Question: is Understeer simply poor driver's technique?

[m3f_Gorgerax]

First off, I'm not a racer and have never taken any driver/racing classes. So, it's highly likely I'm way off base...but I constantly see peeps talking about understeer this and understeer that. Staggered wheel widths cause understeer, brand X coilovers cause understeer, ANY parts bought off eBay cause understeer (OK...I made that one up)



But what I've noticed that almost no matter what changes on the M and no matter how (to a point) I enter a high speed turn, if it looks like I'm a little "under" i.e., drifting towards the outside of the curve, all I have to do is give it a little more throttle and she jumps right into the groove and carves a perfect arc. In other words, accelarating through turns correctly eliminates understeer.



Am I all wet?

[m3f_DustenT]

First off, I'm not a racer and have never taken any driver/racing classes. So, it's highly likely I'm way off base...but I constantly see peeps talking about understeer this and understeer that. Staggered wheel widths cause understeer, brand X coilovers cause understeer, ANY parts bought off eBay cause understeer (OK...I made that one up)



But what I've noticed that almost no matter what changes on the M and no matter how (to a point) I enter a high speed turn, if it looks like I'm a little "under" i.e., drifting towards the outside of the curve, all I have to do is give it a little more throttle and she jumps right into the groove and carves a perfect arc. In other words, accelarating through turns correctly eliminates understeer.



Am I all wet?

Staggered wheels do in fact cause understeer. With non-staggered setup you can REALLY throttle steer.

[m3f_Braymond141]

Staggered wheels do in fact cause understeer. With non-staggered setup you can REALLY throttle steer.

Eh... whatever...



Find me one true GT car that runs non-staggered.



Staggered = Superior

[m3f_Porschetech]

i love getting my arse out

[m3f_mmm635]

A good driver can easily make understeer a non-issue.



Even with a staggered setup (I think Bray has the same setup I had) you can still dial it out through other means in the suspension. It was not an issue on my car and it ran like a scalded dog on the track.

[m3f_SG_M3]

Eh... whatever...



Find me one true GT car that runs non-staggered.



Staggered = Superior

dumbest statement ever?

[m3f_Braymond141]

dumbest statement ever?

Possible Sean. But the point is the wheel setup doesnt make the driver.



You know that.

[m3f_Nick325xiT 5spd]

Eh... whatever...



Find me one true GT car that runs non-staggered.



Staggered = Superior

That's because true GT cars have, uh, a lot more power than the M3. Staggered tires aren't inherently bad. They just aren't inherently good. And a vehicle that is balanced towards understeer needs more grip in front, not in the rear.


But to answer the OP's question, understeer is absolutely not simply driver's technique. Driver's technique can be used to drive AROUND understeering tendencies, but the tendencies are still there.


Also, you aren't encountering real understeer if it can be "corrected" by more throttle. The M3 hasn't got enough power to throw the rear out on demand, so you'd just be creating more plow - you're driving too slowly for grip level differences to matter.

[m3f_lagunasecablue]

Seconded- understeer is real. Staggered tires make an inherently understeering car understeer worse.

[m3f_Braymond141]

That's because true GT cars have, uh, a lot more power than the M3. Staggered tires aren't inherently bad. They just aren't inherently good. And a vehicle that is balanced towards understeer needs more grip in front, not in the rear.

Yes I know...



lol alright... seems people dont understand. Was just sticking up for staggered setups since people are brainwashed into thinking non-staggered is OMG UNHOLY.