Booster Posted October 11, 2012 Report Share Posted October 11, 2012 I've had Quattro cars since 1998 and whilst I am very much looking forward to getting a BMW, I am thinking that my driving style might need to change considerably. Pulling out of junctions and roundabouts where I know I can just plant my foot in the Audi and be off (especially in the damp/wet) is going to be different and also cornering in the wet are two things that I am thinking about. Anyone think this will be an issue? Garcon, how have you got on with RWD after Scoobies? Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarMad Posted October 11, 2012 Report Share Posted October 11, 2012 You will get far less understeer, will be able to commit to bends earlier and go around them the same speed but won't be able to leave them quite as quickly on occasions. Traction is often better than you would imagine and the DSC / ESP on the BMW is simply stunning when I had the 330 traction was amazing and it was very rare for the car to struggle even from a flying start. Overall you will love to drive it with RWD and shouldn't need to worry about losing it all the time it simply doesn't happen in the way you think it might. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stooH Posted October 11, 2012 Report Share Posted October 11, 2012 I've only got a diddy engine in mine but it the car gives you plenty of feedback about the back end and as CarMad says the traction control is very good, i've deliberately thrown mine around a couple of damp roundabouts and got the back end out and it tells you exactly what it's doing and the traction control always pulls it back in line. Not got around to risking turning the traction off yet, might wait until I can get to a quiet car park... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted October 11, 2012 Report Share Posted October 11, 2012 I've had Quattro cars since 1998 and whilst I am very much looking forward to getting a BMW, I am thinking that my driving style might need to change considerably.Pulling out of junctions and roundabouts where I know I can just plant my foot in the Audi and be off (especially in the damp/wet) is going to be different and also cornering in the wet are two things that I am thinking about. Anyone think this will be an issue? Garcon, how have you got on with RWD after Scoobies? Cheers It will only be an issue if you are a total and utter girl. Don't believe the hype. The 640 will grip absolutely fine and will deliver a fantastically smooth drivetrain. Cornering in the wet will be different - but you'll learn where to hold the pedal down. It really isn't difficult. In the 640 you'll feel as if the front is understeering until you get the feel for it when pushing on, I can guarantee that. It isn't. You just don't have the drive coming through the front wheels so the feel is slightly different. There's little as rewarding as powering out of a corner and feeling the rear end sit down and grip to thrust you forwards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy_Bangle Posted October 11, 2012 Report Share Posted October 11, 2012 I've only got a diddy penis but get plenty of feedback about the back end, CarMad says it's very good, i've deliberately thrown mine around in a couple of damp patches and it tells you exactly what it's doing and the control always pulls it back in line. Not got around to dogging yet, might wait until I can get to a quiet car park... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted October 11, 2012 Report Share Posted October 11, 2012 You will get far less understeer I know why you're saying that - but it won't feel like that to him in a 6 series. He will think it's understeering at first when pushing into corner, I'd put money on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Booster Posted October 11, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 11, 2012 Ha! I did drive the demo car like I stole it and didn't have any issues but it was dry when I had it. From a recent review: The latest version of BMW’s twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre diesel engine is as stonking as ever. How does 313bhp and 464lb ft of torque from 1,500rpm grab you? Hard is the answer, before pinning you into the seat as this 1.8-ton car fires up the road. It’s so large that you tend to shy away from taking it by the scruff of the neck for fear you might wipe out neighbouring towns, but at seven tenths it feels unflappable. Think I'll drive at seven tenths for a while!!! That's not girly is it???!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted October 11, 2012 Report Share Posted October 11, 2012 (edited) Snow is where you'll have most fun. It's brilliant. I only ever had one very scary moment in mine and that was through my own stupidity (TP27 was driving behind me at the time and he'll know where and when I'm referring to), but even then I got it back from the edge (after sliding about 50 yards towards the edge of a drop down into a lake) and I'm not anything more than an experienced driver. I know how to drive a RWD car, but I wouldn't ever claim to be the next Schumacher or to have more driving prowess than the average decent driver. Don't switch traction off unless it is dry. Whilst it is right to say it is a lot of fun, you won't think that when you'd going backwards through someones living room. Edited October 11, 2012 by MrMe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Booster Posted October 11, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 11, 2012 Whilst it is right to say it is a lot of fun, you won't think that when you'd going backwards through someones living room. I've ordered a set of 18" wheels with winter tyres for the bad weather!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted October 11, 2012 Report Share Posted October 11, 2012 Oh you total wuss. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TP27 Posted October 11, 2012 Report Share Posted October 11, 2012 I only ever had one very scary moment in mine and that was through my own stupidity (TP27 was driving behind me at the time). Remember it well, MrMe !! It wasn't scary - just terrifying !!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted October 11, 2012 Report Share Posted October 11, 2012 You should have been sat where I was. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TP27 Posted October 11, 2012 Report Share Posted October 11, 2012 You should have been sat where I was. You were fairly relaxed afterwards - or so we thought !!! :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted October 11, 2012 Report Share Posted October 11, 2012 Aye, just death averted for another day. Nothing to be too flappy about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian_C Posted October 11, 2012 Report Share Posted October 11, 2012 I've ordered a set of 18" wheels with winter tyres for the bad weather!! Wise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted October 11, 2012 Report Share Posted October 11, 2012 Why it wise? Go on, tell me, I'd love to know what on what basis it is "wise". It's a waste of money. Absolutely no need for it whatsoever. We get shitloads of snow up here compared to down South and I've never had winter tyres on any of my RWD cars - and the only time I've ever got stuck was in 3ft of snow where every other car couldn't move either. I'm not lambasting Booster for what is a personal choice but if it was me I'd have seen how I got on with the car in the first place before shelling out on something that will only make a difference in very poor conditions and with poor driving to boot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calm Chris Posted October 11, 2012 Report Share Posted October 11, 2012 The more you use the car in winter the more the cost of winter wear is valid. There's also the simple truth that in that 'one month' period you will have 50% more grip that the same car without them. There's a shed load of torque that needs laying down and since it all kicks in at very lowly revs I'd consider it wise if I lived in semi rural areas, did journeys of distance in winter or simply wanted to know I'm as grippy as possible. The beauty is that you always have the option to decide when they get put on and taken off, win win.i Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted October 11, 2012 Report Share Posted October 11, 2012 I used mine in all weathers. How does a winter tyre equate to 50% more grip? The point is, the majority of people manage perfectly well without them. If Booster wants them then that's fair enough, I'm just arguing the "wise" point. I don't see why it is wise. It's a luxury that someone in an area of particularly bad weather might take - I can understand that. But it doesn't make it "wise". That infers that a RWD car of this type needs them to be safe. The fact is, they don't. Plus, the whole argument of winter tyres is blown out of the water unless you change them depending on the weather every day. In dry conditions.....you're on tyres that won't perform as well as the ones you've taken off.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calm Chris Posted October 11, 2012 Report Share Posted October 11, 2012 Some people can't just nick the wife's tractor I hear what you mean, I also think there's a huge possibility that for save the odd two week periods they have to be stored away. As you know compacted snow ice is hard work for rwd, hard for the driver and hard on the traction robot thing, both can cause problems. Winter wear helps, and the 50% figure was a uneducated guess on compacted snow, frost snow and all the horrid surfacing where winter wear wins. You say the offset, is that car isn't in tyres that are design to allow optimum performance. Winter isn't really right for that sort of driving anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted October 11, 2012 Report Share Posted October 11, 2012 I don't though. She needs it. But the fact is that most tyres will perform perfectly well in 99% of UK weather - barring extreme conditions. In those extreme conditions everyone gets stuck - and because of that you can't get anywhere anyway because of the traffic jams! I just don't really see the point of them in this country when it is very, very rare to get more than a couple of days a year when they might serve a purpose. The hard compacted snow and ice that you mention has never given me an issue. Ask anyone who went on a tour of Scotland many years ago. The 6 got through it all no problem at all and in blizzard conditions. For me they're a luxury purchase which is a personal choice but even then you have to consider the dry weather performance you get - and I'd argue that whilst you have a point about 'optimum' performance, the disadvantage of winter tyres in dry conditions is more noticeable than the advantage of having them above normal tyres in poor conditions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian_C Posted October 11, 2012 Report Share Posted October 11, 2012 In dry conditions.....you're on tyres that won't perform as well as the ones you've taken off....For me they're a luxury purchase which is a personal choice but even then you have to consider the dry weather performance you get - and I'd argue that whilst you have a point about 'optimum' performance, the disadvantage of winter tyres in dry conditions is more noticeable than the advantage of having them above normal tyres in poor conditions. Winter tyres give you more grip at low temperatures in the bone dry because the rubber is completely a different compound. Somewhere between (plus) seven to ten degrees is the generally agreed 'break even' figure. Most people run smaller winters, so that has to be factored in as well, but 'grip' is higher on winter than summer tyres in winter even when its bone dry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted October 11, 2012 Report Share Posted October 11, 2012 You haven't answered the original question - why is it wise to buy winter tyres for the 640d? The average temperature in the Midlands (trying to take the middle ground) is 6 degrees (just above) in January and February. At all other times it is above 9 degrees. So doesn't that almost immediately dismiss the winter tyres v summer tyres argument because is is just below what you say is the borderline window. Any questionable advantage will be minimal. Summer tyres would perform almost identically and I think we both know that in dry conditions at the temperatures that are experienced by UK residents most days in winter. I think we also know that the reason people choose winter tyres is for snow, ice and rain etc - not dry conditions so the argument is a little borderline to begin with. You know the point I'm making and my case is simple - it's not wise. It's a luxury. A personal choice luxury which I respect, but to say it is wise is suggesting a problem that doesn't exist in my opinion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eldavo69 Posted October 11, 2012 Report Share Posted October 11, 2012 I bought a set of BMW winter wheels and tyres for SWMBO. Compared to the wide low profile 19s these are narrow 16 inch steelies with very grippily-treaded tyres. As MrsEldavo is a GP she needs to be able to get out and about and do house visits, etc. and taking the odd "snow day" isn't viable - no brainer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted October 11, 2012 Report Share Posted October 11, 2012 That I understand Dave, but be honest and say how many days in the last year she'd not have been able to drive out on normal tyres. I think we both know it is very very low. Now, I understand that even one day as a GP means it is one day too much, but I don't believe all GP's dress their cars with winter tyres for call outs, do they? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted October 11, 2012 Report Share Posted October 11, 2012 p.s. and you're on the edge of Northumberland! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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