Is the Limited Slip Differential the killer app for a Mini?

If a used, 18 month old, 05 MCS Cabrio ($26k) with 14 k miles can be acquired for about $6000 less than a new MCS Cabrio ($32K) (with Cold, Sport, Premium, Chrono, Leather, chrome interior) should the fact that it does not have LSD kill the deal? The owner (not a car guy), thought he had it, but he was talking about DSC. This deal was definitely going down till he found the window sticker and read it off to me.

Car will be primarily a commuter car for me for the next 4 years, but could possibly see some track time eventually. Based on this forum and material I've read, I've been searching diligently since the beginning of the year for a MCS Cabrio with those packages and LSD and have found a total of 2. Both of those fell through, so now I have a dilemma, take this car and save the $6K; continue searching although, I'm getting tired of the search, or buy new. Thanks for any advice you care to give about the Limited Slip. Michael

 

Personally on a Cabrio, I wouldn't worry about it. Heck on a car that isn't going to be tracked, I wouldn't worry much about it either... Unless you're racing anything that moves, odds are you won't miss the LSD during your daily driving...

However, you'll probably get a mix of responses ranging from don't bother, to can't live without it...

 

I would agree. The Cabrio will have plenty of other more significant performance disadvantages, so don't worry about the marginal difference an lsd will make. It's not even going to be worth much on the track, unless it's very tight (or wet). More benefit for auto-x than track driving. They are great in the snow, though.

 

I think it is very worthwhile to have whether you will be tracking or not. Just to enjoy spirited driving and have the additional performance adds to your driving enjoyment. I waited an extra 4 months to get an early Jan. '05 build to have the LSD.

 

superb topic. im looking at ordering a 06 S convertible and ive debated to put the option once im the right position to do it or not too.

 

To quote Randy Webb on the value of an LSD on the track: “On the track, you will notice a small difference if you have learned to respect the throttle, and a large difference if you are used to slamming the gas on and off - really. It makes the car easier to drive fast, but only made about a tenth of a second difference at the track using the proper driving technique.”

 

Well the LSD costs about 6000 to put on aftermarket so for all those ordering from the factory definately check it off if you can afford it. As far as how much you'll notice on the track I'd agree with what has been said, the MINI is so well balanced that on dry days driving skill is what is going to make the difference. It has proved invaluable in the snow, I shutoff all the electrics minus ABS and just the the LSD do the work. I have the hardtop not Cabrio so I don't know how much of a difference it will make, I'm split b/w more weight so anything to help the power reach the wheels and more weight in back so how much would you feel the difference. I know I feel it kick in when it rains where other cars would slip I still have grip nut can't tell how much of that is do to the MINI. How much it is worth is up to you.

 

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I have it on my '06 MSC. I don't track it very often buy I do like my performance driving enough to have more control. Even not tracking it full time I am also adding F & R sway bars for better stability & handling.

If you like to drive, daily or on the track, I say go for it!

 

If you have any serious thoughts of tracking the car, you shouldn't be buying a cabrio. For BMWCCA events, they will not even allow a convertible unless it has a hard top or full roll bar I think. So, if you think you want to track, I'd rule out the cabrio and definitely get LSD. If you can rule out tracking, then it sounds like that used one should meet your needs fine, although LSD is still nice to have if you drive in rain much.

 

LSD will not matter hugely on a Cabrio, just as many people have already said. Anyone buying a Cabrio is not looking for any serious driving. Spirited, maybe, but surely not to take it to autocross or track on a repeatitive basis. So why bother. However for me, this issue is something I wish I would've known before I bought my 05 MCS. I bought it w/o LSD and now am paying for it dearly. I'm having mine installed with a LSD and it's costed me at least triple, most likely much more, over the $500 option. Your Quaife LSD runs around $1200 and install is at least the same. So, after all is said and done, you're around $2500. Because I autocross, it was worth it to me to find a stock LSD and install. I drive my Mini very hard and I notice the difference between LSD and open diff. If I didn't autocross, LSD would be at the BOTTOM of my list and not the top. There are a lot of other options that for $500 are worth it for a daily driver. CAI, pulley, and exhaust are the first things that I would focus on.

For a cabrio (which I wouldn't get anyway due to the weight), I wouldn't bother, no one looking for an LSD Mini will be looking for a cabrio. For a hatchback, ABSOLUTELY if only for resale value. That $500 option can be a deal breaker when it comes to the Hatchbacks.

 

I wouldn't want an MCS (convertible or not) without a LSD myself. I actually wound up chosing the LSD over body color when I bought my MCS (and I've been wanting a gunmetal/graphite metalic/dark silver car for around 6 years now).

I'm sure it's true that if you're an experienced racer you shouldn't really need one and will probably not see a big diference in lap times whether you have it or not. I'm not an experienced racer and I find it alot more fun to be able to get on the gas a bit earlier exiting turns on a not so optimal line. Whether you're going to autocross or track the car or not, I think a LSD makes it a bit easier and much more fun to drive FWD cars through turns at speed.

It should also add an extra margin of safety in inclement weather, although I've yet to notice the LSD when my DSC is enabled (which usually means I'm not really trying to push the limits of traction much anyways).

If I didn't find the DSC so intrusive in the MCS I might be able to live with out the LSD, but I would want to do thorough test driving in a non-LSD equipped car beforehand. If I had to have a MCS w/o the factory LSD my second mod would be a Quaife right after ditching the runflats.

 

Hi Mistro, welcome to the slight cabrio bashing you can expect from NAM hatchbackers

That said, I have one without LSD (ordered 3 months before LSD was available). I wish I had it. My next MCS will have it. But...if the car is at a good price for you it shouldn't be a deal breaker

 

With a new MINI I would say definitely order the LSD. With a chance to save $6,000. I wouldn't sweat it. Even for the occasional track day without LSD you will still have fun. Though you may smoke the inside tire a little more often. If you're going to get serious enough to compete on the track then that is when the LSD may be needed for that hidden 1/10 of a second. Then, most likely, you'll be wanting a striped down MC or MCS.

Get something you'll enjoy everyday. The occasional track days usually don't come close enough together to warrant buying a car with the track in mind. Unless you have plenty of money to spare for tires, fees and other things.

I didn't have the LSD on my 03 MCS but did on my 06 MCS. Everyday driving I can't tell the difference. Occassionally in the rain if I take off rather spirited it does help from the traction control kicking in. I have yet to take this one to the track like I did the 03 so I have no idea how it will be there. I did take it to the dragon and could tell a big difference in traction. But, I also have a larger rear sway bar on the 06 which I did not on the 03. Something else that helps.

If it were me and my first MINI. I'd save take the $6,000 savings and put some of that money towards a better rear sway bar. In 4 years, the time you said it would be used as a commuter, you'll learn what you need and don't need. By then, you'll also know how much track time you will be doing.

BTW. A few of us in our club are going to an auto cross school in a few weeks. One of which does have a MCSc. He drives very spirited and the only diffrence between him and the others going is that he likes a convertible. I doubt if most will push the MCSc beyond its limits on the street.