[SIZE=2]Hello:

I asked my local mini dealership what are the most popular options. She mentioned premium package, cold weather, etc.

I asked about the Limited Slip Differential, and she told me NOT to get it. She mentioned the Dynamic Stability Control, which is standard, is a enough.

What are your thoughts on this? Do you agree? Did you purchase LSD?

Thx,
HB VJ
[/SIZE]

 

f you are buying an S

Find a new dealer or sales associate

 

Yes, I'm looking to purchase either a mini cooper s, or a clubman s.

I was little surprised by her comment. I'm interested if most folks purchased their cooper with the LSD or not?

 

are you planning on tracking or racing your car? if not, then she is right in my opinion. what the heck does anybody need LSD for when they are just driving around town or to work or to the grocery store, even if its spirited?! i drive like a madman sometimes in my MCS and don't have LSD (didn't even consider it), but ill tell you what, the DSC saved my butt a few times.

 

mine has LSD and if you drive aggressive, it helps keep it straight.
if you just cruise, and dont get agressive, its not needed.

 

I live in a northern climate where we get a fair amount of snow. I have found that there are times that the DSC will not allow yo to go up a hill. This is usually when the snow is deep and very slippery. What i do in this case is to turn off the DSC. If you do not have LSD in the car then you probably will still go nowhere. as only one wheel will spin and that will not move the car. But with LSD both wheels are going to spin and even if slowly you will get the car to move unless it is just to steep a hill.

I have had a number of cars with out LSD and some of the same models with LSD and the ones with LSD did much better in winter driving.

And as was stated by "Revolution Mini Works" find a new MA that will at least explain it to you not just say "Dynamic Stability Control, which is standard, is a enough".

 

I will not be racing it.

I sometimes drive aggressive, but it's not crazy. Probably what I define as aggressive, you may define as "light" aggressive...

 

She is truthful in saying it's not a popular option. It's actually pretty rare to find a car on the lot or even a used MINI with factory LSD. Most dealers don't encourage people to get LSD as most people walking into a MINI dealer don't know what LSD is. Unless your a true MINI person like people here, and know you want it. Sales people are worried it will put a customers payment too high and won't buy the car. When I talked to my dealer they order 1 car a month with LSD.

I'd say the sales person may be trying to sell you something they have in stock.

 

thanks for responses everyone...

"schatzy62", thanks for the winter input. I live in the Chicago area.

 

But there are many people that do know what it is and if they do not and ask the dealer about it the dealer should explain it not just push you away from it.

It is a popular thing for muscle cars and pick up trucks why not explain what it does.

Oh i forgot, most MA's probably have no idea what it is as they did not grow up in the age of muscle cars and have probably never been in a pickup truck.

 

I would have got it if it was an option on the regular Clubman, not because I'm looking to race, but because I live in Maine and can use all the traction I can get.

 

All the other comments are good. I want to add that LSD is a good thing if your life style includes a beach, or any forest activity such as hiking, trail biking, or any other activity that includes parking / driving on wet leaves. Been there - done that

 

Looks like the JCW is w/o the mechanical LSD, using an electronic substitute instead: http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/06/...lsd/#more-6750

For those who have done mods to your MINIs to increase HP, etc., do you find the LSD is an issue as described in this article?

Some interesting reader comments follow the article as well.

 

By the same rationale, there isn't a reason to get an S.

 

.... .... ....
"S" is Mandatory for fun! (IMO).
it makes a mini "S"uper! and can drift curves in a single bound!

 

educate yourself and then purchase or not

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Limited_slip_differential

 

I didn't have it on my R53 and swore I'd never buy another Mini without LSD.

Just my .02

 

interesting... does anyone know what sort of maintenance is required for the MINI's LSD? Is it included in the MINI service? I was thinking of getting one since at $500 it's pretty cheap over adding one later, and I just figured it couldn't hurt even though I won't be tracking my car or doing much intense driving. But reading that article makes it sound like there's a lot more TLC involved in having a LSD. If that's the case I'll pass.

 

It may depend on the LSD used or type in this case...but the info was:

Servicing
The break-in period of clutch LSDs can be very specific. Manufacturers give detailed instructions on how to break the differential in. [2] If these are not followed, the LSD may be permanently harmed, in that it may engage and disengage erratically due to irregularities on and damage to the clutch surfaces. Essentially, the LSD must be worked hard to remove manufacturing imperfections, then drained of the metal-laden oil.
Servicing consists of changing the oil after hard sessions to remove metal particles, and eventually replacement of the clutches or the centre. In any case, the oil should be changed regularly (as opposed to the open differential, where the oil could be left unchanged for 500 kilometres).

Honestly if you aren't going to need the need to keep your tires from spinning all the time...mebbie you need stickier tires or to kill wheel hop a new engine mount? Dunno...I don't drive a stick....I don't fit well with a clutch...I just read a lot.

 

at the risk of a minor thread jack....let's say you didn't get lsd, then found yourself enthralled with your mini....you do a couple of autocrosses a year and a couple of track events. you've modded your drivetrain, brakes, tires, and suspension. do you spend the 1k for a new quaife lsd? am i correct that if you don't get the oem lsd (which is about $500), does that mean the quaife is your only option??

if the answer is yes, and you like to push your car, i'd consider it $500 well spent. but then again, i don't know....cause i'm the guy above. any thoughts?

 

If you are going to truly take your car to the track, I think the LSD is only one thing on a list of at least 10 things you should consider upgrading, such as brakes/pads, suspension and other stuff...but then again that changes your class, but then again again..how serious are you about what you do and what you're driving. For me...$500 on a 30k car...drop in a bucket..maintenance is your friend...after each autocross you're going to want to pull the fuild and replace it as recommended above in the Wiki article...I know guys on other forums who swap pads after each race depending...just stuff to wrap your brain around.

http://new.minimania.com/Quaife_Limi...p_Mini_Cooper/

think $2k plus install time to pull the stuff out of the car if you go aftermarket.

 

okay here's my spin on the lsd deal. I used to have an 05 MCS and drove it hard, spirited and I was upset because it wasn't an available option. I wish I had it because it would have been a benefit when taking off from lights and getting aggressive in the turns. I have it now on my clubbie and so far it has been fun. I haven't driven as hard as i would like to (I'm in the break-in period) but I definitely can tell it is worth the $500.

 

I would consider lsd for winter driving or spirited driving. Especially autox or track. I would also personally recommend an autox for ALL mini owners. It really is fun to see what your car can do.
LSD is no added maintenance. I would not figure that issue into my equation. If you are in Chicago, and like to drive, it is very cheap now compared to afterwards.
Good luck,
John

 

She's nuts. Not needed on the Cooper, but a must have on the S.

 

It's only $350 in Canada...