MINI2 - MINI Forum - View Single Post

missMuffin · Aug 24th, 2005, 01:59 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by everythingsablur

Hehehe... Ok, we'll start slow.

"Engine mod" = Engine modification. As in changing specific parts of the engine to increase performance. This can be as simple as changing to better air filters and intakes (helps the car breathe better) to changing fuel injectors and cam shafts. Not for the newbie faint of heart.

Suspension packages could lower your car, if that's what you wanted. You could do a lot of things with the suspension to make the car handle and feel more the way you want it to. You could make it stiffer or softer. taller or lower. Sadly, most people just think of suspension as you did and just lower the car for looks without considering the other changes that are going to happen to the vehicles dynamics.

LSD = Limited-Slip Differential. This is now a factory installed option on the MCS (only on the manual). If the car detects wheel slip at one of the two drive wheels, it will "lock" and shunt power to the other wheel which still has traction. This is primarily going to occur in high-speed cornering where the inside wheel doesn't need to spin as much as the outside wheel. With normal 50/50 split, that means the inside wheel is turning more than it needs to while the outside (which has farther to travel to get around the corner) isn't turning enough. LSD will correct that. Granted, in day-to-day driving, you probably don't need the LSD unless you drive the car quite aggressively or on mixed road conditions where you might get different traction levels on either side of the car. But considering it's only $500 (depending on what country you're in) vs. $1500-2000 to have one installed aftermarket, it could be a good investment.

Hello there!! what an impressive writeup....it got my blood pumping for more...i'm really eager to read up more on these mechanism.i have seen the mini done wonders on curves, is it because of the LSD or it is already built that way?

When we purchase a MCS from BMW, what is the basic performance or comfort features that comes with it?

Newbie on the road to learning..........

Aug 24th, 2005, 01:59 PM	#6
missMuffin Little Miss Muffin Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: On an island Local Time: 05:25 PM Posts: 2,375 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by everythingsablur Hehehe... Ok, we'll start slow. "Engine mod" = Engine modification. As in changing specific parts of the engine to increase performance. This can be as simple as changing to better air filters and intakes (helps the car breathe better) to changing fuel injectors and cam shafts. Not for the newbie faint of heart. Suspension packages could lower your car, if that's what you wanted. You could do a lot of things with the suspension to make the car handle and feel more the way you want it to. You could make it stiffer or softer. taller or lower. Sadly, most people just think of suspension as you did and just lower the car for looks without considering the other changes that are going to happen to the vehicles dynamics. LSD = Limited-Slip Differential. This is now a factory installed option on the MCS (only on the manual). If the car detects wheel slip at one of the two drive wheels, it will "lock" and shunt power to the other wheel which still has traction. This is primarily going to occur in high-speed cornering where the inside wheel doesn't need to spin as much as the outside wheel. With normal 50/50 split, that means the inside wheel is turning more than it needs to while the outside (which has farther to travel to get around the corner) isn't turning enough. LSD will correct that. Granted, in day-to-day driving, you probably don't need the LSD unless you drive the car quite aggressively or on mixed road conditions where you might get different traction levels on either side of the car. But considering it's only $500 (depending on what country you're in) vs. $1500-2000 to have one installed aftermarket, it could be a good investment. Hello there!! what an impressive writeup....it got my blood pumping for more...i'm really eager to read up more on these mechanism.i have seen the mini done wonders on curves, is it because of the LSD or it is already built that way? When we purchase a MCS from BMW, what is the basic performance or comfort features that comes with it? Newbie on the road to learning.......... I don't own a mini..yet.......Just another Mini lover.....