I'm confused... My MA insists that the standard DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) on the Clubman S will enable the car to get out of "stuck" areas like mud or snow. Since DSC controls and manipulates braking I don't see how this will work.

I found the following article on the web and will post it below. I don't know who wrote it but do you agree or disagree with it?

Why do you need Limited Slip (LSD) when you have DSC in you MINI Cooper?? This is because the DSC is designed for 'safety' at the limits while the LSD is designed for improved performance. When the MINI Cooper DSC detects traction loss at a wheel, the system scrubs energy (applies the brakes) to restore traction at that wheel. In comparison, when a Quaife LSD detects traction loss, it transfers the energy from the wheel losing traction to the wheel with traction, to continue controlled motion of your MINI Cooper. The difference is the 'transfer' of energy instead of 'scrubbing' energy. For high performance driving, Quaife LSD is the answer. The Quaife Differential powers both drive wheels under nearly all conditions, instead of just one. With an ordinary open differential, standard on most cars, a lot of precious power is wasted during wheelspin under acceleration. This happens because the open differential shifts power to the wheel with less grip (along the path of least resistance). The Quaife, however, does just the opposite. It senses which wheel has the better grip, and biases the power to that wheel. It does this smoothly and constantly, and without ever completely removing power from the other wheel.
In drag-race style, straight-line acceleration runs, this results in a close to ideal 50/50 power split to both drive wheels, resulting in essentially twice the grip of an ordinary differential (they don't call open diffs "peglegs" for nothing).
In cornering, while accelerating out of a turn, the Quaife biases power to the outside wheel, reducing inside-wheel spin. This allows the driver to begin accelerating earlier, exiting the corner at a higher speed.
The Quaife also controls loss of traction when the front wheels are on slippery surfaces such as ice and snow or mud, providing the appropriate biased traction needed to overcome these adverse conditions. The Quaife Differential provides constant and infinitely variable drive. Power is transferred automatically without the use of normal friction pads or plates seen in other limited-slip designs.
The Quaife's unique design offers maximum traction, improves handling and steering, and puts the power where it is needed most. A definite advantage whether on the track or on the street.
The Quaife is extremely strong and durable and since the Quaife is gear operated, it has no plates or clutches that can wear out and need costly replacement
The Quaife is great for street driving or racing. Racers don't have to put up with locking mechanisms or spools that tear the steering wheel out of their hands when cornering. Because it behaves like an open differential during ordinary driving, street drivers will have trouble telling it's there until pushing the car's limits.

 

He is correct. The DSC will brake the wheel that is spinning. But, that does mean that torque will be sent to the other wheel through the differential. It just isn't very efficient.

The other part of the DSC is critical to know too. When both wheels spin it will reduce throttle until traction is regained.

The sequence, one wheel spins, brake applied, second wheel spins, throttle reduced, etc is not very smooth from what I have seen. And, the throttle is reduced a lot more than I would like for some situations.

If you have an LSD then I think the dsc will work a bit better as both wheels will 'grip' longer and the throttle reduction won't kick in as often (I don't have the LSD so can't test it).

At least that's my theory and a little bit of experience when driving.

End message is, if you want higher performance, get the limited slip.

charlie

 

Your MA is misinformed. DSC doesn't turn your Clubman into a 4x4. It can keep you out of the ditch when you are tired or get stupid. The LSD in the mini is no where near as good as the Quaife, but it is not a bad $500 option. I have both DSC & LSD in my car and would do it again. DSC stays on for street driving and is shut off for AUTOX.

 

DSC is Dynamic Stability Control, it it keep the car from ground looping by applying different brakes when you loose it in a corner. ASC is All Season Traction Control, it applies the brake to the spinning wheel when going up a slippery surface and transfers the power to the non-spinning wheel. I had in on my 2000 Jetta 1.8T and it worked very well in the snow. A limited slip diff. is more for auto crossing where you need to put the most traction down while in a corner.
I ordered a LSD for my Clubman S, but if I had to do it over, I think I would have skipped it.

 

QUAIFE RULES, mini uses a cheaper less effective lsd, if you are keeping the car looooong, qet a quaife installed, maybe you can work a deal with the stealer