Chill in The Peaks

[tintin]

Originally Posted by tc4332

Not sure if it helps Ian but I managed to have mine driving sideways for some 50 yards the other day.
OK it was on ice and I had booted somewhat harder than I meant.
Very strange because once the back end hung out we travelled along quite safely between parked cars and a fence until I decided we had better straighten up and proceed the way normal people do. I was approaching a stop sign at a major road.

First time I have ever slipped in an 8.

Wow! That sounds, errr.., exciting Ray - have you got winters on your '8?

[tc4332]

Originally Posted by tintin

Wow! That sounds, errr.., exciting Ray - have you got winters on your '8?

No.
Last time I used winters on a car was in 1959 in Germany.
Though I have had a lot of experience using chains on coaches in the Alps during ski trips.
It was quite exciting because it was totally unexpected. One becomes rather placid with the inherrent safety of these vehicles. Big thing is that when I finally lifted the throttle she just straightened up and behaved herself. Brings me back to the major reason why I let Gwen buy me my first 8, it was so I would feel that she would be safe.

[tintin]

Originally Posted by tc4332

No.
Last time I used winters on a car was in 1959 in Germany.
Though I have had a lot of experience using chains on coaches in the Alps during ski trips.
It was quite exciting because it was totally unexpected. One becomes rather placid with the inherrent safety of these vehicles. Big thing is that when I finally lifted the throttle she just straightened up and behaved herself. Brings me back to the major reason why I let Gwen buy me my first 8, it was so I would feel that she would be safe.

I know what you mean about the feeling of safety, but physics sometimes wins over design safety, and the sheer size and weight of these cars can count against them in poor weather . My '8 (on winters) has definitely saved my life at least once, and I can't imagine not changing my tyres to winters in either my S8 or Model S - my Coupe doesn't need such things, as she's a fair weather only companion

I'm glad yours took care of you in this instance, that's the important thing

[Conan_the_Librarian]

Originally Posted by tc4332

Not sure if it helps Ian but I managed to have mine driving sideways for some 50 yards the other day.
OK it was on ice and I had booted somewhat harder than I meant.
Very strange because once the back end hung out we travelled along quite safely between parked cars and a fence until I decided we had better straighten up and proceed the way normal people do. I was approaching a stop sign at a major road.

First time I have ever slipped in an 8.

Way to go Ray!
Takes real balls to drift an 8 on ice!
And skill.

[tonupkid]

Originally Posted by IT

Nick - a question for you, I was pondering the other day when I was looking at a spec for a car with the 'Torque vectoring differential' or, sports diff as they say in plain speak on the D4 I think....

I was wondering if you had felt it in action in your new one ? - Conceptually, its like a limited slip diff, but goes one further, and pushes the torque to the wheel with the grip, so it prevents the slip, but unwittingly it shoves the 'wrong' side of the car forward.

I found it most obvious at a T junction, coming out at 90 degrees. Give it some welly, and instead of the outside wheel slipping, the inside rear wheel kicks you forward. It works, it certainly moves you off the line, and I don't doubt it subtly helps all the time on the twisty stuff too.

I had the TDi, so very different torque curve etc, but was just curious if it was as obvious in the 'S'.....

Despite having had this car since last July I've not yet got to know it. In the sense that I have yet to get familiar enough to have the confidence to explore some of its limits.
Covid restrictions and all that.
However I have booted it a few times. It's irresistible M'lud And one thing that's noticeable is the need to keep everything pointing forwards when crossing the centre of the road under hard acceleration. This feels very like torque steer to me
I was not aware that it had Torque Vectoring, so next time I'll pay more attention to what's going on. I know a roundabout that gets good and slippery in the wet, so I can explore that without the need for huge commitment. The acid test will be its resistance to the magnetic urge that the D3 nurtured for the big lamppost just before my exit
Thanks for the heads up Ian