Automotive
ThomasM's forum post initiates a crucial discussion on the "feel" of modern cars, a topic that resonates deeply with automotive enthusiasts concerned about the evolution of driving dynamics. By referencing insights from his Quick Looks series, he frames the debate around the perceived loss of connection between driver and road in contemporary vehicles. This thread provides a platform for collectors and engineers to explore the technical and experiential factors contributing to this shift, making it highly relevant for anyone interested in the philosophy and engineering behind driving pleasure.
One of the most consistent recurring themes in the follow up discussions to my recent spate of Quick Looks
is the topic of "feel" and more importantly the seeming loss or perversion of it.
It would be interesting to have a discussion on the subject of "feel" itself, and maybe get some engineering insights from the more tech savvy among us as to why this might be...
Le Bimb:
"I can imagine exactly what you mean, a 560 hp car that doesn't feel extremely quick even though it is ... that's the new trend it seems ... .
Most of this comes from a single factor.
Weight.
But also the fact that without the driving aids, these cars would be scarily undriveable. The difficulty of 'just' a spirited launch in a 450hp, 800Nm car with a normal clutch, a manual gearbox and no TC (and a live axle 
)demonstrates this. Instead, the car companies have given us flappy paddles (to save our poor weak left legs) and rubbish steering wheel feel (to allow the hugely wide tyres - due to weight - to be able to worked in a car park) and ridiculous power that isn't particularly fun. I don't blame the 'new' generation of drivers.
But nothing on the M5 says how far gone it is than the Soundaktor! "
Patrick_Y:
"And also during my experience with a S5 (I know, different car entirely, but my impressions of the brand) the car understeered or wanted to understeer noticeably, the steering wheel feel has always felt a bit light compared to the heavier Mercedes-Benz and BMW equivalents, allow me to iterate, it was a very precise steering, just overly power-assisted and had a disconnected feeling. I'm just wondering if they've cured my previous gripes with the steering. "
A Purist by private email - the second paragraph comments about the newer 335 vs the older 325 are the most telling and dive directly to the heart of the matter:
"I enjoyed all your quick reviews. I haven't driven any of those vehicles, so hard to comment. But I did step into the C63 AMG with too many pre-conceived ideas and came away impressed. Probably more than with the M3.
And interested in your comments on the direction BMW are taking. I got the new 335i when it was released in February. The Comfort setting is a little too floaty and the Sport settings are a little too firm without providing quite the same feedback as the previous model. I had a 325i before that and while I couldn't fiddle as much with suspension and drivetrain settings the basic setup of the whole car was better. But I am still happy with many other aspects of the new 3 series, so the change was generally positive. "
Thoughts or comments? Insights?
Cheers, and keep the rubber side down and the Smokey's out of your rear view mirror.
TM
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They had less or even no driver aids so you drove using the feel through the seat of your pants. Modern power steering is often too light so you lose the feel of what the front wheels are doing and suspension with adjustable settings often means there is no perfect overall setting. My subaru has no adjustable settings and i find the suspension perfect, but the slightly later version has Si drive with comfort, sport and sport+, but there have been numerous complaints on the forums that they have
and I have never driven any of the cars in your list of quick looks, but from my probably very unusual perspective: Outside of the usual "means of transport" that I have to drive from time to time, the only cars I have driven recently are the Lotus Elise and the Maserati Quattroporte. You need to know that I don't need a car in any way, I have it only for fun and convenience. You know that the Elise is my "daily drive" (daily means maybe 2 or 3 times a week). The Executive Summary: Elise - the d
The most enjoyable car I've driven in the last 6 months was a '34 MG. No synchro, tiny clutch travel, Very direct steering, cable brakes, cammy engine, super skinny tyres on lovely wire wheels.... just braking and dropping a gear required finesse...so much fun...
Thomas, I think optimum "feel" does involve some filtering by the engineers and good mechanical condition of the specific vehicle you are driving, but also as stated by the other posters, a minimum of weight and a maximum of connection between the driver and the road. I have been fortunate to own a Lotus Elan for 20 years; a car McLaren designer Gordon Murray called "my favorite car of all time" and said it has "the best steering of any car ever made" and "it sits on 155 wide tires, opening up t
Hi, Graham, Interesting observation you made, one that is not obvious - the more driver seat "adjustadable" (maybe "selectable" is a more apt term?) suspension settings a car has, the likelihood the more "dead" and artificial the "feel" of the car. hmmm...seems almost counter-intuitive. Thanks, G. TM
drive well (ah, those fun days in Las Vegas and the karting session! Thanks, Chopard!) much appreciated. "Elise - the driver is not only in control, but does the controlling in detail. Maserati - the driver directs, but lets the automation in the vehicle do the work of controlling the car." "Of course Elise is more work to drive (and I know that I have built muscles in my arms and shoulders curving through the mountains) but there is satisfaction in having direct contact and being able to direct
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