|
For those who have ever driven a Z3...
|
View this Thread in Original format
| d!abolic |
... how the hell do you drive a car with such an enormous blind-spot? The problem is that there is only one side window and with the top up, everything around it is covered. What this means is that if you turn your head to the left to check the blindspot, you'd only be able to see a car if it's directly to your left, but if it's a little behind you and it's front bumper is further back than your window, it would remain out of sight. Nor could you see that car with the side mirror unless you're willing to compromise other spots.
I'm hoping there's some kind of a delicate balance of skill and mirror adjustments that would make this problem go away because driving like this is way too dangerous!
With that said, my testdrive of the 1998 2.8 Z3 proved to be a lot of fun! This car is just plain fun to drive! I can't believe how fast it is and how well it handles. A slight tap on the pedal and you're going 160! Contrary to what some people have said, it's got plenty of room. In fact, i felt like i had more legroom than in my Civic, which was hard to believe at first, but i didn't complain. The interior feels kinda small because there is no backseat, but is otherwise fairly spacious. And the exterior is just plain gorgeous! Aftermarket rims and a hardtop for the winter are a must though.
But once again, i had a lot of fun driving, even though i only had 15-20 minutes. I really wished i could just take off to New York or Montreal; in reality, i'd drive anywhere just to have an excuse to spend more time driving it! :) |
|
|
| rabbitjoker |
| quote: | Originally posted by d!abolic
... how the hell do you drive a car with such an enormous blind-spot? |
How do you think NASCAR drivers drive with no side mirrors and HAANS devices to limit there head turning no more than 1 or 2 inches????
Next time you're out at the track try this (let the other drive know you're going to do this first of course): watch the car come up behind you in the rear view (don't look at your side mirror) and then try to feel the change in how your car handles as the car behind you comes up close behind to your left, right, etc.
The airflow changes - and a driver with sensitive enough acuity to this can tell just by the "feel".
Probably won't work driving in the parking lot at Seven Eleven - but works great on the track.
;) |
|
|
| rabbitjoker |
| quote: | Originally posted by d!abolic
blindspot, you'd only be able to see a car if it's directly to your left, but if it's a little behind you and it's front bumper is further back than your window, it would remain out of sight. |
Oh and BTW - on afternoon when I was out at MOSPORT, a CASCAR driver told me how to adjust my side mirrors and let me tell you it's perfect:
When adjusting your side mirrors, roll down the windows and while sitting in your driver seat, lean out the driver window (while looking at the mirror) and then adjust it so you can see. When doing the right, lean way right of the center console and then adjust the mirror.
People tend to have their mirrors pointing WAY too much in (towards the car) when they should really be pointing more outwards (towards the lane besides you).
Hard to explain - hope you catch the drift. |
|
|
| d!abolic |
| I don't get it. Why would i adjust it while leaning out of the window if i'm gonna be looking at it while... not leaning out? |
|
|
| rabbitjoker |
| quote: | Originally posted by d!abolic
I don't get it. Why would i adjust it while leaning out of the window if i'm gonna be looking at it while... not leaning out? |
Because the purpose of your mirrors it to not see the side of your car or what within 2' of the side of your car.
By adjusting it so it's perfect while leaning left or right from the seated position in the driver's seat - you guarantee that the angle of the mirror is such that you get maximum viewing / minimal blind spot.
I don't mean hang out your window - just mean you shouldn't be able to see the side of your car in your mirrors unless you're hanging out the window or sitting in the passenger seat (depending on the left or right mirror).
Is that more clear? Again as I said - it's hard to describe. |
|
|
| d!abolic |
| Ahh, you mean lean TOWARDS the window, not OUT of the window. Makes perfect sense now, that's what i do already. I can only see the tiniest tip of the side of my car just so i know exactly where it is relative to the other car. |
|
|
| arek |
 |
|
|
| rabbitjoker |
Belive it or not - that photo would actually make me feel pretty safe in a Z3.
Look how the forces are absorbed in the front of the car but the passenger compartment is relatively unharmed. |
|
|
| Diabl0 |
| quote: | | I can't believe how fast it is and how well it handles. A slight tap on the pedal and you're going 160! |
:conf:
dude, I have driven the z3 and the z4 and trust me one thing both are NOT is fast. Off the line both are way sluggish. M coupe can be termed as fast.
But then coming from a civic driver, I guess anything with four wheels is fast. |
|
|
| fn_xtc |
| quote: | Originally posted by rabbitjoker
Belive it or not - that photo would actually make me feel pretty safe in a Z3.
Look how the forces are absorbed in the front of the car but the passenger compartment is relatively unharmed. |
That's the beauty of a crumple zones!!!! |
|
|
| fn_xtc |
| quote: | Originally posted by Diabl0
:conf:
dude, I have driven the z3 and the z4 and trust me one thing both are NOT is fast. Off the line both are way sluggish. M coupe can be termed as fast.
But then coming from a civic driver, I guess anything with four wheels is fast. |
Although I am no fan on the Z3, or the Z4, the 3.0i Z4 is pretty quick. Can be easily compared to a Boxster...at times even the Boxster S. |
|
|
| Pettiscool |
| how does this not belong in the chill out room? |
|
|
|
|
