So i didn't buy the lsd from mini when i ordered my car because i thought i didn't need it. I was wrong. I emailed my dealer the other day and they told me that they do not instal them as a retrofit. How hard it it to instal one on these things?

 

I've never persoanlly installed one but I had a Quaife installed in my R53 and it cost me $1k just for the labor, so I'll assume not too easy. I'm not even sure you can buy an OEM LSD from the dealer w/o buying a whole new trasmission with the LSD already installed.

 

Not sure if there are any aftermarket LSD's for the 56 yet...but I'd go that route. It's an expensive install, so if you're going to do it, definitely get a better aftermarket LSD, the stock one is only good cuz its $500 from the factory, otherwise its not so great as far as LSD's go.

Also, change out the clutch and flywheel at the same time, as the transmission will be dropped down anyway, save some future labor cost .

 

what is the ration for the factory lsd. i heard it was like 30%

 

i believe its 30%. its 50% with the factory jcw cars.

 

Installing an LSD is not easy, especially on a FWD car. The transmission will have to be taken out and torn apart. I'm not sure if the transmission can be taken out without having to take out the engine.

 

It can be taken out separately from the engine. My Transmission was recently replaced under warranty.

 

If I were to add an LSD after the fact, I wouldn't choose a stock MINI LSD... I'd go for a Quaife, but labor will probably cost as much as the LSD.

 

Whether or not an aftermarket LSD is better, it's not entirely correct to say the MINI one is only a $500 LSD and therefore isn't as good. That factory order surcharge reflects $500 over the cost of a standard diff, not $500 by itself.

 

Is the dealer willing to retrofit your car with an LSD. I'm thinking about doing the same thing.

 

no they will not

 

My 07 MCS doesn't have the LSD and I am considering adding it. With some searching, I found three: Quaiffe, Cusco, & OS Giken
http://www.quaife.co.uk/BMW-Mini-Coo...B-differential
http://new.minimania.com/web/Item/NMG1004/InvDetail.cfm
http://www.mini-madness.com/index.as...ROD&ProdID=332

Anyone know about the advantages and disadvantages of these? What about others on the market?

Thanks for any input