RWD in icy conditions

[Julie.]

I have just bought a BMW Z3 which I am picking up on Saturday. Given the recent weather conditions and the fact that I have not owned a RWD before, I'd appreciate any advice/thoughts on how RWD cars handle in icy conditions. Suffice to say, opinion in my office has been that they handle poorly and I've perhaps made a bad decision. I'm very much looking forward to collecting my car but would welcome any advice on how to handle any more bad weather.

Thanks,

J

[sherman]

RWD cars can handle poorly but as long as ypu are sensible and keep the revs low you should be fine. I moved from front to rear wheel drive and it did not take long to get used to it.

[Deva Link]

Put winter tyres on it - huge difference.

[GreenV8S]

You need to develop the rear wheel drive mindset. In other words you should be ready for the car to oversteer under acceleration or engine braking, and the reaction to remove the acceleration/braking and steer into the slide should be instinctive.

[Kinky]

Tell us more about the car J

[Ordinary Bloke]

Find somewhere safe and then experiment to find out what happens when you give it too much power around corners. Practice makes perfect...

[bmw2002]

watch this and learn! The master at work.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=UGSnLGgeai8&NR=1

[Kinky]

bmw2002 said:

watch this and learn! The master at work.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=UGSnLGgeai8&NR=1

Oi you .... I was watching that very video only 5 minutes ago!

Spooky

[Julie.]

Thanks very much for all the advice guys, it is very helpful and much appreciated and I loved the video, I think I will be watching that many times!

The car is a 1.9, 10 years old, 87000 miles on the clock, and dark blue colour and I loved driving it, so I am looking forward to Saturday.

Thanks again,

J

[bmw2002]

Kinky said:

bmw2002 said:

watch this and learn! The master at work.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=UGSnLGgeai8&NR=1

Oi you .... I was watching that very video only 5 minutes ago!

Spooky

He was the man! watched a bit on sky the other night about him, 125% commitment every time. Brilliant guy and sorely missed. Had the pleasure of being driven by him once at Prodrive and it is humbling to see a ballet dancer do his stuff.

[Kinky]

Blimey! Nice one Nige. Were you at the FoS with Nicky G this year??

[1]

GreenV8S said:

You need to develop the rear wheel drive mindset. In other words you should be ready for encourage the car to oversteer under acceleration or engine braking

In all seriousness the easiest way to learn is to practise. Go and find a quiet carpark (without to many lamp posts) and see what happens. Once you get the hang of it it can be quite addictive!

[VetteG]

On a more practical level, go to Knockhill race circuit and book yourself a session on their skid pan, you will get instruction and you will do it in a safe environment and it wont be done in your P&J! Its also great fun!

G

Edited by VetteG on Friday 5th December 07:33

[thinfourth2]

Well there are a few ways to discover oversteer

One is on a dry road at 70mph followed by the view out the windscreen going sky, road, sky, grass, sky, grass, flashing blue lights

Or in an icy car park at 5mph followed by you going weeeee lets do that again

[rpa.janwell]

VetteG said:

On a more practical level, go to Knockhill race circuit and book yourself a session on their skid pan, you will get instruction and you will do it in a safe environment and it wont be done in your P&J! Its also great fun!

G

Edited by VetteG on Friday 5th December 07:33

Julie, as above, learn what to do when it all goes wrong in controlled condition under instruction: if Max is still there, ask for her, she is an excellent instructor. Probably a good idea to do some track time, again under instruction - you'll learn more about the car in a few hours than months on the road, in a safe environment. Apart from that it is great fun!
ATB, R

[Stang]

rpa.janwell said:

Apart from that it is great fun!
ATB, R

Agreed. Especially when your TCS does not work

As some have said. Find somewhere with plenty of space and try and get used to it.

[VetteG]

And once you have got used to it, sign up for our Highland Hoon next May!

[TWJPToyota]

Julie. said:

I have just bought a BMW Z3 which I am picking up on Saturday. Given the recent weather conditions and the fact that I have not owned a RWD before, I'd appreciate any advice/thoughts on how RWD cars handle in icy conditions. Suffice to say, opinion in my office has been that they handle poorly and I've perhaps made a bad decision. I'm very much looking forward to collecting my car but would welcome any advice on how to handle any more bad weather.

Thanks,

J

I have got to say I admire you for going from a Polo 1.2 FWD to the Beamer in one step. If you were a guy I would say you have big B"££s but I don't know what the terminology is for women so I just say your very brave. Happy motoring.

[GetCarter]

There are times when RWD just won't work. I recently arrived on a steep hill (in my Landy) to find a BMW on sheet Ice... it was going nowhere. In fact it was going backwards. Eventually I had to tow him up the hill.

I haven't been able to get up my driveway in my Aston for a few days for the same reason (It's 1 in 5 in parts, and has sheet ice all over it)

[Wanta996Gotta]

Be extra carefull coming off roundabouts and the tread of the rears will wear out allot quicker than previous FWD cars you have owned which can lead to the odd spin at this time of year. My advice would be just to drive a bit slower.