Don't let anyone drive your M.
Discussion
A friend of mine who is a sensible chap, 40ish, family man with a 1.2 Corsa had a short run in my M5 this afternoon as he likes cars and showed an interest.
No harm in giving him a wee go I thought, it might make him see the light after bumbling around in s
tty Vauxhalls for the 20 years.
Wrong!
I drove at a sensible rate to warm it up as I always do, for about 8 miles to the next village and then we swapped over.
He stalled it first off which I had no problem with, not used to the clutch etc.
He then gives it a fair bit of beans through the gears with a bit of clutch slipping from mismatching the revs (which I wouldn't mind at all if he could drive properly and correct his technique quickly) changes from 3rd to 4th and floors it before the clutch has bitten so its doing about 6000rpm in 4th with the clutch fully out when it should be doing about 3000rpm.
He let his foot off the throttle as soon as I started shouting at him but it got a proper roasting.
I always thought the clutch was a bit past its best but it never slipped with me and it's probably damn near fked now.
Im pissed off.
No harm in giving him a wee go I thought, it might make him see the light after bumbling around in s
tty Vauxhalls for the 20 years.Wrong!
I drove at a sensible rate to warm it up as I always do, for about 8 miles to the next village and then we swapped over.
He stalled it first off which I had no problem with, not used to the clutch etc.
He then gives it a fair bit of beans through the gears with a bit of clutch slipping from mismatching the revs (which I wouldn't mind at all if he could drive properly and correct his technique quickly) changes from 3rd to 4th and floors it before the clutch has bitten so its doing about 6000rpm in 4th with the clutch fully out when it should be doing about 3000rpm.
He let his foot off the throttle as soon as I started shouting at him but it got a proper roasting.
I always thought the clutch was a bit past its best but it never slipped with me and it's probably damn near f
ked now.Im pissed off.
Very good advice.
In seven years my wife (or anyone else for that matter) hasn't even sat in the drivers seat, let alone start it up and (heaven forbid) drive it.
Much too precious.
Plus there is always that random factor.....just the slight chance that something bad will happen. If I do it, no worries, that's my fault and I can live with that but if someone else does it, mmmmm I don't know? Not sure I would like to find out.
In seven years my wife (or anyone else for that matter) hasn't even sat in the drivers seat, let alone start it up and (heaven forbid) drive it.
Much too precious.
Plus there is always that random factor.....just the slight chance that something bad will happen. If I do it, no worries, that's my fault and I can live with that but if someone else does it, mmmmm I don't know? Not sure I would like to find out.
I don't have a problem with people driving my car. ( Or any I've had previously)
As long as they are insured then you would trust your pals to behave properly.
Sounds as if your friend was just rubbish at driving as opposed to trying to be smart. Probably not really thought about matching the revs in his Corsa.
As long as they are insured then you would trust your pals to behave properly.
Sounds as if your friend was just rubbish at driving as opposed to trying to be smart. Probably not really thought about matching the revs in his Corsa.
Never had any problem with any of my car-keen (and insured) mates driving any of my cars - it's part of the pleasure of having sporty/decent cars, sharing them with friends. I get to drive theirs too - always done it. My wife drives all my cars too - I can never see myself being that precious about any car I own, to be honest. My Dad wasn't great at driving my Cerbera, but loved it, and that was enough.
Just a shame your friend was a bit rubbish.
Just a shame your friend was a bit rubbish.
Edited by _Neal_ on Sunday 6th February 22:21
Edited by _Neal_ on Sunday 6th February 22:23
Bit of a difference though isn't it, M5 and a Corsa. I wouldn't let any mates drive mine. My Business partner does but then he has a DB9 and has let me have a go in all his cars. Don't mind my wife driving it either. I probably worry more about the wheels being kerbed than anything else.
I had something similar lately, a friend and I were comparing his Megane turbo to my VX220 and had a drive of each others car. Everything was fine until he went for sixth gear in the VX at about 120 leptons. Cue lots of graunching and grinding of my 5 SPEED gearbox.
'Oh sorry' he says, 'I though you said it had six gears like my Megane'
'Oh sorry' he says, 'I though you said it had six gears like my Megane'
Mate. Stop. It sounds like the clutch was on the way out, you let someone without experience of powerful cars have a go, and now the clutch is a bit closer to needing replacement. Thats wear and tear. Wear and tear on a car can be slowed by driving with good technique, and vice versa.
Deva Link said:
It's only ever 3rd party though. Can whoever is driving your car afford to buy you another one if they mash it up?
Not if they're a named driver.I helped a mate pilot his 300+Bhp Audi S3 across Europe last summer. I was polite and respectful. He enjoyed being driven in his own car. I had a couple of moments when other drivers made bizarre decisions, which did get us both thinking.... but hey. It was fun.
WeirdNeville said:
ot if they're a named driver.
I helped a mate pilot his 300+Bhp Audi S3 across Europe last summer. I was polite and respectful. He enjoyed being driven in his own car. I had a couple of moments when other drivers made bizarre decisions, which did get us both thinking.... but hey. It was fun.
Sure - but that's a bit different from letting someone have a go in it.I helped a mate pilot his 300+Bhp Audi S3 across Europe last summer. I was polite and respectful. He enjoyed being driven in his own car. I had a couple of moments when other drivers made bizarre decisions, which did get us both thinking.... but hey. It was fun.
Deva Link said:
It's only ever 3rd party though. Can whoever is driving your car afford to buy you another one if they mash it up?
Each to their own, it's all about balancing up risks - every person I've let drive my cars has been sensible and sympathetic, but not afraid to give it some stick once the opportunity arises. Most could probably afford to fix the car too (if only because mine are relatively low-value). Personally, I think it's a waste to have a nice car, and not let your car-loving mates have a drive when conditions are decent. I might be different if my car was very high value, or very rare, but I doubt it - I'd expect my friends to drive accordingly. I had an SMG pump changed recently on my e46 m3. Before the pump died the clutch was absolutely fine in the top SMG setting with no slipping. When i picked up my car and took it for a blast, it was slipping like hell! Now its due to be changed in the new few weeks. Im sure someone has been for a sneaky blast whilst in the garage??
m3eezer said:
I had an SMG pump changed recently on my e46 m3. Before the pump died the clutch was absolutely fine in the top SMG setting with no slipping. When i picked up my car and took it for a blast, it was slipping like hell! Now its due to be changed in the new few weeks. Im sure someone has been for a sneaky blast whilst in the garage??
How do i/we prove this, mine is in for paint at the moment. The words of the spotty yoof who took the keys was "Cor thats got 400 hoooress aint it, looking forward to driving that round the block" And thats at a BMW main dealer.
I cant sleep. When I shut my eyes I see Orange Lights with needles sweeping rapidly across them.
There was a recent thread on this point, with "diverging" opinions!
Not a lot you can do really - some say: Stick a post-it note with the mileage written on it on the dash, and take a picture of it with your phone camera. Then worry that the service department think you're being an arse, and decide to insert some mouldy cheese/rancid fish into your pollen filter, or just generally do a poor job because they don't like you.
Or don't take your car to a main dealer (well, not one with spotty "yoofs" working there).
Sorry not to be more helpful!
Not a lot you can do really - some say: Stick a post-it note with the mileage written on it on the dash, and take a picture of it with your phone camera. Then worry that the service department think you're being an arse, and decide to insert some mouldy cheese/rancid fish into your pollen filter, or just generally do a poor job because they don't like you.
Or don't take your car to a main dealer (well, not one with spotty "yoofs" working there).
Sorry not to be more helpful!
_Neal_ said:
Deva Link said:
It's only ever 3rd party though. Can whoever is driving your car afford to buy you another one if they mash it up?
Each to their own, it's all about balancing up risks - every person I've let drive my cars has been sensible and sympathetic, but not afraid to give it some stick once the opportunity arises. Most could probably afford to fix the car too (if only because mine are relatively low-value). Personally, I think it's a waste to have a nice car, and not let your car-loving mates have a drive when conditions are decent. I might be different if my car was very high value, or very rare, but I doubt it - I'd expect my friends to drive accordingly. I now also like letting my GF drive my Clio, ok it's only a 172 but as she's used to her 1.4 206 she loves driving it, and I know it's never gonna get ragged as it scares her!
_Neal_ said:
Never had any problem with any of my car-keen (and insured) mates driving any of my cars - it's part of the pleasure of having sporty/decent cars, sharing them with friends. I get to drive theirs too - always done it. My wife drives all my cars too - I can never see myself being that precious about any car I own, to be honest.
Just a shame your friend was a bit rubbish.
This Just a shame your friend was a bit rubbish.
I had mine done at a so called reputable specialist and therefore thought it was in good hands. Ended up going to the BMW dealership in the end as they couldnt do the work themselves. My major gripe is that as an 'M' owner who has just forked out a huge bill, i question whether the garage feels that burning out my clutch will just add to that so called bottomless wallet they feel we have! All it takes is a few goes on launch control and the clutch can easily be demolished....
Sorry to sway away from the main topic. Bottom line is.... Dont let anybody drive your M!! Not even the wife lol
Sorry to sway away from the main topic. Bottom line is.... Dont let anybody drive your M!! Not even the wife lol
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