M3 corner/high speed stability issues

[chris719]

I did not experience this that I noticed on 2 different ZCP cars at the 1 day M school.

[ImGoingPlaces]

2016 F80 ZCP here, gunned it onto a sharp ramp merging onto the highway the other day and felt the back end slip out on me, no other issues. it was cold though i think it was the grip on the summer tires

[Colinv6]

Originally Posted by ImGoingPlaces

2016 F80 ZCP here, gunned it onto a sharp ramp merging onto the highway the other day and felt the back end slip out on me, no other issues. it was cold though i think it was the grip on the summer tires

That's completely normal

[Parabolica]

I don't understand this thread.

[DL335D]

I have the same exact issue with my 17’ competition pack. It’s scary as shit when it happens. When it happened last week going about 45 getting on the highway my wife asked me “what the hell just happened?” When it happenes it feels just like the front end of the car hits a 2ft patch of black ice.

I’ve taken the car to two dealerships the first said they couldn’t find anything wrong the second I had the machanic take the car for a test drive and he felt it happen a few times. The master mechanic said it’s happening because of my 12mm wheel spacers. I’m not buying that. So they removed my spacers took it for a drive and said it was fixed. First sweeping turn after leaving the dealership it happened again! I headed back to the dealership for them to take another look tomorrow.

Has anyone fixed this issue?

Originally Posted by Strongbad

Hi everyone.

Picked up a '17 M3 ZCP a few months ago and I have been noticing that when I am cornering (ie. freeway on/off ramp) the car will sometimes get unsettled and twitch in the middle of the corner (feels like a split second of understeer in the middle of the corner before the car corrects itself). This is happening at speeds of 35-45 mph and happens when I am both on and off the throttle so its not something that has to do with coming into the corner with too much speed. Needless to say this is very unnerving and makes me apprehensive about driving the car the way it is meant to be driven. I am sending the car in to have the alignment checked on Thursday to see if that could be the issue.

I used to have a 2015 M4 and never noticed this behavior so I am wondering if it is a product of having the competition pack or if something is wrong with my car. ( I am leaning toward the latter.)

Another, possibly related, issue I am having is that this car feels much less stable at high speeds (above 85MPH) than the M4 did. I have never driven another F80 M3 so I am not sure if the M3 is inherently less stable at high speeds than the M4 or if it could be another symptom of the same issue that I am having while cornering.

My car also came from the dealer with the front splitters/lip installed but does not have the M performance spoiler installed so I am wondering if that is messing with the stability of the car at higher speeds because I have read that BMW recommends installing both the splitters and spoiler together.

Sorry for rambling but trying to see if anyone had similar issues and how they were resolved.... Hoping the alignment fixes it but we will see.

[momo3605]

I think it's the traction control doing something weird. Try putting the car in MDM and go through the same curve. That fixed it for me!

[knightarmor]

Posssibly traction control? I noticed what felt like rear wheel hops in very sharp corners while applying power. I turned traction control completely off and all is well with the world. I only keep traction control on when it's wet and cold out.

[UGADawgFan]

Originally Posted by Parabolica

I don't understand this thread.

Don't feel bad, I'm having trouble following this too. I'm nearly 40 years old and love spirited driving, but I don't trust myself in this car in the twisities with even MDM. I felt way more confident in my E92 M3 (with MDM) ... but the F80 is so much faster that DSC says on. I definitely need to get some instruction.

But I'm also afraid to damage this car... A mistake would be very expensive.

That being said, I've only had my car a few months and it hasn't been super warm and dry in the pacific northwest yet.

[DL335D]

Originally Posted by UGADawgFan

Don't feel bad, I'm having trouble following this too. I'm nearly 40 years old and love spirited driving, but I don't trust myself in this car in the twisities with even MDM. I felt way more confident in my E92 M3 (with MDM) ... but the F80 is so much faster that DSC says on. I definitely need to get some instruction.

But I'm also afraid to damage this car... A mistake would be very expensive.

That being said, I've only had my car a few months and it hasn't been super warm and dry in the pacific northwest yet.

Go back to the first thread. Looks like only some 2017 ZCPs have this problem.

[frankiebones]

Originally Posted by mm767cap

I have the EXACT same experience, same car, same mileage. I noticed it was worse with the PSS than with the PS4's. However, when I put the M Performance Suspension on, it actually came back a little WORSE. I figured it was just a characteristic of the car, but it sounds like not every car has it happening.

Please update what you hear from the dealer

wait...i read this as I am scheduling my M Perf spring install. you still feel the same way?

[valeram]

No issues here. Did a ED and drove to the Autobahn and a couple of pass, San Gothardo and San Bernardino. Only noticed the over steer when some of the turns which were expected. 140 MPH was stable also.

[DL335D]

You are right Momo365. After 42 miles of testing (wtf) the dealership told me today that is has to do with traction control. They said it doesn’t happen in MDM mode which is true. They can’t fix until BMW receives enough complaints. Sucks!

[backagain]

The problem is the backend can twitch under heavy acceleration, taking a curve or going straight. I hate it because it happens unexpectedly. As a result, I now drive in either Euro MDM or DSC off, unless the surface is wet. Problem solved.

[silverstar335]

Get the GTS differential coded and a set of rear toe links, problem should go away.

[drroc]

Originally Posted by silverstar335

Get the GTS differential coded and a set of rear toe links, problem should go away.

I think the OP was talking about front end under-steering and becoming unsettled.

[DL335D]

Exactly

Originally Posted by drroc

I think the OP was talking about front end under-steering and becoming unsettled.

[silverstar335]

Originally Posted by DL335D

Exactly

[PAY M3]

I have not had this happen at all in mine. In fact the car feels so planted is has me driving more aggressively than anything I have driven in the past.

[Captain Dang]

I've had this happen as well. I'm thinking it is the traction control doing what it is suppose to. While unnerving, I think it's completely normal. Try the same ramp under the same conditions and see if the results are the same with it turned off. Just remember that the traction control is kicking in because you are doing just that..... Losing traction.

[NickyC]

Interesting thread, I've noticed what is being described in my M4 as well. While I cannot say definitively, I believe it has something to do with the nanny systems in the car.

I have my M1 button set to Sport Plus x2 and all traction control assists OFF. It's the first button I hit every time after starting the car. Since doing this, I haven't had that feeling once and the car is simply amazing.

The only time I leave the traction assists on now is if it rains, and since I work from home it's not very often I need to drive in those conditions anyway.

[Kimeran]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

^ This

What made a big difference for me is getting a GOOD alignment done on my car. What I mean by a GOOD alignment, is one done by a shop that will take the time to go back and forth between adjustments points do get it "exactly" (meaning as close as possible) to your specified settings and not just within factory specification. It seems the F8X roll off the factory floor with a fair bit of variance in terms of alignment. After the alignment, my car felt so much more planted and stable.

How does your car feel under heavy braking with the alignment done right?
My car is very unstable under heavy braking, but I don't have any of the front end issues described in this thread.

[Colinv6]

Mine still does it but I find myself driving in MDM most of the time now which completely cures the wierd understeer issue.

It’s annoying cause I’d rather use TCS fully on especially with my wife and daughter in the car but ironically I have less confidence in the car with the TCS on.