Another E30 handling thought.

Post Tue Oct 04, 2005 11:08 pm

I was talking to a car mad mate the other day.

I said "I seem to have two approaches to corners in the E30. Sometimes I look at it and it's "I can definitely make it round there with a sweet bit of drift", in which case it always is a tidy turn, sometimes with total grin levels of action. Other times I go "that's a bit tight, I'm scared, what's going to happen?, slow down a bit,, oh I'm not sure about this, la di dah etc" in which case it's usally either slow and OK or not so smooth and tidy."

Well, I've been watching myself more closely and realised something....when I think "give it to me this is going to be great"... then I actually turn in earlier in preparation for the corner,set the car up nicely and then put some power down and it all goes really well. When I hestitate and doubt the car or my ability then I don't set it up as well and thre result is a self fulfilling prophecy.

So, it's back to that confidence thing. When you know that it's possible then the result is always better.

On that note, I had 15 minutes of total pleasure on some slighly muddy B roads last night. That totally confident flowing action where every bit is tackled with total conviction. Really rewarding.

Really, no amount of extra power or tuning in a FWD hatch would have been as much fun as getting an E30.

Post Wed Oct 05, 2005 12:33 am

"Ultimate driving machine" s not just an advertising slogan, you know.

Post Wed Oct 05, 2005 1:16 am

Know what you mean, when I'm anxious or stressed about anything I tend to overdrive mine. To much power, too much braking and too lower gear and an unpleasant ride. When I'm relaxed and firmly planted in the seat I let the car do more, which it does well. Less brakes, higher gear and smoother action on the wheel. A few moments to really settle into the seat and collect oneself is worth a lot of bhp!! I learnt this with an instructor on track. Within just a few laps I had improved my lines, braking and power input and felt like I was going about 10% faster. Mind over matter!

Post Wed Oct 05, 2005 2:40 am

I think if a car fills you with confidence, then you tend to be more relaxed in it anyway! In an e30, even an e30 with 185 tyres and questionable springs I feel confident in taking corners and they are smoother and faster if im railing it!
My dads cav valver on the other hand scares the poop out of me on a daily basis! I end up scrubbing too much speed, then throw the car into the corner, upsetting the cars balance and making it all feel like a bouncy castle! The car doesnt give me any confidence at all!

As Mon' said, its all down to ur frame of mind!