Many have told me to go with a used 05 or new 06 cooper S with the LSD option. I was told that the 05's have better gearing for off the line acceleration. I am going to keep looking for an 05. If I can't find one I will order an 06.
cheers

 

AFAIK the gearing in the 05s and 06s is the same. Good luck in your search.

 

And LSD was only available on MCSs (and not on automatics) as of 1/1/05.

 

I think it will be very hard to find a used 05 w/ LSD and if you do there will be a primium to be paid. Also if the car has many other options it could very well cost more used than a new stock 06 cooper S. My suggestion would be to buy a very basic cooper s w/ lsd. I think total price would be around 22k.

 

This is good advice. In my neck of the woods used Cooper S' are about what a new one goes for. I believe that not that many people are buying the LSD. I found the $500 a bargain, but many folks don't. With a new car you can just buy what's important to you. Even the color!

Chuck

 

The gearing was improved for the 2005 model year, and has not changed for 2006. Both model years have improved gear ratios versus 2004s and earlier.

 

The price you pay for a used 2005 will be the same as or more than that of a new 2006!

Come on you know you want a 2006. Buy used and you don't have the "FUN" of waiting for production. Waiting as the car goes accross the pond.........

 

for the same price as a used 05....go figure. And I can spec it exactly the way I want it. Does anyone know how long it would take to get it if I ordered next week??
cheers

 

You may get it before Christmas, if you are a good boy, tee hee! Where are you ordering? Classic MINI in Ohio seems to be getting MINIs really quickly and for MSRP...no mark-up! Good luck!


Clover

 

I actually waited and ordered my 05 because of the LSD, the gearing, and my options, rather then buying a 04 JCW. Well worth it IMO.

 

When I first began my MINI search in August, the LSD was one of my must-haves. I emailed around and no dealer anywhere near me had any in stock. In fact, the MA at Brian Harris in Baton Rouge told me "We would never have a car with LSD ordered for stock. Most people just don't car about it."

 

My rationale for buying an 05 instead of an 04 was exactly the same as many Mini buyers: The few 04s I was able to locate were only $500 or so less than a new '05.

Being a newbe, I was initially unaware of the 05s improved gearing. It did become apparent to me on test drives, especially when I drove them only an hour apart.

The LSD was explained to me like this: if you're into autocross (or on the street), you feel you must maintain the same speed coming out of turns as going into them, then LSD is preferable. But if, like me, you're more of a straight-away off-the-line, freeway type of spirited driver, then LSD's not really a must.

I don't regret not ordering LSD.

 

Order a new '06. LSD is basically an option for performance freaks (like us ), but as we are a fickle bunch we aren't easily separated from our toys. It's highly unlikely that you'll find an '05 with LSD on the used market. Only other suggestion, check the court index for NAMers in DIVORCE procedings. Many good deals are possible.

 

It's hard to say how long. I'm guessing it depends on where you order from. I ordered mine from Midwestern MINI here in Ohio & they took a dealer car that they already had on order & changed it to my spec. I ordered on the 24th of Sept & my car was finished today. Pretty quick! Now if only the shipping will be that quick. Call around & you'll find one with a short wait. Many dealer will change the spec of a car on order to suit you & cut the wait time. Let us know what you order.

Chuck

 

Crashton, where abouts are you? I am in Worthington and ordered my 06 MCS w/ LSD from Classic in Mentor about the same day. Expect her last week October/1st weel November. MSRP deal. How did MAG do for you?

 

Bear,

I'm in Westerville. My wife has bought two Audi's from MAG & received a fair deal & good service from them. That's why I ended up at Midwestern MINI. It too was a MSRP deal. They are throwing in a set of MINI floor mats some plate frames & believe it or not the chrono package. I wanted to delete the chrono from my car, but couldn't. Dealer said it was mine for free. I'm very pleased with Midwestern MINI so far.

My 2006 MCS LSD was completed today. I'm looking at the end of October early November time frame for delivery. Can't wait!

Chuck

 

i will be getting my MC 6 weeks after order in albany ny, its halfway across the atlantic today. i am told MCS is about 7-8 weeks.

 

I finally got my hands on my new 05 with LSD a week ago and I have no regrets ordering it. There's a couple of increasing speed wide sweeping corners on my way home from work that my 04 used to suffer inside wheel spin on. I wasn't driving particularly aggresively to make this happen. It's no problem on the 05, so no regrets here. I don't buy you have to be a psycho behind the wheel to really enjoy LSD - sounds as though you'll like it too!

 

LSD is not just for performance! LSD also serves as a form of traction control when driving in snow, ice and other slippery conditions (such as off-road). Actually in the auto industry, this (not racing) has been the biggest application of LSD.

 

I got the LSD on my MCS because winters here (West Michigan, right near the lake) can get ugly (lake-effect snow). I got Giles this summer, and it will be interesting to see how well he handles nasty weather.

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by rkw

LSD is not just for performance! LSD also serves as a form of traction control when driving in snow, ice and other slippery conditions (such as off-road). Actually in the auto industry, this (not racing) has been the biggest application of LSD.

I got the LSD on my MCS because winters here (West Michigan, right near the lake) can get ugly (lake-effect snow). I got Giles this summer, and it will be interesting to see how well he handles nasty weather.

I thought that ASC and DSC had that covered

LSD is mostly, not exclusively, for performance. It's not intended for psycho drivers (although a few probably slip through)

 

I would bet that LSD is probably the least ordered option on the MCS. It's simply not something the average owner needs, cares about or would pay for. VERY few owners are track guys that would even want it. Finding a used example would be extremely hard.

 

LSD is very useful for handling in the rain, snow and mud, and covers areas that ASC/DSC doesn't. ASC/DSC isn't going to get you out of a situation where the car won't hardly move because one of the front wheels is on ice; LSD will. It's a great option for people who drive in inclement weather. It's not just about performance (although it certainly is useful for the track), which is why you see a wide range of vehicles with LSD now--not just sports cars.

 

the LSD option is probably ordered mostly in areas where it snows alot. Thats why I got mine, there is nothing more frustrating then getting stuck in snow with just one wheel spinning

I know, the DSC/ASC will give little bursts of brake on the spinning wheel, but over the years I have found that all it does is stink up the car with a burnt brake smell.