hedgehog

Have you modified the suspension setup though? Mine is unmodified. I've had this discussion a few times and in almost every case where the owner thought the STi handled OK they had made mods to the suspension. Mine is bog standard and is a truly awful handling car, though in the right conditions (not snow i would suspect!!) it has acceptable levels of grip but you are left with no idea of what those levels are. I've had it back to dealers etc. but there is no fault as such and the way Subaru seem to make suspension tweaks every year would indicate to me that they know it is crap as well. It is such a shame really as my classic shape car was so much fun and a great handling car, it was even fun in the snow. The one big advantage the STi has over the classic car, mine was a MY99, is that the brakes are significantly better, that isn't going to be a big deal in the snow though.

kwispel

Agree with hedgehog. STi 03 on standard suspension handles like a pig. But I loved it to bits for it. Hangs on until the limit and then lets loose without warning. Get it wrong and your dead.

I switched to the Prodrive suspension kit to get softer springs and more grip on the front as the standard Japanese set-up is hopeless in the Artic regions.

As a result, the car loses its razorsharp precision at high speeds and in long corners.
It feels much more nimble though, changes direction easier and is much more predictable.

If I still lived in the UK, I'd keep the STi as standard as I like that character. But if you want a car that is more predictable, Prodrive springs will be 200 quid VERY well spent.

Anyone fancies going to the Tommi Makinen rallyschool in March ? (www.tommimakinen.com)

Cheers,
The Swede

Steve777

iTrader: (8)

Well having had an 03 Sti and now ans S2000 I know which one I would prefer to be driving in the snow by a country mile and its not the drop top !

RRH

In the same way that I'd rather drive my STi in the snow than my transit luton curtain-sided van, but it would probably be safer all round to get out and walk

riiidaa

iTrader: (2)

pmsl, isn't that the traction control system Nevetas was on about?

wide

s2000 must be a nightmare in the slippy stuff

Nevetas

Gear Head

iTrader: (2)

Sorry, but I fail to see how you can say 'my car handles poorly in the snow', as if it is fault with the impreza. Ofcourse it does, every road car does.
It isn't set up for the snow, and if it was, you would then moan that it handled cr&p in the dry! Narrow, studded tyres with high, soft suspension. Hmm, sounds great!
How fast are you going to make this assessment?
My advice: learn how to drive!

RS Grant

Had the 330d out in the snow today.... If I stopped, I was fecked, its that simple.

Reversing out of our drive brings you onto a mild slope, I had a very tough time getting up it today. The snow wasnt even that bad, possibly 5inches at most?!


Cheers,
Grant

john banks

My M3 and brother in law's 120d are similar if you stop, but both awesome at sliding if you keep them moving

RS Grant

Completely agree there John.... Once I'd got to a quiet open space I was able to enjoy the delights of RWD, Torque, Wide Summer Tyres and the complete removal of the DSC (5-second push of the button).


Cheers,
Grant

NXG

Have the same problem when it's so cold. Try warmer underwear ...

kwispel

I don't use long underwear yet... far too warm still: http://uk.weather.com/weather/local/...&code=code&y=0

RS Grant

Well I'll try anything once..... Next time I'm driving the BMW up a snowy road I'll make sure I'm wearing some toasty Calvins.

Its almost unbelievable that they dont come in the tool-kit as standard isnt it?!


Cheers,
Grant

HOWY

I gather the EVO has a diff setting for snow couldn't subaru do the same?

kwispel

Do you know who does these ?? I want one !!

Gear Head

iTrader: (2)

Thats right it does, but it doesn't re-right the laws of physics! All it does make it more prone to safe and steady understeer. Some people seem to think that these 'super saloons' can do anything.
On a dry/wet road, these cars are very capable, but they are only as good as the numpty sitting behind the wheel.

In the snow, well, the attributes that EVERY driver should have are; smooth throttle, brake and steering control (and I mean SMOOTH), the ability to predict other driver's likely actions, and above all, some bl*ody road awearness!

NXG

Like everything else in a BMW, they're an optional extra ....

BTW, not Beemer bashing, have had two myself ...

kwispel

As said earlier, anyone in for a training at the Tommi Makinen rally school ?

I'd like to go in March. As a rallyschool, it's much cheaper than any UK course and instead of ploughing a beaten up Golf II GTi, Escort MkII or 1995 Impreza Turbo around the local patatofield, you get to drive MY06 Spec C's and Gr.N's around a real rallystage in the Finnish forests !

www.tommimakinen.com

They'll sure teach you how to drive on snow

RS Grant

Haha, nah I totally agree.... the trick is to find one that someone spent a fortune on brand new. lol, looks like we failed as ours doesnt come with the underwear rack in the boot.


Cheers,
Grant

stilover

They do, I think. The 05 STi A-DCCD has a lock setting, which obviously locks the diffs and gives a 50-50 split in power/torque. Had mine out tonight playing around, and to be honest it was a bit of a disapointment. I'm wearing Michelin PS2's 225/40 R18's and I think thats the problem. The tyres are just too wide. My dad had a Sierra XR4x4 and then a Cossie 4x4, and both were great in the snow. As soon as he went to Audi (wider tyres) he commented that it was **** in the snow. Plus of course I'm pushing 300BHP, which makes high powered car ****e in the snow in any case.
Went up a slight hill tonite, and it struggled, sliding all over the place, wouldn't keep a straight line or anything. Although I must admit, my foot was welded to the floor in second.

kwispel

I'm afraid Subaru's DCCD will be useless on ice and snow. The previous cars would be 50/50 and the central diff would lock if it felt wheelspin.
DCCD does make no real difference there.
On tarmac however it will. The 50-50 spilt was not ideal there and Subaru added a setting that is 41-59 giving the car better turn in.

For someone to make full use of the diffs and the power of an STi on ice and snow as we have it in this area of the planet, you need a few things to be changed:

1. the diffs should indeed be like the Evo ones, i.e. actively pre-empt the car's movement by reacting on steering and accelerator input and not wait until some wheels are spinning to then simply 'lock'
2. softer set-up of the suspension and add much more camber to the front wheels. Not ideal in summer, so you'd need adaptable suspension (APS ?).
3. you definitely need proper tyres (real winter tyres, not the girly stuff). Ideally you should be able to replace the 17" 225 by 15 or 16" in 195.

Also... You guys need to learn how to drive on ice/compact snow

davedipster

I’ve left it all std m8, apart from my preferred geometry settings being applied by guys who know what they are doing. The UK STI has spec C springs as std and these can be a bit hard for the UK, but stiff sidewall tyres like the RE070’s make the suspension work harder and better.
As for the STI not having good feedback, I do not agree. With stiff tyres as above I have great feedback. I’ve found by practice that the best way to drive the 03sti is to not turn in too quick, then power out hard and let the diffs do the work. The front diff under load tightens the line.
Maybe not as delightful as an S2000, but still great fun and silly speeds can be seen on corners.
On snow I find the scoob a revelation coming from a civic tyre r and clio 172. My wife has an ST Focus and that is pants in the snow but handles delightfully, scoobs have always had great grip at the expense of delicate handling.

So to sum up, crap in the snow - not at all even with RE070’s!


Dipster