From my searching on this forum I have gathered that Limited Slip Differentials are not standard on the Mini Cooper S. I have only heavily modified rear wheel drive cars, including changing of differentials. I'm assuming to accomplish this with the front wheel mini the entire transaxle has to be replaced to upgrade to LSD? I noticed it's a 500 dollar upgrade on the new MCS. Is this a do it yourself job I can probably pull off or should I just exclusively hunt for MCS's with LSD?

 

Doing a successful LSD install is a function of your wrenching skills. If you have successfully swapped/installed LSDs in rear wheel drive cars, you probably have the baseline skill set to install a LSD in the MCS. The parts cost alone for one version of LSD for the MCS sold through MiniMania is $1,700 ( http://new.minimania.com/web/Item/NM.../InvDetail.cfm ). Even if you have the ability to do a LSD swap, if you can find a MCS with LSD, that is usually a preferred route vs. putting in a LSD where one is not presently in place.

Also, the LSD option is only available for M/T MCS. The MCSa transaxle does not provide for a LSD install.

 

I'm a manual tranny only kind of guy. For that price I wouldn't bother. As much as I'd prefer to have it, I only auto-x at the club level. I can worry about making an imaculate race mini after I'm done with school.

 

While it was not standard on the earlier cars, it *was* an available option. It was only available "a la carte", rather than being part of any option package, so there's no quick way to tell if a particular car has the LSD installed. The window sticker will tell you, or you can call 866-ASK-MINI and give them your VIN, and they can tell you whether your car has it.

 

You COULD DIY, but unlike RWD, for the MINI you would need to dismantle the tranny to install the LSD. Quite a bit more complicated than a standard RWD LSD swap.
Personally, I'd look for the elusive stock LSD. Then again, the Quaife is reported to be more durable (for significantly more $$.)

 

Not sure what your definition of "earlier cars" is, but the LSD as a factory option began in early 2005. (And I think it was in calendar year, not model year 2005, so early production '05 cars would not have had it.) I purposely waited to order my 2nd MCS until the LSD was available, and am told I got the first factory LSD Ferman MINI of Tampa Bay had ever seen on their lot (Delivered 3/23/05). MA's were asking to take turns driving it, but I was far too anxious to let them get seat time in my MINI before I did.

Not busting *****, just clarifying. If someone owns an '02-'04, and I believe an '05 with a build date before mid-January 2005, they won't see LSD on their window sticker. Someone please correct me if I am off on the date of the LSD rollout.

 

By "earlier", I just meant pre-R56 cars. Depending on how I read the OP's post, I wasn't positive he was aware that LSD was even an option *at all* prior to the R56.

I will admit that the factory LSD production started later than I thought, though. Prior to reading your post, I knew that it wasn't available from the very beginning, but I thought it was available sooner than early 2005. Both of our cars have it, but they're both 2006-build.

 

You're correct, I waited till Jan 05 build as that's when the LSD became available as a option. With start of calendar year 05 not start of model year.

They also revised ratios for the manual S tranny resulting in a quicker launch & 0-60, can anyone confirm I think that was starting model year 05 vs. calendar.

 

Just to clarify, LSD is a stand alone option on the R56, too.

 

I had to hunt for a LSD car. Hard to believe that it is not more common
( IMO it should be standard on a MCS 6 Speed). My car is an 2006 1/2
14mm wheel bolt----to help contain all of the LSD traction .

 

I was surprised it wasn't part of the sport package, at least.

 

Good point, considering all the items in the Sport package that have absolutely nothing to do with performance. Makes me wonder if they thought no one would appreciate the value of it, or perhaps they initially had supply issues and didn't want to tie the LSD to a popular package like the Sport package, for fear of not being able to meet demand.

 

I think it was just marketing.

 

hey guys, new guy here
so i just want to confirm: the only way to tell if an '05 or '06 has the LSD is to call that toll-free number?
thanks

 

Probably the best way is to call MINIUSA and have them check the VIN, but you *could* also take the car for a drive with the DSC/ASC switched off, take a right hand turn in second gear, and floor it coming out of the turn. A non-LSD car will easily spin the inside front tire. A LSD equipped car should keep that from happening.

 

Also the later (or maybe always) FACTORY JCW Kit included LSD. A lead that it's a factory kit is it'll have JCW brake calipers (though these could have been dealer installed as well).
Sports package is a total misnomer.

 

i like that method better. sounds way more fun.
thanks for help.

 

Also the obvious - automatic tranny means no LSD.

 

Does anyone know if the factory LSD is viscous fluid, clutch or helical?

 

It's a clutch type.

 

Ahhh… I'll just wait until I find a deal on the Quaife unit then.

 

Finding a MCS with a LSD is a tall order. I believe few cars have them. My deal told me they never order them on any cars they spec. I ordered my car with a LSD because it was the cheapest way for me to get one. $500 seemed like a deal to me.

I think a Quaife is a better LSD. By going that route you open your search for a nice MINI up, by not limiting yourself to only 05 & 06's.

 

Yeah, it's unlikely a dealer would order LSD for a sales lot vehicle. It bumps up the price $500, it can't be seen, most drivers would not want it and, giving sales peoples' general preference for show, saying "Man, you can leave 2 stipes on the road for a block," would not be very PC.

 

Yep most people would look very confused when the salesman said the car has LSD.

 

Then again, some might be willing to pay a lot extra!