Rear end skid out in M3 this morning

nucastle

nucastle

nucastle

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Had a scare on the way to work this morning while driving the M3 to work.

Was on the outside lane at a set of lights on a long curved road with a massive artic in the other lane who was over into my lane by quite a long way. Not wanting to get caught alongside him as the curve tightened i decided to put on a bit of gas as the lights went green and got ahead of him.

Unfortunately as the road curved left about 50 meters after the lights, the back just flew out to the right and i spent about five seconds with the back end of the car fishtailing left and right about 4-5 times before i clipped the pavement on the left hand side of the road - thankfully that corrected things and i was suddenly back to normal ..... totally shook up. It was only because i was quite a bit ahead of everyone that i didnt end up slamming into someone.

I wasnt actually going THAT quickly, and im so glad this was out on country roads and that there were no pedestrians about - but it was just a total shock to just suddenly lose control like that. Usually the traction control light flashes and you get some slippage on the tyres when things are going hairy but nothing this time. Rear alloy is kerbed and scuffed a bit now but its almost a miracle thats all that happened.

As much as i think wet roads and rwd bmw's are the obious thing to blame, im still just a bit shocked it lost traction so quickly.

Lesson learned .... no more cornering at speed! :eek:
 
The roads are terrible at this time of the year, I lost traction pulling out of a junction to leave me stuck facing a lorry, luckily I put my hazards on and he stopped in time.

Scary indeed!
 
Quick question to any BMW/M3 owners .... are the standard Continental Contisport tyres any good on the M3? Trying to figure out if i need some new rubber ....
 
You might wanna get your Tracking/Wheel alignment checked after that, it cant have been good for it
 
nucastle said:
good idea, thanks for that.

Im paranoid now .... maybe i should start shopping for a 4WD!!!
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Well you could get an Audi:p

Since its snowing how about trying to find some more suitable tired?

I can see tires like Eagle F1s and the likes causing instant Death in the snow:p:(
 
As long as you respect the road conditions most will be okay. Its horrible to have something like this happen to you though, Im glad you're okay.

RWD + ice/wet roads is fun as long as you dont mind going sideways :D.

J
 
thecremeegg said:
booner what car have you got out of interest? the one in your sig?!:eek:
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He's 19....what do you think? ;):p

Must have been quite hairy losing the back end like that! I haven't had any experience with RWD cars, but i can imagine it being scary. Especially in a nice M3!

EDIT: to the OP - who knows, you may have gone over a wet drain cover and that started the skid off?
 
nucastle said:
Quick question to any BMW/M3 owners .... are the standard Continental Contisport tyres any good on the M3? Trying to figure out if i need some new rubber ....
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A lot of Z4M owners seem to be favouring the Michelin Pilot Sport 2's over the standard Contis, I think they are quite expensive though. Saying that it's very easy to get the back end out with 340 horses driving the back wheels regardless of the rubber you're using.
 
Contis are ok, but any tyre in present weather conditions is going to give you hairy moments.

Tyres on cars are like PC components. People will extoll the virtues of one brand over another, the trick is to listen to people who know what they're talking about. - The monkey in the tyre bay at Kwik-Fit has never driven hard in anything faster than his Barry Corsa. - For the best advice, speak to some enthusiasts who've been through a few sets and get their opinions.

FWIW, I like Goodyear Eagle F1s... GSD2 pattern over the regular 3 for wet performance. However, I can't afford those, so Maxxis and Kumho Ecsta are the order of the day on my old BMW. - It does mean I get to have a lot of sideways fun though!

In a powerful RWD car, I'd honestly recommend you get yourself on a skidpan training day. It's cheaper than replacing one of your alloys and will give you the knowledge and confidence to drive your 6-pot beastie through the crappy weather!

(1st Post, bit of a random one for the cherry!!)
 
nucastle said:
Quick question to any BMW/M3 owners .... are the standard Continental Contisport tyres any good on the M3? Trying to figure out if i need some new rubber ....
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The Conti's are not as good as the PS2's on the M3, but at the end of the day if you hit poor conditions or worse, snow, you are going to have issues with any tyres if you don't respect the conditions. Its the time of year when things can go very wrong very quickly, and DSC will do nothing to help you if you have a big problem.

330bhp+ and RWD in wet conditions always needs respect.
 
Scumball said:
FWIW, I like Goodyear Eagle F1s... GSD2 pattern over the regular 3 for wet performance. However, I can't afford those, so Maxxis and Kumho Ecsta are the order of the day on my old BMW. - It does mean I get to have a lot of sideways fun though!
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You dont get a choice beteween D2 and D3 - D3's are available in larger sizes, D2's in smaller, with D3's 17" and above being replaced by Assymetric.

They are, in smaller sizes, hardly expensive though so no reason to get Maxxis instead.
 
Bigger rims on my Bimm, smaller on the MX-5 I bought for the missus... Put the D2s on the Mazda and love them to bits.

Actually, both are on 16" rims now I think about it. Sorts out my next tyre change anyway!

The Maxxis rear and Kumho front still managed a 9'50" at the Schliefe!
 
I had conti sport2's and found they got noticeably worse as they got worn..the last few mm seemd to be really bad..almost like the rubber got worse or harder as you wore the tread away


maybe its a sign to the driver that they REALLY need changing

went to pilot sport 2's an liking them a lot..plus they seem quieter as well
 
nucastle said:
good idea, thanks for that.

Im paranoid now .... maybe i should start shopping for a 4WD!!!
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Nope, 2WD or 4WD is USELESS without winter tyres!

I have read in Subaru forum that no matter whether your car has 4WD or not, it will be useless in winter regardless without a proper set of winter tyres!

Someone in the same forum, trying out winter tyres said that it has made a big difference in wet and cold condition.
 
I think ill get the alignment checked when im over at the bmw garage near where i live to get some oil.

Ill ask what they think about tyres.... I had PS2's on my Alfa GTV which always seemed well regarded.

Thanks for all the input so far though - very helpful! Completely agree about the comments about the car demanding respect..... i couldnt have ever seen all the FWD cars ive driven doing the same, and jumping right into a 340bhp RWD car after that was asking for trouble especially not knowing what to do when things go wrong. I think one good thing i at least did was not to slam on the brakes when it happened which is a bit of a natural instinct.
 
Ha! That must have been comedy to watch :D

Glad you're alright though :)

Next time take your foot off the gas and the back end will come back in control. With practice you will learn how to balance the throttle to get a bit of slide but keep it in check and no wild full opposite lock side to side fishtailing :)
 
Jonny69 said:
Ha! That must have been comedy to watch :D

Glad you're alright though :)

Next time take your foot off the gas and the back end will come back in control. With practice you will learn how to balance the throttle to get a bit of slide but keep it in check and no wild full opposite lock side to side fishtailing :)
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I bet the people behind me were coming to the usual conclusions about BMW drivers when they suddenly saw someone in a silver M3 all over the dual carrigeway like a right idiot :p
 
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