Since the JCW does not have it , is this a sign we will not have it?

I am debating on ordering a 2009 or a 2010 and I want LSD.

Thanks

 

I thought it has the electronic LSD? While not a true LSD...the JCW's I've driven it works surprisingly seamless and well.

I can't see them completely going away with some form of LSD....whether its a "fake" LSD like the electronic one, or a typical mechanical LSD

 

Isn't the LSD only available on the auto?

 

Nope, I have it in my 09 6-speed

 

It's only available on the manual.

 

I have it on my automatic.

 

The reason the JCW does not have it probably has to do with the JCW having a different, heavier-duty transmission. It would have required a new LSD, I suspect they don't make enough JCWs to warrant making a new LSD.

 

You sure about that?

 

I thought LSD a controled substance. Is it kept in the secret compartment?

Jim

 

LSD is in the transmission and miniusa shows not available with the auto transmission.

 

My bad. Got it backwards.

 

Yes, indeed it is.

Per Motoringfile:

With the introduction of Electronic Differential Lock Control standard on all JCW cars and optional on the Cooper S, MINI has decided it’s now time to drop the old fashioned mechanical limited slip differential as as option for the 2010 model year (commencing in early September).

http://www.motoringfile.com/2009/07/...010/#more-9780

What does everyone think about this?

 

Timothy Leary is going to be very unhappy to hear this.

Jim

 

Depends on how well EDLC actually works. I have LSD on my 2007 MCS. If EDLC is more effective and eliminates the torque weave of LSD, I'd rather have EDLC.

 

I hope they bring some other neat options for 2010 to offset this bad news

Non-metalic green and factory Joey-mod please

 

A much improved audio option is supposed to be available in 2010, and there are rumors of a nonmetallic green.

 

LSD will be gone in 2010
http://www.motoringfile.com/2009/07/...slip-for-2010/

 

Well this new electronic differntial is suppose to be lighter and work better but I am going to have to wait and see cause I feel like there is going to be a lot of problems. Maybe it will be the best thing since sliced bread. Ut it might be a failure like market garden so time will only say. But it will drop some weight out of the Mini which will be a good thing. But I think that it might be a good change in the Mini line.

 

Has anyone driven the car with EDLC yet? Was it even available in 2009?

 

EDLC has been standard on the factory JCW since last summer. It works fine.

 

So JCW never had a mechanical LSD? This is news to me haha

Does EDLC use electronics to alter torque output or does it tap the brakes 100+ times per second in accordance to wheel slip?

I think I'm confusing DSC/DTC with this EDLC :/

 

R53's with factory JCW options had mechanical LSD. The full factory R56 JCW Coupe introduced last year has had only the EDLC for its entire production run. The electronics use the brakes to balance wheelspin. For all the hand-wringing about it, it's pretty seamless in operation. I don't think the DTC is very intrusive in daily road driving, and when I autocrossed with EDLC only it worked fine. Driving ability aside, I was faster than all of the MCS's as I should have been. I've said it a million times but the biggest improvement you will see in handling and dynamics is to ditch the runflats for some high performance summer non-RF tires.

PS, I had a R53 MCS with the factory LSD so I am familiar with its feel.

 

I just ordered my new '10 and the mechanical LSD will be available through March, then it goes away.

Biggest problem with the e-diff is premature brake wear and potentially fade, if they get hot enough. For the street, the e-diff is perfectly fine. For competition (I'm an autocrosser) it's sketchy. In fact, before I found out the '10s are still available with the mechanical LSD, it was a deal breaker.

BTW, the weight drop will be negligible, as all cars still need a differential, and an LSD might acount for a couple extra ounces, but not more. The weight savings stuff is straight from the BMW spinmeisters.

 

Here's my feeling. BMW knows their motorsports, and I don't think they would take away the m-diff if they didn't believe that the e-diff was good enough to replace it.

 

It's good enough to replace it for normal over-the-road duty, but for more demanding performance applications, it's not optimal. That's the M cars get the mechanical LSD. Again, if all you're going to do is drive on the street, you're good. If you autocross ro do track days, you could be in for considerably more frequent brake replacements.