I found a safe, empty area to finally test out my DSC. During the first half of the video when I had it on, it definitely kept my car on track going around the circle. It's a weird feeling as the cars wheels adjust especially when there's a feeling of some loss of power. Either way, I'm glad I got it, especially with my driving skills.

 

I'm dizzy.

 

My DCS seldom engages but the hill assist sure does and I like it!!! It's not particularly hilly here, but they've made hills w/ all the highway overpasses w/ traffic lights on all sides. In real-world traffic, hill assist is a very useful feature (more than I thought it would be) and even makes launches a bit less stressful on the clutch.

 

Nice to see actual results I've only driven my girlfriends MCa w/ DSC and I was kinda worried to not get DSC in the MCS and end up finding out the hard way that I can't take turns like I could in the MC

 

I engaged DSC accidentally during the first week I had WIKIMINI (less than a month ago). I'm driving relatively conservatively, trying to work my way out to the edges of the adhesion envelope. I decided to do a sort of understeer drift through a corner at the end of a freeway near me. The road conditions were good for this because the pavement was a little wet and (I supposed) would allow me to break loose at a more manageable speed than on dry pavement.

I went into the turn at about 70 mph, lifted the throttle ever so slightly to induce an oversteer, and then pressed the accelerator all the way through the turn. Despite keeping my foot on the accelerator and never touching the brake, I came out of the corner about 30 mph slower. I agree, it feels very strange to have a car take over the driving. It felt like the car had no power and made me wonder if the drive-by-wire accelerator is controlled by the DSC.

I suppose I'll have to turn DSC off to continue feeling my way through the handling limits of the car. The '08 DSC is a little too conservative for me.

I understand the '09 JCW will have a modified DSC that will allow some slip but then take over if the slew rate goes up too fast. I think that would probably be a safer system for folks that otherwise need to turn DSC off.

Does anybody know -- do the brake lights illuminate when DSC is working?

 

The hill hold is the main reason I'm getting the DSC. There's hardly a flat stretch of road in San Francisco, and I don't want to drive like Steve McQueen (even though I've accidentally gotten air on a couple of SF's hills and I have to admit it is thrilling!) or slide back down a hill and into another car!

 

I recently replaced a couple of worn out tires on my 07 MCS (at 9k miles). I placed the slightly worn stock Dunlop RFs in front and the new Conti RFs in back. All tires are at 38psi. With this change in tire mix I find the DSC very frequently kicks in. The DSC is pretty subtle: I notice a little braking and sometimes I hear a little brake noise.

I might add that my daily commute includes 15 miles of wonderful windy mountain road.

If I had to do it again I wouldn't mix tire types; next time I'll stick with Dunlops. I also wish the DSC was adjustable because it comes on so often, particulary when going downhill in a curve. Accelerating uphill in a curve I rarely get DSC engagement.

 

Good job on the DSC demo ... might as well get used to what it does under controlled conditions before you really need it. I love how MINI owners have to test out each and every toy on our cars

I totally love the hill assist, too... what a great bonus.

I've only had the DSC lamp come on during track days.Topping out on the uphill at Lime Rock in the rain, and pushing it on the uphill curve at NHIS ... DSC lamp is a'blazin'. I turned it off to see how she handles without it, and one lap at each track was enough to convince me that DSC is a must-have option for road and track. For me, at least.

 

I agree. I've been driving for about 45 years now. 80% of my driving history is with manual trans. I consider myself above average when it comes to clutch operation. I've never had a burned out clutch in my life. That said, I still love the hill assist. It has to reduce clutch wear no matter how efficient a driver one may be. It makes it easy and I like easy.

 

No.

 

yeah, but it would be cool if someone had their neon hood scoop or some other lights activate with the DSC. it'll be like a flashing warning sign that the driver is pushing the mini's limits.

 

I'd go for sound feedback--

if (passenger_present) play("EEEK!")
else play("WHEEEEE!")

 

nice script

 

I like that. Positive feedback to reinforce motoring at its best.

 

I like your alternatives better than brake lights. Without the warning, somebody without DSC (following way too close) could run up your back pretty fast. But you'd look like the biggest driving dork in the world applying brakes at the apex of a turn.

Do we know if DSC affects throttle too? It sure feels like it.

 

im pretty sure it does.

 

yeah, when i tried to make the car slide at higher speeds the engine lost power.

 

The video would be better if a tree jumped out at ya!