I getting ready to finalize my order tomorrow, but I had one last question. Here is what I have so far:

06 MCS Chili Red / White
Premium
Sport
HK
Chrome Int & Ext
Anthracite interior and headliner
rear fog lights
garage door opener

The option I am having trouble with is the LSD. I plan on driving the MINI is a fairly spirited manner, but I have no plans to race or autocross it. I will not be driving it snow or ice (have a Tundra for that). The $500 for the option itself is not my reason to hesitate, but instead the possibility of introducing additional complexity and/or problems for something I might not need.

I enjoy driving around corners somewhat fast, but I am by no means going to be driving anywhere near the limits of the car itself. Back in my crazy younger days I might have been inclined to push the limits, but now I have scaled that back.

So to make a long story short; should I or should I not get the LSD and why?

Thanks for your input.

 

Based on the comments you've made, I'll go ahead and say skip it. You've got DSC which should handily get you through the type of driving it sounds like you do.

BTW, congrats on the order!

 

you don't necessarily need LSD on a street car. the open diff does fine for me.

 

fingershooter,

Welcome to NAM. I don't have the LSD (wasn't an option when I purchased my MCS) and don't know how much better it would make the MINI. I always had it on straight line cars, like a 1968 Dodge Dart with a 383 ci, but I don't think the MINI really needs it.

Where are you located?

Earl

 

I picked up my first FWD car with LSD a few weeks ago, a beater Sentra SE-R with the stock LSD. It's got 140hp and not the best tires, and the LSD makes a ton of difference in how fun the car is to drive. You can romp on it in a corner and instead of wheelspin or chatter the thing just goes.

I know you don't plan plan on driving the Mini in the snow, but I drove both cars back to back on snow/icy roads this weekend and the LSD Sentra stomps the Mini in that environment. There is also a noticable difference in traction in the wet.

Two thumbs up for LSD. It's why we are replacing our car with an 06 next week

Why aren't you getting the heated seats?

 

Earl,

Thanks for the welcome. I am located in the Seattle area.

I am certainly looking forward to receiving my new MINI, but this last choice is really giving me difficulty.

Again any advice regarding LSD I can get would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

 

I would say to stay away from the LSD
Tripping and driving are not a good combination .....

Just kidding, congrats on your New MINI don't have LSD or DSC but I love my MINI S just the same...

 

FWIW, after my buddy broke the trans in his integra GSR, he replaced it with the Type-R trans...with a factory LSD. The LSD totally changed the car, rather than have one tire go up in spoke, the car would just hook up & go.

For $500, i can't see why you would not want to put power down to both wheels, but that is just me. the LSD is a no-brainer in my book.

good luck!

 

I am in the "LSD is a no-brainer" camp. Having owned a variety of front wheel drivers over the years, the addition of LSD will take out many of the inherent foibles. For $500, it's a bargain, it would be somewhere in the vicinity of $1500+ to add it later and most people wouldn't bother. Even if you don't feel a need to push it, it will be added value if/when you resell. It might not matter to some buyers but there will be others who won't want to buy one without it.

 

For most people I'd say save the $500. I doubt you'll ever notice any need for it.

Not sure if it's inherently more likely to cause a problem.

 

We went for the LSD and it DOES make a noticable difference in traction on compromised surfaces (snow, ice, water). We have the performance tires, which are not great on snow, but the LSD helps a lot. I'd go for it.

 

I would go for the LSD. I did not track my car, but I really like to punching the gas thru every corners. I can feel how the LSD help me keep the car in the turn. I bet you can't have that kind of enjoyment if you opt out the LSD.
BTW, I think the Garage door opener is a waste (unless you have multiple garage doors). I just retrofit my home opener into my car for just $10 (buy a separate button from an electronic store)

 

We have the lsd and love it ... but it isn't necessary if you're just gonna putter around.....MINI's have been driving around for years without it.....You may want to think about getting heated seats....Once you have it, you'll wonder how u did w/o it.

Cheers

 

Thank you all for your posts regarding LSD. I have decided to go ahead and get it and hope that I don't have any mechanical issues with it in the future.

Regarding several people's posts about heated seats; I tend not to get too cold and given the mild climate that I live in, don't really think it would be something I would use.

Again thanks to all who have responded.

 

I thought that I'd offer a bit of reference for my previous post. I too have the LSD and love it. But it sounds to me that it is not an option that fingershooter will get much use out of or satisfaction from. It boils down to his own description of his driving style and expected uses of the car. Maybe I'm reading too deeply between the lines here, but it almost sounds like he doesn't want to be in a in a situation where the LSD would kick in, and drives in such a way to virtually avoid those instances. With the Sport package he's ordered, he's already getting DSC to assist him through some of those reduced traction situations. I think he'd be better putting the $500 toward an accessory (or two), a weekend getaway, or something else.

...but I wouldn't give mine up for anything!

 

... I must have been typing when you posted your decision.

Good for you either way - I don't think you'll mind having it... just doesn't sound like you'll need it or take much advantage of it.

 

My wife wanted to skip it too, but then she realized she'd like it because she's a freeze baby. I was indifferent, but love it in the cold morning. It does wonders for a sore back.... I think the heated seats are worth the $$.

 

I live in the same climate as you and use the heated seats more often than not. Get em

 

Maybe add the LSD, it's mechanical and maybe worth it, but why all the other stuff? I don't think anything of the sunroof on these and you mentioned you liked simple and ease of maintenance. I'd go thru your list again and strike about 5-7K off the price and you'd still have a great ride with a good resale potential, I did, and we have been VERY HAPPY.
P.S. most of what I read here says the 17" wheels also are heavy, stiff and generally no one seems particularly pleased with them, another reason to save some $ and dump the "Sport Pkg".

 

Good choice on the LSD. I have another car too that I told myself I'd drive in the snow (and the Mini dealer is an hour away--wanted to keep my truck for insurance, bad weather, and hauling).

That "I'll never drive it in the snow/bad weather" lasts a couple of days; as soon as there is any break in the weather, out comes the Mini. And if it's been more than a couple of days, it comes out anyway. I try really, really hard, but the car is so damned fun, I get it out whenever. I bet it won't take long for you to get there too. It actually does very well on slick stuff; the LSD AND DSC is definitely worth it IMHO. I won't take it out though if the roads aren't plowed.

The one thing I wish I'd done is gotten the cold weather package. I told myself I'd never drive it when it was 0 or slick out, so I opted not to get it, but I that doesn't stop me anymore, and the heated seats would've been nice...

 

I'll make it simple

Maybe 100,000 MINIs in the US WITHOUT LSD and I'm sure all those ppl are doing just fine

 

wise choice getting the anthracite headliner to go along with the anthracite dash. We couldn't see forking out $200 bucks for a headliner that can't possibly cost the manufacturer more than the regular one, so we have a mismatched headliner to go with our dash.

 

The headliner was certainly one of those things that I really had a difficult time swallowing, but in the end I thought what the heck. This MINI purchase for me is not a practical one, which flies in the face of my normal behavior.

This MINI is somewhat of a reward for a major promotion that I received at work and my wife told me to go out and treat myself. However, she wanted me to get the new 3 series BMW, but after driving the MINI and BMW there was little doubt for me which one to get. I am very much looking forward to receiving my new MINI, which according to my dealer looks to be built the 4th week in January. So it is either the first week or second week after reopening the assembly line after their retrofits. I see this as either a good thing or bad thing depending on how well the workers time off had been.

 

How many people do you figure there are in the US that don't have a Mini and are doing fine? I'd guess alot more than 100k.

I submit that your argument is irrelevant since the car itself is not a necessity . Nobody needs LSD to be fine, it just makes the ride alot more fun

 

If the $500 cost isn't objectionable, LSD is one of the options
that many look for as something "special" when checking out
used Minis for sale....it could be helpful when either selling in
the future...only a thought worth pondering.
Good Luck!! BTW, I just posted that Sandia Mini in Albuquerque, NM
has 6 Minis available, in stock today that aren't sold and they
sell at MSRP...if interested, Jon Miller (my MA) 505-342-0066
Tahoe Mini