Hello, I'm new to the forum. I've been wanting a MINI for a long time, and have been trying to decide on the specs. After reading Peter Egan's accounts in Road & Track, I think I've decided on a standard MINI Cooper. However, I can't decide on whether to get the DSC, particularly since ASC is standard. Does DSC really make a noticeable improvement? I live in a mild climate, where snow is rarely bad, and I can always get around in my Camry.

 

It's not all about snow and ice, it's about keeping you from doing stupid things. While there are many here that will tell you it interferes too much and keeps one from enjoying a 'spirited drive' I would disagree.....you can always turn it off!!! Having it on though keeps your car going in the direction you want it to when you think you can defy the laws of physics. I have had my MCS almost two weeks now and the DCS has kicked in several times while taking a corner a bit quickly. I am very glad I have this technology on my side!

 

Search the threads where MCOers have done stupid people tricks, and lost their MINIs. DSC could possibly have prevented some of these losses (although I recall a person or two who turned off their DSC prior to wrecking). It acts as a nanny, although normally not too intrusively. I've had mine come on while driving when coming upon fallen leaves, or damp/wet pavement probably for my own good.

 

i felt it kick in just this morning over very smooth pavement covered with wet leaves from the all-hell-bringing rainstorm in philly last night.

I cant say it "saved" me - but it was comforting to feel and know it could have if i needed it.

 

all what they said, plus you can't have a full set of toggles without it. and if you read some of the posts about rear fogs, having a full set of toggles is VERY important!


- wags

 

My DSC came on this morning, on a rain soaked, leaf covered hill in Boston. I must have punched it too hard in second. the DSC warning light flased a few times, I let off of the gas and continued on my way. I think DSC is a nice to have but I'm not sure if I would have orderded it if I hadn't gotten the sports package.

 

I did not order DSC on my new 2004 MCS. I just got the standard ASC+T which I feel does an outstanding job and preventing sudden traction loss at all speeds. It can also be switched off, but I haven't done so yet. Both DSC and ASC+T are intrusive systems specially at take off, but I felt that DSC was more than I ever wanted or needed in the car.

A lot of people have gotten in trouble because they have the mistaken belief that DSC is going to save their butts when they are acting stupid behind the wheel. The MINI is an amazingly stable car as it is and to get it out of whack you have to do something truly off the wall to upset the car. DSC can only do so much but remember that the laws of physics will always prevail regardless of any active safety systems in your car.

$500 for DSC is a bit steep for my tastes but it is up to you. DSC is also part of the MCS $1300 Sport Package.

I guess if you are going to be doing a lot of racing and autocrossing, DSC might be a reasonable compromise. But I have read that people turn it off often at the track.

 

>>all what they said, plus you can't have a full set of toggles without it. and if you read some of the posts about rear fogs, having a full set of toggles is VERY important!
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>> - wags


If you get a standard MCS, you will still get the toggle switch for the ASC.

 

Better to spend your money on a good set off tires and push the limits of the car higher than you would normally see on the road. I used to light up the asc+t light all the time with the runflats, now that I have SO3's its a whole new car. Save your money and spend it on driving school.

bc

 

DSC has gotten me out of trouble a few times, but it's also ticked me off quite a few times. It's probably good to have, and it really is a serious value if you're not a REALLY good driver. If you EVER talk on your cellular phone, eat, daydream, etc. while driving, it's probably not a bad idea.

 

I used to have a 99 Corvette with the equivalent of DSC. At the Bragg-Smith High Performance driving school (Spring Mt. Racecourse in NV) they have their students run the track with DSC on. This seems counter-intuitive, since DSC can cut power as well as apportion braking action for stability control. The reason is that stability control engaged only when the driver made an error. Since the object is to drive quickly without upsetting the car's balance, DSC only comes in when it detects the car going into an "out of control" situation. In other words, when the balance is upset. So, it was a quick learning tool -when you lit it up, you did something wrong -- what? After a day or so doing the track, the computer stop intervening because I wasn't upsetting the car's balance; and I was going much faster too.

If you have a favorite twisty that you run - try it with DSC engaged a few times. It'll tell you when you're screwing up. And by all means order it. As others have said, you can always turn it off. But it can also save your butt when your enthusiasm outweighs your prudence.

 

It's really important -- and apparently difficult -- to differentiate between DSC's stability control and the traction control component of the DSC system (the latter is known as ASC on non-DSC MINIs). My DSC light comes on often...but it's usually due to the traction control kicking in. This happens on loose gravel, sand on the road, wet leafs, and other things that interfere with traction mostly at launch. I personally think that the MINI's traction control is poorly calibrated and comes on too easily.

The stability control part of DSC is a whole different beast. It does not solely react to loss of traction, but actually to changes in DIRECTIONAL STABILITY, and presumably other situations (e.g., imminent roll over) where the car is exceeding its ability to keep all 4 wheels on the ground and the car pointed in the direction it was/is headed. Under virtually ALL normal driving conditions, you WANT your car to do exactly what DSC wants it to do. The value of the DSC is that it's a computer and is less prone to mistakes (like it or not) than we simple humans. It can also react much faster than any human being. Thus, in the situations where you need DSC, it can be invaluable. I've had it kick in ONCE...on the interstate when I was passing someone who decided to merge into my lane when I was 50% beside him. We were both going about 75 - 80mph (yeah...no speeding lectures, ok?) and I had to swerve to avoid the cell-phone-talking-moron. At those speeds most drivers would be challenged by an emergency lane change. But, my car's DSC kicked in and I could feel it causing the car to pull back in before any wheel came unstuck. I'm a good driver, and I PROBABLY would have saved it w/o DSC...but it was nice to know/feel that I had a little backup. That's my story.

 

I'm opposed to newfangled whizbang gizmos. At least, I'm opposed to them as much as one can possibly be opposed to such things in todays tekkie climate. I think they give people a false sense of security, and turn people in big giant weenies (like people who are confounded by 2WD vehicles north of the Mason-Dixon).

Just drive safe and save the money. The sun rose every morning prior to DSC.

 

I didn't get it because I was trying to keep my MSRP low. If I could have afforded every option I probably would have gotten them all.

I think it's going to be difficult to decide from DSC owners reports because of the tendency for someone who bought DSC to feel it "save" them to justify their purchase.

 

If I’m not mistaking, Formula 1 outlawed stability control on all cars, so they must have felt that it took too much away from highlighting the individual driver’s skills. I find the technology to be fascinating and always avail myself of the latest available on any car I buy. If you don’t want to use it, turn it off. If you don’t have it, you can’t turn it on. We are talking about a car that will be primarily driven on the street now aren’t we?

 

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>>I think it's going to be difficult to decide from DSC owners reports because of the tendency for someone who bought DSC to feel it "save" them to justify their purchase.

:evil: Hummmm. That's like saying that MCS owners "say" their cars are more powerful to justify the extra dollars spent on the S model. I for one would be glad to have DSC even if it never had to activate. I'm also glad to have 6 airbags, but I sincerely hope that I will NEVER see them emerge from the steering wheel, seats, roof, etc. Buy what you want...I did, and don't feel the need to justify it to anyone.

_________________

Bring Out the Scoops!

 

Unless the cost really tweakes your budget, I'd get the DSC. When you're driving on the streets, vs. the track, you have more variables (pavement conditions, moisture/rain, idiots with SUVs, etc.). When one of these puts you in an unexpected bind, DSC can help bail you out. So go ahead and get it, and just turn it off when you're doing laps or driving under conditions where you feel comfortable without it.

 

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>>>>I think it's going to be difficult to decide from DSC owners reports because of the tendency for someone who bought DSC to feel it "save" them to justify their purchase.
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>> :smile: