Driving BMWs

[Dark Black]

Dont worry about me mate, first thing i do is turn off TC off.

Nothing better than accelerating off a roundabout with the back end out and a bit of opposite lock

Thats the spirit... good lad

[Francko]

It saddens me that this thread has even appeared, suggesting that RWD is somehow dangerous... just learn to drive properly. Driving standards have declined horribly since all the nanny computers and safety aids have come in to play...

So are you hoping in a nation of Schumachers or perhaps you would advise people that to drive a BMW without particular driving skills you are better off not driving one? Therefore, yes, why was it saddening? Driving a BMW without proper driving skills *IS* more dangerous as you admitted yourself.

[richard-af]

So are you hoping in a nation of Schumachers or perhaps you would advise people that to drive a BMW without particular driving skills you are better off not driving one? Therefore, yes, why was it saddening? Driving a BMW without proper driving skills *IS* more dangerous as you admitted yourself.

Isn't driving anything without proper driving skills dangerous?

[Francko]

Isn't driving anything without proper driving skills dangerous?

Well, sure, but if you are used to FWD then you have different driving skills.

[gingerjedi]

Well, sure, but if you are used to FWD then you have different driving skills.

Very true, I've been driving FWD all my life with the exception of one 4WD, so when I had the pleasure of driving a formula ford 1600 on a track day I was in for rude awakening funny thing was the back came out when I was braking and dropping gears rather than accelerating out of corners, I know you should brake in a straight line but any deviation or snappy drop down resulted in a twitchy back end from both me and the car!

If anyone gets the chance I would highly recommend it as it really does test how big your balls are.

[dotnetter]

I did it a brands hatch, over took someone coming down the hill on the inside. Was going to fast, slammed on the brakes, made the turn easy (they are like go karts) but dropped it into neutral instead of 3rd so stuck my foot down out the turn but of course, no gear was engaged. All i heard was the engine screeming, I panicked, shifted into third quickly, the clutch bit and due to the high rev, span the wheels resulting in me catching a glimpse of the back end in my right eye

Major fun, wish they had the proper paddle shife though instead of a stick shift, also there no servo on the gearbox or clutch so it's quite hard to change gear at first until you get unsed to it. And you have to hit like 6000rpm just to pull off in 1st.

Definately want to do it again.

[gingerjedi]

But the raw handling and gear changes are what I loved, I felt like Fangio or Moss back in 50's when grit and determination were more important than tyre choice and downforce.

[Dark Black]

Well, sure, but if you are used to FWD then you have different driving skills.

Quite - but that doesn't make a RWD car more dangerous - it just means you need to recognise that it will handle differently and treat it with more respect until you learn to drive it properly.

FWD is inherently safer for the average unskilled pleb to drive.

A good driver will get a lot more from a RWD car.

[Bagpuss]

funny thing was the back came out when I was braking and dropping gears rather than accelerating out of corners, I know you should brake in a straight line but any deviation or snappy drop down resulted in a twitchy back end from both me and the car!

Rally drivers use a gear change to get the back end out, they drop the clutch to do it though.

FWD really teaches you bad habits, it flatters poor driving. Put most boy racers in a powerful RWD and they will be rubbish. As course as Dim Kunt Implied most cars are built for Noddys.

[dotnetter]

This is the reason I want a Cerbera, a Z4 M Coupe or a Cayman S, although I think the latter will not be as fun to drive.