Could I install ASC+T on my car?

[yoda]

Hi guys,
I don't think this questions fits anywhere else so here it goes...
My car doesn't have the ASC+T option, could I install it myself or would it be too difficult to find and install all the parts needed???... any and all comments are welcome... Thanks in advanced guys

[tiFreak]

I'm sure it'd be possible to do a retrofit, idk about difficulty but since people seem to like deleting the ACS, I'm sure parts would be easy-ish to come by

[Philly]

you won't retrofit the system easily or without lots of headaches.

Ive yet to see a swapped Ti that retained ACS in the process... so im assuming its very difficult on a car that doesn't have anything to start with at all.

Personally, I hated my ACS, it made driving in difficult slippery conditions much more difficult when paired with an open differential.

My traction solution for winter time : Get a FWD.

[John Firestone]

Originally Posted by yoda

Hi guys,
I don't think this questions fits anywhere else so here it goes...
My car doesn't have the ASC+T option, could I install it myself or would it be too difficult to find and install all the parts needed???... any and all comments are welcome... Thanks in advanced guys

Any chance you could add an LSD? I think you would find that much more fun with an M44! I assume you have an open differential as I don't think the stock LSD and ASC+T got along (in a mechanical or marketing sense).

[cooljess76]

LSD would be a much better upgrade on the performance end. The ASC basically retards your engine when it senses traction loss. The LSD on the other hand will allow your engine to operate as normal while delivering power to both rear wheels making it easier to correct and control your vehicle.

Originally Posted by John Firestone

I don't think the stock LSD and ASC+T got along (in a mechanical or marketing sense).

Hey John, I agree with you on this and I thought it was very strange when Mallard pulled up the build sheet for my M3. For some reason, it came with both? I think it had to be special ordered that way, but I don't understand why someone would pay for both options. Perhaps they were paranoid, lol.

[John Firestone]

The M3's had LSD standard. I don't think an ASC+T was an M3 option on the German-market price lists I had seen. If I remember correctly, the Z3M was the first E36 M to combine the two, but wasn't that really DSC and LSD?

[hotmilk400]

as an owner with ASC+T, i find that i really dont like it. it lowers power at the start (impossible to burn rubber with it on) also, when drying in winter or wet conditions, you will be lucky if you get home alive. you will be fine pulling out on a road with asc+t, but if u go alittle to fast, and your tires start to slip, your back end will litterly pass the fron of yoru car (as in u are driving really nice, u give it some gas, and before u know it, u jsut did a 360 off the road) .. i did it more then once, and my tires are fine.. (wish my bumper was alright tho) i really dont know how many times i will be driving along, not really pushing it, and all of a sudden it turns off and your back end looses control =/ ..

i normally turn it off when i drive, its safer.. haah.. and.. also more fun.. u can pull out fast (but not pelling rubber) start turning while bringing your RPMS to like 5, shift into 2nd gear and release your cluth quickly and floor it, and your fish tail with full control .. its fun =] haha.. with asc+t u just like .. do nothing when its dry, but destroy your cluth and go no where..

[Jean H.318TI]

yeah me too i dont use my ASC+T i always turn on the car and turn off the control traction

[cooljess76]

Cool, I thought it was just me. ASC is nice until your car actually decides to really slip, then you better be ready for it. I drove the better part of 2000 miles on solid ice in my Ti once. OH MY GOD! I managed to save it every time, but let me tell ya. We're talking 20-30 near death experiences per day for 4 days straight and I'm not even exaggerating. I actually turned ASC off for a few minutes and it seemed to handle a little better, but I still ended up leaving it on because I thought it was safer, doesn't make sense I know. When you lose it on ice, it happens so quick and violently. Drove 30mph the whole way and still almost lost it hundreds of times during that trip.

Icy roads + ASC = sphincter clinching deathtrap.

Originally Posted by John Firestone

The M3's had LSD standard. I don't think an ASC+T was an M3 option on the German-market price lists I had seen. If I remember correctly, the Z3M was the first E36 M to combine the two, but wasn't that really DSC and LSD?

Most of the '96+ e36 M3's I've seen here in the US came with ASC+T. A lot of people delete it and switch to LSD, but the thing that I found strange is that my car apparently came from the factory with both. Here's the build sheet courtesy of Mallard:
http://www.318ti.org/forum/showpost....&postcount=765

[zoner]

[QUOTE=cooljess76;199674]LSD would be a much better upgrade on the performance end. The ASC basically retards your engine when it senses traction loss. The LSD on the other hand will allow your engine to operate as normal while delivering power to both rear wheels making it easier to correct and control your vehicle.
QUOTE]


One nice thing that I tend to like about an LSD is that when you begin to lose traction, generally you continue to STEP ON THE GAS to regain control!

[John Firestone]

Originally Posted by cooljess76

Most of the '96+ e36 M3's I've seen here in the US came with ASC+T. A lot of people delete it and switch to LSD, but the thing that I found strange is that my car apparently came from the factory with both. Here's the build sheet courtesy of Mallard:
http://www.318ti.org/forum/showpost....&postcount=765

That could be because the U.S. models are largely European M3s with less costly motors derived from the 325i and 328i. The European-market bits supplied the LSD; the U.S.-market motor, motor electronics and marketing supported ASC+T.

[John Firestone]

Originally Posted by zoner

One nice thing that I tend to like about an LSD is that when you begin to lose traction, generally you continue to STEP ON THE GAS to regain control!

It's a pity that more people at BMWNA hadn't experienced that. I bet they would have been grinning too - and ordering more cars with LSD.

Out of curiousity, does the U.S. owner's manual cover LSD? The one for my 318is doesn't, but the German one does!

[96cali]

FYI the 318ti pnosker bought from Lisa at understeer.com had both ASC and LSD. Never drove it in bad weather but they said the combo worked fine. One is at the diff, the other at the rotor.

[yoda]

Thanks guys for all your responses I am not new to BMW driving aids, I had a 98' 318ti Sport (with ASC+T), Then I had a 01' M Roadster, and then I had a 04' M3 SMG... Let me just state that after the car reaches a certain angle, Traction Control won't be of much use, and it becomes a problem (since you can't use the power in the engine to correct the vehicle). I never had a problem in the WET with the 318, the ASC light only came up just a few times in the couple years I had it, but the M Roadster NEEDED traction control on at ALL times... I can say that this vehicle was the most undersold car on BMW's part. They were pushing the e46 M3 at the time, so of course why would they say this car was FASTER.... and it sure was... but all that FAST goodness came with a price of driving on a double edged knife that could come back and bite you in the ass at any point... This is the only car I have had that has lost control on the highway by hydroplaning, Traction did nothing for me, luckily I ended up on the grass median after spinning out and doing about 3 360's. The only car I've had that after 100 MPH you literally felt the rear end of the car "lift and Bobble", it has to be one of the uneasiest feelings in the world when driving at such speeds and feeling your butt going up, down, and side to side... But is has been the funnest most insane ride I have ever owned, and FASTEST!... If anyone can snatch up a 01'-02' M Roadster/Coupe do it!... you won't regret it, unless you drive like an ass The e46 M3 wasn't the fastest car I've ever had, but it sure was the most steadfast, road-holding beast, I've ever owned. I have yet to drive another car that gives me the same sensation of control on the twisty roads... This one the first thing I did was turn off Traction as soon as I engaged the engine, the only times I ever turned it on were on the wet just for a bit of reassurance. I simply asked if this could be retrofitted to my ti since it's just a bit of safety reassurance (or peace of mind) to simply have it, it doesn't mean that it has to be on at all times... Once again thanks for all your comments, and hope everyone enjoys the read

[hotmilk400]

is there a difference between ASC and ASC+T? i was just woundering. because i have ASC+T ..

i also have a air intake control butter fly valve that some other people didnt have.. i think that is the ASC right? just wondering .. thanks