[Kodak]

Although the '05 model MCS has been delivered to the first owners, I have yet to hear from anyone with their comments and verdicts....

What is happening...?

Are these owners simply having too much fun "testing" out the LSD to give comments, or has there not been any decent time period so as to come to a conclusion? I assume the run-in period puts the dampener on fun for the first few weeks

Come on guys, and gals.... If you have an LSD-equipped MCS.... I am dying to hear the comments, good AND bad.

How does it handle? Do you have any comparisons with a non-LSD MCS? How about the JCW LSD-equipped MCS. Too early for anyone to have one of those, I'm sure, but
how about people that are thinking of getting it..?


Don't keep us in the dark, otherwise I am going to have to go to my dealer for a test-drive.

Incidently, are the LSD-equipped MCS's readily available at most dealers, or is it too soon? If so, which dealers carry one... (I am in London)

[roland2003]

We have just fitted Quaife LSD to our Mini CS. TBH you wouldnt even know its there
at 'normal' pace. (this surprised me). Very different to a plate diff . I would think the
Mini LSD will feel like the Quaife,ie very user friendly.
Regards Roland Gt Tuning

[L8Apex]

The '05s with LSD won't be delivered until March. They weren't offered on '05s until January. Atleast that's how it is here in the states.

[chilihead]

Quote: Originally Posted by L8Apex

The '05s with LSD won't be delivered until March. They weren't offered on '05s until January. Atleast that's how it is here in the states.

My MCS - which I collected 2 days ago - has LSD.
I cant comment on how it differs as its the first one I have owned.

[Cooper_S_Cab]

LSD,

Well, I will tell you as soon as I can. I went to see my MCSC at the dealers yesterday and collect it tomorrow afternoon.
It was so good to see it after 3 months of waiting.
I went with black/black and chose the cordoba interior, and IMO it looks the dogs!!
It will be my 3rd mini ( see gallery for the other 2 ) So I will try and post as soon as I get chance and compare the 2.

[yorkshire-sam]

I collected my 05 MCS last week and can't really say I've noticed the LSD kick in! In saying that this is my first mini so like a previous post I wouldn't know the difference with or without it.

I asked my dealer if a special light (like DSC) came on if LSD was active and he said no, so when can you actually feel the LSD kicking in?

Cheers..

[milliethemini]

I used to own a 2000 Civic SiR with a 200hp Type R engine, which had the factory LSD in it.

Try to see if you can spin your wheels in 1st gear when taking off from a dead stop, the LSD should kick in and reduce/eliminate it. Also, when going around a bend, accelerate a bit and see if you feel the sensation of the car actually pulling you through it, as the LSD should reduce slippage on the inside wheel.

The LSD basically helps to keep a 2-wheel drive car like the MINI remain a 2-wheel drive car, in situations where wheelspin on one of the driving wheels would reduce the drive to just one wheel. As you can imagine, it's a great help in keeping power down onto the pavement in adverse conditions. That's why in 'normal' driving, you won't notice it, but then again you don't notice your airbags and seatbelt tensioners in 'normal' conditions either, do you? I consider LSD as both a driving and safety aid.

[Rosino]

I'm sorry guys ... but this seems odd... you don' t need to have had a mini to feel LSD ...

It's like traction control ... it's just something obvious, you just feel it when it enters the game.

LSD is the same, accellerate hard while turning and here comes the LSD... you should normally feel it in the steering wheel...

[northandy]

I think the point needs to be made that the LSD is a mechanical device, no warning lights will flash, nor will it kick in, its there all the time doing its stuff... like has been said the obvious way of knowing its there will be a dramatic decrease in inside wheel wheelspin in corners, and (when on a private road) both wheels will spin more equally when they do slip...

[milliethemini]

Just to carry further northandy's point, in addition to LSD being a mechanical device, there is two inherent advantages to LSD over a 'driving aid' like DSC and ASC:

When DSC and ASC kicks in, it's a combination of reducing power, which affects both driving wheels, and brakes, which is applied to the slipping wheel, thus restoring grip. However, braking a slipping wheel does not transfer power over to the non-slipping wheel.

With a normal differential, when a driving wheel begins to spin, all the power and torque is transferred over to that wheel, away from the driving wheel which still has traction. The end result is effectively a loss of power and traction, and can lead into a skid because the wheel with traction is unable to 'pull' a car into the direction it is turned to.

DSC and ASC reduces power and uses brakes on the wheel that is spinning, preventing the wheelspin that could cause this transfer of power. However, in some situations, (ie a vehicle/obstacle on a collision course, track day, autocross), any loss of power that could slow the car down and reduce it's speed and manouverability might be unacceptable.

This is where a limited slip differential really shines. Instead of reducing power and braking, the LSD simply transfers all the power from the spinning/slipping wheel over to the wheel with traction. With less power being transferred to it, the spinning wheel stops spinning, regains traction, and power is transferred back to it. As you can see, with the LSD the wheel that has the most traction, gets the most power.

The end effect is that in many cases, the car is literally 'pulled' around a corner or bend, without a great reduction in speed. You can see why having a LSD is such a great advantage in autocross/track days.

Having LSD work when a driving wheel still has traction, and DSC/ASC kick in only when BOTH wheels are slipping, is in my opinion a great 1-2 combo, which allows you to have the most fun with your MINI, and have DSC/ASC kick in only when it is most absolutely needed.

[Fabio]

Quote: Originally Posted by milliethemini

Just to carry further northandy's point, in addition to LSD being a mechanical device, there is two inherent advantages to LSD over a 'driving aid' like DSC and ASC:

When DSC and ASC kicks in, it's a combination of reducing power, which affects both driving wheels, and brakes, which is applied to the slipping wheel, thus restoring grip. However, braking a slipping wheel does not transfer power over to the non-slipping wheel.

With a normal differential, when a driving wheel begins to spin, all the power and torque is transferred over to that wheel, away from the driving wheel which still has traction. The end result is effectively a loss of power and traction, and can lead into a skid because the wheel with traction is unable to 'pull' a car into the direction it is turned to.

DSC and ASC reduces power and uses brakes on the wheel that is spinning, preventing the wheelspin that could cause this transfer of power. However, in some situations, (ie a vehicle/obstacle on a collision course, track day, autocross), any loss of power that could slow the car down and reduce it's speed and manouverability might be unacceptable.

This is where a limited slip differential really shines. Instead of reducing power and braking, the LSD simply transfers all the power from the spinning/slipping wheel over to the wheel with traction. With less power being transferred to it, the spinning wheel stops spinning, regains traction, and power is transferred back to it. As you can see, with the LSD the wheel that has the most traction, gets the most power.

The end effect is that in many cases, the car is literally 'pulled' around a corner or bend, without a great reduction in speed. You can see why having a LSD is such a great advantage in autocross/track days.

Having LSD work when a driving wheel still has traction, and DSC/ASC kick in only when BOTH wheels are slipping, is in my opinion a great 1-2 combo, which allows you to have the most fun with your MINI, and have DSC/ASC kick in only when it is most absolutely needed.

Great write up

though i wonder if the mini system will work like the 1-2 combo

[abs0lutely]

Great info on this thread.

I find my JCW, what can I say... "Frisky". I think LSD would help a lot. Does anyone know if it's possible for MINI to dealer-fit the MINI LSD? My dealership didn't seem to think so... I think it's pretty bad that it wasn't available as soon as the facelifted car was!

[Cooper_S_Cab]

Collected mine today and I must say there is quite a bit of difference. The handling of my MCSC is alot better than that of my old MCS.
I did open it up a bit, and unfortunately it was raining, but it did handle very well.
Will let you know a bit more when I have thrashed it a bit more today!

[justbob]

Quote: Originally Posted by milliethemini

Just to carry further northandy's point, in addition to LSD being a mechanical device, there is two inherent advantages to LSD over a 'driving aid' like DSC and ASC:

When DSC and ASC kicks in, it's a combination of reducing power, which affects both driving wheels, and brakes, which is applied to the slipping wheel, thus restoring grip. However, braking a slipping wheel does not transfer power over to the non-slipping wheel.

With a normal differential, when a driving wheel begins to spin, all the power and torque is transferred over to that wheel, away from the driving wheel which still has traction. The end result is effectively a loss of power and traction, and can lead into a skid because the wheel with traction is unable to 'pull' a car into the direction it is turned to.

DSC and ASC reduces power and uses brakes on the wheel that is spinning, preventing the wheelspin that could cause this transfer of power. However, in some situations, (ie a vehicle/obstacle on a collision course, track day, autocross), any loss of power that could slow the car down and reduce it's speed and manouverability might be unacceptable.

This is where a limited slip differential really shines. Instead of reducing power and braking, the LSD simply transfers all the power from the spinning/slipping wheel over to the wheel with traction. With less power being transferred to it, the spinning wheel stops spinning, regains traction, and power is transferred back to it. As you can see, with the LSD the wheel that has the most traction, gets the most power.

The end effect is that in many cases, the car is literally 'pulled' around a corner or bend, without a great reduction in speed. You can see why having a LSD is such a great advantage in autocross/track days.

Having LSD work when a driving wheel still has traction, and DSC/ASC kick in only when BOTH wheels are slipping, is in my opinion a great 1-2 combo, which allows you to have the most fun with your MINI, and have DSC/ASC kick in only when it is most absolutely needed.

Excellent explanation of the difference between LSD and DSC...Thanks.

(Also, I'm becoming more and more convinced that I need to trade my 04 MCS for an 05...!)

[cooper_sport]

You can find my thoughts of the LSD here.

http://www.mini2.com/forum/showpost....8&postcount=42

Regards
John