Opinions on DSC for Cooper S

[TonyFoy]

Saved my bacon once when nearly had a head on a country lane with grass verges on the sides. I was fine putting two wheels on the grass as the DSC kicked in to stop the car spinning. The other car ended up in the hedge.

The fact is you never know when it might save you.

[Tunster]

Quote: Originally Posted by TonyFoy (original)

Saved my bacon once when nearly had a head on a country lane with grass verges on the sides. I was fine putting two wheels on the grass as the DSC kicked in to stop the car spinning. The other car ended up in the hedge.

The fact is you never know when it might save you.

Very right. That's why I decided to get it and ditch LSD. Safety features on a quick car (regardless how well it handles without the DSC as my salesman demonstrated being an ex-track day instructor ). The electronics will think quicker than you regardless how good driver you are.

[Tommo]

For the majority of incidents mentioned so far, a little more forward planning would mean that you never needed to use your skill or the DSC. You shouldn't get yourself into a position where you need it, that's the sign of a good driver not one who can act quicker than the electronics.
I agree that in the odd situation where it's totally unpredictable the DSC can save your bacon but to be honest how often does that really happen ? If the DSC is saving you on a regular basis you need to have a look at your driving.
I think it's good now that it's standard but I wouldn't have paid for it as an option and is it a must have on a cooper s I'm unconvinced.

[ScottC25]

Thats good news, just about to order one within the next 6 weeks.
Tommo13, are you in scotland at all, just theres a yellow Cooper lives in my estate with Tommo as the reg plate???

[FergusM]

Quote: Originally Posted by tommo13 (original)

For the majority of incidents mentioned so far, a little more forward planning would mean that you never needed to use your skill or the DSC. You shouldn't get yourself into a position where you need it, that's the sign of a good driver not one who can act quicker than the electronics.
I agree that in the odd situation where it's totally unpredictable the DSC can save your bacon but to be honest how often does that really happen ? If the DSC is saving you on a regular basis you need to have a look at your driving.
I think it's good now that it's standard but I wouldn't have paid for it as an option and is it a must have on a cooper s I'm unconvinced.

Well DSC saved me when I hit ice this winter, corner look 100% ok, went in slowly, and still lost back end...DSC caught it and then I hit a grippy bit and was pointing in correct direction. I would not buy a car without DSC!

I agree about forward planning...but it is great when you you get caught out. I for one am glad it is standard now.

[Tommo]

Quote: Originally Posted by ScottC25 (original)

Thats good news, just about to order one within the next 6 weeks.
Tommo13, are you in scotland at all, just theres a yellow Cooper lives in my estate with Tommo as the reg plate???

No mate near Manchester, I wish I had the plate though I'm not really one for private plates but that would be quite smart.
I'm getting my new Laser Blue Cooper S in about three or four weeks and I'm not sure if it will have DSC as standard fit or not (Company car so not sure of the build week)

I hear where your coming from Fergus and I do think it's a good system, I'm not having a go at DSC or any of the driver aids they have probably saved loads of lives and kept people from becoming part of the scenery. I just wonder if a car with as good a chassis as the mini really needs electronics to keep you shiny side up ? Or if the cost of it would be better spent doing something like the DP driver Training course, with skid pan work etc. How many of us pass our test and then that's it "I'm a driver" no more training, no extended car control and just assume that we are good drivers ?
Now it's standard hopefully people may be able to have both

[johnmichael]

I have had DSC on all four of my MCSs and on one occasion it definitely saved me. Overtaking a line of traffic on a 'priority' middle lane when a car pulled out and I had to brake very hard on a wet road. The car started to spin into the oncoming traffic with the weight on the nsf wheel and the osr wheel lifted. Quick as a shot car back down all square! I could never be that quick or that accurate, worth every penny.

[Tunster]

I don't think the DSC is there to stop you being a stupid driver as it's always down to looking ahead and assessing situations effectively. However, I can see how it will help you out when some "unexpected" happens and you have to make a sudden and harsh reaction that pushes the car to it's limits in wet weather or in a similar situation.

I'm glad I'm getting it .

[peter1201]

I've heard from my dealer that DSC is a standard fit on all MCS from build week 10 - which I think is 3rd March.

[Adrian Plant]

My wife has DSC on her car, and it also comes with hill start assist which is great too.

My only experience of the DSC working was when I did a track day at Rockingham in a 330i in the wet, if this hadn't been on I would have ended up off the track. It just straightened up the car when turning to vigorously into a corner.

[astilla]

Quote: Originally Posted by Adrian Plant (original)

My wife has DSC on her car, and it also comes with hill start assist which is great too.

Out of interest, how does the "hill start assist" work? I get my 'S' with DSC on Saturday and forgot all about that feature, although I did see it listed somewhere in a brochure when I was speccing it.

[SeldomSeen]

hill start assist keeps the brakes on after you release the brake pedal while you're moving your foot over to press the accelerator

it doesn't last very long and it doesn't work with the handbrake

if you normally use your handbrake when stopped, it may not be a particularly valuable feature

[astilla]

Quote: Originally Posted by SeldomSeen (original)

hill start assist keeps the brakes on after you release the brake pedal while you're moving your foot over to press the accelerator

it doesn't last very long and it doesn't work with the handbrake

if you normally use your handbrake when stopped, it may not be a particularly valuable feature

Sounds like a bit of a 'non feature' - but thanks for the info!

[Yoastie]

It is a bit of a non feature BUT...

You won't need the handbrake again, because the car does that part for you. Also, I have noticed that I batter my clutch a bit less (yes, I know I should know better, but I do ride the clutch once i a while...).

[astilla]

Quote: Originally Posted by Yoastie (original)

It is a bit of a non feature BUT...

You won't need the handbrake again, because the car does that part for you. Also, I have noticed that I batter my clutch a bit less (yes, I know I should know better, but I do ride the clutch once i a while...).

I normally use the handbrake anyway, just personal preference I guess as I don't like sitting behind a car who is stationary with the brake lights on for any length of time.

Useful for the odd occasion when a brief stop is needed though.