nlpamg

So, yesterday was the first day I actually got to drive my car in the rain. The side mirrors had so many water droplets on them that it was difficult to use them. I touched the mirror, and it was cold.

I looked on MBusa, and the mirrors are supposed to be automatically heated. On my old w202 with heated mirrors, the mirrors would never have this many waterdroplets. Is it just this design, or are my heaters not working?

rockintunes23

From what I remember reading, you have to turn on the rear window defroster for the heated mirrors to work. Just checked mine out, and they work that way.

I know you don't get much rain in cali... saw that you had more then usual amount of accidents this past week since your rainy season just started.

Saprissa

since returning to California after 3 years of living in Miami, where it really rains, I can say that drivers here have become absolute MORONS when it rains. Miami drivers are still MORONS in the rain too, but SoCal drivers weren't that bad. Now they're all even ! All I need now is to see some DUFUS with the emergency lights blinking while driving in the rain, like they do on the Florida Turnpike. (illegal by the way !!)

anyway... just had to vent. Drove my COUPE in the rain for the first time these past 2 days, and I was actually impressed by the handling and feel. I switched my traction control from "S" to "W" (which I think in the 2004.5+ models the "W" is now a "C") Only real difference I noticed was more traction from stop.

As far as water droplets in the mirrors, I didn't have much to obstruct view or anything... but will test out that heater mirror thing to see how that works.

Carlos

Saprissa@aol.com

CitronC230K_03

i love the way the coupe handles in the rain.

i just control my W/S by starting off in 1st or 2nd gear!

gaiex

I don't...

specially with continental sport contact 2 tyres, I only notice the car is sliding when I see the ESP ligth on!!!
Here in portugal is raining time and the roads are very slipery so I'm thinking changing my tyres for the bridgestone potenza s03 or pirelli rosso ones but first I'll buy 2 8,5"x17" 2005 rear wheels...

Note: when one of my 320d beemer wheel started to slide in slippery roads I feeled it in that precise moment,
thats one thing I wish my benz had!!!!

Saprissa

I don't think it's the car, I think it's definitely the tires.

I drive my Coupe pretty hard, even in the rain, and have only had the ESP light come on once or twice these past 2 rainy days, but I definitely knew it was coming, and had already began to compensate. Handles like a champ. I'm using MICHELIN Pilot Sports 8.5x17" in the rear.

Carlos

Saprissa@aol.com

vadim

Nope... They are automatic - meaning that no matter how bad the condensation, unless it is cold enough for the car to think that it is time to turn on the heaters, they will never turn on... One of the things I would REALLY want to work in a more logical manner - either in accord with the rear glass heater that you can control yourself (as in Volvos), or constant on (as in my old Bimmer 7er).

LaZyC230K

I was very impress how the coupe handle in the rain.. It will never slide if you dun push it to the limits. Even Full throttle in 1st gear launching in the rain will not burn any tires. Really impress with the Michellin Pilot Sport

YeeHaw

Winter mode also starts your car in 2nd gear after a stop....at least in the '02s

mctwin2kman

It would be nice if they turned on at a set temp as well as with the rear defrost. One all the time is a waste and will just burn the elements out quicker. But temp control and rear defrost would be the most intelligent way yo do it.

Saprissa

yeah, mine is an '03, same thing. That's why I put it on "W". 2nd gear gives you more traction in a wet environment from the line.

Carlos

Saprissa@aol.com

vadim

I'm sure BMW engineers have figured that out by now

mctwin2kman

Oh I am sure too. Just commenting on my MB would not do it that way! Unless they do. I have never noticed mine fog or clear off from the fog. Then again the car has been garaged since day 1 and I do not drive it often enough to notice and only really drive it more in the winter. Since the wifey hates driving in the snow and I can actually handle a RWD with all-season High Perf Tires in the snow.