Re: There's nothing like... (archive)

The complete automotive resource for buyers, sellers, and owners like you.

: I am curious... I am starting to think that there is a large disparity in the driving styles of the E31 community. Slow, fast, whatever... I wanted to poll the E31'ers (specifically the guys with the autoboxes) out there.

: How many people really drive their cars? Are there others out there that know what sound the transmission makes when you neutral drop the car at 4000 rpm? How about, what the brakes sound like when torque braking at 3000 rpm? Is there anyone (other than me) that knows which wheel is spinning at the light and yokes the steering wheel to throw weight over it? Has anyone rolled back over the hot rubber you left ten feet behind the line in order to surface your tires? How about stage-loading your suspension just prior to letting go of the brakes?

: You see what I am getting at? I am sure I am going to get flamed for this... but I am genuinely curious to see how other 8'ers drive their cars. I'll start the ball rolling...

: Typically, I will roll up to 10'~15' short of the light. Stop. Turn ASC off, drop it in first, and gun it. I'll yoke the wheel to get two lines behind me. Quickly, I stop, throw it in reverse, and roll back. I'll creep up to the line again. Since I need the confidence of first gear, I won't neutral drop the car. Stomping on the brakes and yanking the e-brake, I'll bring the revs up to 2500~3000 RPM. Right before launch, I'll drop the e-brake, release, and then stomp the brake pedal. As the car lurches back, compressing the rear springs, I let the brake out and begin piloting. Sometimes it is the left wheel, but usually the right wheel spins so I cut the steering appropriately to give it some more traction. The RPM's usually only drop 1000 on the launch. I let the car overrev a little so that I plunk back into vanos when I shift.

: Okay... with that as the intro. to this thread either flame on, or post your method. I am GENUINELY curious, though, and would appreciate any and all's input!

: Post your responses! I think this might be an good way for people to introduce yourselves and therefore make this board a little more tightly knit as far as a community goes... and ultimately, through understanding, there might be less flames, etc. If anything, drop a note in the holiday spirit! :-)

I get the itch to go 0-60 like most men in their early to mid twenties. The difference is my friend, we make too much money with not enough responsible stuff in our lives to spend it on so why not buy a cool looking E31 and see how much "stuff" we can add to it and make it go really fast? Then, let's start punching the shit out of it and see how she'll hold up.... hell it's only a car right?

Well, I'm about your age as well Justin. But.. I really do admire my 850i for all that it is and was designed to do. Go REALLY fast on the highway. So to answer your question... yes I drive my 850i really hard (just ask some of the guys I met in Atlanta.. I freely admitted to them that I peaked the limits of the car... but on the proper scale) Funny that my six speed is bone stock though (other than the Jim C. chip upgrade). I might put some new springs on and play with the stereo some... but at 100Mph this car does what it was designed to do... cruise.

I would be stupid to say that I don't like the "snob" appeal of other BMW and non BMW owners eye-balling my car. It's nice to be the only guy on the road in a world of cars that says "I'm different that the other sheep" without slamming my ride, tinting the windows limo-black, putting on an exhaust large enough to park a bus in, etc.

So, I thought you had an Eclipse with about 8000 modifications? Drive that one if ya want to go fast.

So to answer you question another way... no, I don't drive my E31 hard. Making it do something it was not designed to do is just plain stupid IMHO. With only 4000 or so total in circulation, can you blame us non-racer type E31 owners for taking (I might say babying) care of our BMWs?

Questions, comments, or problems, please visit the Roadfly help desk.