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Conference terri::cars_uk

Title:	Cars in the UK
Notice:	Please read new conference charter 1.70
Moderator:	COMICS::SHELLEYELD

Created:	Sun Mar 06 1994
Last Modified:	Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:	Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:	2584
Total number of notes:	63384

108.0. "BMW handling (yes, its me again!)" by 42721::BRIGGS (Richard Briggs) Fri Mar 18 1988 12:50

    I hate to criticise BMWs (see my note on their heaters, now resolved)
    but I guess I just expect perfection.
    
    Last Monday morning my 316 lived up to the reputation that 3 series
    have. I understand the Germans call them 'Der
    Slippenroundencornersautos' or something like that. Going briskly
    round the Chineham roundabout in Basingstoke in the wet I felt the
    back end go. Foot off accelerator, carry out instinctive correction
    that's always worked on all other cars I've driven, result? Nothing.
    Once the back started to go there was no stopping it. I did a 180
    degree clockwise spin, bounced off a curb (fortunately), spun 270 degrees
    in opposite direction and came to a stop. I got away with a totally
    demolished rear wheel, tyre and wheel bearings.
    
    My experience seems to show that once you lose the back end you
    might as well eject!
    
    Anyone got similar experiences? Anyone got any advice? I shudder
    to think what a 32n model would do, the 316 is hardly 'pokey'.
    
    Richard
    @snam

T.R	Title	User	Personal Name	Date	Lines
108.28	When you get the hang of it, - its F U N !!	TLE::LEGERLOTZ	I came. I saw. I left.	`Wed Feb 07 1990 20:39`	10
	The limited slip differential will give better response in a cornering situation - until you reach the skidding point. When you reach the skidding point the limited slip will slide even easier then the standard rear differential. The best thing to do is pratice in an area where it is safe to do so. When switching from a FWD back to RWD you have to learn (again) how to steer with the accelerator/rear end. -Al
108.29	Closest I'll come to critisism	RUTILE::SMITH_A	2 down and 1 to go	`Wed Feb 07 1990 21:04`	13
	Must admit..even as a fervant BMW enthusiast..i got caught out by the tail action of my 318i. Took a corner too fast and the tail swung out. Wasn't too surprised except I over corrected and swung the tail 180 degrees round the other way, ending up on the opposite side of the road facing the right way. After that i was extremely careful about being caught again, and in most cases, when driving hard, deliberately put the tail out rather than wait for it to catch me unawares. Tony.
108.30		ANNECY::MATTHEWS	M+M Enterprises. Thats the CATCH	`Wed Feb 07 1990 21:11`	16
	re: .27 I assume you mean the 318i rather than the 318is, rather a different beast by all accounts. I can't help feeling that a total dislike of all BMWs after trying a model from the lowest end of the range is a bit like disliking all Fords as a result of trying a 950 Fiesta. Also, it never seems to be worth putting into print a good experience that you have had. Having previously mentioned how reliable my car is it decided to give up the ghost on Saturday :-(. It will probably only cost about #500 to fix :-(. I suppose I could buy a 950 Fiesta for that price ... Mark