This may sound dumb, but without LSD I should really spin one tire most of the time and should get a load of torque steer. I feel the torque steer a lot, but I think that is mostly because of mods and running more torque. I have been messing around with friends a lot (and people who think FWD is worse for burnouts) and it seems I spin both tires every single time. Everyone else I know only spins one without LSD. There a chance it was installed by accident at the factory or is the stock diff just good for a non-LSD?

 

Forgot to mention - I did not order LSD when I ordered the car

 

Both of mine usually spin... no LSD.

 

LSD is a pretty expensive option, I would doubt that they would install one by accident.

 

Floor it in a turn and you should instantly be able to tell if you have an LSD.

If you have a non-LSD car, the inside wheel will spin like crazy and you'll have no traction. In an LSD car, it should just grip and pull you towards where the wheels are turned.

 

Without an LSD they are not both spinning. It is good it feels that way though because usually the car will pull REALLY hard to one wide without when you are launching. And you have to order it with the car or it does not have it! It would show as an additional option on your window sticker.

 

No they definitely both spin, I have treadmarks to prove it. I was just wondering if theres a chance they did it by accident and normally only one spins. I should have ordered LSD anyway (only a $500 option)

 

Same with me. I have done "burn outs" and gotten out of my car to see 2 very even marks on the road.

 

Ok, I guess that just means this diff is better than most non-LSD ones in other cars.

 

All things being equal an open differential will supply equal torque to both wheels. MINI has done a good job balancing the FWD to limit torque steer and uses equal length shafts. Accelerate while turning with some sand on the road and you will get much less traction with an open then with LSD.

 

A local rally racer/tuning shop owner with a turboed AND supercharged R53 doesn't have an LSD. He claims that it takes away from the feel of the car.

Here's his car in full Targa Newfoundland prep:

 

Very easy to get both tires spinning in a drag race start as the power is enough to get both spinning. But the real rest is in the corners as posted above. Hit the gas coming out of a tight turn and you should be able to tell.

 

Do note that even in the absence of an LSD, you CAN get both tires to spin. My friend's 91 Miata most definitely does NOT have an LSD but routinely leaves two (albeit very, very short) stripes on the ground when given the beans.

It isn't always one-wheel-peel all the time. Accelerating with the wheel turned is a better test, but given enough power, the inside tire will still significantly spin with an LSD. The factory LSD doesn't lock all the way.

It's a very grey area, but I still think the LSD is a worthwhile option from the factory.

 

This is pretty spot on. I come off an on ramp every day at a stop sign and have to make a hard right into 50 mph traffic. In my wifes R53 without an LSD, the car pulls right really hard. In my R56 with and LSD, it simply pulls real hard in a straight line wherever I point it. I think it was worth every penny of $500 and was the one thing I absolutely had to have when I was looking for a used R56.

 

My MCS with LSD pulls left, then right, then left... Quite entertaining, when you are prepared for it. Otherwise, Still, better than spinning wheels.