Just looking for some input on this

[bimmern00b]

I wanted to put this question out there to see if it's just me or is it a common problem for ti's to lose traction easily in the rain. I was driving south on I-95 in the rain and more than once I could feel the car starting to go into a skid and I wasn't even doing the speed limit. So what I am asking is does this happen to a lot (or all) of you? My ti Sport suspension is all stock BTW...

[ugwaraich]

right, although I havnt got ti sport,I have a simple 316ti compact version 2003, but I experienced much severe skid.

I was pulling out of the car park and was in a second gear and I had to turn right 90 degrees, but as soon as I pulled out my car skid like 180 degrees and my back was facing the side where my front was before.

I was a bit worried at that point but in my case the speed was about 10mph maximum, I just inferred that it was because of the rear wheel drive, as in 2nd gear you have a lot of power and that I tried to accelerate drastically which resulted in a 180 degree skid.

Normally my car runs just fine on motorways especially straight roads, no matter what the weather is snow/rain.

There must be something wrong with your car that it tries to skid in a straight line.

Check the following:

1) State of your tyres especially front ones
2) Check Wheel balancing
3) Check Wheel alignment

[yoda]

TIRES, TIRES, TIRES.... and of course SLOW DOWN... you should drive at a speed where the conditions permit you to drive safely. I have encountered this problem not only on my old Ti, but my old M roadster and M3 as well... and it has always been tires and driving a bit faster than I should of been...

[briansol]

yup, its probably your tires. what are you running for shoes and how old are they?

[cooljess76]

I've experienced the same thing in my Ti going down a straight highway in the rain. I've had it happen in a friends M coupe as well. Not a pleasant feeling at all! Tires have a lot to do with it, but I think it was mainly due to my camber being all wacky and having limited contact between the road and the tires. These cars are so light in the rear end and since there's really not much weight on the rear wheels where the power is being distributed, they have the tendancy to slip out from under you. Yoda will probably agree that if you think the Ti is bad, try driving a M coupe or roadster in the rain, lol.

[pnosker]

lol @ M Roadster in the dry, let alone rain. Make sure ASC is on. I had a set of almost worn out tires in heavy rain and almost totaled my car. Got new tires immediately after that. Now it's wonderful! ASC helps a lot though.

[yoda]

I spun-out my M Roadster in the rain back in Florida going through I-75... My tires were to the marker, It was so bad that I had to slow down to 40-45 MPH while everyone else passed me by... even through I was driving slower the car simply went away from under me... thank God for those super wide v shape medians in Florida!... I spun about 4 to 5 times and finally came to a stop inside the V shaped median (grass)... I went off and pulled into the next gas station and my car had grass all over, even in the freaking rotors!.....
It was not a very nice experience at all!... Mind you that with new tires the car never felt that bad in the rain, you had to slow down of course, but it wouldn't hydroplane like it did that one time!... Never let the rears on the roadster reach the marker ever again!....

BTW
The M roadster is not only light in the rear... it is also Aerodynamically prone to rear end lift at high speeds... It is the most uneasy feeling you can get when driving over 100 MPH in a car... You feel your butt going UP-DOWN-SIDE to SIDE!...

[briansol]

Originally Posted by cooljess76

Tires have a lot to do with it, but I think it was mainly due to my camber being all wacky and having limited contact between the road and the tires.

actually its the other way around.

wider tires 'float'
skinner tires cut through the water and are less prone to hydro plane.

so, if only 185 of your 205 is hitting the ground, you're actually better off.

[Mr.Squeelerz]

I've experienced the same....though I was aware my tires in the rear did not have the adequate tread to repel any water whatsoever so I had to cut my speed down to 35-40ish in a 75 just to be sure I wouldn't create an episode for myself....or anyone else for that matter. I had some serious camber issues at that time but have adjusted that since, also have a good set of new tires to put on once I decide to get the TI out again. The tread should serve me well in the rain this year.

[bimmern00b]

Originally Posted by briansol

yup, its probably your tires. what are you running for shoes and how old are they?

The tires that are on the front are Goodrich g-Forces but on the back are some no name brand that I am not familiar with. The tires were on there when I bought it in 11/07 so I guess they have been on for a long time. I want to change them all over to g-Forces since they seem to work well with the car (well, the front part anyways). As far as speed goes from other posts on here, I was only doing about 45-50 MPH in a 55 MPH zone, so speeding wasn't part of the problem, I save that for the dry weather! I do think its the back tires though, I never really liked them but having no job right now has put that and my engine swap on a severe hold right now. And I got put off from my contract job all because of one of my imbecilic colleagues decided it would be so cool to go in and steal a bunch of laptops. I hate idiots like that... and the other four that got busted running a p2p server alongside the banks servers. Nothing like a morning raid from the FBI to get rid of any traces of sleep you might still have nagging at you! Ahhhh, I finally got to rant a bit, I feel better...

[bimmern00b]

Well thanks for the input guys. Now for part two. The car actually spun out on me and I got some damage to the driver side rear fender, the bumper cover, and the piece that runs under the hatch door. Looking at realoem it looks like the fender bolts on. Does anyone know if this is true, or does it have to be welded on? Thanks for your help.

[fuse1002]

I have not had any problems, but my TI is usually all over the road anyways so I tend to drive slower in the bad elements.

[bob///M]

i am having this problem just now the back of the car is all over the road and here in the uk we have SMALL roads haha
i have all brandnew tyres on the car rears are 235/40/17 i now its not the rubber that isnt doing the job .
so i jack the car up and find its the REAR SUBFRAME BUSH that is warn both sides one is worse than the other .
its going to be a full rear end dismantel to change the bushes
i will be doing this in a few weeks and not looking forward to it one bit
here is a photo of the bush and the bush removal tool

[bimmern00b]

Well I haven't looked at the bushings recently but I did when changing the rotors back in October and they still looked in pretty good shape. I think my problem is more tire related, now I just have to get two new tires and try to hit the neo-ex up for some money to spend at the body shop...

[DaedHead8]

To answer your question about fenders, yes they bolt on, no welding required. Sorry to hear about the accident. I guess you'll be getting some new tires now...