Dsc/abd

[who's ur daddy?]

When you guys track, do you turn off either or both of DSC/ABD?

During my first track day when I didn't know why the car was so slow coming out of a corner (I realized in the end it was the facking Steptronic tranny), I tried turning off the DSC (one press) to see how the car would react. The car seemed a little bit more responsive, but the car seemed to be a little bit more "loose" or tail happy. Ran several laps and I actually kinda liked it. In any event, I hear that you can learn more about your skills by turning these things off (working within your own safety zone, of course) as they mask driver errors. Don't think I would try this at Mosport, but a nice open Shannonville was a good ground for experimentation.

What do you guys do with DSC/ABD?

[STALKER]

I turn it all off, but if I was at a new track, I would leave it on till I was comfortable then slowly increase my speed.

[Yorgi]

I turn it off because I do a lot of throttle steering.

It can save your arse until you learn how to catch a car mid-slide at 120kph. I think anyone with less than 5 track days should leave it on. Some people should always leave it on from what I've seen.

If you feel comfortable with controlled sliding then you can start to think about switching it off. You find out when the time has come to switch it off on your own. It's the point where the system is noticeably getting in your way.

[Baggio]

Just curious here..

I know how to turn of the DSC..just the little botton by the heated seats..

but what is the other thing you mentioned? what does it do? and how do you turn it off?

I have a 325i...maybe i don't have it? is it only for Ms?

[who's ur daddy?]

Just curious here..

I know how to turn of the DSC..just the little botton by the heated seats..

but what is the other thing you mentioned? what does it do? and how do you turn it off?

I have a 325i...maybe i don't have it? is it only for Ms?

I think it's press once to turn off DSC.

Then press again and HOLD to turn off ABD. The "parking brake" light comes on and stays on.

I take no responsibility for your actions by turning off those puppies. :D

[who's ur daddy?]

I turn it off because I do a lot of throttle steering.

It can save your arse until you learn how to catch a car mid-slide at 120kph. I think anyone with less than 5 track days should leave it on. Some people should always leave it on from what I've seen.

If you feel comfortable with controlled sliding then you can start to think about switching it off. You find out when the time has come to switch it off on your own. It's the point where the system is noticeably getting in your way.

On day I will master the four wheel drift. But until then, I guess I'll keep it on!

[glenspeed]

on some cars (like mine) one push turns off everything, on other cars you have to hold the button for a few secs to get the second stage control to turn off.

learn to drive smoothly with it on. if you are upsetting the balance of the car, in a spin situation, even the electronics might not work to keep you straight.

[who's ur daddy?]

learn to drive smoothly with it on. if you are upsetting the balance of the car, in a spin situation, even the electronics might not work to keep you straight.

I will vouch for that. I spun 180 on my second lap of the day; even all of the magic stuff couldn't save my oversteer and subsequent fishtail.

[STALKER]

once you lose grip, you are going for a ride, no matter how much electronic assistance you may have.

[who's ur daddy?]

Threadjack my own thread:

Do you guys take out the spare?

I have a full size spare in the trunk, but ran with it on the track day as I thought it would help the balance of the car by keeping some weight in the back! If anything, the bimmer is front heavy right? If so, I didn't want to throw the balance off even more...

[Caddyshk]

Threadjack my own thread:

Do you guys take out the spare?

I have a full size spare in the trunk, but ran with it on the track day as I thought it would help the balance of the car by keeping some weight in the back! If anything, the bimmer is front heavy right? If so, I didn't want to throw the balance off even more...e46's are almost 50/50 distribution and have a small degree of built in understeer. Fuel load carried vs. the weight of the spare? I believe removing your spare would have zero impact on the handling, however, most track guru's recommend removing all non required weight and objects for safety and performance at the track.

[Yorgi]

I leave it in for 2 reasons.

1) to maintain the 50/50 balance. The wheel and tire easily weigh 50 lbs so
it's not a trivial amount.

2) to protect the wheel well pan in case I go off roading. The sheet metal there is very thin, and if you go off the track and back into a berm/rock that area can get pushed in very easily. I think with the tire in there damage might be limited.

You remove stuff from your car so it does not become a projectile during a crash. I don't think the spare is a problem in that case. But if you are a performance junkie the savings in weight by removing the tire would be worth it.