[bwrlane]

It happened, but I don't regret it. 3 years of ownership in a 330d sdrive and it finally happened. My own stupid fault, but now feel exhilarated to finally know what rwd is all about. And what to do.

On the exit of a roundabout that switches left, then right on a route I've driven about 1,000 times. Normal procedure is to enter the switchback at about 30, boot it for a bit of fun, hear that little chirp and take off.

But last night it was wet and I was in Sport+. So I floored it as usual (yes I know...) and this time the rear end totally broke free. As a complete amateur, I must admit that it was an initially alarming experience. But then, after an instinctive application of opposite lock and before finally regathering its composure as the road straightened out, what happened in between is worth of report: a beautiful, perfectly formed power slide.

Two things struck me about this. First was how instinctive it was to apply opposite lock, and second how completely under control the car felt throughout.

Anyone else had a similar experience? Almost feel tempted to try it again...

[Kal101]

Did simillar regularly and still do occasionally in my rwd Opel manta GTE esp in the wet

Just don't get carried away - would hate for your next thread to start along the lines of just went backwards through a hedge.

[teaston]

I hate to burst your bubble, but it wasn't your driving skill that kept the car under control, it was the DSC braking independent wheels to straighten the car out.

I got almost completely sideways in my 330ci once and the DSC still sorted it out.

[bwrlane]

Originally Posted by teaston

I hate to burst your bubble, but it wasn't your driving skill that kept the car under control, it was the DSC braking independent wheels to straighten the car out.

nope, never claimed it was anything other than the car's prowess (rather than that of the driver) that carried the day...

[bwrlane]

Originally Posted by Kal. 101

Did simillar regularly and still do occasionally in my rwd Opel manta GTE esp in the wet

Just don't get carried away - would hate for your next thread to start along the lines of just went backwards through a hedge.

[teaston]

Originally Posted by bwrlane

nope, never claimed it was anything other than the car's prowess (rather than that of the driver) that carried the day...

It is a great system though isn't it!

Can't believe you've only just needed it after 3 years though, when I got my first BMW i spent years going sideways around every deserted roundabout! So many times I thought i'd gone too far but still the DSC saved me!

[Watsey]

Yes, very similar several weeks ago - also on the wet.

Exiting left from a large roundabout in a dual carriageway close to home which I've driven countless times; given it was a wet road I wasn't pushing-on.

Both MPSS broke traction, suddenly rather than progressively, and the car went into a tank slapper : 45 degrees left, 45 right, before a combination of large steering inputs and DSC straightened it out.

I have no idea how I didn't collect the Mercedes in the inside lane next to me or stuff it into the Armco in the central reservation. And no, we weren't racing. Traction went so suddenly and completely my guess is diesel on the road.

[Trialskings]

My rear MPSS have dropped off a cliff in terms of adhesion. As new they'd hold on in the wet no probs, now at 4mm they're fun if rather frightening!

Thankfully winters should arrive in the post today.

[creepy coupe]

S drive is shite. end of.

[mcoops]

Originally Posted by creepy coupe

S drive is shite. end of.

Maybe we ought to have a discussion about the relative merits of xdrive and sdrive? I'm pretty sure that would be a first for the forum, and sure to be well-mannered and uncontroversial

As side note, this is giving me a slight goosebumps with my impending switch from a 320i xdrive to a 330d sdrive!

[creepy coupe]

Originally Posted by mcoops

Maybe we ought to have a discussion about the relative merits of xdrive and sdrive? I'm pretty sure that would be a first for the forum, and sure to be well-mannered and uncontroversial

As side note, this is giving me a slight goosebumps with my impending switch from a 320i xdrive to a 330d sdrive!

Do you think so

[225]

I went pretty much fully sideways for about 1/4 of a mile in the snow in my tvr and it was the greatest fun ever! Certainly no dsc in that!

[rossm]

Hey OP, would highly recommend going and doing one of these, they are fab days out and you will learn a lot in a safe environment. It is money very well spent

http://www.donpalmer.co.uk/car-control.html

If you're not based near one of the venues there are several others similar.

I'd probably be interested in going for another one if we can get enough interested for a group buy

Cheers

[DaveA]

Originally Posted by teaston

I hate to burst your bubble, but it wasn't your driving skill that kept the car under control, it was the DSC braking independent wheels to straighten the car out.

I got almost completely sideways in my 330ci once and the DSC still sorted it out.

I was going to ask whether or not Sport + turned off the safety systems completely... (not having my handbook to hand)... Normally, they have a pre-set slip angle programmed in and the systems are pretty good... They cannot alter the laws of physics, but are such that they often stop you binning the car where once you'd have just being picking up pieces...

When I bought a previous car, from another manufacturer, I got an afternoon at their test facility to play with a car and try out all the systems. Part of what they have is a roundabout of marble. With the stability systems on, the car maintains a drift. With them off, you just spin right around.

I also got to play with a kick plate and an "ice hill" with water walls.

All quite entertaining and reassuring as to the safety systems.

Funnily enough, when I sold that car, the chap who bought it turned the systems off one day, and promptly put it into a hedge (so I am told).

[teaston]

Originally Posted by DaveA

I was going to ask whether or not Sport + turned off the safety systems completely... (not having my handbook to hand)... Normally, they have a pre-set slip angle programmed in and the systems are pretty good... They cannot alter the laws of physics, but are such that they often stop you binning the car where once you'd have just being picking up pieces...

When I bought a previous car, from another manufacturer, I got an afternoon at their test facility to play with a car and try out all the systems. Part of what they have is a roundabout of marble. With the stability systems on, the car maintains a drift. With them off, you just spin right around.

I also got to play with a kick plate and an "ice hill" with water walls.

All quite entertaining and reassuring as to the safety systems.

Funnily enough, when I sold that car, the chap who bought it turned the systems off one day, and promptly put it into a hedge (so I am told).

Sport plus lessens the affect of traction control but keeps DSC completely enabled.

[Rich9600]

In my experience of an sDrive 320d, 330d and 340i you can easily get enough rear end swing to entertain with sufficiently over enthusiastic application of the loud pedal...

However, DSC lets you have your fun and then flatters you by helping you get it back in nicely...

My mate had an older 3 series (2000 ish 320d) and tried the same, span it on the way into Co-op car park... He looked a right prick...

[Torque of the Devil]

It can't defy the laws of Physics though, if you really take the piss the car can still spin

[Drek]

Originally Posted by teaston

Sport plus lessens the affect of traction control but keeps DSC completely enabled.

I actually thought it was the other way round, reduces DSC and improves traction at its expense.

[C120CKA]

I had a similar experience the other night on my way home pulled out of a busy junction in sport mode in the wet and the car went sideways out of the junction. It stopped completely in line with the other traffic. I have a 335d and have had other rear driven BMs and have had the rear sliding a few times. But it was a very different feeling in a xdrive compared to a rear drive and not in a nice way.

[F30Andy]

Originally Posted by bwrlane

It happened, but I don't regret it. 3 years of ownership in a 330d sdrive and it finally happened. My own stupid fault, but now feel exhilarated to finally know what rwd is all about. And what to do.

On the exit of a roundabout that switches left, then right on a route I've driven about 1,000 times. Normal procedure is to enter the switchback at about 30, boot it for a bit of fun, hear that little chirp and take off.

But last night it was wet and I was in Sport+. So I floored it as usual (yes I know...) and this time the rear end totally broke free. As a complete amateur, I must admit that it was an initially alarming experience. But then, after an instinctive application of opposite lock and before finally regathering its composure as the road straightened out, what happened in between is worth of report: a beautiful, perfectly formed power slide.

Two things struck me about this. First was how instinctive it was to apply opposite lock, and second how completely under control the car felt throughout.

Anyone else had a similar experience? Almost feel tempted to try it again...

Congratulations on loosing your virginity.

I know the first time was scary but I promise that you will enjoy it more and more each time you do it.

Be thankful your first time was with a partner who knew what they were doing in a situation where you were basically fumbling around.

I don't condone this sort of thing, ok secretly I do, but you should go to a large open space and practice it.

A tip for you regarding technique.
Don't mash it, take it nice and slow. You will find easing off and then re-applying is the best way to maintain it.
If you go in all guns blazing it will be over before it has even started.

[rossm]

Originally Posted by F30Andy

A tip for you regarding technique.
Don't mash it, take it nice and slow. You will find easing off and then re-applying is the best way to maintain it.
If you go in all guns blazing it will be over before it has even started.

Thats the opposite advice to Chris Harris, 5 minutes into this video and onwards

Aggressive throttle and steering inputs

[GaryUFM]

Had a bit turning right at lights into a dual carriageway in damp conditions the other night. Not planned, wasn't driving particularly aggressively. Sport mode only. Might find somewhere quiet to have a play early one day this weekend, some big open industrial estate car park nearby.