The great LSD debate...

[Bradders901]

Anyone read Nick Trotts comments about the LSD equipped C63 in this months Evo?

He clearly states he believes there is a difference in the car with or without - he prefers it with. I ordered one on my 507 because I like to do track days and I am not quite sure why Merc have a 500 bhp, 450 lb/ft torque rear wheel drive car with no LSD. The M3 with its excellent diff has loads of grip and its the diff that helps a lot with that.

Dunc

[ghibbett]

That one's a bit of a debate within this forum. There are plenty of people who believe it makes little difference. I however did specify the LSD, but then again, and just like Nick Trott, I have also driven LSD vs non-LSD cars back to back. The comparison drive made the decision for me.

[TackMEU]

Mine has the LSD, I have not driven one without an LSD for any length of time. All I can say is with one I don't get too much interference from the traction control.

But day to day on the road, still not sure if I would notice the difference, maybe i would. I am no Lewis Hamilton and I am probably not sensitive enough to pick up the subtle difference.

[ghibbett]

The difference isn't subtle, it's very evident (to me anyway). As soon as you start using the throttle in the corners, you can feel the rear axle digging in and helping project the nose into the corner. It's a great feeling!

[ecain63]

I dont have the LSD on my 2010 PP+. I drove loads of C63s before i bought mine and could not really tell the difference between LSD and non-LSD cars to be honest. The electronic LSD on the non LSD cars (uses rear brakes to manage rotation instead of cutting power like normal traction control) is more than adequate and i can easily move the tail about without any one-wheel drifting at all. On the track you might notice it a little (you'd need to be really hammering it though) as the limits are more accessible than on public roads!! One thing that has been said, but not really shouted (because it goes against the LSD gang), the LSD will make it a bit more twitchy in the wet.

Also, the AMG Locking Diff is a service item so it will need servicing and eventually replacing, unlike having a quaiffe fitted.

Eddie

[Twincharge]

I've just ordered a C63, and the only option I ticked was 'LSD' because I could not live without it. Even on the AE86 you could tell if a car had a fixed diff or LSD.

On my AE92 HKS Twincharged Corolla, the LSD on the gearbox even on a FWD vehicle provided much traction.

[JimmyR1]

My 2 cents worth on the debate. I recently did a 2 day "AMG Track Day Experience". I was in and out of a variety of AMGs but mostly C63s coupes and sedans. I was told by the course director that all the C63s had Performance Pack options but not all had the LSD, so I was keen to see if I could tell which ones had/did not have LSD. The driving consisted of mostly trackwork but also a bit of drifting and slalom stuff. The track work was done in ESP Sport mode, and a mixture of ESP Sport and ESP Off for the drift sessions. In 2 days worth of pretty much close to the limit (for me) driving I could not tell the difference between any of the C63s, nor can I recall thinking to myself "oh this car must have/not have the LSD option".
My conclusion is that unless one is planning on popping lots of brave pills and putting their pride and joy through its paces with ESP Off it is hard to make a case for the additional up front expense, increased maintenance costs and shortened lifespan of an LSD.
(In the interests of full disclosure I own a PP equipped C63 sedan without LSD, which I bought as delivered rather than a factory order. Will I be ticking the LSD option on my next AMG? No).