Any driving tips?

[swein1992]

Hey guys I traded in my e90 335i xdrive for an e92 M3 two weeks ago and I have been driving around in my M3. I absolutely love the car. The power, steering feeling and cabin quality is just superb compared to my old 335. However, I need some tips on driving the car. Last time I entered a roundabout with some descent speed (I know it is a stupid idea, blame me if you want), when I exit the roundabout, I almost lost control of the car. The rear wheels started skidding and I have to correct it really hard. Fortunately there wasn't any cars around. I know I need to adjust to the power increase from my 335 and the loss of all wheel drive system. But is M3 really easy to go sideways? I tried WOT several times and every time I tried it, the rear just kept skidding. Is it because of the temperature? (30 degrees in Indiana these days...)Or I really have to be really careful with the throttle? Guys give me some driving tips Thanks!

[AshyLarryMP]

Get some new tires. Drive it slow until you get the hang of it. I am sure there are some haters in your life that would like to see you crash your new car, so don't give them the pleasure.

[swein1992]

Thanks for your advice!!!Right now I am running continental tires and they are not in the perfect condition. That's probably why.

Originally Posted by AshyLarryMP

Get some new tires. Drive it slow until you get the hang of it. I am sure there are some haters in your life that would like to see you crash your new car, so don't give them the pleasure.

[ZTFerrari]

Keep DSC on until you get used to the power. MDM is better than full DSC and will still prevent you from getting stupid on the road..

[Arben72]

The stock tires on the m3 are like ice blocks under 45 degrees. Usually most people would either store it or get winter tires. Just wait till it warms up, then you will see the true nature of the beast.

[swein1992]

Thanks! I can't wait for the spring!!!

Originally Posted by Arben72

The stock tires on the m3 are like ice blocks under 45 degrees. Usually most people would either store it or get winter tires. Just wait till it warms up, then you will see the true nature of the beast.

[bsiciliano]

Don't go WOT from a standstill. Gun it rolling around 20 or 30mph. You shouldn't lose traction.

Also, don't do anything reckless when people are around.

[dreamspeed]

Is this with dsc on or off? Honestly there is no reason to turn off DSC on the streets.

[murmur]

Welcome and congrats on the M, where in Indy are you ?

[swein1992]

The DSC was on the whole time. I wouldn't turn it off when others are around. Its just too dangerous. I can't even master the car yet. Thanks for the advice!!

Originally Posted by dreamspeed

Is this with dsc on or off? Honestly there is no reason to turn off DSC on the streets.

[swein1992]

I am in Lafayette area..What about you?

Originally Posted by murmur

Welcome and congrats on the M, where in Indy are you ?

[swein1992]

When I tried WOT at around 30-40mph, it still lost traction several times. The strange thing is the car was fine when I step down the throttle. But when it revs to 5000 rpm ish just the moment before I upshift, the wheels lost traction and when the shift was done, the car went back to normal. I don't know if it is the weather. The tires aren't worn out. They are stock tires.

Originally Posted by bsiciliano

Don't go WOT from a standstill. Gun it rolling around 20 or 30mph. You shouldn't lose traction.

Also, don't do anything reckless when people are around.

[JD3]

Originally Posted by Arben72

The stock tires on the m3 are like ice blocks under 45 degrees. Usually most people would either store it or get winter tires. Just wait till it warms up, then you will see the true nature of the beast.

Very true, I'm in Ohio so my PSS are worthless during the winter, as they're designed to be. I just don't drive enough to justify winter tires but the car certainly feels like it's on bald tires for a few months.
Welcome to the M by the way. I'm in Columbus, OH and will be in Indy this weekend with the Columbus Cars and Coffee group to tour the Dallara factory with the Indy CC&C members. Should be awesome and at 50 degrees my tires should grip somewhat so I can keep up with the Lamborghinis....for a few seconds anyway!

[swein1992]

Oh I thought DSC allows more traction than MDM does. I will try that!

Originally Posted by ZTFerrari

Keep DSC on until you get used to the power. MDM is better than full DSC and will still prevent you from getting stupid on the road..

[swein1992]

Haha I feel the same with my tires!!! I can't wait for this weekend when it warms up to the 50s!!!

Originally Posted by JD3

Very true, I'm in Ohio so my PSS are worthless during the winter, as they're designed to be. I just don't drive enough to justify winter tires but the car certainly feels like it's on bald tires for a few months.
Welcome to the M by the way. I'm in Columbus, OH and will be in Indy this weekend with the Columbus Cars and Coffee group to tour the Dallara factory with the Indy CC&C members. Should be awesome and at 50 degrees my tires should grip somewhat so I can keep up with the Lamborghinis....for a few seconds anyway!

[swartzentruber]

Originally Posted by swein1992

I tried WOT several times and every time I tried it, the rear just kept skidding. Is it because of the temperature? (30 degrees in Indiana these days...)Or I really have to be really careful with the throttle? Guys give me some driving tips Thanks!

Since you say your tires are stock continental, it sounds like you are driving on the stock tires, which are summer tires. That is quite frankly a very bad idea if it's much less than 40 degrees, and is the reason you are losing traction. You should not be running summer tires in this cold of weather in any car, much less an M3. Run winter tires or at least a good all-season when it gets this cold, or park the car. You can educate yourself more here:
http://www.tirerack.com/winter/tech/...jsp?techid=120

In addition to getting somewhat better winter traction from the AWD (vs the M3's RWD), there's a good chance your 335xi had all-season tires on it, which is a major improvement for cold traction vs summer tires (though winter tires are still better).

[Chriskm3]

Tires are the key

[swein1992]

I just got the car two weeks ago so I don't even know its running summer tires. Thanks for the notice! I will definitely get some winter gear!

Originally Posted by swartzentruber

Since you say your tires are stock continental, it sounds like you are driving on the stock tires, which are summer tires. That is quite frankly a very bad idea if it's much less than 40 degrees, and is the reason you are losing traction. You should not be running summer tires in this cold of weather in any car, much less an M3. Run winter tires or at least a good all-season when it gets this cold, or park the car. You can educate yourself more here:
http://www.tirerack.com/winter/tech/...jsp?techid=120

In addition to getting somewhat better winter traction from the AWD (vs the M3's RWD), there's a good chance your 335xi had all-season tires on it, which is a major improvement for cold traction vs summer tires (though winter tires are still better).

[gctsvcxq]

Keep DSC on until you get used to the power.

[murmur]

Originally Posted by swein1992

I am in Lafayette area..What about you?

Carmel, we should meet up some time.

[swein1992]

Cool! I am new here so I don't really know all the nearby cities. But we can definitely meet up! By the way do you know any racetracks around?

Originally Posted by murmur

Carmel, we should meet up some time.

[OC3]

Even with sticky tires, it's really easy to get the backend out with M3. You just have to expect that the car will rotate and even counter-steer before the backend starts to come out and it'll be a bit easier to catch it. And, keeping the seatbelt tight should help with sensing the car rotation immediately.