Limited Slip Differential Update

Sections: Uncategorized Sep 18th, 2004 42 Comments

We still don't have pricing on this option but we have heard one import bit of info for those hoping to add it later… it will not be retrofittable. As mentioned previously the optional LSD will be available on builds from 1/05 and on. So if you want it, make sure you're car will be built after the first of the year!

Written By: MF Staff

Bartosz

What is LSD ??
Shawnster

Its good stuff ;-) lol. Its a limited slip differential to help with traction.
Patrick

There is always aftermarket!
regalic

won't be retrofittable on 02's – 04's or won't be retrofittable on pre 1/05's?
Robert

There as I hear it Mini will not do aftermarket install for the LSD. Only a factory option as relayed to me.
Luke

That's a real shame… I'll have to get it on my next one.
dgszweda

Why is everyone concern about retrofittable? All I can see is for the warranty. The unit will probably be a Quaife unit. You will probably be able to purchase it separately and then get someone else to put it in. These are not impossible to install, and you will probably save money having someone else do it besides BMW. The only thing you would gain is warranty, but the Quaife is pretty bulletproof and you most likely won't have any problems. The advantage to the factory option is that it saves a tremendous amount of money most likely having it come from the factory and not having to pay for an install. If you have it retrofitted, it probably will be out of the price range of most people. These are about $1000 minimum for the install. Tack on the BMW rate, and you could be looking at $1500 install. How many of you complaining about the retrofitting are willing to pay about $1500 + $800 for the LSD? That is $2300. You can get a Quaife put in cheaper now. I would say retrofitting would not be an advantage in this case.
http://www.motoringfile.com/ Gabe

I would agree.
Richard

I agree with dgszweda, plus when you put in the LSD you could change other drivetrain related items while you are in there.
http://www.motoringfile.com/ Gabe

Granted I would still rather have it from the factory if I had the chance. But that doesn't mean that you can't have one if your MINI didn't come from the factory with it.
Luke

What's invloved in installing on of these?
Mike

Removing the transmission.
dgszweda

Luke,

You have to remove the transmission and some of the internals.
Trevor

anyone think it is possible that given exclusivity and the $500 price hike, the LSD might become standard on the MCS? Or was that just my dream from last night?
Irmiger

Trevor – with Mini already charging an extra $200 for the anthracite headliner, I think you were indeed dreaming! ;)
///ACS330Ci

Glad to hear I haven't been waiting for no reason … now, if they would just set the price.
William Grisaitis

I want to get a manual MCS soon, so here's my question.

if I got a LSD, would it be pointless to get the DSC (Dynamic Stability Control)?

-Will

btw, I asked this question in another article, but i wanted to get multiple opinions

http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/09/14/jcwsuspensionkitusavailability
Dave Rowney

“if I got a LSD, would it be pointless to get the DSC (Dynamic Stability Control)?” NO. LSD is about getting torque to a spinning wheel (for instance, the inside wheel when accelerating out of a corner). DSC is a system that helps prevent the car from spinning out or plowing off the road. Different function.

Dave
pete

just buy the $300 dollar LSD from minimania, it works awesome, and long beach mini installed it for me. it was about 6 hours of labor though…
pete

i watched my mechanic at long beach mini install the LSD in my cooper s. yes it was about 6 hours of watching, and hard work, they have to put the car up on the lift, put an engine support underneath, unbolt the entire transmission, lower it out of the car, open up the getrag, pull out about 2 gears, find where it goes, hammer it in, reseal the trans, putting in a new gasket, and new fluids, reglue, rebolt, and about another 2 hours to install it back into the car. not including the about 300 mile break in period.
pete

oh yeah, and that 300 mile break in period was indeed PURE HELL. right when i got it back from the dealership, i found a pimped out honda civic at the light, it had a fart cannon exhaust “system” on it. damn i really wanted to show it what real power was, jeeze i passed the break in period in 3 days. heehee
William Grisaitis

so if i bought some extra performance goodies from somewhere like Minimania (like Pete's LSD) would it affect my warranty?

-Will
William Grisaitis

All of this sounds great, but how do I find out who to send my car to and then pay them to install the parts?

-Will
William Grisaitis

And two more things…

1)is it be better to go with the Minimania Stage III kit for 237 HP or to get the JCW?

2)is the Minimania LSD better to get than the LSD that Mini is offering in January?

thx! I'm new to the MCS, so all of this feedback is awesome.

-Will
GSKChicago

William-

To my knowledge, JCW is the only aftermarket upgrade that either is covered with your MINI warranty and/or does not void your manufacturer warranty. The JCW this is true for both. Other aftermarket products I know typically will not be covered by the MINI warranty, I do not however know what does cancel your warranty and what does not cancel, etc. I suspect you will get more answers from the group here.

Welcome to the MINI world and happy motoring. :o)

G.
Robert

Bartosz / September 18, 2004 9:52 PM What is LSD ??

“lysergic acid diethylamide”
dgszweda

William,

I would post your questions on a Mini Board such as http://www.northamericanmotoring.com or http://www.mini2.com/forums

You will get a larger response.
http://www.motoringfile.com/ Gabe

Yeah I would agree William. For general questions try either those two sites mentioned above.
http://www.teammightyminiz.com iDiaz

“”if I got a LSD, would it be pointless to get the DSC (Dynamic Stability Control)?” NO. LSD is about getting torque to a spinning wheel (for instance, the inside wheel when accelerating out of a corner). DSC is a system that helps prevent the car from spinning out or plowing off the road. Different function.

Dave”

Actually, it's about getting torque AWAY from the spinning wheel, to the wheel that's gripping. This is normally the outside wheel in a turn.

Then again, you could be talking about Robert's definition of LSD. =D
pete

william, this is only if you have enough mnoney, and really want to get maximum performance out of your mcs: i bought the stage 3 minimania kit along with my jcw kit. keep the jcw engine head with the chip upgrade and then install the mini mania kit to work along side thw jcw kit. my car now has about 279 horsepower and 0-60 times are around 5 seconds flat, just don't advetise that you have the minimania kit installed and keep your jcw badges. it makes the car a total sleeper. :-)
John

Does anyone have definitive opinion about why the LSD is not being offered with the new 6-speed automatic?
http://www.teammightyminiz.com iDiaz

It probably has something to do with it being an entirely different transmission.
Robert

Does anyone have definitive opinion about why the LSD is not being offered with the new 6-speed automatic?

SPACE!
phaedrus

pete -

Your comment about the “fart cannon” exhaust on that civic is hilarious! I gotta remember that one! Sounds even funnier than the “shopping cart handle” rear spoiler!

LOL…fart cannon! HA!

Oh, right. The LSD. I'd like one too, please.
Dave

“Actually, it's about getting torque AWAY from the spinning wheel, to the wheel that's gripping. This is normally the outside wheel in a turn.”

Yes, of course. I was typing to fast. The normal differential sends torque to the wheel with the least traction.

Thanks, Dave
http://www.teammightyminiz.com iDiaz

Y'know, I'm wondering if the entire transmission would be retrofittable. If so, I could just buy a transmission equipped with the LSD and get shorter gears and reduced wheelspin!
regalic

The reason to ask about retro fit. Is because I am interested in doing some solo2 racing. They are talking about moving the MCS to D class from G. I don't have LSD installed and will not be able to compete without it in D class.

Also since I want to do the stock then I need the stock options installed. (no LSD for an outside source)

So does anyone know if the MINI LSD will mount on a pre 1/05 MCS?
Sam

Hi Pete,

What Limited-Slip Differential did you buy? The Quaife or the Phantom Grip? How many miles do you have on it? Are you totally satisfied? Have you felt the performance gains?

Thanks! Sam
Steve

Something about the LSD option I haven’t seen anyone mention is that when you get the factory LSD the computer that controls the DSC is recalibrated to act slightly later to allow the LSD to work before taking over. This is the biggest advantage that I can see over an aftermarket LSD.
John

Is it possible to install the dsc system? The car’s already having the lsd one
ras427

how safe is the install to my JCW equipped MCS? Is the Quaife the one to get? where is a good plave to get it done in NY/NJ/CT/MA?

the LSD is the only thing missing for me right now!!! but im really not interested in messing anything up on this perfect, no LSD :( ride.

saftey in install is my big issue.

thanks, any help is appreciated.
http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/09/18/limited_slip_differential_update/ CDP

What about driving in snow? Do I need both DSC and limited slip?

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