At the moment my 325i Touring is an auto, I will be changing it over to manual at some point.
Has anyone ever tried drifting an Auto? just curious to see if its possible and the pitfalls of drifting an Auto???
Auto drivability (sp) ???
Moderator: martauto
-
Dan320is
- E30 Zone Squatter

- Posts: 1813
- Joined: Wed Jan 12, 2005 11:00 pm
- Location: Cambridgeshire
-
Cotty
- Hartge Crew
- Posts: 5926
- Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm
- Location: Orpington, Kent
You have three gears before drive so I dont see why not, just manually change gear

-
Cotty
- Hartge Crew
- Posts: 5926
- Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm
- Location: Orpington, Kent
Just thought of something. The Hartge touring in the for sale section is an auto but has paddle shift

-
doug325i
- E30 Zone Newbie

- Posts: 108
- Joined: Sat Oct 08, 2005 11:00 pm
- Location: edinburgh
Its really handy to have a clutch when drifting, that way power can be applied more gently if required..
But it's definatly do-able in an auto, I expect some people would prefer it..
Doug
But it's definatly do-able in an auto, I expect some people would prefer it..
Doug
-
Simon13
- The longest resto in the world !
- Posts: 22697
- Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm
- Location: Camberley, Surrey don't u know
if u have the switchable auto then why not? u just won't be able to clutch kick the back end out. So i would use the handbrake instead. I bet it's a bit easier for a novice. Like me
Must get my auto on the road!
Must get my auto on the road!
-
Davenotouring
- Married to the E30 Zone

- Posts: 7962
- Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm
- Location: Cambridge
The main thing is the power of the 325i.
If you had 250bhp and an autobox, I think it would be ok. You don't need to clutch kick a manual to make it drift, but it the best way to start of drifting.
I don't think an Auto would be a good starting point (not saying it is for you Dan, just general advice) as I think it is more difficult.
The way the power is transferred in an auto is not so nice.
I think you'd fu*k it up by yanking the handbrake and the slow engine response due to the slushbox wouldn't help.
I have just aquired a 2.6 Carlton Auto with an LSD and I don't think drifting would be it's strong point. I shall try to find out.
Convert it to manual mate! (Again!)
If you had 250bhp and an autobox, I think it would be ok. You don't need to clutch kick a manual to make it drift, but it the best way to start of drifting.
I don't think an Auto would be a good starting point (not saying it is for you Dan, just general advice) as I think it is more difficult.
The way the power is transferred in an auto is not so nice.
I think you'd fu*k it up by yanking the handbrake and the slow engine response due to the slushbox wouldn't help.
I have just aquired a 2.6 Carlton Auto with an LSD and I don't think drifting would be it's strong point. I shall try to find out.
Convert it to manual mate! (Again!)

Nissan 200SX S14a - Track Slag
BMW 328i Cab - Daily Slag
-
Dan320is
- E30 Zone Squatter

- Posts: 1813
- Joined: Wed Jan 12, 2005 11:00 pm
- Location: Cambridgeshire
Thanks for the replies guys.
Handbrake? not such a good idea.
Dave: looks like a repeat of my last motor (better engine to come soon in this one!)
Have you got that bloody tourer on the road yet? I've got a spare sump with your name on it!!!
Handbrake? not such a good idea.
Dave: looks like a repeat of my last motor (better engine to come soon in this one!)
Have you got that bloody tourer on the road yet? I've got a spare sump with your name on it!!!
-
Simon13
- The longest resto in the world !
- Posts: 22697
- Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm
- Location: Camberley, Surrey don't u know
nothing wrong with handbrake useDan325iSport wrote:Thanks for the replies guys.
Handbrake? not such a good idea.
Dave: looks like a repeat of my last motor (better engine to come soon in this one!)
Have you got that bloody tourer on the road yet? I've got a spare hump with your name on it!!!
-
Davenotouring
- Married to the E30 Zone

- Posts: 7962
- Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm
- Location: Cambridge
I will pop up sometime next week to collect the sump mate if that's ok.
I'll give you a buzz.
As Dan says....handbrake = no (on Auto!) God knows, but I think it'd chew up the insides of the slushbox.
I'll give you a buzz.
As Dan says....handbrake = no (on Auto!) God knows, but I think it'd chew up the insides of the slushbox.

Nissan 200SX S14a - Track Slag
BMW 328i Cab - Daily Slag
-
Bharat
- E30 Zone Team Member

- Posts: 3540
- Joined: Mon Dec 20, 2004 11:00 pm
- Location: N.W. London
Nah, I've done it a couple of times using Autos.
Can be done, and handbrakes can take it.
Just make sure you change the ATF and filter on the box, and ensure gear changes are smooooooth.
And the handbrake cable is in good nick
Of course, you do have the option of the painful process of converting to manual and all that malarky
Can be done, and handbrakes can take it.
Just make sure you change the ATF and filter on the box, and ensure gear changes are smooooooth.
And the handbrake cable is in good nick
Of course, you do have the option of the painful process of converting to manual and all that malarky

325i Motorsport Edition convertible - gone, but not forgotten.

