I mean Im not gonna track the car, so Im wondering if adding the LSD option for $500 is worth it to me? i mean will i really be able to feel a difference in day-to-day driving? or should i save that $500?

 

i envisioned using my car for daily commuting through the city for work, and also for my wife getting around town. I had originally planned for lsd but put the funds towards a Sat Nav instead.

 

For the generally flat, straight roads in Florida, and if you aren't going to be putting it on the track, I'd put my money elsewhere.

That being said, I dream of the day when I can toss a LSD into my MINI when the transmission is opened up for clutch work. .. .

 

mY 2003 MCS will get its LSD fitted next Wednesday. I don't do Auto-X neither, but since I had to replace the whole transmission and that a rebuilt unit with LSD was about 350$-400$ more than a non-LSD one, I got it.

I was also asking myself this question, but figured that for that price, I'd rather try it than feel sorry for not having it. On a 3800$ job, 350$ is not that much lol

And on a new MCS, 500$ is totally worth it IMO!

 

If you want to lay two black patches on the pavement instead of one, then it will be worth it!

I have it, but keep it turned off all the time. I thought it might be valuable to someone when I sell this car.

 

LSD can't be turned off... It's a mechanical thing, not an electrical device like DSC...

LSD will help on dead-stop launches, and exiting tight corners. It can prevent spinning to a maximum of 30% or so maximum torque.

 

When I was 18 I couldn't turn off the LSD either.

 

I would get it. It's cheaper to get it now, plus...if you ever sell it, it will likely help the value.

-Cody

 

I agree with Cody. When you sell you may well get most of that $500 back in resale. The LSD will help you driving in that Florida rain.

 

Will not make a hill of beans in the FL rain. ASC or DSC will. In the FL rain you need to only do one thing slow down and take it easy.

 

Does the $500 cost fit in your budget? If it does then I think you would use it under the following conditions-

Inclement weather including light rain, light snow, or with anything that limits traction- fluids spilled on the road to make it slick, loose gravel, dirt and debris, uneven surfaces, etc.

You make the most use from LSD when doing hard acceleration, or when cornering hard. If you always drive the speed limit and never spin your tires then LSD isn't going to be much use to you.

As a selling point LSD is good. It is passive and helps you on demand all of the time. It works independently of DSC whether on or off. It only comes with the manual transmission. Aftermarket Quaife Differentials cost much much more and don't come with the factory 4 year warranty on parts and labor which is by itself a great advantage.

So if you drive like a Granny... then skip the LSD.

If you drive like a "Miniac" then order the LSD right now.

 

Does the $500 cost fit in your budget? If it does then I think you would use it under the following conditions-

Inclement weather including light rain, light snow, or with anything that limits traction- fluids spilled on the road to make it slick, loose gravel, dirt and debris, uneven surfaces, etc.

You make the most use from LSD when doing hard acceleration, or when cornering hard. If you always drive the speed limit and never spin your tires then LSD isn't going to be much use to you.

As a selling point LSD is good. It is passive and helps you on demand all of the time. It works independently of DSC whether on or off. It only comes with the manual transmission. Aftermarket Quaife Differentials cost much much more and don't come with the factory 4 year warranty on parts and labor which is by itself a great advantage.

So if you drive like a Granny... then skip the LSD.

If you drive like a "Miniac" then order the LSD right now.

 

one consideration: many other options can be added later for around the same cost as spec'ing them on the initial build.

no WAY you will put LSD onto your car later for anything CLOSE to $500 (other than if you are adding it onto an already necessary tranny job).

so in that sense it is one of the best values on the option list.

 

i hope i can get this 2006, working on trading in my 03 to order it now
i think im gonna get the LSD afterall

 

Yep it will help you climb that hill of beans. Provided you have the proper tires. Slowing down in poor conditions is very good advice.

It's my thinking that many folks are oblivious to those conditions & even if they aren't think that their high tech Nanny's will save them. There are some very good Electro Nanny's out their. Trouble is MINI doesn't use them.

Yes ASC & DSC will help prevent wheel spin. Here's a senario.... Raining like dogs & cats. Hit the gas to get out in the highway, wheels start slipping, but ASC & DSC are there to save the day. Your engine power drops & your wheels stop spinning. Yes Electro Nanny has saved the day!!! But wait there's more, you can't get out of the traffics way because you have very limited power. Yikes you've just been T boned by a bus full of seniors from the Sunny Beach retirement home.

When you start the car turn off that darned Electro Nanny so it doesn't get you killed. With LSD yes you'd still spin the wheels, but you'd have forward movement when the wheel slip does occur.

Two wheels putting the power down is better than one. Just my .02 here & worth every penny.

 

Ok, nothing official coming from me, but the Mrs. has the LSD on her MCSC.

Driving it compared to my 04 MCS, it has more traction that I can feel driving around town and such. I can feel it on acceleration from 1st & 2nd gear the most. It sort of feels like you're riding the clutch, when the clutch is disengaged. I'm no Randy Webb, but it's worth the money to me. I wish my MINI has the LSD. I'm not going to add one for $2k since I don't track my car, but if I placed another order today... I'd add it for sure! Hope that helps.

 

I ordered it for my MINI but I do agressive canyon driving once a week so it wasn't really an option for me it was a necessity.