Had my test drive of an RX8 and ST220 today. Heres how it went...

NathanE said:
Just to make this clear... "riding the clutch" = letting it slip on hills/slopes and things like that. When you see a car at some traffic lights and it is constantly moving slightly forward then slightly back then slightly forward again it means they're just riding the clutch and not doing it very well either!
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Oh i see this a lot, i dont see why people don't just apply the handbrake :confused:

Also when they're doing this they're not ready to start moving when the lights go green, or in cases i see them stall and laugh :D

Also the RX8 doesn't sound too well, maybe try finding another to test drive.
 
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The_Dark_Side said:
Hey I like it.
Best brakes in the haulage industry too ;) :P
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I've always thought them (Merc) brakes to be better than say a Scania 4 Series, the R-Series really raises the bar imo.

Can't get my head around EPS, I prefer Opricruise, clutches are great for shunting in tight places. :)
 
R420LA6X2/4MNA said:
I've always thought them (Merc) brakes to be better than say a Scania 4 Series, the R-Series really raises the bar imo.

Can't get my head around EPS, I prefer Opricruise, clutches are great for shunting in tight places. :)
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Doesn't the new EPS have a clutch?
Haven't been in one for years but the original version definitely did.
 
I test drove a new RX8 back in 2004, I wasn't a fan of the power delivery, and it was my first RWD experience and I managed to upset the salesman by getting the back end out at about 15mph on a slightly damp residential road (by which I mean it had rained overnight and had half a day of sunshine to dry it out). Didn't have any problems with the brakes or clutch though.
 
Lum said:
I test drove a new RX8 back in 2004, I wasn't a fan of the power delivery, and it was my first RWD experience and I managed to upset the salesman by getting the back end out at about 15mph on a slightly damp residential road (by which I mean it had rained overnight and had half a day of sunshine to dry it out). Didn't have any problems with the brakes or clutch though.
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I thought the RX8 was torqueless :confused:
 
Coasting isn't riding the clutch. It's still a really bad practice though, especially if you want to drive well or quickly.
A mate of mine used to have a Rover 220, he'd hurtle up to a bend, dip the clutch, coast round, fish for a gear on the exit and off we'd go again. It used to make me feel sick.

I've been in the car with a lot of people who ride the clutch too. Riding the clutch can vary..... I ride the clutch a lot myself on hill starts (hold the car still with the clutch rather than the handbrake) as the Manta doesn't idle brilliantly when cold, but you see some folk with 5,000rpm on the dial which is just madness. I went out in the car with someone before (might have been someone here, I can't remember) and they rode the clutch something chronic, basically slightly slightly dipping the clutch all the time so the damn thing sounded like an automatic. I'm not talking about an aggressive clutch dip to get back on cam either, this was really fanny stuff.
How anyone can drive like that is beyond me.
 
Who on earth drives around with their left foot constantly on the clutch pedal? :/ That's not riding the clutch... it's called being an idiot :D
 
The_Dark_Side said:
Doesn't the new EPS have a clutch?
Haven't been in one for years but the original version definitely did.
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Driven a recent (06) Actros that had no clutch, much like the current DAF 105, it was a real bitch to shunt in tight spaces.

One of the early EPS Mercs I drove (an old 1820 on an N Plate) did not have a clutch from what I recall, alas, the grey matter fails me....:o

Von Smallhausen said:
Does anyone here double de-clutch ?
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Depends on how shagged the 'box / clutch on whatever vehicle I am driving is, we used to have a few manual DAF 95 XF's at work with 400,000miles plus on them, the majority would not go into reverse without a D.D.C.
 
NathanE said:
Who on earth drives around with their left foot constantly on the clutch pedal? :/ That's not riding the clutch... it's called being an idiot :D
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I actually have to leave my left foot on the clutch pedal in the 'cento - there's just no room anywhere else.
 
I'm actually test driving an ST220 in a few hours, 06 plate and 17k on the clock.

I've heard so much about them, it really had better by amazing or i'll be most disappointed :p

Will give my thoughts when i get back to pc.
 
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some cars with wider wheels will "crab" a bit under braking, as it settles into it, with white lines/tarmac repairs making the situation worse. If the cluch was too hard you should be using it less, or gettimg down the gym.

Also, you're comparing the performance of a car that wasnt driven how it was designed to get the best out of it with a car that was thrashed.

Whilst the power delivery is a little strange, an RX8 will be a fair bit quicker than a ST220. Try again!
 
The_Dark_Side said:
Some do, although it's not needed on the road unless you're coming close to your cars limits.
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I started down shift blipping for smoothness then for curiosity's sake started double de-clutching downshifts, I cannot not do it now, have to force myself not to DDC. It's not needed but its certainly nicer :x
 
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