If you drive the car hard enough to warrant DSC then you're probably better off just spending the money on medical insurance...
DSC is for high speed lift off oversteer situations. The situations that people are talking about on the other thread seem mostly to be covered by ACS+T, which is for low speed tractions AFAIK, and that comes for free.
I disagree completely. DSC's main purpose is to help prevent accidents -- ESPECIALLY in extreme avoidance maneuvers. If you are lucky, you'll never be in a situation where you need DSC. If you are unlucky, DSC can help change your luck.
+ 2002 MINI Cooper S - Dark Silver / White roof, Sport, Premium, Lapis blue leather
+ 1965 Mini Traveller - Tartan Red / White roof, 1275, Cooper S discs, fully restored/renewed
It's also worth noting that the short wheelbase and weight distribution naturally exaggerates the tendency for the back end to want to swap end when you decelerate too quickly in a front wheel drive vehicle. DSC helps keep that in check, even at sow speeds.
Two weeks ago today I sure wish I had DSC after a truck spilled several hundred gallons of cooking oil on the road. As rare as that might seem, oily road conditions happen nearly everywhere. Is there a road anywhere that doesn't receive any rain?
We just ended an exceptionally long drought here in Portland. It's been months since we've received any significant rain fall. Until last Tuesday, dripping oil has been accumulating from cars all summer long along the surface of the roads, and soaking in. Now that the rains are finally here, that oil is floating to the surface causing some very slick conditions.
Compound that with having brand new tires, and Tuesday through Thursday were a bit too entertaining without intentional provocation. I want DSC.
...just passing on what the dealer told me. He said he'd never drive a car hard enough to jsutify DSC - and let me tell you I was gripping the seat with my arse cheeks when he was driving !
I love the bit in the mini handbook which basically says 'even with DSC the laws of physics cannot be repealed'. Short story - the best DSC is the one that lives inbetween your ears.
I've put 75K miles on an MX5 with nothing so much as even ABS never mind any kind of traction control. I've driven that car in every weather condition, and I've driven it hard - the thing is that is communicates so much back to the driver that you are well aware of the limits of traction - so much so that you can have fun playing with it. I'd rather rely on my own judgement than have another black box between me and the road.
I drive a Cooper with ASC+T, a Cooper S with DSC, and a MINI One with neither. They all are different, but I personally think the DSC is well worth it.
After all, if you really want you can always turn it off. If you don't spec it, you don't have that choice.
Yes, the biggest battle DSC faces is the ego of 'accomplished' drivers.
Again, DSC is not there to improve times during track days. Almost everyone agrees it gets in the way in a controlled driving situation. But, as I stated previously, DSC's main purpose is to help prevent accidents -- ESPECIALLY in extreme avoidance maneuvers in the real (non-track world).
If it saves your butt just once during your time with a DSC-equipped car, it has paid for itself.
+ 2002 MINI Cooper S - Dark Silver / White roof, Sport, Premium, Lapis blue leather
+ 1965 Mini Traveller - Tartan Red / White roof, 1275, Cooper S discs, fully restored/renewed
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