Torsen T3 - C

[Denyy_787]

Hi Folks!
The winter has now come, at least in Italy, we're having snowstorms everywhere, guess it's right time to move my a.. in the right place, which means for me the alps.

I'm just trying to figure out how this f..ng torsen c works and I'm really confused about the esp and the electronic differential lock which both work together.

I've always turned the esp off during snow / ice driving but this time I'm not really sure about it, cause last sunday I tried for a while and despite my Dunlop M3 were really at the end, I had to deflate all for a couple of seconds.

Need to know your comments, experiences...

[rs4v8]

Despite being much grippier in the snow and ice than my old M3, the rs4 is no Land Rover Defender! I got stuck on a icy / snowy grass slope after attempting an ill advised three point turn on a single track road. This was in front of a large crowd of people watching a fireworks display

Convenient as there was a lot of people to push me out (!!) but very embarrassing hearing guys saying, "I thought they were 4wd?"

Tesco car park two days ago under two inches of snow again showed the limitations despite being great fun

You can't speed up, turn or in particular, stop nearly as well. Turned electronic aids off but found very little difference to be honest. Bearing in mind I wasn't wanting to attract too much attention doing high speed Gronholm power slides. The small slides I was doing were very easily controllable and indeed had to be deliberately instigated with a heavy right foot. Honestly, night and day to my old car which was a complete joke in the snow, to the point where I'd not bother driving it and take the girlfiend's Clio instead.

Honestly I think the 255 summer tyres are the main limitation, If you've found a suitable set of winter tyres I'm sure it'll be great fun in the Alps.

Up here you see people driving Discos and Rangeys at warp speed in the snow. Doesn't matter what you're driving, you'll crash eventually if you go too fast too often in the neige. However, in a Disco or Rangey you'd probably be able to get yourself out of a ditch with the lockable diffs they have for offroad work. In an RS4 with its road orientated 4wd you'd not be able to IMHO.

Enjoy the Alps though. Not going to be able to make it this year due to work and wedding to pay for!

[SR71]

You need some of these: http://www.rs246.com/index.php?name=PNp ... snowchains!

I bought them off DoctorD and look forward to testing them out next month.

That said, I think you need a non SS+ version to use them....

[crispy]

I put a set of Dunlop SP WINTER SPORT 3D 245/35 R19 93W XL on my car last winter. Only issue I ever had was the front spoiler acting as a snow plough at one point!!

This being the first pair of winter tyres I have ever put on a car, I was amazed at how I was able to keep going, but more importantly steer and stop. I know you can't change the laws of physics, but they go a long way to increase the friction in your favour
[/b]

[PatrickRS4]

Me too: in fact they're back on the car now on a set of OE Titanium Wheels, they (Dunlop 3D) make a huge difference not just in snow, but also heavy rain and cold in general.

Patrick

[Lancia]

Whats Snow?

[rs4v8]

Something that in combination with rock salt, ate lancias!

[Denyy_787]

I put a set of Dunlop SP WINTER SPORT 3D 245/35 R19 93W XL on my car last winter. Only issue I ever had was the front spoiler acting as a snow plough at one point!!

This being the first pair of winter tyres I have ever put on a car, I was amazed at how I was able to keep going, but more importantly steer and stop. I know you can't change the laws of physics, but they go a long way to increase the friction in your favour
[/b]

I was thinking about the 19 but I found a set of 18 at a reasonable price, that's why I've got the Dunlop M3 225 45 18 which should be better on ice and snow.

Let's see this weekend with the new set how it goes.
Just couple of concerns about the pressure.

Audi on the 225 45 18 M+S says 2.8 and 2.6 and it was too bloody inflated.

[tartan_rob]

Goodyear do a really cold winter tyre. I have a mate running his M3 on these tyres and he says the grip is unbelievable. If you are really concered and have lots of snow for a period of time, get studded tyres. I have seen guys in Russia drive like complete maniacs wih these things. The amount of grip they provide defies belief.

R