I have had it kick in once, and hope to never need it again. I like the idea that if I need it, it's there... otherwise it is just sitting there waiting to save my a**

 

There must be more to it. I can side step the clutch at 3,000 to 4,000 while the ASC+T is engaged with no problem. The only time it is really noticeable is on a 1st to 2nd shift if I redline 1st lift only long enough to hit 2nd then back on the floor. Any other time, straight line or cornering, you have to be looking at the light to tell if it kicked in. I don't know what software it has. It is an 06/02 reflashed in 12/02 then again it 01/04. It was the same with all three setups. But i have never experienced any of the problems mentioned. From what I hear I am thrilled to be without DSC. I have driven some DSC car and have been less than thrilled when the computor starts "thinking". I suspect that DSC cars even when disabled retain some evil ways. And the car is pullied by Helix19.

Motor on.

 

[QUOTE= I have driven some DSC car and have been less than thrilled when the computor starts "thinking". I suspect that DSC cars even when disabled retain some evil ways. And the car is pullied by Helix19.

Motor on.[/QUOTE]
Looks like you have made up your mind. But I "suspect" your reasoning is "suspect" IMHO.

regards,
Red

 

So, I feel I must make a confession and admission... I was on my way to a Mini Rally on Sunday morning. I was looking in my side mirror about to pass a minivan going too slow on the freeway. When I was ready to merge left, the minivan slammed on the brakes (to avoid a piece of tire in the roadway). I had to swerve left VERY fast to avoid the minivan. DSC kicked in and kept the car from the impending fish-tail. It was a scary moment, but I could hear the DSC braking the rear wheels then the front to keep the car from skidding. NOW I am glad I have it!

 

Yes, a topic beaten to death and then some. This is the last decision I need to make before putting in my order for a MCSC, and probably the most confusing of all topics. After hours of reviewing the millions (it seems) of previous posts on DSC, I'm no closer to a decision than I was before. Talk about massive contradictions. I live in a snow area (Utah). Some people say if snow is a factor, DSC is a must. Others say DSC is worthless in the snow and should be turned off. Some say DSC is a valuable gadget overall. Others say they turn off DSC every time they get in the car (in which case I'd rather save the $500 up front). Others claim DSC "saved their bacon" in various road mishaps (though my question is, how certain can one be that DSC was the reason for the accident avoidance?). Others say DSC can result in moments of panic when it causes unexpected results, as in when quickly pulling into traffic, for example. Better "you" control the car than the car control the car, they say. Some say DSC helps you do things only a highly-skilled driver could do. Others say skilled drivers would rather not have a computer in charge. Am I a skilled driver? Am I a mediocre driver? Or a terrible driver? I've not had enough track time to decide... :(

I can't imagine this post will generate any definitive responses either. I guess I'm just expressing frustration over deciding on an option whose benefits are completely arguable.

I did finally decide on a color though!

P.S. A car with so many choices to make just isn't a good thing for the indecisive, like me.

 

Say yes to DSC.

If you have it, you can always turn it off when you don't need it (which
is pretty much never for most people).

If you don't have it, then you can't turn it on when you most need it.

 

DEFINITELY get it...

NO DRIVER can do what DSC does...it individually brakes each wheel...u don't have 4 brake pedals, so u can't do it...

the people who say don't get it are over-arrogant about their driving abilities...if someone pulls out in front of u at the last second when u are doing 80 and u swerve over to avoid, DSC will save ur ***...if a deer pops out and u have to swerve, DSC will save ur ***...if u have to make a quick maneuver in the rain/snow/ice, DSC will save ur ***

u can turn it off for Auto-Xing (the only truly safe time to turn it off, as Auto-Xing is controlled, in a parking lot, and safe)...or for quicker starts if u are racing to 60...

but for day-to-day driving, u never know when u will have to make some weird maneuver and DSC can save u...it can't overcome the laws of physics, but it comes close

 

Amen.

Get it.

 

I had DSC on my last MINI and chose not to get it this time. Even with 6" of snow, I found ASC to be good enough. DSC tended to overreact to situations, IMHO.

 

See, there you go iamwiz82, throwing a wrench into the decision-making works...

 

I had DSC on my BMW and I tested it in snow on a private road just out of curiosity. Basically if you are going around a turn in snow without braking the car and you start to slide, without DSC you will continue to slide. With DSC there will be a clunk and the car will atomatically brake the wheels in such a way that you will stay straight and not slide the rear of the car. That was a test to see how it worked.

A week latter I was driving down a snow covered hill and someone backed out of their driveway without looking. If I had just a brake system the car would slide in a straight line into the other car, with the DSC I was able to steer around the car in complete control. I thought I was going to total the car and I did not. Definately get DSC.

 

I don't have it. I didn't want the sport package, and I couldn't justify the expense given the fact that I don't live in snow country.

I think you can live without it, but it's a little bit of a gamble. It's an expensive option that might save you from an accident, or might never be needed. You should ask yourself if you want to pay for that extra measure of safety, or if you feel comfortable enough with your ASC and six airbags.

If I was still living up north, I think the ice/snow angle would have been enough to make me spring for it. If cost was not an object, I would have defintely gone for it.

 

If cost is a problem, I'd definitely take the DSC and delete some other (e.g. cosmetic) option.

 

If you’re getting the sports package DSC comes with it, if not and you live in the snow it would be the one option I’d consider getting.

 

I don't have it either because of early reports of DSC causing a loss of power if the wheels broke loose slightly on quick acceleration. The situation cited was pulling out into traffic quickly from a side street or parking lot. Apparently some folks had engine power diminish if the wheels spun a bit, and at a REAL bad time. I'm in this situation every day, so I opted out. I've never regretted not having it personally, but I also don't drive like a maniac either especially in the rain. Don't get any snow to speak of here either.

That said, DSC may have been improved...not sure. (...anybody got an update on this???) Also, if I do miss anything it'd be that toggle. Also a good reason to get rear fogs, imo.

If you're wondering, just get it....as others have said, you can always turn it off unless its raining or snowing.

 

If its anything like the BMW DSC (which it probably is), these are exactly the symptoms. The BMW DSC is somewhat aggressive, and annoys me.

Having said that, my Mini will come with DSC, because I have also experienced it in the snow and rain, and it WILL save your life. If I know that I'm going to need to REALLY crank the throttle, I will turn it off.

If you want it usually off, Ian Culls circuit will do that for you, and let you turn it on only when you desire.

 

Some dealers would probably charge $500 just to install a toggle.

 

ASC will also cut power when accelerating hard. Launch control is built into DSC and ASC. I found that once you've let out on the clutch, you can floor it in the dry and DSC won't kick in. The newest SW update has lowered the DSC threshold a bit so it will allow some spin which is good if you need to get going quickly. I finally trust the MINI in a left hand turn into oncoming traffic now .

Definitely go for DSC. I have had it kick in a couple times on the street by accident and in emergency situations, it would be a great help. Just turn it off at the track. The MINI club in my area is going to have a skidpad set up sometime next year (flooded with slick fire foam) so we can learn the characteristics of the MINI with DSC on and off. I'll chime in again once we get around to it.

 

As long as it is not the interior and exterior chrome package.

 

Looks like the yeas have it. It's not so much "if I get DSC I can't get something else," but I really wasn't keen on dropping $500 on something that wouldn't be useful to me.

I guess here's my gripe for Mini: if DSC is a valuable safety feature, make it standard, ..OR.. quit charging 500 bucks for metallic paint and then we'll be happy to pay for DSC ourselves! :smile: (I've never had to pay extra for metallic paint on any car I've previously owned, and frankly, the idea sticks in my craw ).

Yes, I know, paying extra for everything is the BMW way...

Thanks for all the feedback.

 

u could always get a non-metallic paint! my all-black w/chrome S looks AMAZING...especially with waxing/QDing

anyway, u can also get the mth chip upgrade ($60 if u have the cable) and have him lower the threshold for DSC, so it only comes on in true emergencies, not just minor slippage...the upgrade will also get some more ponies

 

True. Black cars are stunning. But I've been there, done that. Too much upkeep for me.

The yellow is one of my favorites but is too bold a choice for me, and the red isn't really doing it for me (though red with red dash/door panels and black stripes is a killer combo), so shelling out for metallic paint for me looks like a must.

Dark silver for me. Common? Yes. Boring? Perhaps. But safe. And sexy.

I'd go for Pepper White if it were an option on the convertible. Better yet, Pepper White with a red soft top and red/black interior. Yeah baby! Are you listening MINI?

Actually, dark silver with a red top and red/black interior would be sweet too... Thousands of combos available, but not the couple that I'd really, really like.

 

Someday stability control will be standard on all cars, just like anti-lock brakes, and it will save lots of lives. I didn't get the sports pkg on my '05 MCS because I didn't want the heavy 17" wheels but I did get DSC. About 8 years ago I spun my RX7 across 3 lanes of highway traffic and DSC would have prevented it. I had just pulled max G's on an entrance ramp, redlined 3rd gear, and when I shifted into 4th the rear tires broke loose on slightly damp pavement. Luckily I didn't hit anybody and ended up on the opposite shoulder pointing the right direction. Think of DSC like an insurance policy. Hopefully you won't need it but if you do you'll really be glad you have it.

 

I use my DSC during evening runs through the twisties around here. I also use it to see how well I drive my car too, the smoother I am the less interferance I get from it, especially in the rain.
It gets turned off for drifting of course though.

 

I just picked up my '05 MCC last week and I had it optioned with DSC. I would not even THINK about getting any new car without it. The MCC is my weekend car, and during the week I drive an '04 Prius which also has their version of DSC (Vehicle Skid Control aka VSC). Last year while driving in the snow it REALLY helped out quite a bit. I also owned a Merc C320 and tested driving without ESP engaged (yet another acronym!). Let's just say that the car is NOT driveable without having ESP engaged. Even if I lived in a non snowy climate I'd get it. In Europe this feature is even on economy cars as standard equipment. Statistics show that this option has significantly cut down on accidents in Europe. Unfortunately in the US, it is the LEAST understood option. People don't like buying things they can't touch and feel. Get it, you won't regret it.