X-drive? Whatever...What way to start a day.

[Reggie@MWDesign]

Re: X-drive? Whatever...What way to start a day.

It was in my own neighbour hood in Elbow Valley, It was 6am snowing quite good, roads were covered with snow and ice I was cruising through around 30-35km/h and the back end kicked out and i over recorrected, Yes this is driver error with the help of technology making things worst. I am thankful that I didnt get hurt or hit a rock as colin would know there are lots of a pine trees and random rocks laying along the ditch for "decoration". It could have been a lot worst. I went to BMW today and got a quote for all the parts not including paint. It's going to come around $3400 before paint, Paint for the skirt was going to be 375ea. so taking that into consideration I have a feeling that is going to be around $7000 mark after paint. Then they have to swap all the door panels and gismos in my door to the new door, replace the skirt, reinstall my AC Schnitzer Add On, replace fender, underbody parts, etc. For about 85/hour labor these days it's coming close to the $10K mark... GOING with insurance they said I would have a $1000 deductible, soooo yes a 19 year old in a bmw, insurance is already reallllyyyy high after 3 speeding tickets and a red light ticket (which i got no demerits for after fighting it). I dont think it worth going with insurance, I would probably be paying an extra $1000 per year for insurance. I get a proper estimate from calgary bentley monday, and might be able to get stuff done at cost since I work for the dilawri group for over 3 months now.

[bonfire]

Re: X-drive? Whatever...What way to start a day.

Is that fender metal? All new door?

Fairly impressive damage for the speed. This is why you need to get a winter beater.

[Reggie@MWDesign]

Re: X-drive? Whatever...What way to start a day.

Is that fender metal? All new door?

Fairly impressive damage for the speed. This is why you need to get a winter beater.

Front fender and bumper are plastic.

[BaggedGLI]

Re: X-drive? Whatever...What way to start a day.

Fender was plastic.
Dont know why they would replace the door, yet again, i havent seen it other than in pictures.

I say "was" plastic cause there sure isnt much left.

[R_Ethug]

Re: X-drive? Whatever...What way to start a day.

reggie.. not sure how good or how bmw awd is but...

with quattro.. you slide.. DO NOT BRAKE.. turn wheel where you want car to go.. floor it! front tires grab and pull you where you need to be.. of course you need decent tires but i have zero issues with this technique even with my summers on right now (this AM)

[Reggie@MWDesign]

Re: X-drive? Whatever...What way to start a day.

well whats done is done i never braked till i hit the ditch.

i always kept in mind that my front wheels will pull me but it was straight up to icy and the wheels spun.

[R_Ethug]

Re: X-drive? Whatever...What way to start a day.

yea.. sometimes its easier to just leave the traction control off and let the AWD do the work for you.. depends on your driving skill though.. i've had ESP save my ass a few times in my old jetta and s4..

[p951]

Re: X-drive? Whatever...What way to start a day.

Sorry to hear about your accident. I'm glad to see that you're taking the responsibility for it, bravo! Looks like a bit of youthful inexperience and exuberence caused some broken plastic and sheetmetal. At least no innocents were hurt. It's tough to hear about your insurance rate, but it seems like it's about right based on what you've shared about your driving record. I'll bet that everbodys rate will increase after this week!
I hope you get the car fixed soon, I always liked what you've done with it, looks great.

[Reggie@MWDesign]

Re: X-drive? Whatever...What way to start a day.

Sorry to hear about your accident. I'm glad to see that you're taking the responsibility for it, bravo! Looks like a bit of youthful inexperience and exuberence caused some broken plastic and sheetmetal. At least no innocents were hurt. It's tough to hear about your insurance rate, but it seems like it's about right based on what you've shared about your driving record. I'll bet that everbodys rate will increase after this week!
I hope you get the car fixed soon, I always liked what you've done with it, looks great.

This is going to be the third winter that i'd be using this car in. I have had some close calls in the past, but this definitely was a scary one.

[R_Ethug]

Re: X-drive? Whatever...What way to start a day.

time for a beater..

[Jester B]

Re: X-drive? Whatever...What way to start a day.

I have to say that this thread has me a bit concerned.

I am reading a lot of statements that scream "inexperience". Testing traction by getting into boost? Driving in neutral at ANY time? I think there are a lot of kids who follow these forums and I'd hate for them to pick up these suggestions as good ideas.

If you think it may be slippery, slow down (smoothly....ease off the gas; don't "lift") one at a slower speed you should be able to feel the road through normal steering feedback.

Never EVER operate a vehicle in neutral. Acceleration and engine braking are part of basic vehicle control. You may as well just get it pontes in the direction you want to go and let go of the wheel, then hope for the best.

Finally, the first snow. It's always a bugger because it's always the most slippery. The pavement isn't frozen to start, so the first part of the snowfall melts. Then it becomes slushy with high water content. Then the snow collects on top and firms a layer of wet ice (that part is the killer). But then the top looks like a normal mid-winter snow. We all remember driving in that as it is what we are most used to. But the first snow is different. And sometimes, like it seems happened to Reggie, it bites us in spite of tires, technology, and skill.

[big shane]

Re: X-drive? Whatever...What way to start a day.

listen to all these coaches i am sure most of us has been there before

[MusicalGenius]

Re: X-drive? Whatever...What way to start a day.

I have to say that this thread has me a bit concerned.

I am reading a lot of statements that scream "inexperience". Testing traction by getting into boost? Driving in neutral at ANY time? I think there are a lot of kids who follow these forums and I'd hate for them to pick up these suggestions as good ideas.

If you think it may be slippery, slow down (smoothly....ease off the gas; don't "lift") one at a slower speed you should be able to feel the road through normal steering feedback.

Never EVER operate a vehicle in neutral. Acceleration and engine braking are part of basic vehicle control. You may as well just get it pontes in the direction you want to go and let go of the wheel, then hope for the best.

Finally, the first snow. It's always a bugger because it's always the most slippery. The pavement isn't frozen to start, so the first part of the snowfall melts. Then it becomes slushy with high water content. Then the snow collects on top and firms a layer of wet ice (that part is the killer). But then the top looks like a normal mid-winter snow. We all remember driving in that as it is what we are most used to. But the first snow is different. And sometimes, like it seems happened to Reggie, it bites us in spite of tires, technology, and skill.

Coasting in neutral at ~10km/h is far better than either riding the clutch or hovering your car at it's stall point. From what Jan Ryan mentioned about boosting I'm pretty sure he either meant that you hit the point where boost kicks in to simply test the possible traction available on the road. Not actually boosting through and continuing to accelerate recklessly.

It seems to me that you simply misread or misinterpreted some of the statements posted earlier.

[Jester B]

Re: X-drive? Whatever...What way to start a day.

Coasting in neutral at ~10km/h is far better than either riding the clutch or hovering your car at it's stall point.

Fair enough, I didn't think of the "near stall speed issue".

From what Jan Ryan mentioned about boosting I'm pretty sure he either meant that you hit the point where boost kicks in to simply test the possible traction available on the road. Not actually boosting through and continuing to accelerate recklessly.

I interpreted this one as the "build up the torque and see what breaks free of traction". I'm not going to say that I don't do it...sometimes it's just plain fun to do. However, when it's as bad around as it has been for the past couple of days, I don't know that this test is even necessary.

[MusicalGenius]

Re: X-drive? Whatever...What way to start a day.

I hear you completely, I know what I do if uncertain is while in first gear I'll give the engine a little extra gas. By the time 2,500 RPM rolls around if my ETS light isn't on I know the road has more traction than it lets on. Most of the time though I'll have that light solid and know to ease back and just let my torque really pull me forwards, not gunning or gassing it just easing it. You'd be amazed how good the roads I was on this morning were, Memorial and Crowchild were smooth sailing (outside of the other drivers). It only being -2ºC sure did help, although it was a different morning, since it's been cold for the past few days the roads were icier with more traction, than wetter with less. It was odd but I wasn't going to complain. Especially since I got to work early today.