, I know what you're saying, but where DSC saved me was on road that looked, and should have been, perfectly fine. I came around a curve on a road I travel all the time, there was something slick on the road--to this day, I'm not sure what, may have been ice, although it was fairly warm (maybe the road was in the shade at that point, can't remember)--and felt like I was on sheer ice. The DSC kept me out of the ditch, and I'm fairly positive that's where I would have wound up if I had it turned off. I wasn't doing anything crazy, but I came across a very bad road condition entirely unexpectedly, on a road I'm familar with.

I've felt it kick in at other times too, that I (think) I would have caught it in time anyway, but who knows.

Besides, its kind of fun to try and slide with the DSC on the winter (in a controlled setting that is).

 

DSC is not a must IMO. Drive the car, don't let it drive you!

 

Exaxtly my point