How much of a difference will a limited slip really make in an 05 Cooper S (manual), specifically in the snow. I'm looking to get a Mini, and with winter coming (I'm in New York), I'm wondering how picky I should be about finding one with a LSD.

thanks!!

 

i cannot tell you the actual difference, but it helps, ive been in places where others have not been willing to go =)

the factory LSD does well in the snow with some snow tires, the supercharger doesnt help. i atleatse have the confidence that both wheels will spin in the snow, instead of just one

 

Yup, it's more fun that way for sure - or perhaps more predictable. I love mine in the snow (Toronto). I haven't driven one without the LSD so I'm not a perfect judge.

The only limiting factor I've found with the R53 in the winter is the stock ride height. At one point last winter I had a bow wake of snow as I was effectively plowing my street. I haven't gotten stuck yet and it's seen some significant snow time.

 

Oh and ****** DSC - turn that **** off first thing when driving in the snow.

Better for the driver to modulate the throttle input when traction is lost vs cutting the power completely like DSC does.

 

i completly agree with the DSC, it has made me stall a few times at take off in snow, cause your expecting to spin, cuts power as your slipping the clutch, then bam stall. its a permanent off in the winter for me. even the stock ride height, i can plow through snow

 

It is all about tires.....the limited slip is a rare option..very few 2005 cars got it...easy add on...but if a car has one...it has ooten been a track car...so might have been abused...I would rather get a babbied car, and add a LSD when you do a clutch...easy add on..
The DSC IMO should be on unless you need to power through a pile of snow...then again my DSC has been "adjusted"....it is not even noticeable now...tunes are great!!
DSC can save you butt from spinning into a snowbank....and do activate the 4 brakes (try that with only one pedal) INDIVIDUALLY to straighten a wiggling car faster than any human intervention...
Sounds more manly to turn it off....but 90% time...it is better to leave it on...

 

OP sorry for threadjacking, but its somewhat related...

It's odd for me to disagree with ZippyNH as he's the man.

But as mentioned, it appears his DSC has been modified as to not be such a nanny. Please let us know if tuning the DSC is part of a normal tuning procedure, or if that's an additional tune to the ECU programming. It's just too intrusive.

Mine is a stock/factory LSD, with new Blizzaks/steelies for winter and new Conti DW/OZ Ultras for summer with the 210 JCW factory tune. The DSC is useless in almost all circumstances of less than spirited but more than babied starts/launches. It is to the point that I turn it off while launching and back on when I'm at speed. I didn't have nearly this much problem with the stock tune (but it was there).

 

i have a set of winters on 215-45-17's winter graspics and nokians. if my DSC wasnt as aggressive i would keep it on due to the braking portion. ive driven in some bad conditions, but i never felt uncomfortable with the DSC off, ive only been in a snowbank once and thats when i was ebraking around a corner for fun, very light bump into fresh fluffy snow, backed out of it easilly. snow tires make a big difference. 4 snow tires with DSC off will be better than 4 all seasons with DSC on all day

 

Thanks for the info!

Was it ever standard on them? I'm now looking at a few 06 Cooper S models too, more common in those?

Thanks!!

 

Zippy is right, it's the tires. Get good dedicated snows and you'll have no problem, make sure they aren't too wide.

 

Nope...was an option very few ordered.
Do not assume any car has it unless they prove to you it has a LSD...most do not.

 

drop the clutch, peg leg burn out.... no diff, both side spin... diff!

 

Everything is better with LSD (uh ... that doesn't sound good.) Seriously, I can't think of a situation where an open diff. is preferred. Maybe drifting or some type of "stunt" driving but otherwise a LSD is better. I wish all cars of all types had and available mechanical (not electronic) LSD.

 

If you can find an R53 with a LSD go for it. They seem to be kind of rare. When I ordered my MINI instead of spending $500 on a darned nanny I bought the $500 LSD & am glad that I did. In winter the most important thing is proper snow tires.

 

LSD will be better. You'll get better traction on both dry and wet pavement, so you can't really go wrong.

I drove mine during one winter since I bought it in december 2009, it's a great little machine in the snow, but with DSC off... I don't know about the tweaked version that ZippyNH is talking about, but the oem software is a *****. Kept cutting in the worst situations, would refuse to go up a normal incline as it was preventing any power to be applied, etc. I had fairly cheap winter tires on 15" steelies, but the car was handling very well with DSC off since I could use my right foot to control the traction.

Since I had plans to keep the car for a long time, I was careful and didn't do a lot of hand brake "drifting", which was hard since I love winter for this :p

 

Glad to see I'm not the only one who hates the stock DSC.

When you're looking up the VIN on the BMW decoder; the word for LSD is:
Sperrdifferenzial

 

theoretically, small difference - reality, youll be spinning all tires anyway without snow tires

 

Has anyone swapped out a non/lsd and put in a lsd trans? What is needed for the swap besides a complete trans with lad?

Thanks Dan

 

When I put a 6-speed Getrag into my R50 to replace a failed Midlands 5-speed, I had
a Quaife LSD installed into the Getrag. It does make a difference in gravel, rain, snow,
and ice, especially if you go easy on the throttle, but with a heavy foot you can overcome it
and spin, as when traction goes down to zero, the Quaife acts more like an open diff.
It makes a bigger difference cornering near the limit with the pedal down.
I don't have DSC, nor did I want it.

 

I don't have LSD.......and my car is HORRIBLE in the snow. It will just spin one tire and not go anywhere at all. It makes a difference......

 

you can, finding a trans with the LSD is a bit harder, or just swap a LSD in, theres a few options.

 

I have a non LSD with DSC and it's great in the snow, especially with snow tires. For years I just ran all seasons, and I raved about how good the car was in the snow, with snows, it's even better. An LSD would be nice, but it wouldn't be a huge factor in my decision.

 

I ordered a low mileage trams with lsd and got a call when they were ready to ship that it was not equipped with lsd so I am going without.
Would have been nice, but my daughter needs car back on road. I did get a 1 piece flywheel and clutch to get rid of the dual mass.

 

I did an LSD on my car.

There are a few how to guides out there on pulling the trans apart and fitting a new diff. I actually used a guide meant for the old SVT focus since we use the same trans. And I used a Torsen T2 bought from a Ford dealer for the same reason .

Good diff for the money, but since it doesnt have pre-load washers like the Quaife not as much of an improvement when driving in the snow.

 

Lsd on a front wheel drive, really not a must have. I have no lsd and just asc, and it's excellent in the snow.