[wjones14]

Kind of a stupid question I know.

I'm coming from a Mustang, which as you probably know, is one of the ultimate hooligan cars. You can do burnouts of epic proportions (obviously both tires with the locking diff), swing the tail out in second gear at will with maybe half throttle, or leave two thick 20 foot long tire patches by shifting quickly into second gear and not even really trying. This is with traction control on, mind you. Turn it off if you dare.

I only have 1700 miles on a stock M235i, so I'm just starting to explore the car's capabilities. And I'm not a hooligan by any means - in 10 years I never did do a proper burnout with the Mustang, though I did do the other two things mentioned above, frequently.

I ask the question because I put the car into Sport+ mode this morning, and in second gear, turned 90 degrees onto a highway connector, punching the throttle mid-turn to swing the rear out a bit. It did start to lose traction, but quickly gripped or corrected, I'm not sure, and that was it. I don't know if it was the electronic diff kicking in, or stability control, or just the crazy grip of the Michelin SS tires. For whatever reason, this car didn't want to go sideways. It could be me, and it just takes a bit more to get it loose.

Anyone have an opinion?

[3PedalMINI]

hold your traction control button for a few seconds so it shuts off all of the nanny tidbits.

FYI you will also notice a nice throatier exhaust note!

Just be careful when you turn off DSC...you can get her sideways and absolutely be a hooligan in it

[moldcad]

I also was quite surprised how relatively "difficult" it is to fish-tail the M235i the first couple of times I tried it (after my initial break-in period had been over). I do have M-Performance LSD installed. But soon I realized that - great Michelin PSS's grip aside - the main reason is the (turbo) N55's throttle nonlinearity (don't want to use the dreaded word "lag", as it has so bad connotations)... Anyway - as Chris Harris stresses it several times in his M235i drifting instructional video - you really need to have the guts and floor it (and I really mean it - just give it the WOT, especially on a dry tarmac). Of course you must be prepared that once it breaks free, it's essential to go back slightly on the throttle unless your purpose is a full 360 deg...

And it really is important whether your electronic nannies are on, off completely, or - as in Sport+ - just DTC is working. Because I've noticed that with DSC on - even though the light doesn't go on - the engine output gets seriously damped on even a slightest wheel spin, and that's with LSD!

Anyway, my advise to those inexperienced ones is: start learning in slippery conditions (loose surface like gravel, snow or alike) - breaking the rear loose doesn't require great speeds or really full throttle so it's easier for beginners...

[G-Mann]

Welcome to adulthood.

the 2er is just not the same RAW beast as a full bolt on coyote mustang.

2er you can drive at or close to its limits vs the mustang, hence the mustang is much much easier to get into hooligan situations without even trying where in the 2er you always seem to be in control and can push it with more confidence.

Hooligan fun factor the mustang wins hands down.

[mfourn20]

I break the back end loose on my 228 (red) easily even with summer tires.....so I imagine the 235 isn't a problem. Mine has a manual transmission so that helps.

Just like mentioned above like Chris Harris says you really have to beat on it to drift it.

[moldcad]

Originally Posted by mfourn20

I break the back end loose on my 228 (red) easily even with summer tires.....so I imagine the 235 isn't a problem. Mine has a manual transmission so that helps.

Just like mentioned above like Chris Harris says you really have to beat on it to drift it.

And your point about manual transmission and using the clutch to break the rear loose is spot on.

[1ChrisRuck]

A resounding YES

[tke743]

There are no issues getting into hooligan mode with the auto M235i, just make sure you are choosing the gear and be in the right one. In first or second (above 3k rpm) sideways is always available.

[nike001]

I tried earlier today in a base x-drive 228i and it was pretty difficult. You just point the damn things and they go.

My M235i 6spd w/ LSD on the other hand.. freely goes into 'hooligan mode'

[2+3=5]

Up in Toronto we are still getting some close to freezing dawn temperatures and that's when the PSS lose grip on corners and the slipping fun happens ...

[Zooks527]

Originally Posted by nike001

I tried earlier today in a base x-drive 228i and it was pretty difficult. You just point the damn things and they go.

That's the reason some people get xDrives. They go where you point them.

[nike001]

Originally Posted by Zooks527

That's the reason some people get xDrives. They go where you point them.

Yeah that's why people get AWD cars in general.

Where's the fun in that?

[OpenAir]

Originally Posted by nike001

Yeah that's why people get AWD cars in general.

Where's the fun in that?

+1

[Zooks527]

Originally Posted by nike001

Yeah that's why people get AWD cars in general.

Where's the fun in that?

Because many people find the fun in going where you're pointed faster.

[SmoWilly]

I teach a defensive driving course on the weekends and when the kids go home, I have the course to my self.....very big slab of concrete.

No problem getting it sideways and 360 and that's in the convertible with the auto. Just need to know the sweet spot. My best (or is it worst) behavior is when I am in sport+, trans in sport, WOT to begin and then modulating during the drift.

[wjones14]

Originally Posted by 3PedalMINI

hold your traction control button for a few seconds so it shuts off all of the nanny tidbits.

FYI you will also notice a nice throatier exhaust note!

Just be careful when you turn off DSC...you can get her sideways and absolutely be a hooligan in it

Thanks - confirmed!

Went back to the scene of the crime today, Sport+ mode and held the DSC button until the "DSC deactivated" message lit up. Maybe 20 mph and low rpms in 2nd gear, eased into the throttle while starting the 90 degree turn - the rear did swing out and then fish-tailed slightly as I straightened out. Felt great, and controlled.

Didn't get as hairy as my Mustang used to get (I'd usually have to back off or it would spin right around), but the Ford was on all-seasons, while the M235i Michelin Pilot SS tires are just tons grippier.

As far as laying down a pair of tire patches when shifting quickly into second under hard acceleration, I thought this car wouldn't do it. There seems to be a clutch delay valve or something preventing tire squeal when you try to clutch fast under acceleration. But switching to Sport+ allows the tires to bark a little shifting into second. It was actually fairly easy to do without even being hard on the car.

I'm a happy camper now - just took a bit of experimentation with the driving modes, and a little seat time to get a feel for the throttle and clutch. It was fun! I'm going to back off now and resume my law-abiding ways while on public roads, because its the responsible thing to do, and also because the rear tires wouldn't last long otherwise...