People being p**sed off...

[Monty]

Same here. Although this is my first rear wheel powered car & almost triple the power of anything I have driven up until now. I may be tempted to invest in a set of winter tyres just to give me that little bit more confidence in that small time frame that I may need them. Anyone know a rough cost for a decent (say mid-range) set of winters? Assuming I can sweet talk my dealer in to fitting them?

We are probably looking at around £150 per tyre. Normally, a cheap second set of OEM wheels can be picked up on ebay, but I think our options will be limited on this car. Also, it'd be a shame to stick some ropey old Mazda/Honda wheels on the car!

I'd say I probably have the winter wheels on longer than the summer ones to be honest.

You can of course make do with the summer tyres all year round, but given how enthusiastic we all are about every other aspect of the car, it's a bit of a shame. The tyres themselves aren't really costing any more money as 2 sets will last twice as long. It also provides an excuse for going out and getting a bling set of wheels. Swapping/storing the wheels is the biggest downside.

In the event we did have any snow, people take great joy in seeing BMs, jags and mercs struggle, so it's worth having winters on, if only to wipe the smirk off the neighbors face (unless you live in a posh neigherhood of course where everyone has RWD cars).

One thing that did occur to me was that if pirelli are saying that they might spontaneously 'crack' below 7 degrees, if that happended, would this be covered under the Ford warranty? Surely Ford can't have it both ways?

Sponsored

 

[Lone Survivor]

In a bit of snow, if you are struggling to pull away, switch the traction control OFF. When the ECU detects a wheel slipping it cuts the power to it.

I have a slight incline from the road onto my drive, works every time. At work, the ramp onto the car park is even steeper, never been stuck yet.

Kristian, you really know where to start on your first rear wheel adventure, gotta say, you must have a fair set of minerals :lol:

Edit: just noticed you've ordered an ecoboost, still a fair lump of power through the rears

 

[Kristian87]

Kristian, you really know where to start on your first rear wheel adventure, gotta say, you must have a fair set of minerals :lol:

Edit: just noticed you've ordered an ecoboost, still a fair lump of power through the rears

Ha ha yes exactly wouldn't have it any other way!

 

[Stark]

Kristian87 like you this is my first rear wheel drive experience and tbh I am starting to get a little nervous as the delivery date creeps closer lol. The highest BHP FWD car I have driven is my wife's cooper S (192bhp) and then my car I sold was a Renault Clio 172 (bhp figure as well) again FWD so jumping in to a RWD with double the power and massive torque, not to mention winter delivery again = :eyebulge: lol

 

[Lone Survivor]

Kristian87 like you this is my first rear wheel drive experience and tbh I am starting to get a little nervous as the delivery date creeps closer lol. The highest BHP FWD car I have driven is my wife's cooper S (192bhp) and then my car I sold was a Renault Clio 172 (bhp figure as well) again FWD so jumping in to a RWD with double the power and massive torque, not to mention winter delivery again = :eyebulge: lol

MASSIVE MINERALS :eyebulge::hail:

 

[Kristian87]

Kristian87 like you this is my first rear wheel drive experience and tbh I am starting to get a little nervous as the delivery date creeps closer lol. The highest BHP FWD car I have driven is my wife's cooper S (192bhp) and then my car I sold was a Renault Clio 172 (bhp figure as well) again FWD so jumping in to a RWD with double the power and massive torque, not to mention winter delivery again = :eyebulge: lol

To be honest, I haven't really thought about the actual driving much! So much excitement & frustration just around the delivery. It could be a recipe for disaster to be fair, I know I will be super careful to begin with! Any tips for RWD / winter driving welcome

 

[Stark]

MASSIVE MINERALS :eyebulge::hail:

More like I couldn't resist the V8 and didn't think about the experience before going for it but then again 300+bhp RWD for a first time RWD experience would still be crazy lol

To be honest, I haven't really thought about the actual driving much! So much excitement & frustration just around the delivery. It could be a recipe for disaster to be fair, I know I will be super careful to begin with! Any tips for RWD / winter driving welcome

I was the same mate....excitement of ordering the car, talking about everything with everyone and then suddenly it dawned on me "first RWD car" :eyebulge::lol:

 

[Monty]

To be honest, I haven't really thought about the actual driving much! So much excitement & frustration just around the delivery. It could be a recipe for disaster to be fair, I know I will be super careful to begin with! Any tips for RWD / winter driving welcome

It's not actually a big deal for normal driving. Apparently, most people who buy a new BMW 1 series aren't even aware that it's RWD!

 

[Stark]

It's not actually a big deal for normal driving. Apparently, most people who buy a new BMW 1 series aren't even aware that it's RWD!

Crazy when you think the 135i is 320bhp!!

 

[marks]

For those that are buying the 420 odd bhp GT and have never driven a RWD car before, please let me know when you are driving so i know to keep off the road! Especially in the winter months!

 

[Travel Lad]

For most 'normal' people the RWD won't make any difference. You might notice a wee slide if the road has been dry and then you get a heavy shower and you try to be a bit enthusiastic at a roundabout :-) I always managed to get a wee step out going in my wife's MX5 (don't tell her though!).
As already mentioned all Beamer drivers seem to manage OK and with the traction control etc unless you are a complete loony everything should be fine.
If you get into the car worried about it then it will be a handful - if you just get into the car and drive it won't be an issue - just don't be a memberhead about it until you know the limits of the car and your own driving ability.
I am really looking forward to getting my hands on the car - but isn't everyone!!!

 

[croyde]

Always helps if you ride a motorcycle. You might have over 150 horses in a vehicle that only weighs 160 kg so you are very tentative with the throttle in less than ideal conditions.

 

[jord79]

Many of my colleagues drive Mercs and BMWs, they've always struggled when it snows but some of them have been using winter tyres over the last couple of winters and say it transforms the vehicle.

Part of me does think though that they might be just saying that so they don't look stupid for spending about £600 on something that's made little or no difference. They're all a bit like that - competitive!

 

[Monty]

Many of my colleagues drive Mercs and BMWs, they've always struggled when it snows but some of them have been using winter tyres over the last couple of winters and say it transforms the vehicle.

Part of me does think though that they might be just saying that so they don't look stupid for spending about £600 on something that's made little or no difference. They're all a bit like that - competitive!

Agree with both statements!

They definitely makes a difference in snow ice. I've convinced myself they give more grip but I could easily be kidding myself. Apparently the stopping distance is hugely different and you won't be aware of this unless you go around doing emergency stops.

 

[SeaPadders]

Same here. Although this is my first rear wheel powered car & almost triple the power of anything I have driven up until now. I may be tempted to invest in a set of winter tyres just to give me that little bit more confidence in that small time frame that I may need them. Anyone know a rough cost for a decent (say mid-range) set of winters? Assuming I can sweet talk my dealer in to fitting them?

Our car history looks very similar. My first RWD car too, coming from a 100bhp ish Fiesta. It's sure going to be fun, but probably terrifying in winter.

Sponsored