bmw has dsc, porsche pasm, ferrari has something

not knowing if vsa is comparable, but would having something like the others make the S more fun, less fun, no difference? would you be able to not worry so much about the laws od physics since the car will try to save you if you throw it around too much?

 

You always have to respect the laws of physics since you cannot break them. Vehicle Stability Control devices will only "save" you if you haven't gone so far as to break those laws.

 

the Vehicle Stability Assist can be turned off completely, unlike some other European cars. I tried this by pulling some ebrake 180s with no problem. Heel-toe drifting pics to come in gallery section.

 

there's no question if it can be turned off. im asking is the car more fun because you can worry less about losing control.

 

I think it's more fun because you don't have to worry about dying or losing $34k.

It's like saying skydiving isn't as fun if there's 100% guarantee that you won't die.

 

Once you learn this car and it's handling habits, you won't live in fear anymore. Ill admit when i first got the car i had some pretty close mishaps like almost spinning off an on ramp and slidding into another car in the rain. After all that i was scared shitless for a while. Once i learned the car's limit's and do and don'ts of driving a rear wheel drive car vs a FWD, the car soooo much fun to drive. Sure you will break traction around corner sometimes, but then you can control it and it becomes a thrill.

 

When airbags became more popular and used in every modern car people started to drive faster :"The airbag will save me when I make a mistake".
But airbags and VSA do not change "the laws of physics"

IMO it is more fun to know I'm in full control, or not.
So its my mistake if I loose.
Like the skydiving remark by AlX Boi.

So when I have a passenger I never do things I would do on my own

 

I always feel that these VSA, ESP, ASR, TRAC, DSTC, TCS, etc are all the same and don't do much.

I feel that most of the accidents that happened with people spinning out were simply beyond the capabilities of the traction control systems. In other words, they were doing WAY too fast such that nothing except a human could possibly save them.

I have done some non-scientific experiments in empty parking lots before, and noticed that these systems only work well at low speeds. At higher speeds, the systems won't be able to do much.

Any thoughts?

 

I like it because at the times when I'm driving just to get to my destination, especially in the rain, it can be an extra safty net. Then turn it off on nice days when all I want to do is drive. No one is a perfect driver, we all make mistakes at one time or another. VSA can make those mistakes a lot less costly.

 

A most excellent statement. If some of these guys think they are going to be "saved" by such systems and drive accordingly, there may come a time when this philosophy will come back and bite them in the ass. No high-tech or "smart" vehicle system will save you from your own underestimations or stupidity. "Fun" can quickly and unexpectedly turn into a "white knuckle", near death experience .................... or worse.