Lose the M3?

[TW]Fox · 10 Apr 2006 at 00:54

Steve said:
The biggest annoyance for me was the DSC and sport button, they have NO place on an m3, an m3 should be an m3 all of the time.

I assume it was done so that they could sell the car to every rich bitch that walks in wanting the top spec three series without worrying about her killing herself.

I have already start devising a way to switch the DSC off and the sport button on using a relay and maybe some circuitry if need be. the buttons will then be tucked under the center consol and blanking plates fitted. All will be reversable if I sell the car.

I REALLY hate those buttons, they are a travisty and almost enough to stop me buying an e46.

What a load of complete fuss about nothing, honestly, why is it so difficult to just PRESS THE BUTTON? It disengages the system then you can go about being a driving god just as before.

All that hassle of hiding the buttons, get a grip, turn it off, go drive

Rotty · 10 Apr 2006 at 00:59

I certainly wouldn't want to be without DSC in the wet :eek:

[TW]Fox · 10 Apr 2006 at 01:02

Rotty said:
I certainly wouldn't want to be without DSC in the wet

Some people like to do things like turn off DSC etc on a trip to the shops in the wet becuase they NEVER make mistakes and it makes them feel like a real man, or something.

I mean actually removing the buttons, geez...

Stick to your E36 Steve

lordrobs · 10 Apr 2006 at 01:07

Maybe I'm a big girls blouse but personally I would like the idea of having electronic gadgetry there to save me during 'normal' driving. I feel that if i'm just poodling along my concentration probably drops by about 25%. Just enough for me to plant it on a slippy roundabout and have a big blast of power spin up the rears and have me facing where I just came from

I would also much prefer that it was on by default. I mean seriously how much of your driving is going to require you to switch it off? 10% at most?

OllyM · 10 Apr 2006 at 02:39

[TW]Fox said:
What a load of complete fuss about nothing, honestly, why is it so difficult to just PRESS THE BUTTON? It disengages the system then you can go about being a driving god just as before.

All that hassle of hiding the buttons, get a grip, turn it off, go drive

My thoughts exactly... that's insane.

Jonny ///M · 10 Apr 2006 at 02:50

I go on the M5board forum quite a bit and to see how many E60 M5's get wrecked cause some ****head didnt use dsc and floored it on a roundabout........they should be on until a compulsary anti ****head test it taken(M driving school).

TomO · 10 Apr 2006 at 07:50

my DSC goes off wet or dry. only stays on if i am on the motorway. i find it really annoying when it cuts in.

however its already been said, its only one button! just get in the habit of pushing it just after turning the ignition.

GSXRMovistar · 10 Apr 2006 at 09:47

I'm wondering how some people here drive their cars on day to day roads that the DSC has to kick in so often it becomes annoying. :confused:

merlin · 10 Apr 2006 at 10:06

Rotty said:
I certainly wouldn't want to be without DSC in the wet

This forum is primarily for people born as race drivers. With this revalation - your forum credibility has been downrated by 8 points, you may continue to post here but please be quiet whilst the pro's speak.

Rotty · 10 Apr 2006 at 10:14

merlin said:
This forum is primarily for people born as race drivers. With this revalation - your forum credibility has been downrated by 8 points, you may continue to post here but please be quiet whilst the pro's speak.

sorry , I'll get off and hide

Beepcake · 10 Apr 2006 at 10:53

TomO said:
my DSC goes off wet or dry. only stays on if i am on the motorway. i find it really annoying when it cuts in.

however its already been said, its only one button! just get in the habit of pushing it just after turning the ignition.

The M5 DSC is a lot more nannying than the M3 one though.

I still prefer to leave mine on unless it's being intrusive.. with all the eejit drivers on our roads it might save my neck one day

Rotty · 10 Apr 2006 at 11:08

Beepcake said:
The M5 DSC is a lot more nannying than the M3 one though.

I agree, you don't really notice it kicking in apart from the light flashing

Garrett · 10 Apr 2006 at 11:11

Rotty said:
I agree, you don't really notice it kicking in apart from the light flashing

Same here, only driven it a few times with it off and you really have to be caning it in damp conditions or in 1st gear for it to come on anyway, the thing thats impressed me most about the M3 so far is the level of grip you get from the tyres.

Beepcake · 10 Apr 2006 at 11:14

Makes quite a difference in the wet with borderline illegal tyres.. if I did anything more than stare hard at the gas pedal during a turn the backend started to slide.. fun fun

willd58 · 10 Apr 2006 at 12:00

Can someone explain this DSC thing to me please? im guessing its some kind of driver aid, in which case i cant see any advantages in turning it off! :confused:

Rotty · 10 Apr 2006 at 12:03

willd58 said:
Can someone explain this DSC thing to me please? im guessing its some kind of driver aid, in which case i cant see any advantages in turning it off!

DSC constantly compares vehicle speed, wheel speed, steering angle, and yaw rate with a benchmark of plausible and optimum driving conditions' data. In a fraction of a second, DSC recognizes a threatening instability and a danger of skidding. The DSC system can correct an unstable driving condition by applying precise braking action to the individual wheels. As with ASC, DSC will if necessary also cut back the engine speed to automatically stabilize the vehicle.

it's a trick traction control system

Beepcake · 10 Apr 2006 at 12:17

And the advantage to turning it off are better launch speeds and the fact you can drive sideways

The M5 one does cut the power a bit too early, which can make it irritating in the wet when you want to push on.. but it's nice to have.. you never know what the other numpties on the road will force you to do when you're driving.

TomO · 10 Apr 2006 at 13:19

Garrett said:
Same here, only driven it a few times with it off and you really have to be caning it in damp conditions or in 1st gear for it to come on anyway, the thing thats impressed me most about the M3 so far is the level of grip you get from the tyres.

50:50 weight distribution helps a lot with traction the M5 / M3 are much better at launching than my 200 ever was.

having a new clutch also seems to make things more slippery. as it bites much better now i get some fishtailing from 1st to 2nd on hard launches, which used to be very minimal before.

TomO · 10 Apr 2006 at 13:20

Beepcake said:
The M5 one does cut the power a bit too early, which can make it irritating when you want to push on..

and ST220's can beat you.

Steve · 10 Apr 2006 at 21:19

Those buttons are an afront to all that is the M series, I don't profess to be the best driver in the world but nor will I be with the car trying to do everything for me, I want to feel her slip out so I can correct it, if I bin her in a corner thats life but I want to learn her limits not have them hidden from me.

I will not be driving her ever with sport mode off and DSC on at very least, the button removal may not happen but some of your reactions to the idea is worse than mine to having them on the car. If you don't like something on a car change it, thats what you do isn't it??? I am paying for M3 performance from the moment I turn the key not a key turn and two button presses

As has been said how do you slide round corners with DSC sticking its nose in?

Performance figures for an e36 and e46 are almost the same and I have managed without DSC so am not sure why every one is profisising doom and death?

I don't have DSC on my GSXR either and I manage to adjust my power to the conditions just fine.

ANyway moving on to more intresting news.

A deposit has been made on this beauty

2001 BMW M3
Manual 6 speed, Coupe,
47,000 miles
FSH 3 BMW 1 specialist
Metallic Phoenix Yellow,
19" Alloys,
Full Black Leather,
Satellite Navigation,
AirconClimate Control,
Cruise control,
Electric Memory Seats,
Electric mirrors,
Electric windows,
Electric sunroof,
Headlight washers,
Harmon Kardon Sound System,
Park distance control

He is getting the wheels refurbished, the bumpers respraid to sort a few minor marks.

And all for £19,790