My first RWD fright!

Post by **stevenc75** » 18 Oct 2006 12:43 pm

Did I mention that the 340 was my first RWD car? Well today was the first wet day since I bought it, you can guess the rest...

Going around a wet roundabout the back broke and I ended up looking at the cars that had been behind me. Very embarrassing.

I'll consider that a lesson learnt.

Post by **Chris_C** » 18 Oct 2006 12:51 pm

Lol, I'm sure most of us have had them

Mine was just after I passed my test and ending up heading sideways across the roundabout towards a 9 series beemer. Oooops

Post by **SteveP** » 18 Oct 2006 01:07 pm

Haha.. yeah, all been there - but I find the 360 to be very controllable once the back end is out, and it's good fun every now and then. Although I've heard the 340's are a little more tail happy.

Post by **stevenc75** » 18 Oct 2006 01:10 pm

Next time I'll be expecting it and ready for it. I just sat there hoping for the best. Some practise is required.

Post by **filthyjohn** » 18 Oct 2006 01:33 pm

Head to one of Her Majesty's Drift Training Circles at 2a.m. They put these funny rings in the middle of roads so people can experiment with opposite lock without having to leave the comfort of Taxpayer Speedway.

Post by **SteveP** » 18 Oct 2006 02:02 pm

Opposite lock and gentle throttle changes, ie. don't lift off too quickly else you'll encourage it further

Post by **mac** » 18 Oct 2006 02:11 pm

Fun aren't they - actually when driven normally 300s in general handle rather well (especially in the dry) and are beautifully controllable even on the limit.

If you weren't caning it I suggest you look to the tyres - pressure and make.

Just a thought but if the mileage is genuinely low you may even have the originals, (one lady owner = easy on tyres) in which case the rubber will have hardened and aged and wet grip will have suffered. If they have been replaced you may have 'budget' tyres fitted - some of which are less than perfect in the wet. Might also be that the pressures are wrong (it's suprising how much difference even small changes can make. Under 'normal' driving a 300 should gently understeer (more so a 360) but if yours is loosing the back end it sounds as if something might be a little out.

Of course you may just have hit a greasy patch - you'll catch the back end next time and you'll find it very easy to bring back in line.

Mac.

Post by **SteveP** » 18 Oct 2006 02:21 pm

In the dry I've found the grip on offer quite ridiculous some times, the limiting factor for turning any more is bodyroll. That'll soon be cured...

Tyres do seem to make quite a big difference on 300's, it's well worth spending a bit more for some decent ones than budget tyres.

At the moment I'm very wary in the wet since my steering rack is worn and feels very vague, another thing I haven't yet got round to replacing!

Post by **filthyjohn** » 18 Oct 2006 02:36 pm

IMO, tyres make more difference to the behaviour of a car than any other single factor. I've just put some 340 wheels (155 section) on the GLT as a stopgap because I got 5 wheels and tyres for 30quid delivered. They offer almost no grip, and driving home in the rain last night was hilarious.

However, it was hilarious in a sort of "I must get my new alloys soon" way, rather than a "Great, this is absolutely ideal and requires no change" way!

Post by **stevenc75** » 18 Oct 2006 02:48 pm

I think my heavy right foot in second gear was more to blame than the tyres. The car has Dunlops fitted all round (possibly original?) and the grip they provide seems reasonable.

Post by **Chris_C** » 18 Oct 2006 03:01 pm

Dunlops may well be orig... Something seems to ring a bell that my Mum's 300 she had from new had those on. Also, as yours is a DL (I seem to remember it was!) it'll have 155's on as standard, late GL's (I reckon 89 was the change, as again Mum's E reg GL had 155's) had 175's, which make quite a difference too.

You can still happily hang the arse out on 175's, just less random moments

(ok, my first scary moment was on 175's, but hey!) As you say, it's knowing it's going to happen, but you see why we like them!

Post by **SteveP** » 18 Oct 2006 03:13 pm

Hmm.. the original tyres we had on my Dad's 345 were Goodyears IIRC, but then they were earlier Mk2 cars...

I couldn't imagine driving a car with 155 wide tyres

Especially the size a 300 is!

Post by **stevenc75** » 18 Oct 2006 03:26 pm

Yeah, I have 155/80/13s fitted.

A good excuse for a set of alloys possibly.

Post by **filthyjohn** » 18 Oct 2006 03:35 pm

I learnt the techniques in a FWD 440li. can i get a "you tube"?

Post by **5lab** » 18 Oct 2006 10:48 pm

440li's are gash, i learned in one

your problem will be the 155s, having driven a glt wtih 155s all round, i can safely say they're crazyfun in the wet. change em for something with more tread (and new, 17 year old tyres are a deathtrap) and you'll be fine