I posed this question on Mini2 where I'm also a member to see what others said about this feature. I don't really want to load my car w/ options that won't really benefit me if they're not really worth the cost of adding them on the car. So I ask you guys since you know these cars better than I do. Thanks!

 

Try this thread, or this one, or this one.
Let us know if you have any specific questions.

 

I say no. I have owned two other Mini's besides my current one and I have had DCS on all of them. I dont really see a need for it. I never use it. Maybe once in a great while. Do yourself a favor and save $500.

 

The DSC on my '03 MCS was annoying sometimes. It seemed too sensitive and came on too often. The DSC on my '06 MCS is much less sensitive and hasn't annoyed me at all. The on/off switch is one of the toggles, and it defaults in the "on" position. So, if you don't like it, you need to flip the toggle every time you start up the car.

It is a nice option on wet roads. Makes the car feel a bit more secure/stable. It's also ok for patchy snow and ice, but definitely needs to be turned off for climbing grades/hills in packed snow.

 

If you plan on driving aggressively and feel confident handling oversteer or understeer, you may find DSC unnecessary. In wet conditions, the MINI can spin even for fairly timid driving (personal experience).

DSC will interfere with performance driving--- for things like autocross, you switch it off.

All that said, I think DSC is a wise precaution if you think you might drive in wet or icy conditions... it's one of those options you won't regret having (but you may regret being without!).

Two cents...

 

Jterm - keep in mind that you live in Southern California, so you never see snow, and you don't see a whole lot of rain either. In your case, it's harder to justify DSC.

HOWEVER - for anyone who lives in an area that gets snow, or any decent amount of rain, DSC can save your butt. It's worth every penny, IMO, and if you want to drive more "spiritedly" on dry roads, you can always disable it temporarily and take the risks.

Deutsch, keep in mind that this is the same technology that the government recently announced would be mandated on all passenger vehicles in the coming years, just like airbags and antilock brakes have been. It saves lives, keeping your car in control when you start to lose it - often at a time when you least expect it!

 

DSC to me is kind of annoying, and I dont really use it (not enough rain, and no snow at all)

 

Just while I was coming home today, driving through Detroit on the slick roads my DSC came on. It was nice that my wheels weren't going to spin and spin.

Medic

 

Just a quick clarification......you do not USE DSC. It is a benign system. It only engages when it senses a loss of control, either when accelerating or while turning. If the car is always under control, then the DSC will not engage. The majority of the complaints about DSC ( and rightly so) have to do with the sudden engagement of the traction control.

 

To me, this is a no-brainer. Unless you are track racing the car, YES to DSC.

 

$500 is cheap compared to crashing your MINI.

 

Ditto. (I have DSC by the way)

 

$500 will cover your deductable, that you would have to pay, for sliding into that gaurd rail that you would slide into at some point without DSC

 

Due to buying my car with the Sport package. DSC was present.

I leave DSC on all of the time under normal driving.

I leave DSC on when any other family member drives the MINI.

I turn DSC off when I am on the track or at autocross.

There isn't much else to consider.

If you are buying a new MINI you have the option to have DSC or not.

If you choose DSC then leave it on. If you don't choose DSC then just be careful. You still have ASC.

 

That has to count for something. Thanks for all the input guys!!!

 

Amen to that

 

I am in the process of getting my new Mini and although I wanted to have the sports package, if I want my first choice of color I need to settle for a car w/o DSC (I am looking at 2006 cars).

I've never had it before so I only know what I have read in magazines, whereby they say it is an important safety feature to have.

I am a pretty good driver, so I am wondering whether it is really that crucial or can I live w/o?

 

Lot's of threads on this.
Bottom line it's like insurance. If you never need it, it will not help you.
If you DO need it, you'll be glad you had it.

 

In my experience with DSC (not with MINI's), it is good to have. Today I went out and drove a friends Mazda 6 (awesome car by the way, shifts slow, but man the v6 just wants to go!) and we came to a really snowy hill. She asked what the little button next to the steering wheel did and i turned it off. In some snowy conditions, or conditions of low traction (like the hill we were on) DSC is a HUGE help. We started up the hill with out it on but quickly began spinning the tires. I tapped the button and we scooted right up it. Needless to say, she was impressed ( ) and she learned mroe about here car.

I would say get the DSC, and if you hate, jsut turn it off.

 

Warning: personal opinion follows.

I have the DSC on my MCSa. I don't like it under normal driving conditions. In fact I have it turned off via Ian's wonderful Auto Up circuit. The only time I turn it on is if it's wet, a relatively rare occurance in Dallas.

I don't like it because it will kill the power on me at certain times when I need it. The fact of the matter is that in some cases it makes sense to have the tires spin a bit - for instance having to accelerate hard as one turns onto a road to fit in a space. Yeah, yeah, we should all wait until there's plenty of room but let's get real - city driving does not permit that luxury in every instance.

 

I turn it off everytime i get into the car unless it is wet or cold outside.

 

I think in this case it was just the traction control working... which all mini's have. the DSC specifically adds the oversteer/understeer control.

If I get the DSC then I have to settle for a color I won't be so happy with, this is why I am asking...

 

ha, ha... I do this all the time!

 

Yep, that's Traction Control, which is standard on all MINIs. So with or without DSC, you have this issue due to BMW making it way too sensitive. Try not being so heavy on the throttle until after you straighten out the steering wheel. This should reduce the risk of falsely activating the traction control system.

 

Thanks. That hadn't occured to me in the 33 years I've been driving.