Does getting a LSD fix loss traction problem?

[Stuart@BMRAutowerkes]

Originally Posted by MMorbo

I am in a similar position so this thread is good.

was considering a LSD rather then upgrading the RFT's... (specially given the price of a set of Michelin PSS's)

So have we established unless you are tracking your car not to worry?

Definitely Michelins first.

Good rubber is priority on these cars.

[MMorbo]

I run an Auto... So assuming i go for either a Wavetrack or Quaife it should only be about 2100 installed...

but yes a drexler or Os Giken... i wouldn't not get much change out of 4.5k.

[gazz]

You can drive pretty well just as fast with or without a LSD if you are driving smooth and in control. Depends on what you want to do. If outright speed is your thing then spend the money on tyres, suspension and education. If drifting is your thing then go a LSD.

[_Ryan_]

Originally Posted by gazz

You can drive pretty well just as fast with or without a LSD if you are driving smooth and in control. Depends on what you want to do. If outright speed is your thing then spend the money on tyres, suspension and education. If drifting is your thing then go a LSD.

Yup, they are "fun" to have.

[TimMc]

Originally Posted by gazz

You will need to up your car control skills with a LSD. Sure there will be more traction but the point at which you lose traction will be higher than before and it will be both rear wheels spinning, so steering input, road camber, surface grip, etc is magnified. There have been times when having the inside wheel spin up ( without LSD that is ) tells me that I'm going fast enough.

Amen to that. They can be much more dangerous. I get MUCH better drive out of corners at the track now with little wheelspin, but when both wheels spin you need to be on the ball. I've spun off backwards pretty quickly due to camber change while breaking traction at the rear.

[gazz]

Originally Posted by TimMc

Amen to that. They can be much more dangerous. I get MUCH better drive out of corners at the track now with little wheelspin, but when both wheels spin you need to be on the ball. I've spun off backwards pretty quickly due to camber change while breaking traction at the rear.

Yeehaaaa ....whoa shiiiiiitttt.

[BMW86]

+ 1 to Tim and Gazz's comments.

I have spun out and come off the track a couple of times, fortunately did not hit anything or do any damage. It was an experience though. Have done a full 180 degree as well. Nannies off and 2 wheels spinning allows you to put more power down coming out of corners but there's a lot more skill required, especially when you find yourself chasing that 0.1 second to improve your lap time even though we're out there for good fun!

Having an LSD doesn't automatically make someone faster around the track or a better driver. The more you drive the car you become familiar with the behaviour of the car under certain conditions, as others have said it is more predictable too.

[Kiwi Peter]

No disrespect to any one on here but an LSD for any rear wheel drive hi performance car is a must, I for one could not go up my drive with out mucking around trying to get traction due to angles and stiff suspension etc.
Now with an LSD there is no issue.

The first mod i did to my 335 was to fit a M3 complete rear end, i still think its the best thing i have done so far.

Now you can just leave DSC on even with spirited street driving you hardly see the flashing light, OK i have only got 260KW and i still have runflats but the car feels so much more planted and gives you confidence especially in the wet.

For what its worth if you are going to hang onto you car and develop the performance potential from that wonderful engine you need an LSD at what stage you do that mod it dosen't matter JUST DO IT.

Peter @ Advan

[kmli5]

Originally Posted by skycat

Now you can just leave DSC on even with spirited street driving you hardly see the flashing light, OK i have only got 260KW and i still have runflats but the car feels so much more planted and gives you confidence especially in the wet.

For what its worth if you are going to hang onto you car and develop the performance potential from that wonderful engine you need an LSD at what stage you do that mod it dosen't matter JUST DO IT.

Peter @ Advan

Couldn't agree more

[GaryS]

Originally Posted by Ian///M

You not going to notice an LSD on the street.... I fitted one in my 135i. Good difference on the track and skid pan, but not on spirited street driving really.

I think the difference is obvious on bumpy roads and wet roads. But I don't drive hard on the street, so I can't say whether it would be worth the huge price to someone who does.

[TimMc]

Originally Posted by skycat

I for one could not go up my drive with out mucking around trying to get traction due to angles and stiff suspension etc.
Now with an LSD there is no issue.

Yeah, I've mentioned this on the forum a few times before. Before LSD I needed a bit of a run-up to get up my driveway. Now I enjoy going up as slowly & sharply as possible in the wet, just to feel the diff doing it's thing. And I know that when I ran off onto the wet grass/mud at Lakeside that I'd have had a harder time getting back on track with 1 wheel drive.

[flinchy]

Originally Posted by TimMc

Yeah, I've mentioned this on the forum a few times before. Before LSD I needed a bit of a run-up to get up my driveway. Now I enjoy going up as slowly & sharply as possible in the wet, just to feel the diff doing it's thing. And I know that when I ran off onto the wet grass/mud at Lakeside that I'd have had a harder time getting back on track with 1 wheel drive.

I've gotten stuck on damp grass about 6x since owning the car, wheel just spins its tits off, dtc doesnt kick in

Lsd can help in various street situations for sure, i would have been stuck without my friends to push.

[MrBlonde]

Certainly getting in and out of your driveway is a cause for concern.

[flinchy]

Originally Posted by Ian///M

Can't say I spent time on grass, but you are meant to turn DTC off to allow more slippage in snow or wet grass. LSD definitely wouldn't help if both wheels have lost traction.

True, but no matter what was on or off, just a single wheel going nuts. - dtc never kicked in at any throttle load either, super weird. I guess it was too close to a zero load or something?

In fact, slippage was the problem

Ed: i'm not talking about circle work btw, just parking lol

[Liub]

Not saying the problems described are worth $1k or $5k, but they definitely do exist in my life from day to day driving in uneven car parks and whatnot. Bit embarrassing really.

[TimMc]

Originally Posted by Ian///M

Can't say I spent time on grass, but you are meant to turn DTC off to allow more slippage in snow or wet grass. LSD definitely wouldn't help if both wheels have lost traction.

I disagree with your last point here Ian. Having being partially bogged off the track at Lakeside I was spinning both wheels & making slow progress back to the bitumen. I think if I was just spinning one wheel (& getting no drive to the other) I would've found it harder/impossible to get out.

[Jeef Beef]

LSD should definitely be something that's standard with the amount of power we get from our cars. Smoking the inside wheel through a corner is not ideal.

Too bad it's a 5k spend.

[flinchy]

Originally Posted by Jeef Beef

LSD should definitely be something that's standard with the amount of power we get from our cars. Smoking the inside wheel through a corner is not ideal.

Too bad it's a 5k spend.

Comments like this make me glad i have a 130 (at the price )

[Jeef Beef]

Originally Posted by Ian///M

You could get it done for around $3800 if you shop around

It's still a ridiculous price unfortunately

[1q2w3e4r]

Since the E36 came out BMW only fit LSD's to M model vehicles, its a deliberate strategy that isn't going to change anytime soon I'm afraid.

[Gumball]

Originally Posted by Ian///M

Yes, I somewhat agree. In hindsight I wouldn't do it again. Just rather buy a car that has one from factory.

That said, I understand most Porsche's don't have an LSD?

Porsche's dont come with LSD's???? - for the price I would be in shock if they don't!

[Jeef Beef]

Originally Posted by Gumball

Porsche's dont come with LSD's???? - for the price I would be in shock if they don't!

On the cayman and boxster it's an option.