This car is a champ in the rain

[radiantm3]

I've had the car for almost 2 months now and considering I've yet to attend an autox or track event with this car, I can't say I've had a chance to push the car to its limits. Rain has always been an element that lowers a cars limits considerably. Coming from a 135i with performance suspension and non-runflats (dunlop direzza star specs) and an E90 335i with runflats, I have to say I'm incredibly impressed with how the car handles and keeps grip in the rain. But I haven't been able to figure out exactly why it does so well in comparison to my other cars. Here's my guesses and it's probably in combination of them:

1. Wider track and wheels.
2. LSD (though I haven't really pushed the car hard enough in the rain for a lot of wheel spin so not sure the LSD has any effect at this point. Is it working even the slightest bit of wheelspin??)
3. Tires (are the Contis that good in the rain??)
4. Less torque below 3k rpms (along with a super linear powerband)
5. Much better suspension components/setup

Any thoughts? I've always had to be careful with my 135i and 335i in the rain because the back would fishtail like crazy if I don't go real easy on the throttle. I don't accelerate at WOT in the rain, but I can easily do half throttle and the car just goes. This car is just so confidence-inspiring. So much that I need to remind myself that it won't defy the laws of physics (even though sometimes it seems like it does)!

[cmk227]

I have yet to drive it in the rain so I have no idea.

I do agree though with the thought that you feel like the car can do almost anything.

[Pete_vB]

Originally Posted by radiantm3

3. Tires (are the Contis that good in the rain??)
4. Less torque below 3k rpms (along with a super linear powerband)

The other things you mention play a small part, but basically it's the tires.

One Lap of America has a wet skidpad event, and contiental has crushed it the last two years running, first with the CSC3 and this year with the DWs. .953 and .962 Gs in the wet respectively. PS2s and the like were struggling to clear .9 Gs. While some of that's the car, and not all tests show continental as dominant, it's clear that some of continental's rubber is really good in the wet.

[TMR]

It does drive REALLY good in the rain. Just dont remove DSC.

[radiantm3]

Originally Posted by Pete_vB

The other things you mention play a small part, but basically it's the tires.

One Lap of America has a wet skidpad event, and contiental has crushed it the last two years running, first with the CSC3 and this year with the DWs. .953 and .962 Gs in the wet respectively. PS2s and the like were struggling to clear .9 Gs. While some of that's the car, and not all tests show continental as dominant, it's clear that some of continental's rubber is really good in the wet.

That's good to hear. I was initially disappointed when I found out my car came with the Contis, but seems like a redeeming quality (though it doesn't rain too often in CA).

[Pete_vB]

Originally Posted by radiantm3

I was initially disappointed when I found out my car came with the Contis, but seems like a redeeming quality (though it doesn't rain too often in CA).

I find it really is a big advantage in the real world even when it's not raining. I often find damp patches in the shaded spots on my favorite roads (skyline, etc). With "normal" tires you hit one of these and you'll understeer wide; even though the road is 99% dry you can't push hard because you never know if there will be a damp spot around the corner.

With a really good wet tire, though (the goodyear asymmetric is another one) the grip almost doesn't change wet to dry. It's a huge boost in confidence. That's one thing I don't like as much about the PS2s I have on now- wet to dry grip has a larger difference than the goodyears (more grip dry, but less wet).

[sensi09]

It was raining super hard today and I agree that the car does very well in the rain. Tires with full tread and confidence inspired driving is the difference maker though.

Those star specs probably didn't help much in the rain either.

[foosh]

True, it's all in the tire. The PS2s were not that great in the rain.

[sensi09]

The PS2 may not be a goodyear GS-D3 or asymmetric in the rain, but I think it does pretty well IMO.

I use to think that PS2s were a bit overrated, but they're an excellent tire all-around.

[Pete_vB]

Originally Posted by sensi09

The PS2 may not be a goodyear GS-D3 or asymmetric in the rain, but I think it does pretty well IMO.

I use to think that PS2s were a bit overrated, but they're an excellent tire all-around.

I agree, no question they are very good all around. Much sharper turn-in than the Asymmetrics, better dry drip, more feedback through the stiffer sidewall. The newer M3 versions of the PS2 are particularly good.

I was only talking wet grip. Can't wait for the upcoming PSS, going to be even better:

[OC3]

Drove it last night on SoCal freeways in heavy rain for 3 hours and I have to say, it was a confidence-inspiring experience. Event went up to 110mph at sections of 210 around La Cañada area and the ride was solid.