Hey guys,
Im new to this and i just got my '83 320i 2 weeks ago and ive hered that there light in the ass and i didnt know how light, so i was driving in the rain around a corner not fast( in 2nd) and hit a little hump and spun out. i gave it all i had to correct it and luckly no one was next to me. I guess that can happen easily? Any comments, thoughts? Ideas?

A friend of mine just took some 25lb weights and put them in the trunk.

Yes, you could be put weight in the trunk, but the best thing you can do is to just take it easy...very easy in the rain or slick conditions. I almost wiped out a couple weeks ago because a possum ran infront of my car. It startled me and I jerked the wheel and almost spun out.

Get some better tires to start with-quality 205/50/15's on 15x7 wheels work well. I drive fairly aggressivly here in northern CA and it usually rains a ton in the winter, I have only had the rear step out seriously once on smooth pavement. Bumps in a corner will cause ANY car to get VERY loose.

I think the 320i is quite well ballanced in 99% of driving, if you want a more secure feeling you can use staggered tire sizes with 205's on the rear and 195's on the front. This will cause the front to "push" when you get to the limit and all you have to do is back off the throttle a little to get it under control.

ken

put your fat gf in the back seat!

just kidding! welcome to the forums! all i can say is get better tires, or add some weight. ive never had a problem trying to oversteer the bimmer...wierd!

Weight distribution is 51/49, don't mess with it.

Weight distribution is 51/49, don't mess with it.
I wonder what the distribution is with the interior gutted, battery in the trunk, and no a/c...that's how mine is now, lol.

This car just makes you a better driver. You have to adapt.

put your fat ASSgf in the back seat!


:rofl :drunkani

i'd say go play in the rain a few times (if there's a place that definitely won't have any traffic or cops). you'll spin a few times but you'll learn a lot about general handling physics (which you can apply to dry handling too, you'll just have to remember that sliding when it's dry will only happen when you're speed is higher, so everything happens faster). i know my mysteriously tail-happy mk2 gti taught me a lot about controlling a slide when i drove the police-free streets of detroit during rain and snow.

Weight in the back will only exacerbate the problem. I was on my way home from a gig last month with my speaker cab in the boot, lightly raining and I was a bit tired so I wasn't as careful as I should've been. I accelerated lightly coming out of a roundabout and find myself facing the direction I just came from. Worst thing is, I hit my new (to me) front spoiler on something and chipped a bit of the paint off the right corner.

speaking of roundabouts, my brother and i were riding around and there's a new roundabout like 10 miles from my house. So we went there and it was a little wet from the rain. I went around it in 2nd gear and wasnt even trying to drift the car then WHAM the rearend steps out like crazy. I was at complete opposite lock, played with the throttle and ended up saving it. I couldnt believe i saved it...i was so enamored with what just happened that i almost forgot to yield on the 2nd roundabout and came close to hitting an audi.

It was fun, nonetheless. This car can definately keep you on your toes if you so desire.

Hey guys,
Im new to this and i just got my '83 320i 2 weeks ago and ive hered that there light in the ass and i didnt know how light, so i was driving in the rain around a corner not fast( in 2nd) and hit a little hump and spun out. i gave it all i had to correct it and luckly no one was next to me. I guess that can happen easily? Any comments, thoughts? Ideas?

Is this car red by any chance?

is NOBODY HERE going to tell him about the famous E21 throttle lift-off OVERSTEER ?

is NOBODY HERE going to tell him about the famous E21 throttle lift-off OVERSTEER ?

huh?what?

I wonder what the distribution is with the interior gutted, battery in the trunk, and no a/c...that's how mine is now, lol.

Probably alomost 50/50 since the front lost some punds and got put in the back. But if the whole interior is out, that makes it even more confusing. Mine is the appitamy of "gutted" including ALL interior, doors are just a skin, no spare or even tire well, etc etc etc. It's current state is 1,736 lbs according to the last print out 5 mos ago. But it's gonna get even lighter.:evil2 I'll have it dynoed and weighed once I get the new goodies in.

is NOBODY HERE going to tell him about the famous E21 throttle lift-off OVERSTEER ?
Isn't that just the result of a semi-independent rear suspension? I agree with CJ, use it to make yourself a better driver.

Probably alomost 50/50 since the front lost some punds and got put in the back. But if the whole interior is out, that makes it even more confusing. Mine is the appitamy of "gutted" including ALL interior, doors are just a skin, no spare or even tire well, etc etc etc. It's current state is 1,736 lbs according to the last print out 5 mos ago. But it's gonna get even lighter.:evil2 I'll have it dynoed and weighed once I get the new goodies in.

Is that dry weight Barry? And did you take the side impact beams out of your doors?

Oh, and if I'm not mistaken, E21 owners always talk about the car being more tail happy than most.