Do all R53 MINI's have the Steering Wheel Angle Sensor module in the steering column installed in them?

Or, only if the vehicle is equipped with the DSC option?

 

Anyone? Seems like it might be only used/required on DSC (and not for ASC+T), but I can't definitively find that info anywhere.

 

It's only on cars with DSC. Confirmed this via wiring diagram and realoem.

 

Thanks! I had always just assumed my car had one until I started reading about how it’s used. One less thing now to break! Lol

 

^^^ I suspect a lot of us would prefer no ASC/DSC (along with that angle sensor aspect), since ASC affects steering response unless manually shut-off with the dash toggle switch (resulting in illuminated warning light until re-engaged). More of a nuisance than safety "feature" IMO...

 

ASC affects steering response?

 

^^^ Since they're functionally integrated, I never thought much whether it was ASC or actually DSC that I felt when activated. For normal driving, I leave it on as a safety feature for the unexpected situation. For "spirited" driving on mountain turns, i prefer it off for improved steering response - noting perhaps the difference I'm feeling isn't so much steering as combo of computer controlled throttle and braking overrides. Since I have some learning to do on all this, I'm reading through this old lengthy forum topic but with 493 posts, it'll take awhile:

R50/53 The Great DSC Thread (merged)

 

It sounds like I made a good decision by optioning neither ASC nor DSC.

 

I had no idea.
DSC just came with the car.

 

Unsure about earlier model years but for 2006, the Sport Pkg (ZSP) included DSC as the attached pdf document from MINI's 2006 Press Kit reflects. Those without DSC likewise don't have the Sport pkg

 

I believe we had ordered and came with the Sport package for my pre-facelift '04 R53.
As mentioned; DSC was included in that package. We were fortunate to have worked with a salesman who knew more about these cars than the mechanics did in the service department and explained to us what the DSC function was.
I remember going faster than I should have into a tight turn entering the expressway and hitting that DSC switch. Yep. I could certainly feel the car's responsive reaction after doing so.
I can't remember the last time I've turned on the DSC...in the past 18.5 years.

I did however have an annoying 5E40 Steering Angle Implausible code I could never clear with an older OBDII scanner, after doing an alignment/adjustment.
I was finally able to clear the fault with the Foxwell 510 elite.

 

I keep DSC on at the track when I'm 'pushing the car', and have been thankful for it being there more than a couple of times...

 

Maybe I'm doing it wrong, but if I forget to turn DSC off when I'm on a track, my brakes get cooked. My first MINI had ASC which was a basic traction control and I loved it, especially in snow. My current MINI has DSC which uses the brakes to help keep the car from getting too sideways which works, but if you keep using the system, it can overheat the brakes.

 

It's pretty impressive how effective systems like DSC are. I rode with a friend on the track in his Mustang Boss 302 during a session he forgot to turn off the DSC (or whatever Ford calls it). From the passenger seat I could feel the system working and the car stayed well under control even if it allows a fair amount of sliding around the corners. The next session, he remembered to turn it off and then spun out 3 times from oversteer.

After that we removed the rear sway bar and the car stopped spinning out for the rest of the day.