On my MCS, I'm definitely opting for the LSD but I may not choose the DSC. I'm not going to track the MCS, but like most MCS drivers, I enjoy spirited driving. Is the DSC really necessary if I have the LSD?

 

If you are driving at all on normal roads, yes, DSC is a good thing to have and to use at all times. You can switch it off on the track if you want...but some do better using it on certain parts of the track and not others.

 

Different thread, same question (and noone has been able to answer it so far): what does DSC do for your safety that ASC doesn't do (technically and in keeping the car under control)?

 

I ordered DSC after watching this youtube video of someone (a NAM'er) driving with it on, then with it off. That MINI cuts loose quickly. I don't think my kids have the driving experience to handle that yet.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWxWBB2Ornc

 

I'm not an expert so I don't know the intricate details but here is the basic difference.

ASC is traction control. You apply too much throttle, the wheels start to spin and ASC puts an end to that. (In my opinion, this is annoying (to the point of sometimes being a saftey hazard) and I'd like the ability to turn this piece off without affecting DSC.)

DSC is an add-on on top of ASC (i.e. if you have DSC you have ASC too). DSC detects when the car is not going where the steering sensor says it should be (oversteer or understeer) and applies brake to individual wheels to correct. DSC is a saftey feature that helps keep the car under control when the driver is surprised by unexpected road conditions (patches of water, ice, sand, gravel, oil). DSC will be standard on all cars sold in the US very soon. (In my opinion, all cars should have this and it should be turned on whenever on public roads.)

Ooo, here, I found some links to more detailed explanations:
http://www.mini2.com/forum/faq.php?s...l&titlesonly=0
http://www.usautoparts.net/bmw/technology/asct.htm
http://www.usautoparts.net/bmw/technology/dsc.htm

 

I had the same problem recently. My current car does not have it and I have never had any problem, but.... I just ordered and decided to go with the DSC. When driving in the winter time or when the road may be covered with water it would be nice in case things get out of control. I also like the spirited drive at times but it will be nice to have when I am cruising along not trying to be speed racer.

The video with the mini going in circles shows how much control it can have.

 

Yes. Kinda like air bags... you'll hardly ever use it in normal street driving but if something happens to activate it you'll probably be happy you have it.

Oh... and for the LazyT's original question about LSD and DSC...
The two do completely different things. I'd always get the DSC. If you're never going to track or autocross the car then the LSD is optional.

 

I would not buy a car, i mean expensive, without DSC now.

I've felt it kick on twice when swerving for maniacs.

It was like WOW why don't all cars have this ?????

 

What MirthScout said.

This is how I figured it (Someone correct me if I'm way off course.): ASC keeps you from losing traction parallel to the wheels (reduce spinning of the wheels), DSC keeps you from losing traction perpendicular to the wheels (reduce sliding of the wheels).

I believe ASC will only cut power to the throttle, whereas DSC can actually activate braking on the necessary wheels.

 

DSC is a safety feature for daily driving. It isn't for track. LSD has nothing to do with DSC. I believe you are thinking of ASC, which comes with all MINIs now.

DSC uses yaw sensors, steering angle, and lateral acceleration to determine if the MINI is going where intended. If not, it manipulates individual brakes to try to rotate the car back to the steering direction. It is capable of manipulations no human can do. It has nothing to do with putting power to the ground.

LSD is about putting power to the ground. If one of the front wheels is spinning during acceleration, it transfers power to the other wheel. One benefit is that it will reduce the intervention of ASC.

ASC attempts to maintain traction during acceleration by applying a braking to the spinning drive wheel. It can also cut engine power if both wheels spin. This can be disconcerting. The car can seem to bog down when you put your foot in it.

DSC has been shown, statistically, to reduce accidents more than ABS did. It is worth having. I believe it will come with all MINIs in 2009.

 

ASC only helps you accelerate. It does nothing when your MINI starts to drift. DSC will sense a drift and use individual brakes to try and get the car going in the direction the front wheels are pointed.

 

i bought my used 205 MCS and the toggle switch has DSC on it.. does it mean i have it? how do i know its on or off?

 

If it says DSC, you've got it. It would say ASC otherwise. It's automatically on when you start the car. If you toggle that switch, you'll see a yellow triangle with an exclamation point and arrow going around it show in your speedo panel. That means DSC is OFF. Otherwise, you'll see that same icon flash if you have it on and it activates for any reason.

 

DSC is a wonderful thing. In everyday driving, you always hope that you never have to use it.

The key to DSC is that it can brake any one of the wheels indvidually (no driver can do that) to correct a slide/skid. It can't overcome the laws of physics but it is a great system.

For those that argue they don't need DSC as they are a great driver the key question I ask is: does anybody else drive the car. If so, buy it for them as they may not be as good as you and it might just save their life. If you're on a track, just turn it off if it bothers you.

I've lived with DSC on a Z3, VW Golf VR6, Z4 and now MCS. Each evolution of DSC has changed slightly for the better (less intrusive, better balance). I now won't buy a car without DSC.

The Z3 mentioned was totalled by somebody on a roundabout in the UK. Stupidly, he had switched off the DSC on a slightly wet day - the back stepped out and that was it. I'm almost certain that DSC would have saved the car (he was OK).

John.

 

thxs so much for yr explanation..i can always count on the peeps here for info..

 

Yes, like they said, LSD is nice to have but DSC is like an insurance. Insurance is required by law. DSC will be required by law soon but the law doesn't care about LSD. What does that tell you?
BTW, I have neither.

 

You don't need DSC...






...until you do.

BTW, there have been a few threads on just this question--you might be able to find some of them with the "search" function.

 

I bought my MINI off the lot, and it doesn't have DSC. I don't know why they would order them without. I really regret buying my car off the lot just for this reason because I am very concerned about safety.

 

Personally not a huge fan of DSC, had it in my last four cars (2 fwd, 2 awd), the two that were fwd, I would turn it off all the time, as it would often ruin the fun of a spirited drive as it is not predictable, and to me could be just as dangerous as having it off (haven't decided if ASC has a similar effect). I understand it may help in accident avoidance for some, but it does depend how you drive. Now with the AWD cars it would have little effect, so I usually wouldn't bother to shut it off. With that said LSD is most important for the track, and very spirited driving, in most other circumstances it is not a needed safety feature.

 

AWD makes no difference to the effect of DSC. The traction control part may cut in less as the wheel traction is better but the key part you are buying is the stability correction/control.

Now, I agree that an AWD drive is not going to loose forward traction as easily as a 2WD but AWD doesn't mean that a driver can recover if a slide/skid happens. Because DSC has control over all four wheels braking independently and can react faster than a human, it stands a better job of recovering from unable vehicle situations.

If you want to test that theory, find a skidpan and work with DSC. The results would be similiar in an SUV or car.

John.

 

I bought my auto with DSC because I thought it would help with resale value. Now I'm not sure it matters. The DSC in my auto remains off 99% of the time.

 

The mini is my first car with DSC, and I will never have another car without it again. One day going about 65 on the freeway I quickly came up on a large office chair in the middle of road. I swerved hard to miss it, DSC cut on and saved my butt. Without it I was either hitting the chair or spinning out off the road.

 

if from the bottom of a long long snow/ice covered steep uphill driveway, which is more helpful to get you to the top....the ASC which all MINI's have or adding LSD?

 

Cutting in less is a huge difference to me, of course it makes no difference in how it works, but obviously a huge difference in frequency, and that was my point.

 

Most likely the LSD and a driver with a brain. If you mash the gas you won't get far with either LSD or ASC, but bth can be overcome in certain situations. ASC limits wheel spin by slowing the spinning wheel, so you can get into a situation where you simply can not move. LSD will lock the drive wheels together (to a point), before letting one spin.