If you could only afford to order an mcs with DSC or LSD, and not both, what would it be. This would be for every day driving, no Xcross. Keep in mind that we do get some bad winters in the Northeast

 

If you're not using the LSD for auto-x, I'd go with DSC, although the ASC covers most of the winter requirements of keeping safe. IMHO DSC will do very little for you in the winter beyond what ASC will do.

If you're worried about winter driving, you might want to consider going to a driver's school to learn how to better control the car and put the rest of the money aside for mods like a pulley (mmmm tasty nice cold winter air!).

Also, the money saved by avoiding DSC or LSD will net you a very nice set of snow tires on 15" wheels.

Marty

 

True enough; ASC may be the primary system for the snow. But here in W. MA we have a lot of "wet" too. I like DSC for the extra measure of safety it affords in wet conditions; especially when my kids or better-half are driving!

The best thing is that if your personal driving skills don't require YOUR use of DSC, you can turn it off! For my family, I'm glad I have it.

Theo 8^)

 

I guess then it would appear that DSC would be better to opt for if I wanted to spend the 500.00.

 

Providing DSC and the LSD are of equal cost...
...and if you don't auto-x...
...and there are other, lesser-skilled drivers of the MINI...
...and if the extra $500 is not a deal breaker...
as a fellow New Englander I'd suggest getting DSC.

Then, when you want to take full control of the MINI and carve-up some twisties, just shut-off the DSC and wail in the world of the yellow triangle!

Theo

 

I have driven Minis through 2 NE winters one in a MC with nothing but ABS one in an MCS with ASC. I did not notice any great advantage to ACS. I often turn it off in deep snow because it is better to have all the power you can get to the front wheeels to pull you along. I have an LDS in the MCS but only notice a difference when autocrossing or on the track, I have not tried it in snow yet.

I think that the Mini will perform in snow as well as the biggest SUV unless the snow gets up to the axles, at which point ASC,DSC or LSD will do you no good at all.

Spend you money on good snow tires.

MAlcolm

 

Although i havent ever experienced driving in a new england winter...i have driven my mini in northern ohio winters for the last two years...my suggestion is to definitely get snow tires. The difference is astounding...and keeps it much safer. Like someone else said, i found myself actually turning off my DSC when the snow got really deep to allow for better traction, but it helped when things got slushy and icey.

 

Having driven in many, many western NY winters and a few not-quite-as-nasty ones here in Baltimore, I have learned that losing traction with FWD is a tricky issue. Instinctively (from driving lots of RWD cars) I used to let off the gas when starting to slide, but that only works for RWD. FWD cars require just the OPPOSITE - you have the give the front wheels a little juice to get them to go where you want them to go.


Thus, ASC and/or DSC do just the OPPOSITE of what you need to do in a slide due to loss of traction. They LIMIT your throttle input. Only a good idea if you want to spin out of control.

Good snow tires and good driver training - I'll stand by them as long as I'm motoring!

Best of luck...

Marty

 

My point exactly. I find that snow is less hazardous (i.e.; easier to adjust driving technique) to drive in that ice, slush or heavy rain. I switch-off DSC in the snow (especially when starting-off) but keep it on in all other adverse conditions.

Lots of debate on pros and cons of DSC in the archives. Now, if you really want to stir things up, ask about DRLs!

Theo 8^)

 

Thanks for all the input, I am leaning toward getting the DSC and switching it off when i ever i want. I guess what the heck whats another $500.00 when I'm spending $23,500.00 already

 

DSC is a very positive safety improvement in dry and wet evasive action. I am a very experienced, ex-road racing driver and I will ALWAYS order my cars with DSC or equivalent if available. I turn it off for autocross, but leave it on in almost all normal road conditions.

While I think some of the posts above about DSC in snow are correct, that is because of very limited traction in snow. I would advise that you get it and just turn off when needed in snow conditions. Also get winter tires.

Cheers,
Dave

 

I dont really drive the MINI in the snow too much but I have a 91 Sentra SE-R with a factory LSD, and I must say, with a set of Blizzaks, it is unstoppable in the snow! I used to have an Accord with blizzaks, and I thought that was good in the snow until I got the Sentra. I can start from a standing start on a hill with no problems whatsoever. I've been in situations with the MINI where I had to switch off the DSC so I could get the wheels spinning so the car would move.