My 4th Gen and 5th Gen Maxima, along with my old 240SX, all had handbrakes that actuated the rear calipers, and locked them up on demand, if that's what you wanted to do. I miss that functionality.

Lego doesn't... but then, how would he know? LOL

 

Did your maxima's have issues with sticky rear calipers? The camaro sure did. I wonder if that's the reason they went to this more complex shoe design. I bet this is an even bigger issue on a AT where the auxiliary brake is rarely used, seizes up, then doesn't retract properly.

If you see the popo, downshift a gear or two. Although, if you have a loud exhaust, this too can be counter productive

 

Haha... Oh no! Cop! Downshift. Vroom. Down shift again. VROOOOOOOM!
.
.
.
Woop woop... Wooooooo.

 

The '03 sure did. I went through 4 sets of rear pads, 3 sets of rear rotors, and 2 sets of rear calipers in that car, from new until I sold it nine years later at only 78K miles. Seems like a really weak point on that car, or I had a lemon, or I was using the ebrake too much Maybe the last one, hahaha.


Yeah, with this exhaust, that would be counter productive to original intent. I've lost count of the number of police rubber-neck reactions I've gotten because of this exhaust. I think seeing the gray-haired old white dude driving the loud car helps, maybe, maybe not.

Your idea about getting better shoes for the p-brake is an interesting one. I wonder if the components could handle more grip? I suspect not... and I suspect such a product would be a low-yield, niche-market kind of thing. Have you researched it at all?

 

Just stuck my nose in the M forum I used to be a member in and got these quotes:

The stability control programs provided in M-cars are different than those offered in non-M-cars. There is no direct equivalent to MDM in a 335i. In a general sense, the stability systems are the similar, but they have different parameters. MDM, for example, allows a lot more aggressive driving than DTC.

Dynamic Traction Control (DTC).
------------------------------------
Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) allows more wheel slip and thus a more dynamic driving style with higher wheel traction and DSC controlling stability. A small amount of spin on the drive wheels improves traction when pulling off from a standstill in snow or on loose terrain.

Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) is a sub-function of the Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) system that can be turned on and off. DTC has two major roles: to regulate traction and to enable sports-style driving while providing active stability control.
When the drive wheels start losing traction the DSC automatically begins stabilisation measures. The Dynamic Stability Control system curbs the engine output and stops slip on the wheels. In exceptional situations, however, a small amount of wheel slip can be an advantage.

When driving in deep snow, slush or on loose terrain a small amount of wheel spin improves traction. For these occasions, as well as those when the drivers want a sportier driving style, the DTC can be activated by pressing a button and this allows more slip and reduces the DSC’s curbing of the engine. The result: better traction and more thrust.

The DTC also makes driving on snow and ice-free roads more dynamic. When activated, the DTC allows sporty drivers more room to manoeuvre around curves than the Dynamic Stability Control and even permits controlled drifts. The driver retains complete control over the vehicle in every situation and the Dynamic Stability Control’s stabilising measures remain active even when the DTC is activated.


MDM
------
Sporting ambition.
The M Dynamic Mode
Activating the M Dynamic Mode and Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) gives your sports ambitions free rein. Drive slip for both longitudinal and lateral dynamics increases at all speed levels because DSC does not instantly intervene in the automobile's motion. This does not impact on safety, however: it is just a means to increase driving pleasure.

Disclaimer: This is BMW's own descriptions, not mine.


Allot of things going on to slow the car down and to stabilize all great for the twistys so it probably makes you faster - unless your a driving god who does not need it ...... in a straight line etc...not so much.
So again OP your friend is right and so are you...the forum is always discussing how much faster it is off....so

 

You're missing the point.

It's a terrible way to slow down regardless of if its a drum or the pad being compressed by the piston.

WTF functionality? Driving like an *** on public roads? It provides nowhere near the braking power of the hydraulic system.

I had a 94 F-body with the same setup JSolo mentioned and am familiar with the functional differences. Would it lock up the calipers? Sure. Was it a good way to slow the car? Nope.

 

I have not. I think you're right about not having much improvement. Drum brakes were never too efficient. I'd say just be a more vigilant driver.

Past a certain street south of me i'm in chicago proper. There I actually will do the speed limit because they have hidden speed cameras all over the place. Waze has a pretty good map of their locations but I rarely drive in traffic and it's a hassle to hook the phone up. Come to think of it, i try to avoid chicago like the plague. With all the speed and red light cameras it's a very lousy driving environment. Not to mention too much traffic.

On occasion I have gone by a cop but in most parts around here unless you're driving recklessly or weaving through traffic they'll let you get away with it.

 

Drop that ...get a radar detector and put the parking brake emergency brake thing to bed.
Hell I will even help you hardwire it.....
https://www.myg37.com/forums/audio-v...-hardwire.html

 

I had a 99 BMW M Coupe that saw quite a bit of track duty. Time and time again, I'd forget to turn off the ASC or DSC or whatever it was called in the E36/8. I always took it easy on the first lap out, letting fluids come up to temp, getting heat in the brakes since I used race pads at the track, making sure all the grit picked up on the false grid was off the tires, etc. Sure enough... on the 2nd lap, the first slow to med corner I entered, I'd go to get back in the power and the computer would scale back the fun and speed, big time. Time and time again, there I am, at the first safe opportunity, taking my hands off the wheel to reach down and hit the button. It was certainly faster on the track, disabled. You just couldn't get the weight transfer to the rear for better rotation with the computer abruptly reigning in the output. In the rain, I did leave it on as that was an easy car to loop on a wet track. I'm not sure if I ever disabled it on the street.

I find the traction/stability control on the x reasonably non-intrusive. In the snow, i'm surprised at how much wheel-spin and tail-out it'll allow before stepping in... In the dry, you're hard pressed to lose traction accelerating with AWD and if I kick in stability while cornering, I take that as a sign I should probably back off before I screw up or get a ticket. Pulling out of corner with some loose gravel, etc. it seems to recover far more quickly than the M Coupe did but then again, it's 12 years newer.

 

Same issue as waze. Another gadget to have mounted and/or possibly stolen while the car is parked. I do own a 9500ix. Use it religiously on long trips, but not around town.

This is chicago after all. According to the tribune, there were 14 shootings over night. I expect more today given we had nasty weather yesterday. 60's promised today.

 

That happens a lot when it comes down to subjective opinions. Although faster track times are a pretty objective metric for the benefits of disabled TC in a specific situation.

 

 

But.. Gran Turismo has taught me that you only need ABS on minimum and TCS off! Honestly though it's kind of ridiculous how much the nannies slow you down in those kind of simulators.

 

VSC is for quitters

 

No, rehab is for quitters. VSC is for grandmothers.