Okay, so I want to order a Cooper-S & possibly The Works. LSD sounds like a good option to get power to the road thru corners, but tell me about:
1) the rev limiter, pros, cons & techniques?
2) the ECU, is it "smart" thereby learning driving style? Pros, cons & techniques? How easy to re-set if it does learn "granny" habits?
3) the DSC, how convenient to disable in DRY weather? I assume the default position is "on" so where is the switch? Is there interaction with the LSD function? Would I be better off NOT getting DSC which I assume includes "yaw" control, which I have found too controlling for me from past experience in dry weather in other performance cars. Pros, cons & techniques?
4) the ASC, again default is on, with a toggle in the centre dash. Pros, cons, interaction & techniques. All in all cars seem to be more in control of themselves these days and much as I appreciate ABS brakes, sometimes the other "smart" systems seem to take some of the "fun" out of spirited driving. Please adjust my attitude in these respects. Thanks in advance, SAILOR

 

1. ?
2. ?
3. DSC is disabled with a toggle switch. If you REALLY don't like it on, get an auto-up/TDDSC (Track Day DSC) module from Ian Cull, and you can turn it off automatically.
LSD is mechanical, DSC electronic. Supposedly the LSD helps by allowing the DSC to kick in later.
I'd get it - if it saves your a$$ once, money well spent.
4. No attitude adjustment necessary - what you say is true.

 

Eric, thanks for the feed back, anybody else have any words of wisdom or thoughts/experience/techniques to share relating to rev limiter, ECU, DSC, ASC or LSD systems? Letters really are popular these days aren't they? Cheers, SAILOR

 

1. The rev limiter is very useful, it keeps people from blowing up their engine...
2. The ECU on the MINI is smart and thus does adapt to how you drive. Very easy to reset (search the forums), disconect battery, reset via "odometer reset trick"
3. DSC does not affect the LSD. The LSD is completely seperate and mechanical while DSC is electronic. LSD is definitely a good option to get. DSC is very helpful on the street, helps prevent unwanted "suprises". But on the track (or dare I say a empty back road... ) DSC can be turned off to up the enjoyment and increase heart rate (good cardio workout actually...).
4. ASC is simply traction control, where as DSC is traction contol and stability control (detects slide/skid and corrects by using individual brakes and throttle manipulation). ASC is good for street use but even then has a few times where is a toss up as whether or not to enable it. DSC is a huge advantage due to the stability control.

 

1. The rev limiter is very useful, it keeps people from blowing up their engine...

The redline is *soft*, in that it slowly retards throttle as you approach it. Doesn't prevent downshifting too soon however, thus finding oneself hitting 2nd gear @ 7500rpm (am surprised the fuel-cutoff didn't activate?)

2. The ECU on the MINI is smart and thus does adapt to how you drive. Very easy to reset (search the forums), disconect battery, reset via "odometer reset trick"

ODO trick is easiest; hold the trip reset button while turning the key to position (1)... press it until it reads 21 or so I think. Check the forums.

3. DSC can be turned off to up the enjoyment and increase heart rate (good cardio workout actually...).

I purchased the 1-touch-Up windows controller with the "Track Mode" option enabled. So my DSC is normally off when I drive and I only turn it on for heavy rain/snow. TOYO PROXES are marvelous on dry and equally fine in the wet. HAVE FUN! -==LET'S MOTOR==-

 

npartist & ckaminsk, thanx for your insights, now I am getting a more complete picture, I do like the sound of that "auto DSC-off" set up. If I recall the ASC toggle is on the centre dash on an S, where is the switch/toggle for the DSC? Does it fill the empty toggle position & what if you get the rear fogs hooked up or is this no longer an issue on 2005 models? Does anyone else have other experience to offer regarding the ECU, ASC, DSC, LSD or ABS systems for that matter! " nothing ventured - nothing gained " SAILOR

 

ASC and DSC switch are in the same place. ASC is a subfunction of DSC (when DSC is installed).