What do people think when they see BMW E30 going sideways ?

[daveofedinburgh]

Clivey said:

Jeez...it's like the hand-wringer's monthly meeting at the church hall in here.

I don't have a problem with low-speed oversteer on quiet roads; obviously doing it in town centres, residential areas etc. is inappropriate but it does seem that PH is becoming almost as full of killjoys as the general population.

If I saw something like the OP described on a quiet road, and as long as they weren't going crazy or showing off to a bunch of chavs, I'd probably think "Good for you; enjoy it!"

Agreed.

If I were to see a (non-f*cked looking) E30 oversteering on public roads I would try not to jump to conclusions about the owner provided it was being done in a 'responsible' manner.

This to me would mean an appropriate time- early AM when no other drivers/ pedestrians are anywhere nearby. Has the driver chosen a section of road where there is good enough visibility to ensure there are no other parties in harms way? Are they risking damaging any property such as parked cars if they spin? Have they risked oversteering near something solid like a tree which would mean potential serious injury to themselves were they to hit it? Do they have a passenger who may not be 100% comfortable which that kind of driving? Are they near to a residential area where the tyre/ exhaust sound will disturb people's sleep or wake their children?

If they have been grown up enough adhere to all of the above then I don't see a problem. It is totally possible to enjoy oversteer on the public road with no risk of harm or disturbance to anyone.

If the skid is intended to impress another driver or pedestrians, I'd assume the driver was a knob. If its clearly just an enthusiastic driver using their car in a responsible manner for their own enjoyment I'd assume they were a petrolhead just like myself.

The fact that an E30 has been stipulated may be swaying opinion somewhat. What if we were talking about an old Lotus Elan for example? I suspect some of the responses would be less vitriolic. Probably just Harry Metcalfe on his way home from some jolly old road trip...

I could pop out for a drive in my old Beemer right now and head to several stretches of road where I could enjoy oversteer without risk of injury or disturbance to anyone. My intention would be for no one, road user or otherwise, to be aware of me.

I can only speak for myself here ofcourse, not sure that OP shares my public oversteer philosophy.

[TheAngryDog]

daveofedinburgh said:

Clivey said:

Jeez...it's like the hand-wringer's monthly meeting at the church hall in here.

I don't have a problem with low-speed oversteer on quiet roads; obviously doing it in town centres, residential areas etc. is inappropriate but it does seem that PH is becoming almost as full of killjoys as the general population.

If I saw something like the OP described on a quiet road, and as long as they weren't going crazy or showing off to a bunch of chavs, I'd probably think "Good for you; enjoy it!"

Agreed.

If I were to see a (non-f*cked looking) E30 oversteering on public roads I would try not to jump to conclusions about the owner provided it was being done in a 'responsible' manner.

This to me would mean an appropriate time- early AM when no other drivers/ pedestrians are anywhere nearby. Has the driver chosen a section of road where there is good enough visibility to ensure there are no other parties in harms way? Are they risking damaging any property such as parked cars if they spin? Have they risked oversteering near something solid like a tree which would mean potential serious injury to themselves were they to hit it? Do they have a passenger who may not be 100% comfortable which that kind of driving? Are they near to a residential area where the tyre/ exhaust sound will disturb people's sleep or wake their children?

If they have been grown up enough adhere to all of the above then I don't see a problem. It is totally possible to enjoy oversteer on the public road with no risk of harm or disturbance to anyone.

If the skid is intended to impress another driver or pedestrians, I'd assume the driver was a knob. If its clearly just an enthusiastic driver using their car in a responsible manner for their own enjoyment I'd assume they were a petrolhead just like myself.

The fact that an E30 has been stipulated may be swaying opinion somewhat. What if we were talking about an old Lotus Elan for example? I suspect some of the responses would be less vitriolic. Probably just Harry Metcalfe on his way home from some jolly old road trip...

I could pop out for a drive in my old Beemer right now and head to several stretches of road where I could enjoy oversteer without risk of injury or disturbance to anyone. My intention would be for no one, road user or otherwise, to be aware of me.

I can only speak for myself here ofcourse, not sure that OP shares my public oversteer philosophy.

Therein lies the crux - most people do not see it happen when a driver is doing it for his own enjoyment as the sensible driver does it when no one is around, so the only times most people see it are when showing off is occurring. The drivers out on the B9456 at 5am on a summers morning aren't the problem. Its the idiot's doing it on the High Street in front of others who would think the driver was a nob, and they'd have a point.

[Clivey]

TheAngryDog said:

Therein lies the crux - most people do not see it happen when a driver is doing it for his own enjoyment as the sensible driver does it when no one is around, so the only times most people see it are when showing off is occurring. The drivers out on the B9456 at 5am on a summers morning aren't the problem. Its the idiot's doing it on the High Street in front of others who would think the driver was a nob, and they'd have a point.

Precisely. The last two cars I've seen with the tail out in public were both Ferrari F430s. - The first was in a busy Costco carpark - not cool. The second was on a quiet road in the Peak District and I think he gave me a knowing smile after he gathered it up when he saw me blatting the other way in the Mini.

[TheAngryDog]

Clivey said:

TheAngryDog said:

Therein lies the crux - most people do not see it happen when a driver is doing it for his own enjoyment as the sensible driver does it when no one is around, so the only times most people see it are when showing off is occurring. The drivers out on the B9456 at 5am on a summers morning aren't the problem. Its the idiot's doing it on the High Street in front of others who would think the driver was a nob, and they'd have a point.

Precisely. The last two cars I've seen with the tail out in public were both Ferrari F430s. - The first was in a busy Costco carpark - not cool. The second was on a quiet road in the Peak District and I think he gave me a knowing smile after he gathered it up when he saw me blatting the other way in the Mini.

We all like it, but here is a time and place. The OP seems to know neither.

[Baryonyx]

'Tramp drift'.

[Rockstar]

As long as it isn't anywhere or way endangering others then:

[161BMW]

Clivey said:

TheAngryDog said:

Therein lies the crux - most people do not see it happen when a driver is doing it for his own enjoyment as the sensible driver does it when no one is around, so the only times most people see it are when showing off is occurring. The drivers out on the B9456 at 5am on a summers morning aren't the problem. Its the idiot's doing it on the High Street in front of others who would think the driver was a nob, and they'd have a point.

Precisely. The last two cars I've seen with the tail out in public were both Ferrari F430s. - The first was in a busy Costco carpark - not cool. The second was on a quiet road in the Peak District and I think he gave me a knowing smile after he gathered it up when he saw me blatting the other way in the Mini.

Very rare to see Ferraris sideways
Given thy are mid engined I presume they are harder to control

What about donutting in empty gravel car park and styling it out cool or not cool 😎 ?

[Clivey]

161BMW said:

Very rare to see Ferraris sideways
Given thy are mid engined I presume they are harder to control

The first was just someone who deliberately gave it too much throttle when pulling out of a parking space. The second guy looked like he knew what he was doing. I hope he saw my grin - I would've given him a but needed both hands on the wheel!

161BMW said:

What about donutting in empty gravel car park and styling it out cool or not cool ?? ?

Empty? As long as you either don't make / leave a mess in the car park, go for it IMO - no doubt the killjoys will be along shortly!

[Ari]

161BMW said:

A few of the times is unintentional and most are intentional.

If you're getting out of shape unintentionally 'a few times' then probably the best advice is to change the car for something you are able to manage, maybe a 1.0 litre Yaris or something.

And get some driver training, because clearly you really are not very good at it.

[s3fella]

Wicked, init

[161BMW]

Ari said:

161BMW said:

A few of the times is unintentional and most are intentional.

If you're getting out of shape unintentionally 'a few times' then probably the best advice is to change the car for something you are able to manage, maybe a 1.0 litre Yaris or something.

And get some driver training, because clearly you really are not very good at it.

Lol mate everyone can get out of shape unintentionally eg camber of the road causes back to step out
Most of the time is intentional and I love driving in wet / damp conditions.

It's a Sport mate
Recognise !!!!
Only heroes drive Sports

[Ari]

Nope. 231hp rear wheel drive and never ever got it sideways unintentionally, certainly not 'a few times'.

As I say, if your driving is so inept that it happens to you unintentionally then maybe something much lower powered, front wheel drive and easier to handle is the answer until you start to get the hang of anticipating road conditions?

[SpeckledJim]

161BMW said:

Ari said:

161BMW said:

A few of the times is unintentional and most are intentional.

If you're getting out of shape unintentionally 'a few times' then probably the best advice is to change the car for something you are able to manage, maybe a 1.0 litre Yaris or something.

And get some driver training, because clearly you really are not very good at it.

Lol mate everyone can get out of shape unintentionally eg camber of the road causes back to step out
Most of the time is intentional and I love driving in wet / damp conditions.

It's a Sport mate
Recognise !!!!
Only heroes drive Sports

This is the kind of post that gets read out in court.

[McSam]

SpeckledJim said:

161BMW said:

Ari said:

161BMW said:

A few of the times is unintentional and most are intentional.

If you're getting out of shape unintentionally 'a few times' then probably the best advice is to change the car for something you are able to manage, maybe a 1.0 litre Yaris or something.

And get some driver training, because clearly you really are not very good at it.

Lol mate everyone can get out of shape unintentionally eg camber of the road causes back to step out
Most of the time is intentional and I love driving in wet / damp conditions.

It's a Sport mate
Recognise !!!!
Only heroes drive Sports

This is the kind of post that gets read out in court.

Good job we've quoted it, isn't it?

[V8 TEJ]

As has been said many times, the majority of the public will think you are a knob.

I drive an E28 as my daily all year round and it covers 20k miles a year. I know it can be tempting sometimes to give it a bit of welly but the few times I did have a go at this told me not to do it again!! The look on others faces who think you are just about to stack it are not very welcoming....

[T0MMY]

Ari said:

Nope. 231hp rear wheel drive and never ever got it sideways unintentionally, certainly not 'a few times'.

As I say, if your driving is so inept that it happens to you unintentionally then maybe something much lower powered, front wheel drive and easier to handle is the answer until you start to get the hang of anticipating road conditions?

I wouldn't say losing the back end unintentionally is "inept". It might be irresponsible to push the car that hard on a public road but it certainly isn't inept; if you push hard, it can and will happen.

I'm sure this will go down like a lead balloon on here but if you're on a quiet road with enough visibility to be very sure you can't hit anyone should it all go wrong, I don't see the harm in pushing hard enough to encounter the odd partially unexpected slide.

[Batfink]

Some roundabouts are very greasy. I've had my car kick out at the rear on rare occasion but the rest of the time i've found I really have to provoke my car to get it to slide. Even on the greasy roundabouts I've sort of expected the possibility based on my choice of when to accelerate.

[FussyFez]

A couple of years ago, my mother and I witnessed a black E30 lap a greasy roundabout twice, before transitioning beautifully for his exit.

I gave a thumbs up and my mum, was pretty much dumbstruck and rather confused as to why the crashing car, hadn't actually crashed.

I was highly amused.

[TheAngryDog]

161BMW said:

Ari said:

161BMW said:

A few of the times is unintentional and most are intentional.

If you're getting out of shape unintentionally 'a few times' then probably the best advice is to change the car for something you are able to manage, maybe a 1.0 litre Yaris or something.

And get some driver training, because clearly you really are not very good at it.

Lol mate everyone can get out of shape unintentionally eg camber of the road causes back to step out
Most of the time is intentional and I love driving in wet / damp conditions.

It's a Sport mate
Recognise !!!!
Only heroes drive Sports

Oh dear.

[T0MMY]

Batfink said:

Some roundabouts are very greasy. I've had my car kick out at the rear on rare occasion but the rest of the time i've found I really have to provoke my car to get it to slide. Even on the greasy roundabouts I've sort of expected the possibility based on my choice of when to accelerate.

I recently sold my mk1 MX5 turbo and took the buyer out for a test drive. Freezing cold, heavy rain and semi slick track tyres. It was literally sliding every time you touched the throttle or lifted off in a quickly taken corner and was spinning up the wheels in a straight line even in 4th He still bought it but I told him in no uncertain terms to take it easy on the way home (I texted later to check he wasn't dead too).