Is there a way to tell if a Mini Cooper S has a limited slip differential?

 

If it is an R56 and has LSD, it will pull from side-to-side, like a drunken sailor, at wide open throttle in low gears. There are some theories about what will happen if you jack up the car and spin one front wheel, but I've never tried that.

 

There has to be an easier way then that. I know on ford's they always stamp the rear dif case housing.

 

get into a wide open parking lot and run in circles slowly in 1st gear. Stock lsd's tend to howl a little,howling will intensify as you accelerate. Or post the last 7 of you vin and I'll let you know on monday (i work at the mini dealer ship in P.R)

 

Take the VIN to a dealer and have him run it. If installed at facorty it will show in specs.

 

I'd be buying it from a dealership (not mini) and the closest mini dealer is like 70 miles away.

 

For $3.95 you can decode your VIN here: http://www.decodethis.com/Default.aspx

 

Way more often than not, it doesn't have LSD. Other than the more power I'm getting with my Cooper S, I don't really feel a difference in torque steer from my former Cooper Clubman.

 

You shouldn't need to actually visit a dealer. Call any dealer and ask them to look up the VIN. It is only a matter of bringing it up on the computer, unless the person you talk to is being a complete jerk. Also try MINIUSA customer service at 1-866-ASK-MINI.

This is true. The LSD option became discontinued because there were so very few orders for it.

 

The sticker should be in the glovebox, with the books and everything else. You should be able to see if it does have LSD.


dddmmm8

 

Just like the air pressure sticker in the glovebox?

 

I wouldn't count on it being there. I've never kept my original new car sticker inside any of the cars I've owned, and I haven't heard of this to be common practice.

 

Mine has an LSD in it. I just know this because A) its on my MSRP sticker as an option added), and B) with my RMW tune wide open in 2nd gear my car will spin straight and suddenly jerk to the right during spin. Sometimes it will be all over the place making me feel like Im swinging the wheel left to right.

If you guys want on Monday/Tuesday I can put the front end on a jack, put it in gear and spin the wheel by hand to see if the other spins with it

 

I could feel way more torque steer while stepping on the gas while in a turn in my O7 that had LSD than my current 08 that doesn't.