Has any one found out the maker of the lsd and type of lsd that mini will be using for the 05's ? I talked to my dealer and they said lsd won't be available
till Jan. I'm holding out for the lsd, worth the wait? I was given a production
number for a early build 05 turned it down. Awaiting comments!

 

I saw the Tuning show on TV where they added a Quaife LSD to a mini. It was a square box thing that had to go into the differential. Then on the motoringfile web site I saw what was presented as the LSD for the 2005 Mini - they looked nothing alike.

 

I've also inquired but no one I have contacted yet knows but I was told by an MA that it would not be a Quaife LSD. The value of a Quaife for the MCS would be roughly $1070 for the part and about $900-$1500 for the labor so just keep that in mind once MINI releases the price for the LSD option.

 

I thought the one installed on the tuner transformation (or whatever it's called) was the phantom grip not a quaife. What you describe doesn't sound like a quaife to me.

Patrick

 

I think so too. Here is the Quaife for the MCS-


Here is the phantomgrip-

 

The Quaife is a much better design, but is much costlier at the same time. The Phantom Grip is a "lunchbox" LSD, meaning that you throw it in like food in a lunchbox. The Quaife replaces the OEM carrier, the Phantom Grip goes inside of the OEM carrier.

 

so, if the feeling is that it's gonnna be the phantom and not the quaife, should i wait for it to become available before ordering, if i'm thinking of ordering a '05?

 

I doubt it would be a phantom grip. I can't think of a manufacturere that uses their LSD on a stock car. I know Torsen has developed a MINI LSD that isn't available to the general public. I bet they did so to go to BMW/MINI and bid for the OEM contract.

I don't remember BMW using quaife's instead they tend to opt for clutch pack or torsen lsd's. My guess is on one of these two.

Further reason I don't think that it will be a quaife is the tidbit on motoringfile.com that the OE LSD will not be retrofittable. Since we can already add the quaife to non-lsd cars, I don't see a reason that they would make two models one for the OE and one for aftermarket.

Patrick

 

I do not think that BMW or Mini in this case will purchase some other companies part. They will probably design it into the transaxle from the get go. While the LSD itself may not be retrofittable, the entire differential section should be. I see no benefit in making the connection to the transmission or final drive different in an optional item. So we are talking big bucks to put it in an older 05 or even 04 car.