M4 loses control leaving Cars and Coffee, hits median, gets airborne. Owner explains.

[mkoesel]

Wow.

Huge respect for your humble display of integrity and accountability.

Very glad you are okay sir. Be safe out there.

[kitw]

Originally Posted by trinim3

Hey guys,

It was my car that was involved. I have no problem saying that because no laws were broken. In fact, you'll notice in the video that the car was going very slowly in front of the crowd. This was intentional because we've all watched too many YouTube videos of this sort of thing happening and wanted to make sure that nobody would get hurt should anything unexpected happen. Once the car was past the crowd the accelerator was pushed when the rear snapped violently. The car was going ~30mph at that time. The car has been driven for 4700 miles and has been driven with DSC off many times including in the rain and never has the car snapped so violently just from accelerating. I chalk it up to several factors including cold temps (low 40s), cold tires and incorrect psi (more on that later) and of course driver error. More judicious use of the throttle should have been exercised. MDM mode was not used because MDM is too quick to intervene and cuts power prematurely (or maybe not).

Thanks for owning up to it. Appreciate the maturity.

In the video, you over corrected and then tried to save it... And did, except that when you gathered it up, you were facing the curb, in a terminal way. The snapping around under power is common. Full opposite lock is almost always too much steering input to correct. Come out to a track day and I am sure one of the instructors there can help with car control in a safe environment.

Just for the record, in terms of breaking laws, you'd likely have been written a wreckless driving ticket. :/. Be careful out there.

[Maddict3]

Originally Posted by trinim3

Hey guys,

It was my car that was involved.

...

Everyday I get in my M4 I realize how careful you have to be, these cars are no joke.

Look at the bright side man, you're ok and no one is injured. It can happen to anyone just be a bit careful next time. Hope you get your M fixed soon.

[shortseller]

Thanks for the explanation. Glad no one was hurt and the car fared pretty well from what looked like a serious hit to the bottom of the car.

[onatuesday]

Originally Posted by Maddict3

Everyday I get in my M4 i realize how careful you have to be these cars are no joke.

Look at the bright side man, you're ok and no one is injured. It can happen to anyone just be a bit careful next time. Hope you get your M fixed soon.

Hopefully there's nothing to fix! BMW engineered a great car lol. The irony is that before rolling out, I said to myself "don't end up on Youtube"...I made sure not to accelerate from a super slow speed and in front of the crowd, and I thought I was going a safe speed to accelerate a bit more briskly once clear of the crowd - but yeah lesson learned. no more DSC off for me as someone mentioned.

[DINMANN]

Originally Posted by trinim3

Hey guys,

It was my car that was involved.

...

I post it up this video to show people to take it slow when on the main road, and I thank you for all the info u put in. I hope u are ok, and I know u car well be up and running in no time. thank you

[Maddict3]

Originally Posted by trinim3

Hopefully there's nothing to fix! BMW engineered a great car lol. The irony is that before rolling out, I said to myself "don't end up on Youtube"...I made sure not to accelerate from a super slow speed and in front of the crowd, and I thought I was going a safe speed to accelerate a bit more briskly once clear of the crowd - but yeah lesson learned. no more DSC off for me as someone mentioned.

I would still go get it check just to make sure everything is fine.

DSC off is for the track. MDM for road use IMO is fine, The US version MDM is quite intrusive but everything has its limits of course...

[onatuesday]

Originally Posted by Maddict3

I would still go get it check just to make sure everything is fine.

DSC off is for the track. MDM for road use IMO is fine, The US version MDM is quite intrusive but everything has its limits of course...

Yup, will have suspension inspected and alignment performed to be sure. I looked under the car with a flashlight and was surprised everything appeared intact. I was counting dollar signs in my head as I went over the curb. By the way I had no idea I had went that high into the air.

[mrkhanna16]

Great ending! Lesson Learned!

[Maddict3]

Originally Posted by trinim3

Yup, will have suspension inspected and alignment performed to be sure. I looked under the car with a flashlight and was surprised everything appeared intact. I was counting dollar signs in my head as I went over the curb. By the way I had no idea I had went that high into the air.

Keep us posted, I hope its nothing serious!

[DINMANN]

urs im sure is easy fix not like this 2 cars they look like are gone for good.

[chiplee]

Originally Posted by shortseller

I would think DCT also, as I have a stick and pound through gears all the time with DSC off at times and the car to its credit stays straight and true without going crazy. Now in corners it's a completely different matter.

Exactly. I was just assuming 6MT was a little more squirrelly since I haven't driven one, but my car tracks straight no matter what I do. Smash the gas in Sport+ with DSC off and crank 90 degrees left and it will cut power and protect me from myself before it does what this guy's car did. Don't get it.

[chiplee]

Originally Posted by trinim3

Yup, will have suspension inspected and alignment performed to be sure. I looked under the car with a flashlight and was surprised everything appeared intact. I was counting dollar signs in my head as I went over the curb. By the way I had no idea I had went that high into the air.

It's because you went "that high into the air" that you couldn't find anything with the flashlight. You jumped the curb which limited the damage to the wheels/alignment/suspension. Lucky I suppose. Thanks for owning up so we can learn from what happened to you. I feel like my car would never do that so I bet this could happen to anyone in the right circumstances.

[kasher_khan]

Originally Posted by trinim3

Hey guys,

It was my car that was involved. I have no problem saying that...

I am new member here but I have to say, Mad Respect Dued I have made mistakes in the past (getting too overconfident with Quattro in the snow in my S4 etc) so I know from experience that forum members can be harsh.

Also no one can say for sure that they would have been able to correct the slide in time. Leaving traction control on seems like a smart thing on public roads though.

Also like others have said, really impressed with the car rigidity. Hopefully there wasn't too much damage. The best part is that you are safe and can learn from this.

[onatuesday]

Originally Posted by chiplee

It's because you went "that high into the air" that you couldn't find anything with the flashlight. You jumped the curb which limited the damage to the wheels/alignment/suspension. Lucky I suppose. Thanks for owning up so we can learn from what happened to you. I feel like my car would never do that so I bet this could happen to anyone in the right circumstances.

If you read the first few posts in this thread you'll see a similar sentiment

http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1075174

[DINMANN]

im going to give my m3 a big hug tonight when I get home

[chiplee]

Originally Posted by trinim3

If you read the first few posts in this thread you'll see a similar sentiment

http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1075174

Thanks for sharing that. I had missed that thread and I have exactly the same feeling. The car is almost too confidence inspiring the way it cuts power in low gears. Baits you into getting yourself in trouble. I'll read that whole thread and make some observations. Again, thanks for owning up so we can pick your brain about this situation and hopefully all avoid it by learning from what happened to you.

[SMOKE EM IF U GOT EM!!]

Originally Posted by JoeFromPA

I'm very encouraged as to the durability and capability of these vehicles when equipped with 18s. Now I can comfortably strike curbs head on and try rally driving.

I guess we now know what bmw and Michelin really spent their time customizing on the PSS: off road capability.

[edwinm3]

that suspension is screwed up for sure, at least collapsed springs

[minn19]

Originally Posted by edwinm3

that suspension is screwed up for sure, at least collapsed springs

Along these lines I would be absolutely stunned if nothing is bent or broke. The forces involved with a 3600 pound car going 5ish feet in the air and crashing down are massive. Not to mention hitting a curb at that speed. I hope for your case it is nothing serious. If it isn't damaged too bad BMW has built one unbelievably tough car.

Glad you and all innocent bystanders are all ok. And much respect for coming clean and admitting it was you. That says alot about your character. Sorry a fun day turned to shit so quickly.

I don't fully understand how the differential works. I understand the basics of what it does, but not how quick it works. After watching the video quite a few times it looks like it was 2 seconds from the start of the skid to the curb hit. It also looks like the right rear is lighting up much quicker than the left rear tire. Shouldn't the differential counter this quicker and not allow such a difference in rear wheel speed?

[Black Gold]

Originally Posted by chiplee

Exactly. I was just assuming 6MT was a little more squirrelly since I haven't driven one, but my car tracks straight no matter what I do. Smash the gas in Sport+ with DSC off and crank 90 degrees left and it will cut power and protect me from myself before it does what this guy's car did. Don't get it.

Not possible. dsc must not be completely off

[dim635csi]

Counting it all went well so far, can we hear again please from the driver about his attempt to correct a severe oversteer and some commentary, too ? Slomo in the first post flick helps a lot.

Driver said he had a track experience, and I know there are other people here to track on regular basis...

Thank you !