I'll be getting my 2007 MCS in about a month. This will be my first real sports car and I'll be getting this one with the sport package, LSD, and sport suspension.

Any tips on learning the handling characteristics? Anything I should watch out for?

 

Both hands on wheel...especially when punching it in 2nd gear...have fun!!

 

Like k7fdn7sg said, watch out for torque steer! Not a big problem, IMO, but some have really complained about it (I'm used to fwd cars). Other than that, just get a feel for her...much easier and more willing to rotate than any other fwd, tremendous grip (probably more than you would care to use on public roads), and telepathic steering. I found the MCS quite easy to drive on the street (aside from the high clutch takeup point) but this was with severely limited wheel time...I wish I could tell you more!

 

Pay attention! MCS is not for daydreamers ! A small flick of the steering wheel and you can end up two lane's over!Other than that take it slow for break in,and have fun!The fun part you dont have to work at it just happens!!!

 

The Law.

 

How true!

 

How are you intending to drive it? If you're going to be acting like a responsible citizen, you've got nothing to worry about.

If you're planning on "using" the sports car abilities of the car, find your local BMWCCA chapter http://www.bmwcca.org/ and attend one of their driver's skills schools, they'll teach you everything you need to know much better than we will on this thread.

 

If you are not used to the combination of great torque and front wheel drive, be prepared for torque steer. Punching it from a stop or very low speed will pull you left hard.

 

What should you watch out for? Radar guns, for one thing!

The first rule of Italian driving: Whatsa behind me - she no matter!

Enjoy!

 

OK, so torque steer is an issue, but why does it pull to the left? I'm assuming this occurs even when accelerating (hard) in a straight line. Does the right wheel get more torque than the left? Does the LSD make a difference in this circumstance - there's no slipping presumably.

I don't have any intention to race or be reckless, just wanted to know if there were any MCS behaviours to watch for when (carefully) pushing my envelope which is no doubt, not much of an envelope.

Might be fun to take a driving course sometime. Part of the car's appeal is its "active safety" capability in which you may be able to avoid trouble due to its fine handling charactaristics.