Do you find the back end goes ?

[petrolhead76]

Hi I'm looking for some advice from fellow M3 owners if possible....

I sometimes find that when I floor the accelerator on my E46 M3 the back of the car skids (moves from side to side) and the traction control light on the dash flickers like mad and tries to get it back under control (at which point I normally ease of the accelerator).

My rear tyres are on about 6mm of tread and my fronts on about 3mm - I wasn't sure if the traction difference caused by the differing tread depths on the front and back could be a contributory factor?

Any thoughts / experiences would be appreciated.

Edited by petrolhead76 on Tuesday 11th December 22:00

[petrolhead76]

Thanks for the responses guys.

Suffice to say there is never any danger of crashing the car when doing it - its a clear straight road and you can see down it for a mile (I only do it with no oncoming traffic) - so having a bit of the fun with the car never hurt anyone (when the back end moves its at the outset)!

That said, I've obviously ruffled a few feathers by saying the back end moved, sorry, but the car's there to be enjoyed and if the situation is safe I'll push the car to the limit.

If you haven't ever had the back end move, I suggest you get a diesel IMHO.


PS E36Guy - get off your ego trip mate, you are no more a competent driver than the rest of us

Edited by petrolhead76 on Wednesday 12th December 12:23

[petrolhead76]

ASBO said:

Once again,

So why don't you off rather than constantly coming back to a thread with nothing to input ?

Edited by petrolhead76 on Wednesday 12th December 12:25

[petrolhead76]

My post is not about whether the back end is going to move - which is a no-brainer - but how excessively.

Therefore my comment about whether uneven tread on front / back could be excacerbating the situation ?

I mean FFS guys give a chap a chance to breath before you stamp on them !!

[petrolhead76]

Errr so if I had bold tyres at the front the car would behave (in terms of back end) exactly the same as if I had full tread - I don't think so. The ability for the engine power to be evenly translated to the car is dependent on traction on the road - which treads help with.

Think the above poster (not e36) needs some instructions.

Edited by petrolhead76 on Wednesday 12th December 13:32

[petrolhead76]

DoctorD said:

petrolhead76 said:

My post is not about whether the back end is going to move - which is a no-brainer - but how excessively.

Therefore my comment about whether uneven tread on front / back could be excacerbating the situation ?

I mean FFS guys give a chap a chance to breath before you stamp on them !!

A few people may have misinterpreted your post, due to the 'apparent' naivety of your question, however as has already been replied this is most likely a factor of worn RTABs which cause the rear-end of an M3 to move around (unpredicatably) under acceleration, and eventually under braking.

So it was NOT a daft (or naive) question at all, and there is a solution which when applied will transform your confidence in the back end.

This is a 'basic' and common problem with the E46 M3 and everyone who has owned one for a while will be familiar with.

You need a good BMW dealer to effect the fix, since the usual method of proving it (by inserting a chisel into the joint and determining if there is excessive play) does not work. The RTAB can be split badly inside but still only move around when driving. The only way to tell is to remove the RTAB and then its obvious.

Good Luck.

Edited by DoctorD on Wednesday 12th December 13:57

Thanks DoctorD thats a really informative post and I'll get it checked (going into a specialist tomorrow for an oil change)...now thats the kind of contribution I was after (along with a few other decent posts in the chaff) !

Sometimes even post kickdown - on a straight line - the back end will start slipping unpredicatably - so it may be this.

[petrolhead76]

shunt said:

petrolhead76 said:

Hi I'm looking for some advice from fellow M3 owners if possible....

I sometimes find that when I floor the accelerator on my E46 M3 the back of the car skids (moves from side to side)

Edited by petrolhead76 on Tuesday 11th December 22:00

I think Mr petrolhead actually isn't!

[petrolhead76]

Broccers said:

DoctorD said:

petrolhead76 said:

My post is not about whether the back end is going to move - which is a no-brainer - but how excessively.

Therefore my comment about whether uneven tread on front / back could be excacerbating the situation ?

I mean FFS guys give a chap a chance to breath before you stamp on them !!

A few people may have misinterpreted your post, due to the 'apparent' naivety of your question, however as has already been replied this is most likely a factor of worn RTABs which cause the rear-end of an M3 to move around (unpredicatably) under acceleration, and eventually under braking.

So it was NOT a daft (or naive) question at all, and there is a solution which when applied will transform your confidence in the back end.

This is a 'basic' and common problem with the E46 M3 and everyone who has owned one for a while will be familiar with.

You need a good BMW dealer to effect the fix, since the usual method of proving it (by inserting a chisel into the joint and determining if there is excessive play) does not work. The RTAB can be split badly inside but still only move around when driving. The only way to tell is to remove the RTAB and then its obvious.

Good Luck.

Maybe you are right Steve BUT if I was wondering if the tread depth of my tyres was related to the problem you describe above would you not think I was a bit of a fool ?

And Vixpy lol.

But you're not saying it; I am - and I've never said I've tracked my car like you or that I knew the in/outs of cars behavioural characteristics. I love cars but this is my first performance car. I've driven plenty (inc. 911s - albeit carrera 4s) but never owned one that would allow me to spot this. I've never even had the inclination to think it through in all honesty.

So congratulations you know a little bit more about cars than me, but one things for sure I'm guessing you'll never be as succesful as me in my career or life in general - but my knowledge of cars will catch your knowledge up quickly. Yes I might not have the most glamorous car list, but not many 31 year olds can claim to live in a near million pound house. Unlike you though, if someone does ask for advice and I can help I'll avoid being a dick head like you have been.

So sorry - I don't think I'll bother coming back to PH next time for advice - instead I'll visit some other forums. I thought the idea with this forum was that the so-called experts could help the novices and share advice irrespective of where they are on the learning curve but obviously not.

Edited by petrolhead76 on Wednesday 12th December 17:50

[petrolhead76]

ASBO said:

Broccers said:

Less of the rolleyes then or you will be moderatored ;-)

A small but very good community !!!

Rags you must be daft selling your car fella :-)

Apologies Sir, I was passing coment at our Mr 'Petrolhead' and not your kind selves.

ABSO by name and ABSO by nature no doubt...

[petrolhead76]

Wow, thought this was buried a long time ago - no longer have an M3 (purchased a 911) and it was the bushes that caused the problem. Hopefully that will kill it !

[petrolhead76]

Yep bushes all done and discussed on a different thread at the time - think it was on the porsche forum.

That said I still have whiplash from the very vicious gear changes on the SMG !