08 550i Handles Horribly in the Rain
Contributors
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 4,672
Likes: 0
From: New Orleans, LA USA
My Ride: E90 M3
Model Year: 2011
The '08 550 comes with non-RF Conti tires. I have taken turns in the rain at 30-35 MPH and never lost traction much less control. Of course we are likely comparing very different turns so comparison is meaningless. None the less, never had an issue with the stock Conti's on my '08.
Contributors
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 470
Likes: 0
From: Washington DC Suburb
My Ride: '07 550i with SP, Nav, Logic7
Originally Posted by hhussain' post='809526' date='Mar 6 2009, 03:51 PM
I bought a pre-owned 550i a few weeks back and in the short time I've had it its fishtailed twice in the rain and spun out entirely and onto a curb while taking a turn at about 30-35mph. I would expect this car with the sport suspension to handle better than this, but is this something that others have also experienced? The tires on the car seem to be stock continentals (although I could be mistaken).
I would love to push her harder now that its dry, but I'm nervous
I would love to push her harder now that its dry, but I'm nervous
You have a 550i with sport which means that it comes with Summer tires. Driving with summer tires in cold weather is a big no no. To top it off with the rain is suicidal.
Contributors
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 586
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver, Canada
Originally Posted by zen68' post='809632' date='Mar 6 2009, 02:42 PM
It has NOTHING to do with the suspension, it's the tires!!!
You have a 550i with sport which means that it comes with Summer tires. Driving with summer tires in cold weather is a big no no. To top it off with the rain is suicidal.
You have a 550i with sport which means that it comes with Summer tires. Driving with summer tires in cold weather is a big no no. To top it off with the rain is suicidal.
Contributors
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,303
Likes: 1
From: Long Island, NY
My Ride: 2008 535i: June 6th start build, complete June 17th, at NY Port July 5th, at dealer July 10th, took delivery Friday July 13- Plantimum Bronze/Natural Brown Leather/Light Poplar, Sport Package, Sport Auto, Active Steering, Premium Package, CWP & PDC. Dinan Performance Software 384hp & 421 ft/lbs.
Originally Posted by hhussain' post='809559' date='Mar 6 2009, 04:18 PM
Never happened in my 2000 CLK 430.
The sports package exagerates the quicker steering tendency. By the way, most of us like it that way.
Contributors
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,303
Likes: 1
From: Long Island, NY
My Ride: 2008 535i: June 6th start build, complete June 17th, at NY Port July 5th, at dealer July 10th, took delivery Friday July 13- Plantimum Bronze/Natural Brown Leather/Light Poplar, Sport Package, Sport Auto, Active Steering, Premium Package, CWP & PDC. Dinan Performance Software 384hp & 421 ft/lbs.
Originally Posted by craigm1841' post='809656' date='Mar 6 2009, 06:17 PM
i live in FL, i have RFs and my car handles like complete complete complete garbage in the rain and just garbage in the dry.
Thread Starter
Members
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: Milpitas, CA
My Ride: 2008 550i
Yeah I learned my lesson about driving in the rain after the most recent incident, and in retrospect it was definitely not a bright idea to push her hard in the rain. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing anything though.
Thanks for the advice everyone.
Thanks for the advice everyone.
Contributors
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 4,656
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by pennetta' post='809667' date='Mar 6 2009, 06:26 PM
You have got to be kidding...