Could someone please tell me their experiences with a LSD equipped MINI vs. one without? Any drawback to having LSD? How does the LSD work with DSC activated?

Thanks.

 

Yesterday I drove our new 06 MINI with LSD for the first time. It is way better than the 03 without LSD. I posted pictures in another thread where I went down a bumpy back road in the rain and powered out of corners with no slipping. I can't think of any drawback to LSD. I didn't feel any kickin or torque steer and the car tracked right where I pointed. LSD and DSC are different things and can work together. I am sure this is covered in more detail elsewhere. LSD transfers power, DSC works the brakes to stabilize the car and ABS releases the brakes to prevent lockup. They all work together. As far as I am concerned LSD should have been offered from the beginning. It is far more useful to me than DSC.

 

The LSD will feel weird at first when it transfers power from wheel to wheel when powering out of a turn if you are used to driving a fwd car without lsd. It was very odd at first like the car was hunting for grip, but after 6 months it feels completely natural.

As far as lsd and dsc go, they are completely different systems and pretty much have nothing to do with each other. Many people complain about dsc being intrusive when driving hard, but I have found by being more smooth with the input dsc rarely kicks on during "spirited" driving.

 

I don't have LSD in my '05 MCS (Could have ordered it but chose not to). The car drives great IMO. I only have the standard ASC+T (Traction control) and the factory 16" V-spokes rims. For day to day driving, the car is fantastic and responsive. I don't track or race my MCS, hence I could not completely justify the extra $500 on the LSD.

However, if you want it, go for it. Having LSD installed as an aftermarket add-on is going to be very expensive and at least 4 times the cost of the factory LSD option.

Me thinks that if you drive a lot in mountain roads, snow, rain wet pavement or plan on tracking the car, LSD will be a worthwhile option to you.

I live in flat Miami, FL and if you are not involved into motorsports activities, LSD for strict street use is simply overkill.

 

I got it... and got it just to have it.
It would have been too expensive after the fact.
If you are performance driven then get it.
I got the DSC too for safety factors.
BTW, mine sometimes groans at low speeds and i dont care.

 

LSD, DSC, ASC, CBC, ABS. Have all those achronyms and wouldn't trade them for anything. Too much fun and the safety enhancement is very nice.

 

ordered mine with LSD...and can't wait to get it

 

Saakey, I love your sig, how did you go about it?

 

Hey thanks ...I did the graphic in PhotoShop and did the animation in ImageReady...And if you keep an eye on it, it's about to change again..I can never leave well enough alone

Cheers

 

Would you do one 4 me?

 

sure, what did you have in mind?

 

I'll let you know a little later. Thanks so much!

 

sure...just PM me

 

In hard cornering any car will ultimately pick up the inside driven wheel. A conventional open diff will allow this inside wheel to spin and won't maintain torque to the wheel that is still on the ground. The limited slip diff will maintain traction to some percentage, typically in the 40-60% range, depending on its design.

On slippery surfaces such as snow or wet the LSD provides the same effective advantage in traction even when not cornering.

There is some steering feedback in the form of torque steer - tugging back and forth as grip transfers between the driven wheels - as the LSD does its job, but the effect isn't that significant.

The Mini's DSC is recalibrated to raise its activation threshold if the LSD is fitted.

I'd rate the LSD as a very desirable option at only $500, especially since it's extremely expensive to fit after the fact ($1200+ parts plus lots of labour). Like any option you have to weigh the costs against your own priorities and resources.

Neil
05 MCS w/LSD
96 M3

 

Here's a member who probably wishes he did it from the factory.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=60101

 

You sure about that? I've yet to hear a definitive answer as to whether the factory lsd is a clutch-pack or helical. Your above statement is only true if it's a clutch-pack differential. A helical lsd only works with both wheels on the ground. Of course, you're rarely actually picking up one wheel, ESPECIALLY on the street, so it's not much of an issue.

Anyway, no, there's typically no downsides. The LSD is going to be a sought-after feature of many used car buyers in the future.

 

That would be me... And yes, if the option was there I would have gotten from the factory, but as it was, the LSD was not yet availble, and my shoes were wearing thin from being a pedistrian after my last car went up in flames. I didn't want to walk for another 4 months, and that would have been 4 months less motoring

 

Aaron, your 2005 is a Nov 2004 build?

 

correct, 1st week november build.

 

The aftermarket Quaife is a helical.
The OEM is a GKN. I saw it described as hydraulically activated cone clutches. The Pump was run by the Difference between the two axels. I don't know if that is correct.

 

I bet you already hear lots about how good the LSD..
Let me just point out some bad...
- $500 option
- Strange noise from LSD in low speed.
To me the benefit of LSD overcomes all these bads.

 

I'm not sure of the technology used in the MINI but in standard iron these require special lube and tend to lose effectiveness as the years add up.

 

The OEM LSD will wear out at some point, just like a clutch will. At $500 it is a good deal compared to something like $3,000 for an aftermarket one. $500 is what the HK stereo and the DSC cost after all.

 

Here's a pic and link to the actual LSD used by MINI. Look around on this site to see the internals of their other designs (helical, multi-plate, etc.). They make both Torque-sensing and Speed-sensing models. This one is Torque-sensing.

http://www.gkndriveline.co.uk/gkn-dr...s/tmd/slsd.jsp

Looks like gears to me. I don't see any cones, clutches or plates. They describes it as a new, hybrid design but don't really go into too much detail.


.

 

Well, I've got an OEM LSD coming my way, because I ordered my 05 w/o LSD and didn't realize how much difference LSD makes in the autocross world. I'm starting to know the limits of the car a bit better due to autocrossing this past year locally. I've asked around quite a bit for someone with an 05 or 06 that has experience pre and post LSD and no luck. All have been 02-04, which isn't a fair comparision, due to the fact that the 05-06 Mini's are already a good jump in performance without LSD. Once I've got the LSD installed, I'll let you know what I feel the difference is.