Bmw 4 series spun out of control m25
Discussion
Driving on an empty m25 at 3 am after dropping my mum off at Luton airport. It was raining.
Now on the way to the airport, (I’m going to get stick for this but here goes) I didn’t go over 95 mph, i must have been doing between 80 and 90, probably did 95 twice during the whole journey, now it’s 2 am, the roads are clear, I’m in a 2 year old 4 series Bmw, I’ve been driving 7 years, I have a clean licence, I’ve had one accident in my life and that was in 2012 when I rear ended a car when I had all my friends in my car, all tyres are legal, both hands in the wheel, I’m in control. I’m short sighted so I wear glasses as well so I’m aware of everything, I love driving. When I overtook cars, I let go of the accelerator and slowed down to 75/80 as the .... how do you call it, the water splashing from under the cars I’m passing made it difficult to see so I slow down to be safer, I’m not an idiot, my mums beside me and not once did she sense that we’re ‘speeding’. We all know what mums are like!
So my point is, at those speeds, everything was safe and felt safe. While it may not be the legal speed limit, if I was doing it in Germany, it would have been legal and safe. So let’s put the 70 mph speed limit to the side for a second.
On the way back, before I dropped her off, she made me promise not to speed and told me to be careful, even said I’m going to call you for the duration of the journey, I said mum, no need, I’m not an idiot, I’m going to drive the same way I drove here. Promise.
Ok, so, to my knowledge, the 70 mph speed limit came in force, like what, 40-50 years ago? Cars have come a long way since then and while some of you may say ‘yeah but you were going over the speed limit’, I’m sure (well was) that cars are a lot safer and in Germany they have de restricted autobahns where people can do 200 mph if they like. Modern cars can handle 90 mph, especially mine, maybe a 08 plate corsa on 185 section tyres can’t handle 90 mph in the rain but a 2015 430d m sport can, well...should.
Now on the way back, hand on heart if that counts for anything, I am 99% certain I was doing 90 mph and suddenly I felt the car float on the road and then slide to the left and spun out violently, I’m still shaking and I can’t remember everything but it just happened very quickly, the car must have done about 10 360 spins all WITHIN the 4 lanes of the m25 when it came to a halt, I’m actually in denial and a part of me thinks I died in that moment and this is some sort of after life, honestly, I don’t know how .... I don’t know what to say. I’ve been trying to remember when I slammed the brakes, I probably shouldn’t have but in that moment when you can feel the car slide, I just panicked. However I am 100% certain that the car started sliding before I braked so I’m not sure how it could have been avoided!
Why did this happen, it definitely wasn’t a puddle of any kind, I would have seen it or if I didn’t I would have at least felt it in the steering wheel, but let’s say there was one big enough to cause that, cars could spin out at 60 mph.
The whole ordeal It reminds me of Jeremy clarkson in that m135i, in fact it was exactly the same apart from the fact that my car didn’t hit either of the barriers and came to a halt in the middle of the motorway, I still cannot believe it. In the top gear one the 1 series actually slides a lot further away.
The reason I say it wasn’t a puddle is because you can see them on the road from a far and you slow down a little and try to avoid them safely, if you do hit one you can hear that noise and the stability control light flashes for a few seconds then it goes away, I say this because it happens every time it rains, it’s definitely not enough to make the car feel like it’s floating first then slide to the left violently!
I’m in disbelief as to how I managed to walk away from that unscathed, me and the car. I really don’t know, thank god the road was clear.
Now I will say that this has taught me a lesson on speeding, I need to take it easy, there isn’t and that extra 20 mph would have saved me, what, 10 minutes? Also if the road was busy, it may have been a lot worse and I could have been respo.....never again.
The reason I started this thread is to hopefully get to the bottom of why that happened, some of you guys on here are professional drivers and some with years and years more experience than me. Why did that happen, is it the car? Why did it happen to clarkson in the 135i. The road was tarmac and it was the nice part of the m25 where it’s very smooth around the Heathrow junction. I must add that it wasn’t frosty, it was like 8-9 degrees.
Thanks in advance and please don’t attack me! I’m aware of what happened and the risks that were involved, I have acknowledged fault and I will say that I am an idiot.....well, am I? You decide
Now on the way to the airport, (I’m going to get stick for this but here goes) I didn’t go over 95 mph, i must have been doing between 80 and 90, probably did 95 twice during the whole journey, now it’s 2 am, the roads are clear, I’m in a 2 year old 4 series Bmw, I’ve been driving 7 years, I have a clean licence, I’ve had one accident in my life and that was in 2012 when I rear ended a car when I had all my friends in my car, all tyres are legal, both hands in the wheel, I’m in control. I’m short sighted so I wear glasses as well so I’m aware of everything, I love driving. When I overtook cars, I let go of the accelerator and slowed down to 75/80 as the .... how do you call it, the water splashing from under the cars I’m passing made it difficult to see so I slow down to be safer, I’m not an idiot, my mums beside me and not once did she sense that we’re ‘speeding’. We all know what mums are like!
So my point is, at those speeds, everything was safe and felt safe. While it may not be the legal speed limit, if I was doing it in Germany, it would have been legal and safe. So let’s put the 70 mph speed limit to the side for a second.
On the way back, before I dropped her off, she made me promise not to speed and told me to be careful, even said I’m going to call you for the duration of the journey, I said mum, no need, I’m not an idiot, I’m going to drive the same way I drove here. Promise.
Ok, so, to my knowledge, the 70 mph speed limit came in force, like what, 40-50 years ago? Cars have come a long way since then and while some of you may say ‘yeah but you were going over the speed limit’, I’m sure (well was) that cars are a lot safer and in Germany they have de restricted autobahns where people can do 200 mph if they like. Modern cars can handle 90 mph, especially mine, maybe a 08 plate corsa on 185 section tyres can’t handle 90 mph in the rain but a 2015 430d m sport can, well...should.
Now on the way back, hand on heart if that counts for anything, I am 99% certain I was doing 90 mph and suddenly I felt the car float on the road and then slide to the left and spun out violently, I’m still shaking and I can’t remember everything but it just happened very quickly, the car must have done about 10 360 spins all WITHIN the 4 lanes of the m25 when it came to a halt, I’m actually in denial and a part of me thinks I died in that moment and this is some sort of after life, honestly, I don’t know how .... I don’t know what to say. I’ve been trying to remember when I slammed the brakes, I probably shouldn’t have but in that moment when you can feel the car slide, I just panicked. However I am 100% certain that the car started sliding before I braked so I’m not sure how it could have been avoided!
Why did this happen, it definitely wasn’t a puddle of any kind, I would have seen it or if I didn’t I would have at least felt it in the steering wheel, but let’s say there was one big enough to cause that, cars could spin out at 60 mph.
The whole ordeal It reminds me of Jeremy clarkson in that m135i, in fact it was exactly the same apart from the fact that my car didn’t hit either of the barriers and came to a halt in the middle of the motorway, I still cannot believe it. In the top gear one the 1 series actually slides a lot further away.
The reason I say it wasn’t a puddle is because you can see them on the road from a far and you slow down a little and try to avoid them safely, if you do hit one you can hear that noise and the stability control light flashes for a few seconds then it goes away, I say this because it happens every time it rains, it’s definitely not enough to make the car feel like it’s floating first then slide to the left violently!
I’m in disbelief as to how I managed to walk away from that unscathed, me and the car. I really don’t know, thank god the road was clear.
Now I will say that this has taught me a lesson on speeding, I need to take it easy, there isn’t and that extra 20 mph would have saved me, what, 10 minutes? Also if the road was busy, it may have been a lot worse and I could have been respo.....never again.
The reason I started this thread is to hopefully get to the bottom of why that happened, some of you guys on here are professional drivers and some with years and years more experience than me. Why did that happen, is it the car? Why did it happen to clarkson in the 135i. The road was tarmac and it was the nice part of the m25 where it’s very smooth around the Heathrow junction. I must add that it wasn’t frosty, it was like 8-9 degrees.
Thanks in advance and please don’t attack me! I’m aware of what happened and the risks that were involved, I have acknowledged fault and I will say that I am an idiot.....well, am I? You decide
Thank you for the positive responses and negative ones, like I said I admit fault and was not aware of this aquaplaning, never heard of it until now, later on I’m going to get up and take a picture of the tyres so everyone can judge for themselves!
Just to clarify one thing, when I said the traction control light flashed, it only flashed when I hit a small puddle at the edge of one of the lanes, it happens at 70 mph, the light wasn’t constantly flashing!
I know my limits and I thought I knew my cars limits but I was wrong, need to adjust both, I’ve barely slept trying to comprehend how I managed to stay within the 4 lanes.
Lots of people mention ‘over tyred’....are you saying those x5/q7’s on 295 tyres all round are unsafe ? I always thought the opposite, there’s an x5 4.8is in my area and I’m certain it has 315’s on the back, what purpose do they serve if the cars meant to have all weather ability
Just to clarify one thing, when I said the traction control light flashed, it only flashed when I hit a small puddle at the edge of one of the lanes, it happens at 70 mph, the light wasn’t constantly flashing!
I know my limits and I thought I knew my cars limits but I was wrong, need to adjust both, I’ve barely slept trying to comprehend how I managed to stay within the 4 lanes.
Lots of people mention ‘over tyred’....are you saying those x5/q7’s on 295 tyres all round are unsafe ? I always thought the opposite, there’s an x5 4.8is in my area and I’m certain it has 315’s on the back, what purpose do they serve if the cars meant to have all weather ability
When I say I’ve been driving 7 years, I’m not trying to say, 7 years is a long time and I’m experienced, no I’m just saying that’s how long I have been driving. In those 7 years I’ve had 2 e46 330is, a Lexus is200, clk430 and an ep3 civic type r, bar the Lexus, you could say they’re all ‘fast’ cars and I’m not going to lie by saying I haven’t gone over the speed limit in all of those cars, yet not once did I ever find myself in that position where I think I’m going to lose my life.
Somebody mentioned the steering in the 4 series is electric therefore hides how the car feels through the wheel? In my type r, at any speed I could feel everything through the steering wheel, I know it’s fwd but is this a contributing factor? The 4 series being too smooth for its own good by hiding the fact that it’s struggling to keep stable at 90 mph?
Thanks again for all your input, this is what I love about pistonheads, I literally learn something new everyday
Somebody mentioned the steering in the 4 series is electric therefore hides how the car feels through the wheel? In my type r, at any speed I could feel everything through the steering wheel, I know it’s fwd but is this a contributing factor? The 4 series being too smooth for its own good by hiding the fact that it’s struggling to keep stable at 90 mph?
Thanks again for all your input, this is what I love about pistonheads, I literally learn something new everyday
The thing is, at the time, I didn’t think I was at fault, when I started the thread, I thought what I was doing was completely normal, I did not anticipate that happening and I didn’t know it was possible! I’m not taking the blame away from myself because it’s very clear that it was my fault now that I am informed but should this be the case?
I was never taught how to drive on the motorway when I was still a learner nor was I informed of the risks of driving on the motorway during heavy rain, I vaguely remember my theory test and the only part I remember about driving when raining was the stopping distance doubling. This of course is common sense and I never speed when it’s raining while driving through built up areas, even if it’s clear, there could be loads of potential hazards and it just isn’t worth it but last night, on an empty m25, I didn’t think it was the same thing as I could see at least half a mile ahead.
I had to go on to the A3 today so I took it easy and didn’t exceed 70 mph, spent most of my time in the inside lane just looking at the road and the cars going past, looking at the speeds and the tyres etc, all while also keeping my eyes on the road. A few cars went past doing at least 90-100 in the outside lane and just put it into perspective of how much of a difference that 20 mph can make, my eyes are wide open now.
I was never taught how to drive on the motorway when I was still a learner nor was I informed of the risks of driving on the motorway during heavy rain, I vaguely remember my theory test and the only part I remember about driving when raining was the stopping distance doubling. This of course is common sense and I never speed when it’s raining while driving through built up areas, even if it’s clear, there could be loads of potential hazards and it just isn’t worth it but last night, on an empty m25, I didn’t think it was the same thing as I could see at least half a mile ahead.
I had to go on to the A3 today so I took it easy and didn’t exceed 70 mph, spent most of my time in the inside lane just looking at the road and the cars going past, looking at the speeds and the tyres etc, all while also keeping my eyes on the road. A few cars went past doing at least 90-100 in the outside lane and just put it into perspective of how much of a difference that 20 mph can make, my eyes are wide open now.
Max_Torque said:
really?
Have a go at sticking in half a turn of lock at 90 and see if you can do it without throwing your car into the scenery.....
Those inputs are very, very real indeed. I'm not talking about the slow speed steady state opposite lock drift he holds in the video on a few occasions, i'm talking about the multiple "stab" inputs required when the car tries to snap sideways (due road camber or change in dynamic grip). In situations where grip changes suddenly (on the N'ring when it starts to rain, or the motorway when you aquaplain.....) your car can change it's yaw rate very quickly, you have to cancel that yaw, restore directional control, and then, and this is the critical bit, blend the car back onto it's original trajectory.
Every day i see people driving, holding the handwheel like this:
And when i do i usually say to my passengers "oh look, there's someone on their way to the scene of an accident" and they often say "so what, what difference does it make?" and there's the thing, most of the time it makes no difference what-so-ever, but you know what, when it does make a difference (holding the wheel properly) is when you really need it to make a difference
I wonder how the OP holds the wheel???
Have a go at sticking in half a turn of lock at 90 and see if you can do it without throwing your car into the scenery.....
Those inputs are very, very real indeed. I'm not talking about the slow speed steady state opposite lock drift he holds in the video on a few occasions, i'm talking about the multiple "stab" inputs required when the car tries to snap sideways (due road camber or change in dynamic grip). In situations where grip changes suddenly (on the N'ring when it starts to rain, or the motorway when you aquaplain.....) your car can change it's yaw rate very quickly, you have to cancel that yaw, restore directional control, and then, and this is the critical bit, blend the car back onto it's original trajectory.
Every day i see people driving, holding the handwheel like this:
And when i do i usually say to my passengers "oh look, there's someone on their way to the scene of an accident" and they often say "so what, what difference does it make?" and there's the thing, most of the time it makes no difference what-so-ever, but you know what, when it does make a difference (holding the wheel properly) is when you really need it to make a difference
I wonder how the OP holds the wheel???
This is how I drive and I do not hold the wheel with one hand, even if I wanted to i couldn’t as the wheel is too close to me, it would be uncomfortable, I used to hold it with one hand when I had my first bmw at 20, but now, both hands!
Few things,
I’m not sure I will receive a speeding ticket as on my way back, i saw flashing on the other side of the road and when I checked my mirror, it turns out a variable speed check was in force, so I would have seen the flash in my rear view mirror, even if I was, I’ll take the points and fine on the chin as when you have an experience like mine, you appreciate anything & everthing.
In terms of bmw’s being ‘twitchy’ and hard to handle in some instances, the main question is, say I was in an Audi A5 Quattro, would it have also spun out of control? Now I’m not discrediting Bmw on the basis of an ‘unskilled’ driver behind the wheel, but I wonder what would have happened!
I actually tested an A5 2.0tdi Quattro about a year before I got my Bmw (took a while to really commit to buying an expensive car) and I found it to be the opposite of how BMW’s feel, it pretty much felt like a golf, i really enjoyed it and found it a lot easier to drive than my mums 2015 120d. I didn’t drive one again before buying my 4 series as Audi had just released the new shape and the previous A5 looked dated inside compared to the BMW.
First thing I’m going to do is look into tyres and replace all of them for a different brand, before all this happened I even considered replacing my wheels for smaller 18 inch ones as the ride can be an absolute joke over some of the roads here in surrey, embarrasing even!
I’ve noticed a few police officers commenting on here, will I get into trouble? Should I have kept my mouth shut
Edit - embarrasing when I am carrying my friends
-
I’m not sure I will receive a speeding ticket as on my way back, i saw flashing on the other side of the road and when I checked my mirror, it turns out a variable speed check was in force, so I would have seen the flash in my rear view mirror, even if I was, I’ll take the points and fine on the chin as when you have an experience like mine, you appreciate anything & everthing.
In terms of bmw’s being ‘twitchy’ and hard to handle in some instances, the main question is, say I was in an Audi A5 Quattro, would it have also spun out of control? Now I’m not discrediting Bmw on the basis of an ‘unskilled’ driver behind the wheel, but I wonder what would have happened!
I actually tested an A5 2.0tdi Quattro about a year before I got my Bmw (took a while to really commit to buying an expensive car) and I found it to be the opposite of how BMW’s feel, it pretty much felt like a golf, i really enjoyed it and found it a lot easier to drive than my mums 2015 120d. I didn’t drive one again before buying my 4 series as Audi had just released the new shape and the previous A5 looked dated inside compared to the BMW.
First thing I’m going to do is look into tyres and replace all of them for a different brand, before all this happened I even considered replacing my wheels for smaller 18 inch ones as the ride can be an absolute joke over some of the roads here in surrey, embarrasing even!
I’ve noticed a few police officers commenting on here, will I get into trouble? Should I have kept my mouth shut
Edit - embarrasing when I am carrying my friends
-
Edited by Chestrockwell on Saturday 11th November 21:47
IforB said:
Chestrockwell said:
Few things,
I’m not sure I will receive a speeding ticket as on my way back, i saw flashing on the other side of the road and when I checked my mirror, it turns out a variable speed check was in force, so I would have seen the flash in my rear view mirror, even if I was, I’ll take the points and fine on the chin as when you have an experience like mine, you appreciate anything & everthing.
In terms of bmw’s being ‘twitchy’ and hard to handle in some instances, the main question is, say I was in an Audi A5 Quattro, would it have also spun out of control? Now I’m not discrediting Bmw on the basis of an ‘unskilled’ driver behind the wheel, but I wonder what would have happened!
I actually tested an A5 2.0tdi Quattro about a year before I got my Bmw (took a while to really commit to buying an expensive car) and I found it to be the opposite of how BMW’s feel, it pretty much felt like a golf, i really enjoyed it and found it a lot easier to drive than my mums 2015 120d. I didn’t drive one again before buying my 4 series as Audi had just released the new shape and the previous A5 looked dated inside compared to the BMW.
First thing I’m going to do is look into tyres and replace all of them for a different brand, before all this happened I even considered replacing my wheels for smaller 18 inch ones as the ride can be an absolute joke over some of the roads here in surrey, embarrasing even!
I’ve noticed a few police officers commenting on here, will I get into trouble? Should I have kept my mouth shut
Edit - embarrasing when I am carrying my friends
-
You aquaplaned. 4wd makes no difference in that instance. Think about what aquaplaning is and why it occurs.I’m not sure I will receive a speeding ticket as on my way back, i saw flashing on the other side of the road and when I checked my mirror, it turns out a variable speed check was in force, so I would have seen the flash in my rear view mirror, even if I was, I’ll take the points and fine on the chin as when you have an experience like mine, you appreciate anything & everthing.
In terms of bmw’s being ‘twitchy’ and hard to handle in some instances, the main question is, say I was in an Audi A5 Quattro, would it have also spun out of control? Now I’m not discrediting Bmw on the basis of an ‘unskilled’ driver behind the wheel, but I wonder what would have happened!
I actually tested an A5 2.0tdi Quattro about a year before I got my Bmw (took a while to really commit to buying an expensive car) and I found it to be the opposite of how BMW’s feel, it pretty much felt like a golf, i really enjoyed it and found it a lot easier to drive than my mums 2015 120d. I didn’t drive one again before buying my 4 series as Audi had just released the new shape and the previous A5 looked dated inside compared to the BMW.
First thing I’m going to do is look into tyres and replace all of them for a different brand, before all this happened I even considered replacing my wheels for smaller 18 inch ones as the ride can be an absolute joke over some of the roads here in surrey, embarrasing even!
I’ve noticed a few police officers commenting on here, will I get into trouble? Should I have kept my mouth shut
Edit - embarrasing when I am carrying my friends
-
Edited by Chestrockwell on Saturday 11th November 21:47
If you don't know what aquaplaning is then I'd suggest learning the absolute basics about cars, as anyone with a driving licence should be fully aware of it.
Don't necessarily change the makes of the tyres and the size of them (other than width) makes no difference. Check the tyre tread depth and putting new boots on the car will change it enormously. Decent tyres are essential, they are the only thing attaching the car to the road.
I am wondering how you are on a website dedicated to cars and yet appear to know very little about how they work and what you need to know as a driver. Good on you for wanting to learn, but it is somewhat concerning.
As for the quattro question, some of the posters here mentioned it being rear wheel drive may have caused the back end to maybe slip out when it happened! Silly question ok but you shouldnt feel concerned. Thanks anyways
Fastpedeller said:
Not wishing to be rude, but maybe you would be better off on a pedal bike - as least you won't hurt anyone else when you slip off.
Why do people who start sentences off with ‘no offence’ or ‘not wishing to be rude’ always end up doing exactly what they said they wouldn’t! No need for it mate, see above response as to why I asked about Quattro! DocSteve said:
Let's be fair, most people who drive cars don't have a clue about any of the accurate information that has been posted here.
This is a website for car enthusiasts, but the latter term covers anything from the person without a driving licence who photographs Ferraris to police pursuit and racing drivers.
If this genuinely happened to the OP on the M25, which it seems likely it did even if there may be some embellishment about the number of spins, then although tyres, wheels, car type might have made some contribution to the situation the thing the OP needs to concentrate on is their own driving ability. There is nothing patronising about that - we should all be continuously trying to improve but if something like the OP's situation happens then it requires urgent attention.
Of course, as has already been pointed out, this was a case of aquaplaning. It takes experience and a calm head to react appropriately in these circumstances and I imagine that inappropriate but seemingly instinctive steering input started the process and subsequently inevitable loss of control. I like driving RWD vehicles on both road and track yet the only time I have aquaplaned significantly on the road so far was in a vehicle I had become complacent driving quickly in poor conditions - a Golf R. I rode it out with minimal inputs and when grip returned I was relieved but if I had botched the response the VW's Haldex and all its electronic wizardry would not have been any use. So no, an Audi Quattro or similar is not the answer. You have to be aware of the particular car and how it is behaving in any given circumstance.
The first piece of advice must be to slow down and drive more smoothly. After that, if you want to take some extra training I'd suggest investing in it above any modifications to the car (other than maintaining decent tyres).
I appreciate your comments and lack of rudeness or intention to humiliate someone who has already been humiliated and gone to a forum for enthusiasts like myself to explain the ordeal and understand it. This is a website for car enthusiasts, but the latter term covers anything from the person without a driving licence who photographs Ferraris to police pursuit and racing drivers.
If this genuinely happened to the OP on the M25, which it seems likely it did even if there may be some embellishment about the number of spins, then although tyres, wheels, car type might have made some contribution to the situation the thing the OP needs to concentrate on is their own driving ability. There is nothing patronising about that - we should all be continuously trying to improve but if something like the OP's situation happens then it requires urgent attention.
Of course, as has already been pointed out, this was a case of aquaplaning. It takes experience and a calm head to react appropriately in these circumstances and I imagine that inappropriate but seemingly instinctive steering input started the process and subsequently inevitable loss of control. I like driving RWD vehicles on both road and track yet the only time I have aquaplaned significantly on the road so far was in a vehicle I had become complacent driving quickly in poor conditions - a Golf R. I rode it out with minimal inputs and when grip returned I was relieved but if I had botched the response the VW's Haldex and all its electronic wizardry would not have been any use. So no, an Audi Quattro or similar is not the answer. You have to be aware of the particular car and how it is behaving in any given circumstance.
The first piece of advice must be to slow down and drive more smoothly. After that, if you want to take some extra training I'd suggest investing in it above any modifications to the car (other than maintaining decent tyres).
In my original post I did mention doing 10 360 spins, I had written the post an hour after it happened as soon as I got home so I wasn’t really thinking straight, maybe the car didn’t do 10 360 spins but I did feel the car slide around violently around 10 times, so violent that it did seem like a 360 spin.
I’ve spent most of my evening watching compilations from mostly China & Russia of aquaplaning cars, every single one of them crashes, even in wide roads and speeds that appear to be slower than mine. I’m still in disbelief as to how I didn’t crash.
I’m going to look into advanced driving tuition as everybody here has mentioned.
Chemical Ali said:
Chester-
You dodged a bullet and get to live another day. Had a similar, but milder, thing happen to me when I was younger.
Everyones experience of driving is different. Learn from it and stay safe.
And I say that not because I care so much for you but I don't want to be in my car with the kids when you aquaplane into me.
I will and thank you, you won’t catch me slipping like that again I assure you (pun intended).You dodged a bullet and get to live another day. Had a similar, but milder, thing happen to me when I was younger.
Everyones experience of driving is different. Learn from it and stay safe.
And I say that not because I care so much for you but I don't want to be in my car with the kids when you aquaplane into me.
AGAIN I’m not taking the blame away from myself, however after looking at your profile, you ran a 640d, can you just at least agree with me on how EASY and calm 90 mph can be at any condition, I just feel...cocooned in that car, so planted, so lovely, I love it, if only I had known that the car was struggling at that speed, it hid it away from me, maybe I need to sell it and buy my sisters Suzuki swift, just give up on being a petrol head lol!
The Spruce goose said:
i had a quick look at past threads it is clear he is just another young kid who thinks he knows more about everything. I always remember the suburu guy, best driver in the world, could even feel the tyre nodules moving, all felt through the steering wheel. Waxed lyrically for ages, then a few months later crashed his car. Unfortunately it took crashing his car to learn a lesson.
Well I don’t think I know more about everything, nor do I think I know everything, If you look at my post history I don’t claim to know everything or say I’m right, I just give my ideas on certain topics or ask questions about certain things, example, one of the threads about ex police cars, I asked why they use bmw’s Instead of mercs. I never post opinions and stand by them because I know how everyone on here gets, it’s like being on mumsnet 
steve2 said:
It is a simple case of aqua planning where the water is too much for the tyres to cope with.
What tyres are they ? And what model is your 4 series?
In France for instance you have to slow down to 100km (I think) in the rain, at least your ok and have learnt a lesson.
I am no saint and drive at 80 to 90 on motorways but do slow down in the wet weather and will be interesting on how the Uniroyal Rainsports I had put on last week perform in the wet.
Had Michelin PS4 o;before but this is on a AUDI A6 3.0 TDI.
It’s a 430d gran coupe, 225 front 255 rear, Bridgestone potenza rft’s. What tyres are they ? And what model is your 4 series?
In France for instance you have to slow down to 100km (I think) in the rain, at least your ok and have learnt a lesson.
I am no saint and drive at 80 to 90 on motorways but do slow down in the wet weather and will be interesting on how the Uniroyal Rainsports I had put on last week perform in the wet.
Had Michelin PS4 o;before but this is on a AUDI A6 3.0 TDI.
Gunk said:
TheDrBrian said:
430 grand coupe, isn’t that just a 3 series?
Yep, but cheaper to lease!Modern day version of the Austin Maxi
Leases for 3 series start at around 250 a month
Leases for 4 series start at 350 a month
Also I own my car so nobody can say ‘anybody can get a nice car these days’
johnwilliams77 said:
They can
Do you accept you were going too fast?
Yes, I have already said this, in the start of the thread, I haven’t denied fault! I was going too fast but didn’t think I was, so while I was going too fast, I was oblivious to the dangers, it’s not like I was doing 80 in a 40 on a rural road in the wet, while what I did was just as dangerous, it wasn’t that kind of reckless, if you understand what I mean. Do you accept you were going too fast?
Just to clear something else up, the traction light flashed when I hit a puddle near the road markings, it wasn’t constantly flashing.
CooperS said:
I don't think anyone who has a passion for cars can ever say they haven't done something in the past they'd today not do but you clearly still feel it wasn't reckless.
Truth is if there had been anyone around you or you had gone across the central reservation into on coming traffic your thoughtless driving could of impacted an innocent party.
How hard is it to drive to the conditions?
I said it was reckless, but I didn’t realise it was reckless, my point in 80 in a 40 means It I was doing double the speed limit on a public road, It’s extremely reckless and dangerous beyond measure, id be banned from driving. It’s reckless, and I’d never do it because of how reckless it is. Ok? However when I was doing 90 on a clear motorway, it didn’t seen reckless to me, I wasn’t aware of the dangers which I have admitted. So what I’m trying to say is, I wasn’t INTENTIONALLY driving recklessly and dangerously, that’s how it is in my mind, I’ve admitted i don’t be doing it again and since it’s happened, the sport button hasn’t been touched and my average consumption has reached high 30’s.Truth is if there had been anyone around you or you had gone across the central reservation into on coming traffic your thoughtless driving could of impacted an innocent party.
How hard is it to drive to the conditions?
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