How to avoid "hairy" moments in an ///M?

Just as an alternative to the M, maybe an Alpina? I've had both and the performance numbers are very similar but the power delivery is very different. The Alpina is progressive and just keeps on delivering the torque.

I've no regrets moving to an M, but in no way would I rubbish an Alpina. If I had the space I'd have kept the Alpina and become twozedsstu :)
 
Stuart Truman said:
If I had the space I'd have kept the Alpina and become twozedsstu :)
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:lol:

twozedsstu who does taekwondo... Excellent :thumbsup:

(I may have mixed up your martial art there, but it was funny in my head...)
 
As someone who has had the M around 2 months there are a couple of things that make a big difference. If the boot is empty and it is just you in the car be careful, it can go from tonnes of grip to the rear flicking out before you realise it. If you have a passenger or something heavy in the boot it makes a big difference to handling. The only other time I nearly lost it was when the road was damp and I floored it in third. The lack of grip was shocking, the DSC did a bad job of coping and I ended up fish tailing across 2 lanes. Thankfully just my pride was damaged. Im am more used to the car now and more careful with my right foot too. Good luck with your search.
 
Dude, basic rules driving a RWD car:

When you brake from speed, make sure the front wheels are pointing strait ie: look well ahead and plan in advance
When you accelerate out of a corner do it past the apex, do so progressively and straitening the wheel as you accelerate
Don't be a tit and she won't bite
Keep DSC on
Be very carefull at speed, the engine comes on cam at 4.5k rpm and it pulkls ferouciously from then
Attitude, its easy to get cocky andthat's when mistakes happen
Its a nice bedeable chassis, and it will understeer if you enter a corner too quickly, if that happens don't brake or try to steer more into the corner just take a few degrees of lock off for thre front tyres to find traction again and adjust you line
Build up your experience and do a few track days with an instructor

Enjoy it!
 
ChawenHalo said:
Dude, basic rules driving a RWD car:

When you brake from speed, make sure the front wheels are pointing strait ie: look well ahead and plan in advance
When you accelerate out of a corner do it past the apex, do so progressively and straitening the wheel as you accelerate
Don't be a tit and she won't bite
Keep DSC on
Be very carefull at speed, the engine comes on cam at 4.5k rpm and it pulkls ferouciously from then
Attitude, its easy to get cocky andthat's when mistakes happen
Its a nice bedeable chassis, and it will understeer if you enter a corner too quickly, if that happens don't brake or try to steer more into the corner just take a few degrees of lock off for thre front tyres to find traction again and adjust you line
Build up your experience and do a few track days with an instructor

Enjoy it!
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Cheers Chawan, top advice :driving:
 
I picked mine up from my good friend z4m 2006 (gar above). At 11:55 pm at minus 0 degrees and drove it from north to west Wales. First time I'd driven it, all I can say like the above leave there's on and take your time to understand that the car will kill you if you show into respect.. Once this is understood you can then power through bends with a massive smile :-)

I now smile all the time :-)
 
I have to imagine I'm a bit older than you, so let me tell you how I eased in. My first right wheel drive car was a 3-series. Obviously, I wanted to go straight to the ///M as you do but I felt it might be beneficial if I would learn to drive a RWD for some time first. I drove, and loved, my 3-series. After I gained confidence I turned off the DSC and had MUCH fun. Then I traded my 3-series for a Z4 3.0i and went through the same process. Once I felt I had mastered that I decided that I was ready for the ///M -- but I had adored my Z4 3.0i so much, I had to have another. I began my search for a Z4 M. Three years of patience resulted in my finding one for sale and I bought it. Years of BMW experience under my belt at that point I felt I was ready, and I was. Knowing exactly how X, Y, and Z feel and knowing exactly what to do made all the difference between owning one and driving one. As much fun as you can have in this car I would *HIGHLY* recommend not going straight from wrong wheel drive, regardless of bhp, directly to a powerful right wheel drive. If you can't understand what your car is telling you, the likelihood of having your fun spoiled rapidly grows -- and you don't want that. Unless you're a pensioner, or wired that way, you're very likely to wind up breaking your heart (and would probably have no use for an ///M anyways). I would say pick up a 3.0i or a 3.0si, learn it and love it, then move to an ///M. There's much more to be gained by starting there and everything to lose if you make the wrong mistake.
 
insanity2k13 said:
I have to imagine I'm a bit older than you, so let me tell you how I eased in. My first right wheel drive car was a 3-series. Obviously, I wanted to go straight to the ///M as you do but I felt it might be beneficial if I would learn to drive a RWD for some time first. I drove, and loved, my 3-series. After I gained confidence I turned off the DSC and had MUCH fun. Then I traded my 3-series for a Z4 3.0i and went through the same process. Once I felt I had mastered that I decided that I was ready for the ///M -- but I had adored my Z4 3.0i so much, I had to have another. I began my search for a Z4 M. Three years of patience resulted in my finding one for sale and I bought it. Years of BMW experience under my belt at that point I felt I was ready, and I was. Knowing exactly how X, Y, and Z feel and knowing exactly what to do made all the difference between owning one and driving one. As much fun as you can have in this car I would *HIGHLY* recommend not going straight from wrong wheel drive, regardless of bhp, directly to a powerful right wheel drive. If you can't understand what your car is telling you, the likelihood of having your fun spoiled rapidly grows -- and you don't want that. Unless you're a pensioner, or wired that way, you're very likely to wind up breaking your heart (and would probably have no use for an ///M anyways). I would say pick up a 3.0i or a 3.0si, learn it and love it, then move to an ///M. There's much more to be gained by starting there and everything to lose if you make the wrong mistake.
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sound advice - and welcome along - lets see some piccies of the M R :thumbsup:
 
ZermattV said:
insanity2k13 said:
I have to imagine I'm a bit older than you, so let me tell you how I eased in. My first right wheel drive car was a 3-series. Obviously, I wanted to go straight to the ///M as you do but I felt it might be beneficial if I would learn to drive a RWD for some time first. I drove, and loved, my 3-series. After I gained confidence I turned off the DSC and had MUCH fun. Then I traded my 3-series for a Z4 3.0i and went through the same process. Once I felt I had mastered that I decided that I was ready for the ///M -- but I had adored my Z4 3.0i so much, I had to have another. I began my search for a Z4 M. Three years of patience resulted in my finding one for sale and I bought it. Years of BMW experience under my belt at that point I felt I was ready, and I was. Knowing exactly how X, Y, and Z feel and knowing exactly what to do made all the difference between owning one and driving one. As much fun as you can have in this car I would *HIGHLY* recommend not going straight from wrong wheel drive, regardless of bhp, directly to a powerful right wheel drive. If you can't understand what your car is telling you, the likelihood of having your fun spoiled rapidly grows -- and you don't want that. Unless you're a pensioner, or wired that way, you're very likely to wind up breaking your heart (and would probably have no use for an ///M anyways). I would say pick up a 3.0i or a 3.0si, learn it and love it, then move to an ///M. There's much more to be gained by starting there and everything to lose if you make the wrong mistake.
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sound advice - and welcome along - lets see some piccies of the M R :thumbsup:
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Sound but disappointing advice :wink:

Would even going to a 3.0 be too much of a leap. 265BHP means the 3.0 is no slouch.

I am fully aware of my capabilities and lack of familiarity with RWD. Maybe its the impatience of youth, but the thought of getting a less powerful (<200BHP) RWD car for the purpose of training for the ///M doesnt appeal to me.

If there were no options for improvement/ training elsewhere then fair enough. But a car limit day and other driver training coupled with a few airfield track days should give me a decent footing. I think it's important that the car is a weekend car for me, so I will not be driving it in sub-optimal conditions, which will lower my risk somewhat.

Would spending 3 years in a 118i really prepare me for the ///M more than the car limit and track days would?
 
StevenH72 said:
ZermattV said:
insanity2k13 said:
I have to imagine I'm a bit older than you, so let me tell you how I eased in. My first right wheel drive car was a 3-series. Obviously, I wanted to go straight to the ///M as you do but I felt it might be beneficial if I would learn to drive a RWD for some time first. I drove, and loved, my 3-series. After I gained confidence I turned off the DSC and had MUCH fun. Then I traded my 3-series for a Z4 3.0i and went through the same process. Once I felt I had mastered that I decided that I was ready for the ///M -- but I had adored my Z4 3.0i so much, I had to have another. I began my search for a Z4 M. Three years of patience resulted in my finding one for sale and I bought it. Years of BMW experience under my belt at that point I felt I was ready, and I was. Knowing exactly how X, Y, and Z feel and knowing exactly what to do made all the difference between owning one and driving one. As much fun as you can have in this car I would *HIGHLY* recommend not going straight from wrong wheel drive, regardless of bhp, directly to a powerful right wheel drive. If you can't understand what your car is telling you, the likelihood of having your fun spoiled rapidly grows -- and you don't want that. Unless you're a pensioner, or wired that way, you're very likely to wind up breaking your heart (and would probably have no use for an ///M anyways). I would say pick up a 3.0i or a 3.0si, learn it and love it, then move to an ///M. There's much more to be gained by starting there and everything to lose if you make the wrong mistake.
Click to expand...

sound advice - and welcome along - lets see some piccies of the M R :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

Sound but disappointing advice :wink:

Would even going to a 3.0 be too much of a leap. 265BHP means the 3.0 is no slouch.

I am fully aware of my capabilities and lack of familiarity with RWD. Maybe its the impatience of youth, but the thought of getting a less powerful (<200BHP) RWD car for the purpose of training for the ///M doesnt appeal to me.

If there were no options for improvement/ training elsewhere then fair enough. But a car limit day and other driver training coupled with a few airfield track days should give me a decent footing. I think it's important that the car is a weekend car for me, so I will not be driving it in sub-optimal conditions, which will lower my risk somewhat.

Would spending 3 years in a 118i really prepare me for the ///M more than the car limit and track days would?
Click to expand...

Absolutely not! That is just horse above. If you are sensible and drive according to your and the cars limits you will be fine. The M has natural understeer built in and with all driver aids switched on you won't get into trouble. Don't waste depreciation money on buying a car you don't want - buy the car you do. The only way you will get into trouble is if you drive like a c**t. Too much thinking on this Steve just buy the M. My wife drives hers/ours in all conditions and in her heels with no problem :wink:

Carlimits is a good way to find out what driving like a c**t feels like in a nice safe environment, whilst being shown how to drive - which is not a track day.
 
Simon_P said:
StevenH72 said:
ZermattV said:
sound advice - and welcome along - lets see some piccies of the M R :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

Sound but disappointing advice :wink:

Would even going to a 3.0 be too much of a leap. 265BHP means the 3.0 is no slouch.

I am fully aware of my capabilities and lack of familiarity with RWD. Maybe its the impatience of youth, but the thought of getting a less powerful (<200BHP) RWD car for the purpose of training for the ///M doesnt appeal to me.

If there were no options for improvement/ training elsewhere then fair enough. But a car limit day and other driver training coupled with a few airfield track days should give me a decent footing. I think it's important that the car is a weekend car for me, so I will not be driving it in sub-optimal conditions, which will lower my risk somewhat.

Would spending 3 years in a 118i really prepare me for the ///M more than the car limit and track days would?
Click to expand...

Absolutely not! That is just horse above. If you are sensible and drive according to your and the cars limits you will be fine. The M has natural understeer built in and with all driver aids switched on you won't get into trouble. Don't waste depreciation money on buying a car you don't want - buy the car you do. The only way you will get into trouble is if you drive like a c**t. Too much thinking on this Steve just buy the M. My wife drives hers/ours in all conditions and in her heels with no problem :wink:

Carlimits is a good way to find out what driving like a c**t feels like in a nice safe environment, whilst being shown how to drive - which is not a track day.
Click to expand...

Cheers Simon.

I think after the first few posts on here and talking a few my mind was already made up to get an ///M. As you said with driver aids on and driving sensibly I should be fine.

Countdown to ///M ownership is still ticking :thumbsup:
 
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