Well, I was reading some of the post on what a good feature LSD was and what it had to offer. Sounds great even necessary if you want to have some fun on the track. Also, good for regular driving too. Then I was reading some of the JCW posts and their enhancements for speed, HP, ect.. Great, I think I'd like to add both of these to my Mini. But wait a minute I feel like because it’s just now dawning on me that the MCSA don’t even have the option for anything that really enhances speed or performance. I want to have better traction too but it’s not an option for the automatics. I would order a JCW too but it’s not an option either.

What is it about the automatic that it doesn’t allow for any of the good options? Why is it that only the manuals seem to have more of the goodies? I asked Miniusa directly why there was no LSD or JCW available for the automatics, but they didn’t really answer the question. They simply gave me a generic response like. Thank you for your interest, LSD is not currently available for the automatics. Or, currently there is no JCW available for the automatics. Gee... that was helpful.

I was so excited about having a new MCSA, but now I'm starting to feel like I should have gotten a manual . Then I wouldn't feel so left out with regards to features. My MA really didn't explain to me that if I went with an automatic I wouldn't be privy to some of the features only available to manuals. I didn't think about asking because I was new to Minis and just didn't realize what was what.. until I came to the forms. Only now am I starting to learn a lot more about the Minis. If I only realized then what I realize now .

 

Not sure why the LSD wasn't available on the auto as it is a new feature as of January anyway. I think that folks have talked about a JCW package coming out for an auto, its just that they are so new, one hasn't been developed yet. I also think that I've read that even if you had gotten a manual, you still couldn't get a JCW as there is something different about the kit for the coupe that won't work on the cabrio. Then again...I could have imagined all this...I don't know anymore

 

I don't know why for the LSD not available, but for the JCW, it is because of the transmission itself, an Aisin Automatic, thats too weak to handle all the power gains from the package itself..

 

Don't fret, Blue Zone. You can still do a reduced size pulley, intake, exhaust, etc. The LSD is nice, but certainly not a requirement for the track. Went to the 'Big MINI Day' last year, thus none of the cars had (factory) LSD. Still went scary fast!
Until YOU notice that you can't take a corner faster because you're spinning the inside wheel, it doesn't matter much anyway.:smile:

 

I'm no track person nor do I plan to be but I love my MCSA! It drives, shifts and accelerates great. I have never driven a LSD equiped car so I don't know the benefits of it so till then I am very happy with my MCSA

 

I don't think that is true, most autos can handle quite a lot of power (people with the regular step on BMWs have turbo'd them just fine) and I doubt that is the issue here. I have a feeling the ECU programming may be a part of the delay - after all Mini itself has had all this trouble with the programming as it relates to the SES light with those cars running rich.

 

There is a lot you can do with an automatic.... besides... the biggest cause of fun in these cars is the driver. I've had CVT Cooopers keep up with me pretty well in the twisties... it's all about skill and knowing what you can do.

 

they also may be waiting to add the jcw to th eautomatic to see if there are tranny problems first.

Its kinda hard to compare a regular auto to a steptronig or smg transmission. The regular auto was built more for smoothness and ride comfort than all out performance ( on most cars anyway ) and the other trans I mentioned was built with performance in mind, if you have ever driven one you will see there is always a tradeoff somewhere.

 

By the way, there are loads of other performance enhancements that can be done to the auto - just about all the stuff you can do to the manual: pully, suspension, exhaust, light wheels/other weight reduction, etc. Keep lookign around here and Mini2 and you'll see. JCW will also be avail.

As for the LSD, well they chose not to have that avail right now for whatever reasons, but if its that important to you you can always add one. I don't really know what you are expecting from it though, you other post was that the car didn't have the drag race/stop light power you wanted, is that what you are looking for? If so you'll probably only really be happy with a big old turbo on there...

PS: detlman,, you do know that the auto in the MCS is not a 'normal' auto, it is a steptronic type that you can control/shift.

 

If drag racing is a main concern you should have bought something else. You will have a ton of money in the car by the time you get it to run respectable 1/4 mile times. I have a ton of stuff on my car and while its MUCH faster than it was its still not "fast" its very fun and great fun in the canyons or on the track where it is at home :-)

 

To clarify on MandaBoos comments and set the record straight, here is my understanding of current JCW availability:

JCW Tuning Kit - transmission dependent - not available on MCSa (or MCSCa, naturally), but IS available on MCS and MCSC
JCW Suspension - model dependent - not available on MCSC, regardless of transmission, but IS available on MCSa coupe

Just to hammer it home - the JCW Tuning Kit IS available on MCSCs, provided they have the manual transmission. Also, the JCW Suspension IS available on all MCSes, even MCSas, but NOT on MCSCs.

I hope this clarifies up any confusion. The only people who are really stuck as far as JCW goes are MCSCa owners. If you got convertible AND automatic, you'll have to go with aftermarket for anything more than brakes and wheels (oh yeah I guess the JCW Strut Brace will be available for Convertibles too, when it FINALLY comes out!).

 

People, if your "thing" is straight line performance, big engines, big torque and big horsepower, then you should be looking at Mustang GTs, Pontiac GTO's or Corvettes, Dodge Magnum HEMIs not MINIs.

I really get sick and tired of reading of this complaining about the MCS being slow/sluggish whatnot off the line. These cars are NOT dragracers, have never been and will never be. The meat and potatoes about MINis are the solid engineering and HANDLING, not 0-60 street racing contests. Also it is a known fact that cars equipped with hydraullically operated automatic transmissions are typically slower than their stick shift counterparts. If you want the convenience/comfort of automatic shifting, then the price to pay will be in reduced performance/fuel economy.

I have a '05 MCS, Manual and no LSD and the car performs fantastic for my everyday driving needs. Since I don't race it or autocross it, I decided against the LSD as a wasted piece of equipment on city streets governed by traffic laws and speed limits.

It seems to me people enter the MINI without fully understanding what the car is all about and what its capabilities/limitations are. And again if your "banana" is 0-60 dragracing, then your nearest Ford, Dodge, Pontiac or Chevy dealers will be happy to assist you with those needs.

 

This is well said and I agree with all of this. Also, I feel like MINI could have done just as well to have not come out with an automatic S. I know many will disagree with me, and I can understand their arguments. I know you can buy an automatic Corvette, so why not a MINI S? I guess I am still getting used to the concept.

 

It is all a matter of choice, and choice is a good thing to have

Traffic here is horrible and some people question my choice of driving a stick shift car here, but I love it and I am soo used to it that for me to shift/clutch constantly in dense traffic is second nature to me.

But I can say why most would opt for a MCSa. I have not yet driven it but for all accounts appears to be a terrific machine

 

Again, I agree with all of this. I must be in an agreeable mood! I must admit, if I were constantly stuck in stop and go traffic, I would probably look into an automatic.

 

Whenever I don't feel like shifiting, I hop on my wife's '02 MC CVT and I must admit, it is a very relaxing but still thrilling ride

 

well that is what i was told from MINIUSA..

 

i have an mcsa and have modded it with a bunch of jcw parts! the full kit is in final testing (this comes directly from the jcw garage in the uk) and should be out in the states within the next month or so. whenever bmw greenlights it - it is ready to fly.

as for what one can do now, not so sure about the cabriao, but on my mcsa i've installed the jcw exhaust, air filter, brake kit and 18" wheels. to me this completes the vibe of the car. i'd love to finish off the kit with the supercharger upgrade once it's all released, but the reality is that the car is already a monster! any more power and i might end up in trouble... we do have speed limits here!! ; )

cheers - drew

 

LSD is not currently available for the automatics.

sorry had to do it...

 

Why LSD not offer in AT? I bet the main reason should back to the transmittion type. If you want a car with max power out to the wheels, you should pick MT and LSD, since AT have power lost in the torque converter. So how often a person will buy an AT with LSD? I think you know the answer.
Base on this reason, it won't benefit to offer AT with LSD for such a small group of people.

Anyway you still have hope in JCW. I think Mini will have the JCW kit for MCSA soon.

 

Try posting this question to the performance mods forum.

It's my understanding that the type of LSD MINI uses is dependent on the transmission, rather than being a "stand alone" like the Quaife aftermarket LSD. I believe you could install a Quaife in an automatic and have it work just fine, but the type that MINI installs (which is cheaper than the $1100 Quaife part) is dependent on the transmission itself (and incompatible with the automatic transmission).

 

Yes, I like performance, a decent amount of HP and a little torque never hurt . Who doesn’t???? Sorry if my post offended you it shouldn’t have because I though the forums were a place to express your opinions, suggestions and help if any is able to be given. I was merely stating a fact that automatics didn’t have the same options available as the manuals. Those were simply a few of the options that I wasn’t aware of that couldn’t have been added at a later time. That’s all. My point was more about going with a manual Mini rather than an automatic Mini. Not if I should have gone with a Mustang .

 

To be honest, chicks dig the Mini more, even though it's an MCSa (they don't ask! ;-).

 

I test drove the MCSa when I went to purchase my MCS. I was impressed with the shifting and acceleration with the 6-speed auto. I chose the manual because I like to row the gears. I also ordered the LSD because of its ability to get traction when necessary.
FWD cars unload the weight during take offs, having the ability to get every bit of traction during this and when accelerating in corners is a very good thing.
I think the auto would benefit from a LSD setup. I'm sure it will be offered in the future when mini gets enough requests or realizes it made a mistake.

 

Yes it is still a very thrilling ride and I do love it, just thinking I might have had even more fun in a manual:smile:. You are lucky to have access to both.