Chris Harris: Excellent One on One!

[mPlasticDesign]

Originally Posted by MrRoboto

Another thing I noticed. Is this guy the founder of Jalopnic? Sad, he appears to know nothing about cars.

I think he knows more about cars than he is leading on to. The thing is, he was obviously a bit intimidated by CH and next to him most probably appear car stupid. I did like the self-deprecating humor, pretty funny! Moobs.

[edwardio]

Im a really big fan of Chris Harris

[Artemis]

Originally Posted by HERR FSTIR

I think Harris is less concerned with things like iDrive, and more focused on the electronics related to chassis control and stability. Things such as stability and traction control, adjustable dampers, electronic assisted or adaptable steering. In addition, they also don't think much of paddle shifters and dual clutch trannys.
Essentially, these devices act as a buffer between driver and car, and thereby diminish the driving experience.

BMW engineers may push for purism and promote the idea to leave DSC out - it will never come to fruition in a car manufactured for a public road car anno 2012: the legal advisors (in house counsel) will veto that engineering decision and convince the board that nowadays equipping high performance cars with DSC contributes to limiting liability claims. In the end the lawyers win it from the engineers. Cars for tracks use only are a different story.

[Em/1]

I got tired of watching even tho I generally like Chris; I think the real start of "isolation from the driving experience" started with ABS--anybody want to give that up on their street machine?

[Nugget]

I think electronic driver aids are a good thing in general, as long as they can still be turned off completely.

[mPlasticDesign]

Originally Posted by Nugget

I think electronic driver aids are a good thing in general, as long as they can still be turned off completely.

I kinda agree. F1 cars have HAD* ABS, traction control, etc. of course there is the ability for the driver to fine tune and dial in the level of electronic intrusiveness. It's like Chris says, as long as these things don't interfere or "come between" the driver and car its ok.

*EDIT: special for CLIVED

[Nugget]

What I meant was that for every day driving and every day driving they do increase safety. But you better be able to turn them off when you want to play. I know some manufacturers (eg VW) won't let you turn systems all the way off.

[clived]

Originally Posted by Mr.Metak2you

F1 cars have ABS, traction control, etc.

I'm sure the FIA would like to know which F1 cars are in breach of the regulations.... ;-)

[MDORPHN]

Originally Posted by Mr.Metak2you

I kinda agree. F1 cars have ABS, traction control, etc. of course there is the ability for the driver to fine tune and dial in the level of electronic intrusiveness. It's like Chris says, as long as these things don't interfere or "come between" the driver and car its ok.

Just back from three hot days tracking my car at VIR and sure wish I could turn off that dreadful Corner Braking Control!

Neil

P.S. Turned 20,000 miles while on track!

[mPlasticDesign]

Originally Posted by clived

I'm sure the FIA would like to know which F1 cars are in breach of the regulations.... ;-)

Jeez, you are one smug sarchastic dude. F1 cars have a long history of traction control which was once banned and then reintroduced then recently banned again, just like computer-controlled 'active' suspension and ABS as well. Almost all of the regulations in F1 cars are implemented to make the cars slower, I mean "safer".

I guess I'm old enough to remember all of the changes through the years but not old enough to forget. ;-)

[terryb]

1Ms rule, especially when remapped

[hollysmac]

Originally Posted by Nugget

What I meant was that for every day driving and every day driving they do increase safety. But you better be able to turn them off when you want to play. I know some manufacturers (eg VW) won't let you turn systems all the way off.

I agree about the use of the electronic aids for every day driving. For those of us in the frozen north, raise your hand if you would like to drive in the winter without them.

Now for autoxing and track it is a pleasure to turn them off but there is no snow tire that would make the car double in rush hour traffic in the winter.

[Nugget]

Originally Posted by MDORPHN

Just back from three hot days tracking my car at VIR and sure wish I could turn off that dreadful Corner Braking Control!

Neil

P.S. Turned 20,000 miles while on track!

I think I felt this yesterday. Was trail braking into a slalom and it felt like it was trying to pull itself straight again. Is that Corner Braking Control?

[m3kerry]

The e36, 46, & 90 m3's all run in the same street tire class in SCCA autocross. The e36 m3 is the fastest out of them and my pick for street tuner mods plus coilovers for best daily driver/autox/track day car.

The e46 has more HP but they gave up some tq to get it. The e90 is just too heavy and does not the feel that the e36 has. The e36 is easy to work on.

I miss my e36. Even my 1m is missing some of the "it" that my ole e36 m3 had.

[MDORPHN]

Originally Posted by Nugget

I think I felt this yesterday. Was trail braking into a slalom and it felt like it was trying to pull itself straight again. Is that Corner Braking Control?

Yep,sure sounds like it.

Neil

[Nugget]

Originally Posted by MDORPHN

Yep,sure sounds like it.

Neil

Wasn't aware of this feature, will have to read up on it.
This is exactly what I was talking about though, when I choose to turn the traction/stability systems off, they should actually all be off.

[ozinaldo]

Originally Posted by Nugget

Wasn't aware of this feature, will have to read up on it.
This is exactly what I was talking about though, when I choose to turn the traction/stability systems off, they should actually all be off.

CBC is a part of the ABS function at least in the architecture of the 1M and you just can't turn that one off. I remember it bugged Neil (Mdorphn) and quite a few other "frequent flyers" since long time If it would be part of the DSC unit then it would also go off. Nothing is perfect, not even our little 1M!

[MDORPHN]

Originally Posted by ozinaldo

CBC is a part of the ABS function at least in the architecture of the 1M and you just can't turn that one off. I remember it bugged Neil (Mdorphn) and quite a few other "frequent flyers" since long time If it would be part of the DSC unit then it would also go off. Nothing is perfect, not even our little 1M!

Yes, it can get turned off on the E9x M3, but not on our 1Ms :-(

Neil