[keperna]

Hi everyone,

I’m experiencing an issue with my 2023 M3 Touring when attempting to drift in the rain. The rear tires feel like they are jumping/hopping, accompanied by a loud thumping noise from the rear that continues as long as I’m on the gas. I haven’t tried completely turning off the traction control yet, but the problem persists across drift modes 1-10. This also happens in a straight line and above 3.000 rpm when wheels start spinning a bit.

Is this behavior normal for the M3 Touring? Has anyone else faced a similar issue, or does anyone have suggestions on what might be causing this and how to fix it?

Thanks in advance for your help!

[keperna]

I’m guessing it might just be the traction control working extra hard to keep me from spinning out. I’ve watched a few videos of wet drifting, and while I often see the power cutting off, I haven’t seen this jumpy rear tire/transmission? behavior.

[FXMR]

Sounds like wheel hop. Try breaking them loose more (e.g., adding more throttle) and see if it stops.

[RACE M3]

Need more power input or lesser tire. The tire are on the brink of traction and every hop you feel is the tire grabbing then slipping.

[keperna]

Seems like the more power the give the more I prolong the actual hopping in the rear. Almost feels like im damaging the car at this point.
Will try to give it even more power though and get back to you! Thanks

[FC4]

That’s wheel hop. It’s pretty bad on my 6MT M3, so I just avoid trying to do burnouts or sliding the car. And yes, it can cause damage to the diff, diff housing, or axles.

Wheel hop is caused by bushing deflection. The best way to alleviate it is by switching to poly or solid bushings…not something I care to do on this car.

[keperna]

Arent these cars made for sliding/burnouts? Strange this problem is so persistent. I would have imagined these hops would be worst in the dry since the grip is higher then, but seems to only happen when driving over wet surfaces..

[BzsBimmer]

Maybe stupid question but do you have traction control off?
If not, it might be trying to connect tires to the road.

[keperna]

Traction control is off but I usually keep the 10-stage traction control between 2 and 4 to keep the car from spinning out

[BzsBimmer]

Originally Posted by keperna

Traction control is off but I usually keep the 10-stage traction control between 2 and 4 to keep the car from spinning out

Try all off on a controlled environment and see if it improves.
When I did a drift event, I had to turn everything off in order to drift properly or the car would try to gain traction and exhibit similar behavior.

[Gottagofast]

Definitely not wheel hop. There is nothing wrong with your car. People that are suggesting wheel hop are incorrect.

Tires are just struggling for traction and you are most likely on partial throttle. Essentially, you're supplying just enough torque to the rear wheels to break traction but not enough to completely spin the surface of the tires loose from the tarmac. The diff is also trying to compensate by spinning the outside tire more or the inside tire less or a combination of both so you will feel the judder. Apply more power and it will go away.

[M4Lou]

Sounds like wheel hop.

Curious? Stock rear springs or aftermarket springs (lower). ??

[keperna]

Originally Posted by M4Lou

Sounds like wheel hop.

Curious? Stock rear springs or aftermarket springs (lower). ??

Car is fully stock!

[keperna]

Originally Posted by BzsBimmer

Try all off on a controlled environment and see if it improves.
When I did a drift event, I had to turn everything off in order to drift properly or the car would try to gain traction and exhibit similar behavior.

Will do, there arent a lot of events around here and is a bit of a pain to find an empty parking lot where I live.

[keperna]

Originally Posted by Gottagofast

Definitely not wheel hop. There is nothing wrong with your car. People that are suggesting wheel hop are incorrect.

Tires are just struggling for traction and you are most likely on partial throttle. Essentially, you're supplying just enough torque to the rear wheels to break traction but not enough to completely spin the surface of the tires loose from the tarmac. The diff is also trying to compensate by spinning the outside tire more or the inside tire less or a combination of both so you will feel the judder. Apply more power and it will go away.

The more power I give the more I prolong this ‘thump’. Once I get my foot off the gas it instantly stops. But like you said I will try giving it even more power, I am just scared I will just damage the drivetrain and transmission in the process.

[Indo Rider]

What tire pressure? I've found that a slight pressure adjustment can affect tendency to wheel hop.

Regarding more throttle, yes that's probably part of it, but you're going for a clean break of traction. If it starts hopping best to just let off because it's likely to keep bouncing around even with more throttle and obviously it's super rough on the drivetrain.

[M4Lou]

Originally Posted by keperna

Car is fully stock!

So - try increasing (rear) tire pressure significantly (lessening traction) and see if it makes it better. That would support the case for wheel hop.

[keperna]

I try to keep my psi around the 36-38 range. How high should I go for the rears without playing with the dynamics of the car?