[Guam128i]

Has anybody autocrossed their e90 325i? How was the drive? traction and yaw control off?

[satakal]

yes. great. leave the traction ctrl on.

[ineedae46m3]

I usually have DSC and DTC fully disengaged when I auto-x. Leaving DTC on will not allow any wheel spin, which is not conducive to letting the car slide through the pylons, it will slow you down, and the brakes will be applied at a certain wheels as the car senses traction being lost, it is working against you.

[nicknaz]

turn it off

[JoosyJoos]

DSC can be helpful but it depends how good of a driver you are. If you're comfortable sliding around and know how to do it well enough to keep speed through corners then turn it off.

I would venture to guess that most people post faster times with it on. Its about 50-50 with me... I don't consider myself anything spectacular. Just have fun with it!

[Ramos]

Originally Posted by satakal

yes. great. leave the traction ctrl on.

Have you made it your mission in life to make sure no newbs can ever experience how much fun life sideways can be?

[satakal]

how about this as a comprimise: when you know enough to know when, where, and why it's slowing you down only then do I give permission to turn it off.

Besides like a half dozen dudes registered on this forum, none of us are ever going to be BMWCCA "A" level drivers or compete in a 13/13 environment. (you like that NASA dig?) Seriously, like the saying "if you have to ask the price you can't afford it." The answer to the traction control question is the same.

If that guy on sunday who banged up his z4m was my buddy. And I recommended he turn the nannies off, I'd be close to shooting myself because of guilt. The OP is gonna have fun no matter what buttons he pushes in his e90. Error on the side of safety AND learning. And until about autocross number 5, he'll post quicker times with the nannies on than off.

Besides that, I now have a title to defend. I need to spread as much dis-information as possible to gain an unfair advantage.

[Ramos]

Originally Posted by satakal

how about this as a comprimise: when you know enough to know when, where, and why it's slowing you down only then do I give permission to turn it off.

Besides like a half dozen dudes registered on this forum, none of us are ever going to be BMWCCA "A" level drivers or compete in a 13/13 environment. (you like that NASA dig?) Seriously, like the saying "if you have to ask the price you can't afford it." The answer to the traction control question is the same.

If that guy on sunday who banged up his z4m was my buddy. And I recommended he turn the nannies off, I'd be close to shooting myself because of guilt. The OP is gonna have fun no matter what buttons he pushes in his e90. Error on the side of safety AND learning. And until about autocross number 5, he'll post quicker times with the nannies on than off.

Besides that, I now have a title to defend. I need to spread as much dis-information as possible to gain an unfair advantage.

Maybe I will keep mine on at the next one since it will only be my 4th and maybe then I can take that title away from you ...

[Ramos]

In all seriousness though, your first time out on track you should keep all the nannies on regardless of experience level until you have a feel for the track and the surface you are running on

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by Ramos

In all seriousness though, your first time out on track you should keep all the nannies on regardless of experience level until you have a feel for the track and the surface you are running on

The OP is talking about autoX guys.... i think the main selling point of parking lot cones is that you spin/get slideways at lower speeds with no risk of having an off and catching an edge etc.. what's the point in going to play in the parking lot if you don't allow yourself to experience loss of traction and recovery

re first time track. i'd still keep the electronics off if its dry and then keep the corner entry speed and throttle use conservative to actually learn how to find/control the traction limit. (confession: i kept the electronics fully on in the rain last time i was at infineon)

LOL at the nasa dig. i hope new readers don't discount them as a result of these random digs on the interweb. they are great once you get past the HPDE1/2 hurdle, which has a big variability of skills and vehicle abilities. in the groups with more liberal passing rules and more experienced drivers, it has worked out well. only difference between bmwcca is more money in my pocket and i have to make my own neck tag thing

[Guam128i]

I usually have DSC and DTC fully disengaged when I auto-x. Leaving DTC on will not allow any wheel spin, which is not conducive to letting the car slide through the pylons, it will slow you down, and the brakes will be applied at a certain wheels as the car senses traction being lost, it is working against you.

I run mine with the DTC off but I did not know that by holding the DTC button for a few seconds turns off the yaw control as well. It is annoying to have the car drive for you. The BMW is no race car anyway compared to my STI. But I think it can hold it's own in stock class if the nannie controls are off.

[EOE90]

i had a 325, it handled like a 325, thus i never autocrossed it

[TurboSid]

take an instructer with u if available, turn DSC completely off.

What better way to learn the proper handling characteristics of your car than in a controlled environment? otherwise when will you learn to drive the car, on the streets with people and traffic?

[satakal]

Originally Posted by TurboSid

take an instructer with u if available, turn DSC completely off.

What better way to learn the proper handling characteristics of your car than in a controlled environment? otherwise when will you learn to drive the car, on the streets with people and traffic?

what if the winning racer / instructor recommends you keep all traction control on? Then what?

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showpo...19&postcount=7

IMHO, there's only a few guys on this forum that actually know what they're talking about. Do what you want with thier advice.

[TurboSid]

i'm only saying what my driver instructor told me...

[blipblip]

Autocross = off
Track = on (until you know what you are doing...of course)

[Ramos]

Originally Posted by satakal

what if the winning racer / instructor recommends you keep all traction control on? Then what?

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showpo...19&postcount=7

IMHO, there's only a few guys on this forum that actually know what they're talking about. Do what you want with thier advice.

I thought you posted a better time than him in the same car...
His advice is not the only one Satakal... I for one do not agree and no one else seems to...
The accident on Sunday was a freak occurance, rare combination of a really stupid driver, first time out, cold tires and brakes, bad track setup with a tight combo too close to the wall... Stop claiming that the only mistake he made was turning off the nannies..

[Ramos]

Agree with all you guys that there is not much to learn at an Autocross unless you have to control the car for yourself and catch your own mistakes.

[satakal]

I don't think it's good to make the assumption that: anyone who can get thier hands on an E9X key is ready to learn to catch spins. There's other stuff to learn first.

Additionally, I'm feeling a growing perception in this sub-forum that if you leave the traction ctrl on that you're a pussy. I disagree.

[ineedae46m3]

As I posted earlier in this thread I AutoX with everything off, and I always have from day one, which is what the OP was questioning.

Now people in the thread have introduced "track days" and such. My opinion on that is to leave DSC ON, until you have a season of track days under your belt, at least... Then maybe try a day with DTC on, and DSC OFF.

Now if your at the 1/4 strip turn DTC ON, I have been able to pull a sub 2.0 60ft that way on my bald RFTs.

Also, when its raining in AutoX I would do the first run with DSC ON, then if you have enough balls engage DTC to allow a little spin and have fun. Or if you have a giant sac and the SCCA people are good friends of yours turn everything off and have a blast, then prepare to clay bar your car and wheels the next day to get all the orange smudges off.

[satakal]

I agree with you. But, consider that the OP introduced himself as a total never-ever novice. My response was assuming he was such. If he knows enough about performance driving from doing it and talking with guys at the track, he'll know he has the potential to go faster with the ass end hanging out.

I still think that if someone has to ask, he should keep it on. The driver will know when electonics are slowing them down. And, if they don't know that the electronics are slowing them down, they aren't ready to drive by feel.

[Ramos]

Originally Posted by satakal

IAdditionally, I'm feeling a growing perception in this sub-forum that if you leave the traction ctrl on that you're a pussy. I disagree.

That is exactly why I turn it off.. Not to be faster, just to avoid being called a pussy