GANz

Hi,

Looking to get a 2013 C63 but it turns out it doesn't have either performance packages or the limited slip differential option. I can live without the performance packages but is the LSD a necessity for the vehicle? I most likely won't be tracking this car, just for driving in the city.

kimeran

Not at all, no

Car is perfectly fine without it

nardobenz

I've had both. Don't really notice a difference. I have actually raced a car with a lsd in mine without and i won lol

MTV10

Don't listen to these guys above. They clearly don't push their cars.

You most definitely need an LSD in this car. My '09 did not have one and it was horrible (Couldn't power out of corners, couldn't put power down on uneven roads, unpredictable, etc, etc.). My '13 has option 471 and I would never get this car without it again. Makes a world of difference.

But hey if you want to nanny your car in C mode...by all means.

kimeran

You clearly need to learn how to drive within your car's limits

I am no F1 driver, but I would say that I have pushed my car quite hard. I never felt the need for an LSD on mine.
LSD would obviously be nice, no sane person wouldn't want one.
But it isn't a necessity.

MTV10

LOL alright, pal. Keep thinking that

kimeran

You go on and enjoy that LSD of yours

Some people's children

Funkwagen

I have an 09 without an LSD, and bear in mind I haven't driven a C63 with an LSD yet. I find it perfectly manageable for everyday use, aggressive driving/cornering, occasional track use (drag racing), etc. I'm sure there are situations where an LSD would be a huge benefit, but it's not as if the car is useless without it. For every day use, you definitely don't need one. The traction control sort of acts as a pseudo-diff by applying the brakes to whichever wheel is spinning faster than the other, which is plenty for normal driving.

When I thought of an open diff setup I always pictured a crappy old chevy S10 doing a terrible single wheel burnout, etc. Not really the case with these cars

INS1GNIA

Lol. OP, you will notice a difference, big one actually, but it is not essential to have one. Yes the car will perform better / put the power down easier, less wheel spin.

Mazspeed

The LSD is a must in this car. It may be the single biggest improvement I have made to the car over even the Tunes.

Black_Mercedes

I'd have to agree i have the same option in mine. As i burn through a set of rear tires in 3k miles the hook up and go is pretty impressive. Also tire wear is even for both sides i don't rotate my rear tires due to the fact they don't last long.
Sprinted driving with slides around corners is very fun and super easy.

GANz

How much would it cost for an aftermarket LSD to be installed?

INS1GNIA

For Wavetrac, the kit cost me $1325 (from ACGAutomotive). The kit includes OEM bearings, seals, sealant and oil. For just the LSD, I think its around $1k.
Then depending on where you go to get it installed, around 5-8 hrs of labor.

Mazspeed

I paid $999 on a deal from Vivid and my shop charged me around $400 or so if I'm not mistaken. They do have to lightly shave the case, but most of the newer ones seem to not need much to lightly trim the case.

julours

Without LSD, the ESP system will activate rear brake on the slipping wheel during acceleration to help transferring the power to the other wheel.
My car is equipped with an aftermarket QUAIFE LSD 1.5way. I track the car every month and I can tell it's really useful mod to bring the power to the ground. Also the car behavior is more consistent and easier to feel at the limits. You will really feel the difference when disconnecting the ESP.
I highly suggest to install an LSD if you want to enjoy and control the full capability of this car.

MTV10

Spoken like a true gentleman.

AMG3.2

Yes, it's a must. In my opinion, nothing could be worse than having a 451HP V8 under the hood and peeling away to see a one tire fire.

roadkillrob

I had not had a car with an LSD before, but the C63 I bought has one, my 335i makes almost the same power and has an eLSD, meaning open diff, puts on brakes of wheel spinning to help.

Difference is night and day, the LSD makes the car so much better to drive and it slides very controlled on the power which is enormously fun - if you haven't driven one of these cars with an LSD you don't know what you are missing!

Alex.currie44

Think snow too!

realjones88

Not a lot of cars came with the factory LSD as it was a $2K option the least couple years of production. However, as already mentioned it is very easy to add one so I wouldn't scratch off any car without one. Similarly most cars are out of warranty now and a tune will bring you up to P31 horsepower at least.

(above refers to USA cars only)

roadkillrob

I would agree, if you find the right car with the right options, the LSD can be added fairly easily and for not really much more than you would pay for a car with it as they get a little bit of a premium over a car without one. You may also decide you love the car without it and don't drive in a way that you think you need one. You can't really add many of the other options easily or affordably, but the LSD is one of the ones you can.

Phil_T

Has anyone been in a c63 amg with a wavetrac and one with quiafe? In theory because of what the wavetrac can do it makes going for the quiafe over the wavetrac pointless.

Vladds

There is a adaptation in the traction control system, which means that for best results, once you upgrade to the LSD, you would have that reset.

Harold1898

I hàd a 2012 facelift sedan without LSD añd I sold it after eleven months as it was an issue in wet weather at stop lights facing up hill plus I just found it disconcerting many times each day as power went to one wheel. Bought a 991S and no such issue there.

AMGC

Have really been pleased with my '13 P31 over my '08 with no 471 opt. Handling on the very edge is where it is night and day.