2003 Cooper S, 26000 mi. in for service and have been told they are replacing the flywheel. I would like the limited slip differential and have asked if I could pay for the part and have it put in while car is apart. Has anyone tried to have this done? With what result?

I called another mini dealer and asked if the factory limited slip is available. Was told that dealers don't split the transmissions and the limited slip is only available as part of the transmission. price $3000 exchange.

Anyone have success with a dealer installing any limited slip?

 

Wow, 3k exchange! Since it's apart, will or can they add a quaife? I think that's 1k if you can find one.

 

Im pretty sure moss has the quaifes

 

I read somewhere there was a shortage of them but that was a while ago and it was probably bad info too!

Never believe the Internet! Okay, just kidding.

 

I've tried, and I have an 05 with no LSD (picked my MCS right off the lot w/o checking). I tried asking my local Mini dealer if he could install the LSD, but they quoted me $5K!! I was a bit shocked at that. For the most part, you'd be stuck with Quaife or Ultrik. If you want factory LSD, start looking at salvage.

Good luck.

 

Go with Quaife (clutchless helical gears) if you're going to do it right. Install is between $850-$1000, Quaife is around $1090. Misc. bearing/seals totals around $2200 max

 

$3k is a good price for a new '05 transmission. Whether the 1/2 second improvement in 0-60/improved drivability from the wide-ratio box is worth $2k or not is up to you...

I think the Quaife is better than the factory LSD but the '05 gearing is better than the '03. My vote is for salvage '05 (not likely to find one with LSD) plus a Quaife.

 

From what I understand, the factory unit is a Quaife. I saw some photos from MINI at my dealer a few months ago showing the LSD unit, and you can read "QUAIFE" right on the unit. Hmmmmm.
Jim

 

For 3k, I would let me put it back to stock, sell it, and buy a 05 with LSD.

 

If so, is the quaife the same one offered as the aftermarket unit?

 

The MINI LSD is manufactured by GKN Driveline ...

http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/12/...p_differential

 

Since the 05 tranny is a Getrag, the factory LSD might not fit the older units... Might want to go with the aftermarket units as suggested above...

 

If you dont race, you dont need the LSD. Just an FYI.

 

very good point.

 

I believe the factory unit is a standard clutch type LSD. Correct me if I'm wrong.

 

The 6-speed has been a Getrag from day one.

 

That's correct, the OEM LSD is a GKN. The only benifit of having the stock system is warranty and G Stock eligibility. But that's a moot point if you don't have an 05 MCS anyway. I agree with the fact that if you don't race you don't need one. But...if you do race....small amounts of wheel slip means better times. So, if I could choose an LSD system w/o worring about my stock classing...I would get the Quaife, no questions. It's a much more sophisticated unit than the stock with lifetime garauntee on it!!

 

LSD is useful in slippery conditions: ice, snow, rain, loose dirt, etc. In the auto industry, this is the main purpose of LSD (not racing). As an extreme example, consider that you'd really want LSD on your vehicle if you did true off-road driving.

 

wth are you talking about? The auto industry evolved from racing.

 

I was addressing the statement that there is no need for LSD except racing. I am saying that when an auto manufacturer offers LSD as standard or optional equipment on their vehicles, it is usually intended as an aid for slippery conditions, and racing was not the motivation. It may be a different situation for driver enthusiast cars like MINI but that is a small part of the auto industry.

 

Here's a link to the factory info.

http://www.gkndriveline.com/gkn-driv...s/tmd/slsd.jsp

 

I'm not going to put in ltd. slip. The additional cost is not justified. Dealer said they would charge 5 hours - $700, to put in an a/m ltd. slip, even with the tranny out of the car due to flywheel replacement. That plus $1200 for the ltd. slip is not good value. Plus the delay in shipping would probably cost me rental charges for the loaner car.

However, were I to order new, ltd. slip would be the first option I'd ask for.

I have autocrossed a little, and accelerating out of the turns really lights up the inside front tire. That is where the ltd slip would help a lot. Also on the street, accelerating out of off-camber turns really sucks too. I don't track the car. Randy on his site says the ltd. slip really gains you very little (on the track) if you drive right. So the cost is not justified. The money would be better spent getting big stick tires (Azeni RT615)

BTW, I heard that there is an improved factory flywheel which will be put in the car. I suspect the flywheel was diagnosed as contributing to excessive driveline play and/or rattle. (my complaints) It would be interesting to know what the exact change was in the flywheel.

Saw the clutch and it has friction material on both sides of it To me it hardly looked worn. I'm very easy on the clutch IMHO. Notwithstanding, I sprung for the $300 clutch and t/o bearing replacement kit since there were no labor charges.

BTW, factory service has them take the tranny out the bottom on the lift, so engine stays in car.