Buying 2005 MCS - Question about DSC

[dave316]

I just wanted some input from everyone on how important they feel the DSC option is, and how much a difference it would make in handling. If your not tearing up really sketchy, windy roads will it even come into play? Is it just worth it for a safety feature for bad weather or are all the other traction control and braking devices good enough? Just from reading driving reviews on the car it seems almost impossible to get the car to over or understeer in the first place, what kind of driving style would the DSC really play an effective role in?

Thanks in advance, either way im buying a 2005 MCS within the next week.

Anthony

[stryder]

Welcome to MINI2.

Most people have DSC because it comes with the sport package, especially since 17" wheels and Xenons are popular. Are you planning on getting either?

I'll leave it to other to describe their experience in having it, personally I'm of the belief to get every safety feature possible, and try to never use them, works pretty well for me, but my budget allows it.

[dr61]

IMHO, yes it is important. I'm a highly experienced ex-road racer and current autocrosser. My wife and I will drive our MCS with DSC ON in most all street driving for possible emergency moves. Especially in the wet it should be very valuable. "Almost impossible to get the car to over or understeer" - hardly!! I did both just on my test drive...

Of course it will be OFF when I autocross.

Cheers,
Dave
MCS '05 on order

[MINIGT50]

DSC is a safety feature, not by any means a performance enhancing feature. It is certainly a great safety net, especially in adverse weather. The DSC could very likely save your butt, and I'm sure for many MINI2 members it has. And if you do happen to want to tear up those mountain twisties, again DSC could be a good margin of safety where it would compensate for extreme amounts of over or understeer.

As mentioned earlier though, to reach the true limits of the car, DSC should be turned off as in many instances it intrudes prematurely and restricts the car from its true potential in cornering and accelerating out of the corners. But as dr61 eluded to, that's onl;y important if you're competing for time, such as in autocrossing.

[chiph]

Try doing some quick math:

Insurance deductable:
Minus cost of DSC:
Equals money saved by not being in an accident because DSC saved your butt.

Chip H.