"Getting the back end out"

Muncher · 12 Nov 2009 at 15:34

An E39 M5 is probably one of the easiest cars on the planet to drift which makes that video look very easy.

jaybee · 12 Nov 2009 at 15:39

EvilDreams said:
Yeah, I should probably cut off my penis too, commit suicide etc? because I'm not a real man like you?

Thanks for that completely useless post.

OK I take it back I'm sorry. I must admit it is really hard to turn the steering wheel and plant the accelerator. :rolleyes:

Housey · 12 Nov 2009 at 15:41

Get to a drift day at Oulton Park. You can get the back out safely to your hearts content without fear of blue lights or bodywork damage.

mrk · 12 Nov 2009 at 15:42

Buy Ling Longs, go to Drift Day?

Howard said:
Wider tyres are ideal if anything, when it's wet and you're trying to slide it. Aquaplaning ***

My rears are 245/40 though!

Lack of LSD = Lack of controlled slide!

Jonny69 · 12 Nov 2009 at 15:45

If you're near north Kent I'll show you how to do it. Plenty of experience

Witor · 12 Nov 2009 at 15:45

Try finding a unused area, perhaps an open car park or something similar (use common sense...), if the road/tarmac is wet, even better as you should slide easier. Follow BritBoys post, and after a few spins, you should have some idea of whats required.

Howard · 12 Nov 2009 at 15:46

mrk said:
My rears are 245/40

:\

PiKe · 12 Nov 2009 at 15:49

Witor said:
Try finding a unused area, perhaps an open car park or something similar (use common sense...), if the road/tarmac is wet, even better as you should slide easier. Follow BritBoys post, and after a few spins, you should have some idea of whats required.

... and have attracted the attention of the local plod.

Witor · 12 Nov 2009 at 15:59

Hence common sense comment pike.

NVP · 12 Nov 2009 at 15:59

Thomas. PLease. said:
Just approach said corner, go straighter and deeper than you normally would gently on the throttle, turn in sharply off throttle, and then sharply press the accelerator while turning. The front is already gripping and turning in, and the back will begin to slide round. Apply a dab of oppo, and either continue with the throttle or back off gently, while straightening the lock.

This. Although not sure for an mx-5, but in a car with enough power to cause the rear wheels to lose traction this is my method of choice. Just remember that once you feel your rear wheels have lost grip then ease up on the revs and "feather" the throttle so you're not using too many revs but still enough to keep the rear from gripping. Although without an LSD do not expect overly dramatic drifts, it is very hard (yet very rewarding) to maintain a long slide at public road speeds.

Also, make sure your traction control button is off

(Do MX-5s have traction control? I confess I've never driven one, although have always heard they are amazing fun to drive...)

Locky · 12 Nov 2009 at 16:02

mrk said:
Buy Ling Longs, go to Drift Day?

My rears are 245/40 though!

Lack of LSD = Lack of controlled slide!

yep in my E36 m3 I used to be able to slide it easy, then I tried the same in my friends 330ci and it went wrong

EvilDreams · 12 Nov 2009 at 16:05

jaybee said:
OK I take it back I'm sorry. I must admit it is really hard to turn the steering wheel and plant the accelerator.

Thanks again. Well done.

PiKe · 12 Nov 2009 at 16:05

If you apply too much thought to the process you will spin, I think having played driving sims on the PC it's a bit more instinctive...

mrk · 12 Nov 2009 at 16:07

Cannot remember the company name but Fifth gear (or was it DR?) on a youtube vid I watched said (during a 335i review) that there is a £500 LSD for all E9x cars that will give you the M car sliding fun without M car costs.

Anyone know more about this?

Company name began with a H but I cannot find the video any more, must be in my youtube favs somewhere.

bledd · 12 Nov 2009 at 16:08

Although it's very different as it must be 10x easier to control it on a quad bike, I wouldn't want to do it on any public road, slight changes in road surface and contours can really effect your control.

Remember on a track, it doesn't really matter if they spin off

Thomas. PLease. · 12 Nov 2009 at 16:09

mrk said:
Cannot remember the company name but Fifth gear (or was it DR?) on a youtube vid I watched said (during a 335i review) that there is a £500 LSD for all E9x cars that will give you the M car sliding fun without M car costs.

Anyone know more about this?

Company name began with a H but I cannot find the video any more, must be in my youtube favs somewhere.

hartge?

EvilDreams · 12 Nov 2009 at 16:11

I have practiced counter steering and holding a slide a fair bit in the snow last year in the XJS but that was an auto so I didn't really need to do anything taxing. I imagine in the snow it's a lot more dramatic.

Don't think I will be trying it out though. It's just good to know the theory.

Jonny69 · 12 Nov 2009 at 16:11

You can get the back end out on any RWD car. I had my 50 year old Ford Popular drifting round roundabouts plenty of times. An MX5 will be childs play to kick out

Siliconslave · 12 Nov 2009 at 16:13

Jonny69 said:
You can get the back end out on any RWD car. I had my 50 year old Ford Popular drifting round roundabouts plenty of times. An MX5 will be childs play to kick out

apart from a smart fortwo apparently... unless you 'busa it : http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/16/video-smart-car-drifting-not-only-possible-but-fun-to-watch/

K1LLSW1TCH · 12 Nov 2009 at 16:13

If you can't get a RWD car to drift even around a roundabout in the wet then you fail at driving. I'm by no means an amazing driver and I'm not claiming to be, but even I've managed a power slide in a front wheel drive car, in the wet, around a roundabout.

"Getting the back end out"

Man of Honour

Man of Honour