I haven't bought the mini yet...but putting money down this week .

I have a question about the LSD for the JWC...it's a 1.5 LSD right? I can't find a lot of info on the net about this...also is it mechanical or electronically controlled?

 

Stupid question??? am i missing something? :(

 

It is mechanical, and appears to be geared with no clutches or plates, though this is supposedly a unique 'hybrid' design.

I BELIEVE the following to be correct:

• It is the same unit used by BMW in the current ///M3.
• It has a "1.5-2.0 ratio".

Here's a link to the manufacturer's (rather sparce) description of this unit, with a piccy:
GKN 'Super LSD' Website
.

 

The factory LSD is an Auburn-style friction unit that uses nonrebuildable cone-type clutches. The unit is rated at a rather loose 30% so as not to understeer you off the road or interfere with ABS. More here: http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/12/...p_differential

 

So when the clutches wear out you have 2 options. Live with a open axle or drop 3-4 thousand beer credits for a new unit?

 

dddaaaaaamnnn!

 

Well that is the way the Auburn has always been... the friction materials are the side gears and housing themselves machined into a cone-shape for greater surface area. This provides the very smooth and progressive lockup needed to not mess up the steering in a FWD. When they wear out they are replaced as a unit... only BMW doesn't sell it separately from the transmission.

When it wears out you can get a gear-driven Quaife. Those don't wear out.

 

That's my plan.

 

Damn! I didn't know that! How long does it take to burn out a LSD? How do you know when it's starting to burn out? Can I get 200,000 miles with the factory one, or am I dreaming?

 

Given proper maintenance and a non-defective unit, how long it takes to wear out the factory LSD will probably depend on how much time it spends doing its thing (ie:how hard you drive the car).

If it dies within the warranty period it should be replaced w/o charge unless your service department are pr*cks or have evidence that genuine abuse was the cause of failure. Out of warranty, I'd replace it with the Quaife as others suggested.

Have people had problems getting their service departments to cover these under warranty?

 

I'd be surprised if anyone has had one of these wear out yet. I think it should last a long time under normal use. Yep even if you kick it a bit.

 

Hopefully it should last me at least a few years. Being only 17, hopefully I bought an option that will last a while without the need for maintenance every two seconds. (exaggerating)

:impatient

Anyone have more information about the durability of the LSD?

 

When the car pulls to the side during straight-away accelleration. That's what mine did before I retrofitted with a factory LSD.