[Hasan007]

Great thing about the M2 is its that immediate iconic car that brings new buyers to the table, total BMW newb and as a result total rear wheel drive / muscle car newb. Other cars were all AWD or front wheel drive.

2nd week of M2 ownership found me in a pretty bad rainstorm on a highway where I had 2 more hours of driving. Not a reckless driver to begin with so just went ultra conservative and hung out in the right most lane at 40 mph. Still at that speed had several scary moments where you feel slight loss of control. This rain storm was not a tsunami but was mild to severe at times.

Common sense rules, so I get that and believe me I'm very pragmatic. For new M2 and rear wheel drive owners what are some simple lessons to impart, aside from be smart and safe.

[atxsk8r]

Don't drive in Sport+ LOL kidding but true.

I've only driven my car in the rain few times (try to avoid it) but driving in comfort mode in the rain i had no issues.

[Aronis]

I have driven mine in heavy downpours and will drive it all winter.....just as I did with my 97 M3......

grow some.....

Mike

[gmzanatta]

My advice is: practice, practice, practice!

Try to find an empty lot somewhere during a heavy pour and learn how to control the car.

I have no issues in rain, snow, ice, etc. but you have to know (and be comfortable with) what to do in case you start going sideways.

[F87_LCI]

Originally Posted by gmzanatta

My advice is: practice, practice, practice!

Try to find an empty lot somewhere during a heavy pour and learn how to control the car.

I have no issues in rain, snow, ice, etc. but you have to know (and be comfortable with) what to do in case you start going sideways.

We probably get a little more practice up here driving in "interesting" conditions. **love driving in fresh snow!

Having said that, the M2 will be my first RWD (last 4 cars - including current F30 - have been AWD) so I am curious to see how I fare when the Canadian weather Gods decide to throw a challenge my way...assuming it will be rather fun!

[blackholescion]

Keep traction control on is rule #1. Seeing what it can do on a skid pad during performance delivery was eye opening. You can keep the car floored and the traction control will basically keep your car almost perfectly straight. On the skid pad, I had to keep it close to the yellow line on the inside. I was never more than 5 feet from it with my foot to the floor for 2 entire laps.

[pruettfan]

Drove mine in the rain last night and I have been on the wet skid pad at the M School in the M2, I don't think there is anything special to worry about in the rain in this car.

[Artemis]

Rain storm:
1. all nannies active;
2. ensure to sport Michelin Pilot Super Sport (or its successor Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S) tires in good condition;
3. try to avoid right lanes which feature so-called "tram rails" caused by trucks, as these lengthy puddles improve the chance of aquaplaning - cars behave much more stable in lanes without "tram rails" (middle and left lanes).

[le panecito]

What is this "rain" and "winter" you speak of?

[J.M]

My 2 cents is that it is quite easy to drive on wet roads, even when pouring (it happens that quite often over here). In comfort you can floor it and electronics sort it out for you. Sports is fine and still very very safe, Sports+ is usable without too much skill if not on the highway because the car is predictable enough. Don't venture using DSC off...

[Seagull]

Track day in the rain was more than fine!

Well maybe a bit scary to be barreling down on a turn with zero visibility due to the spray from the cars in front of you.

[Mavus]

Originally Posted by Hasan007

Great thing about the M2 is its that immediate iconic car that brings new buyers to the table, total BMW newb and as a result total rear wheel drive / muscle car newb. Other cars were all AWD or front wheel drive.

2nd week of M2 ownership found me in a pretty bad rainstorm on a highway where I had 2 more hours of driving. Not a reckless driver to begin with so just went ultra conservative and hung out in the right most lane at 40 mph. Still at that speed had several scary moments where you feel slight loss of control. This rain storm was not a tsunami but was mild to severe at times.

Common sense rules, so I get that and believe me I'm very pragmatic. For new M2 and rear wheel drive owners what are some simple lessons to impart, aside from be smart and safe.

The most important things are make sure you use good quality tires for your application and keep the distance. You covered the rest. With proper rubber and 50/50 balance and lsd it is better than cars with all seasons.

[jtfields]

Originally Posted by Artemis

Rain storm:
2. ensure to sport Michelin Pilot Super Sport (or its successor Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S) tires in good condition;

I think you're just trolling those of us who got stock with the Contis.

[Artemis]

Originally Posted by jtfields

I think you're just trolling those of us who got stock with the Contis.

You know how Batman felt when he found out that they got him Contis instead of the expected PSS.

[Gatte]

One thing you can do is go to K1 speed and learn how to quickly correct slides. You won't be putting up fast laps but will have a lot of fun.

Then, all you're gonna want is rain.

[ClothSeats]

Jeremy Clarkson never forgave the 1 series after it spun on him in the wet. It didn't have an LSD though.

[zenmaster]

Does the M2 drive that much differently then other 2-series in the rain?

[pit1]

A DD for me, just over 10k miles. I've been through a number of severe summer storms. In fact my maiden voyage from Spartanburg performance center was 350 miles of solid rain. Fortunately our performance delivery experience was also soaked so I had seat time in their M2 at the limit before testing my own.

The M2 will certainly bite, with limited friction the car will starve for traction, but I feel it's completely controllable and solid if you're not too heavy on the torque. At cruising speed I also find it to be stable. As with any performance car, the width of the tires will pose a threat to hydroplane, yeah, so mind the trenches.

[Robin_NL]

Rain? I'm waiting for snow here. Not kidding.

Keep all systems on. And go and take some anti skid/performance/rwd/drift whatever it's called driving lessons near you!
(And stop wasting time and money on cosmetic mods or tuning your car, tune yourself, invest in your driving capabilities)

Cheers
Robin

[MerlinPurple]

Originally Posted by Artemis

You know how Batman felt when he found out that they got him Contis instead of the expected PSS.

haha

[Verdi]

Originally Posted by zenmaster

Does the M2 drive that much differently then other 2-series in the rain?

It's got more in common with an M4 than a 2-series as far as driving characteristics go.

[Rupes]

I don't think RWD has anything to do with this. Hydroplaning happens regardless of what wheels are being driven.

In the snow RWD is bit more tricky, but I've still done it for many seasons without issue. You'll figure it out.

P.S. RWD cars are just the best, enjoy it!