RWD rookie about to take delivery

[OF Hero]

Hello all, after a long wait, I will finally be taking delivery of my 2018 M3 next Saturday.

This is my first RWD car - I have previously owned a Nissan GTR and a lightly modded Audi S6, obviously both AWD. I have no ego, I fully anticipate and look forward to the learning curve and plan to take it extra slow. This will be a DD for me with a couple of kids in the back so there will be no crazy shenanigans for me, maybe the occasional MDM mode but that's it.

Im not here to ask whether or not to turn DSC off or to floor it in 1st/2nd gear...but my concern is more with daily driving behavior. Driving habits that we all have and don't even think about on a regular basis because it doesn't get us in trouble. My concern is if those kind of "usual" maneuvers would get me in trouble with the M?

For example:

1). Taking an on/off ramp at or slightly above the suggested speed limit?

2). Downshifting to overtake a slow driver?

3). Giving the throttle a bit of a blip to make it through the intersection on a left turn yield?


Sorry if this comes across as a chicken shit post, I am committed to the car and learning how to drive it. I just want to see how much of a change in routine driving habits are needed.

Any and all other tips are appreciated!

[Thescout13]

If you have traction control on, you will not be in a situation where your worst fears come alive. You will be fine. All three of your scenarios are normal and will end normal if you leave it on. Do not be a hero.

[Deteria]

Obviously being a RWD, it won't give you the same level of confidence as a AWD, but you'd be surprised. The M actually grips the ground quite well if you aren't going crazy and keep DSC.

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by OF Hero

...but my concern is more with daily driving behavior. Driving habits that we all have and don't even think about on a regular basis because it doesn't get us in trouble. My concern is if those kind of "usual" maneuvers would get me in trouble with the M?

If you are a safe driver in an AWD car (or any car really - from an econobox to a three ton SUV), then you will be a safe driver in a RWD car. The car will provide feedback to you to tell you if you are pushing it near the limit or not. It is up to you to listen to the feedback. If you plan to ease into the car to get the feel for it as you suggest, then there should be no problem.

However - and forgive me for saying this, but I doubt I am the only one who thought this after reading your post - it is slightly alarming that you would characterize some of your driving habits as so second nature that you don't think about them. To me, that is the part that would get you into trouble. Not because you're are bad or reckless driver, but because you are not putting a conscious enough effort into piloting a high performance machine. Just my off the cuff reaction - not meant as a jab at you.

[OF Hero]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

If you are a safe driver in an AWD car (or any car really - from an econobox to a three ton SUV), then you will be a safe driver in a RWD car. The car will provide feedback to you to tell you if you are pushing it near the limit or not. It is up to you to listen to the feedback. If you plan to ease into the car to get the feel for it as you suggest, then there should be no problem.

However, forgive me for saying this, but I doubt I am the only one who thought this after reading your post - it is slightly alarming that you would characterize some of your driving habits as so second nature that you don't think about them. To me, that is the part that would get you into trouble. Not because you're are bad or reckless driver, but because you are not putting a conscious enough effort into piloting a high performance machine. Just my off the cuff reaction - not meant as a jab at you.

No jab taken!

Maybe a poor choice of words on my part there...of course I am paying attention to the decision making, but the car's drivetrain isn't a usual, integral part of that decision making for me (until now). Hope that makes more sense?

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by OF Hero

No jab taken!

Maybe a poor choice of words on my part there...of course I am paying attention to the decision making, but the car's drivetrain isn't a usual, integral part of that decision making for me (until now). Hope that makes more sense?

I mean, I don't want to belabor it further, but it still sounds like you may want to rethink some things. You sound a little green maybe?

I guess part of this might be coming from a GTR or S6 culture where there is so much bagging on RWD vehicles for perhaps being primitive and hard to control, that it must seem like you are stepping off a pony and onto a wild bronco or something. Or maybe I am not being fair, I don't know.

I suppose I would just say, try to forget any FUD that might be plugging your ears and just drive the car with attentiveness to its feedback and respect for its capabilities. You'll be fine.

[espressoo]

Since you're up north, start shopping for snow tires soon before they run out of sizes for your vehicle.

[FirstF80InSpace]

Don't worry. You'll be fine. Just leave the nannies on.

When I first got my M3, it was my first RWD and I was driving like a pussy. Then I realized it would take a lot to spin this car into a ditch.

[jmg]

I highly suggest taking the M school to learn the limits of this car.

[Gabe@TAG]

Those three scenarios will soon enough be the absolutely most amazing scenarios you’ll come across when you get used to how the platform behaves during your daily drives.

[JoeKixxon]

I'm not a talented driver, and I never owned anything like an M3... that is of course until I got my first M3 (E90). Even that car, and especially the F80 is way more skilled and way smarter than I could ever be.

I just did the M track days at COTA and the instructor explained some of the technology and safety included with the car. Then we took them out on track and did a lead-follow with the instructor, and I can say it again: THIS CAR IS WAY SMARTER THAN I AM.

If you're going into this with sound mind and body (as you are) and not just trying to start as a total hooligan - the nannys in this car will keep you so safe and in control. The M3 makes me feel like a hero. I guess that's what $70k buys me.

Life is good. M3 is like having a hot chick around your arm. Enjoy your new car!!

[Aaaaaaaaa]

Never driven a GTR or S6 but if you're used to high performance cars I think you'll be fine.

[OF Hero]

Originally Posted by jmg

I highly suggest taking the M school to learn the limits of this car.

Great point.

And winter wheels/tires will be my first mod LOL.

[S.Carter]

I came from a 14 WRX with power mods to my 16 M3. It is a bit strange seeing the traction light come on more often but you'll learn how hard you can push and when as long as you start off mellow and work your way up. Things like wheel spin when passing someone due to the slippery road reflectors never happened with the AWD but I def got a little loose a few times at first. Leave the nanny's on and let the car tell you when you're pushing too hard. As everyone said, respect it and ramp up to 'spirited driving'. Enjoy your new baby!

[sjuhawks19]

I came from an S4 and never had a rear wheel drive car, so I can relate to your anxiety. You'll be fine. I leave the DSC on for the most part, especially when my kids are in the car. I'll put it MDM mode if I'm by myself and it's a nice warm day with little traffic, but I still don't drive it like a jerk. I was nervous at first, especially taking delivery after christmas and immediately putting winter tires on. Once I did an M track day in May I realized how stable and capable these cars are, even when driven really hard. It's been more rewarding since, I've been more confident. You'll get a feel for the car, might take a month or two to adjust, but by that point you'll hit your 1200 mile checkup and be ready to open it up. Enjoy the car and have fun!

[Throttleblip]

My only recommendation would be to have full DSC on in the rain. I had a very close call in MDM in the rain. It will lose complete traction in the rain if provoked.

[///M4ster Yoda]

Originally Posted by Throttleblip

My only recommendation would be to have full DSC on in the rain. I had a very close call in MDM in the rain. It will lose complete traction in the rain if provoked.

This. I exclusively drive in Euro MDM mode except when it's raining or the roads are wet.

OP. You'll be fine. Take it easy at 1st as everyone else has mentioned. Work your way up to having confidence with the cars (and your) capabilities.

[drkeng]

although he walked away, I think he regrets turning off DSC.

[Mthrice]

Going thru the canyon the other day, down shifted to blast by a gardening truck. The back end lost traction, DSC kicked in, car straightened up, and I shot by him, albeit a little delayed.

The GT-R just rockets by, so there is that.

[avantix]

Congratulations OP as others have said with DSC on it will not behave that much differently than your previous cars. I've been driving RWD all my life, so I had to put some thought into how I would adapt if the F80 were my first RWD car. It really breaks down into 3 phases....


1-Temperance phase where you're learning the subtleties of the platform with DSC on at all times

2- Comfort phase where you're driving in MDM on at all times after some quality time behind the wheel.

3- Fun phase when you're blasting around with all nannies off. This is the best phase despite the fact that you'll be changing rear tires more often than you care to.

[Tommy L Garage]

I echo what everyone here said.
I came from a highly modified awd S60R that I tracked a lot and moved over to the M. Took me a few days to get my confidence back. Now I'm often kicking the tail out haha. It's also easier to manage the rear when you have a manual transmission. All you have to do is to hit the clutch

[OF Hero]

Those of you that have had trouble in the rain...what exactly caused it? Aggressive inputs? Or did the car act unpredictable even when driven normal?