Driving & Placement

A

Atom1

Member
 Leeds
I was hoping to avoind the question but here goes...

How do you jude a corner and place the front wheels in the Z4? (Mainly tight corners).

Its my first car ever where you are literally sat on the rear axle. I thoroughly enjoy driving and try to follow quite tight racing lines when the road and traffic allow safely.

I've had a hand full of driver coaching sessions on track and road. I would say I have a good basic understanding of correct road placement and balancing a car into, during and out of a corner.

The problem is in the Z4 I just cant seem to judge the front end and get a correct line, especially on tighter corners. I end up steering the bonnet wide and having to add more lock mid/exit of the corner, which is no good and not rewarding at all.

Its like im getting the back wheels on the correct line and of course should be the opposite way round. Also feel that if I do get the front wheels where they are supposed to be im terrified im going to clip the rears on the cerb!

Its absolutely baffling me, I just cant seem to get it!? Is it just time patience and practice?

If anyone has had or experience what I am trying to describe or felt the same in any way your advice would be much appreciated!?

Thanks in advance :)
 
I doubt if it's got much to do with your driving technique - the E89 has all the finesse and handling characteristics of a medieval siege engine so there is only so much you can do in terms of steering input to improve matters. The front end was always on the light side and this has been exacerbated by the naff 4 cylinder engines which have reduced up front weight further. The engine bay/bonnet was designed round the classic 6 cylinder lump so there is now about a foot and a half of unused space and bonnet - it's a bit like trying to throw a sledge hammer shaft first. A triumph of style over substance.
If it really bothers you I guess you could try reversing round bends but that might cause confusion for other road users.
 
Shack205 said:
I doubt if it's got much to do with your driving technique - the E89 has all the finesse and handling characteristics of a medieval siege engine so there is only so much you can do in terms of steering input to improve matters. The front end was always on the light side and this has been exacerbated by the naff 4 cylinder engines which have reduced up front weight further. The engine bay/bonnet was designed round the classic 6 cylinder lump so there is now about a foot and a half of unused space and bonnet - it's a bit like trying to throw a sledge hammer shaft first. A triumph of style over substance.
If it really bothers you I guess you could try reversing round bends but that might cause confusion for other road users.
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Sorry I disagree with you there, one of the advantages of the 4 Cyl over the 6cyl is BMW have been able to bring the engine further back from the front axle improving weight distribution, the 6cyls being heavier and further forward effects the handling to a worse degree. Its the same with my Z3, the 4cyl is more nimble in the corners than the 6cyls :)

Its just the 6cyls sound prettier :wink:

Tim.
 
Tim - we can certainly agree that the 6 cyls sound better. I had a 3.0i from 2009 until August 2012 when I changed it for a 2.8i.
I had originally decided to get the 35i but in a moment of madness was swayed by claims of fantastic mpg/better handling etc etc and the 8 speed box - which I have to say is very good. In so far as the fuel efficiency goes I 'm averaging around 32 which is only marginally better that my 3.0 and nothing like I was led to believe I would get.
Having now spent a lot of time in/with the 28i I really don't think it handles better, it's nowhere near as poised and direct as my old car and is simply not as enjoyable or intuitive to drive in any respect, other than the gear box.
I'm afraid we'll have to agree to disagree!
Tony
PS. It also sounds like an old diesel van which doesn't help!
 
I think to a certain degree shack205 is right , its not the best handling car and trying to drive it with any sort of finesse wont work at at all
 
Turn in late and sharp, about foot wider than you think you should be, then throttle before apex. Bit like riding a bike where you square off a corner rather than going in and out on a constant radius trying to clip the apex. Try it before you dismiss it out of hand, you might find it works for you...
 
Shack you are talking absolute bollocks. I've gone from a 6 cylinder to the 4 and the 4 turns in way better than than heavier 6, far less understeer!
As for sound, there really isn't that much difference.
 
Ride it like it's a wild mustang with a firecracker up it's ass - hard and fast, turn in later than you would then whip it from the apex onwards :thumbsup:

In all seriousness, and engine size arguments aside, you'll get loads of great advice here for sure but the only way to learn is practice practice practice :driving:
 
Bing said:
Ride it like it's a wild mustang with a firecracker up it's ass - hard and fast, turn in later than you would then whip it from the apex onwards :thumbsup:

In all seriousness, and engine size arguments aside, you'll get loads of great advice here for sure but the only way to learn is practice practice practice :driving:
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I like your advice, I agree, think I just need to keep going with it :)
 
lux good said:
Shack you are talking absolute bollocks. I've gone from a 6 cylinder to the 4 and the 4 turns in way better than than heavier 6, far less understeer!
As for sound, there really isn't that much difference.
Click to expand...

It's not so much an overall weight issue - the 28i is only about 10kg lighter than the old 3.0 - it's how it's distributed. It feels too light on the front which does not suit a car that is essentially a GT not an all out hairey sports car.
Maybe BMW should consider turning all that unused space at the front of the engine bay into additional storage ala the Porsche Boxster!

As to engine sound there is simply no comparison - the 6 wins by a mile.
 
. Maybe BMW should consider turning all that unused space at the front of the engine bay into additional storage ala the Porsche Boxster.


He he :thumbsup:
 
The weight distribution issue is fine, the car handles extremely well .

Here is, to my knowledge, how to tackle a bend confidently, smoothly and using good'ish technique.

As you break up to a corner, weight will shift to the front of the car making it un balanced, if you continue to break into the corner the nose will push wide or dive in too tight depending on speed.

The car must be balanced on entry to the corner and kept neutral throughout, using the throttle to do so. Only acccelerating, progressively, as you unwind the lock on exit. There should be no understeer or overseer if you do it correctly.

If there is you have done something wrong or gone beyond the limit of the car. Regardless of 4 or 6 cylinder the physics are the same.

I realy am keen to learn new tips, tricks or techniques as theres always something to learn :)
 
Hi Atom

You're understanding is correct on cornering, if it is a tight corner and you are getting understeer on exiting then you may be acccelerating too hard or to early when leaving the corner. It could be that you are missing the apex of the corner ie too wide which then means extra steering to cope with the tighter later line.

You may also be trying to be too precise with your position to the corner on entry. It depends on the width of road available but my advice is to try these problem corners a bit slower and see if things improve, to drive smoothly with accuracy is still rewarding.

It is possible that having a handful of both track and road coaching lessons got you slightly confused.
 
Or you could just run tight to the apex and give it a Scandinavian flick and a big boot. With under 200 horses your unlikely to overwhelm the rears (loads of mechanical grip) so just give it some beans on turn in, and see how it feels...
 
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