Mastering E30 Drifting: Tips and Techniques for Perfecting Your Drift Skills

The BMW E30, a classic and beloved model among car enthusiasts, is also a popular choice for drifting. Known for its rear-wheel drive setup, balanced chassis, and tunable engine, the E30 is an ideal platform for those looking to master the art of drifting. E30 drifting Whether you’re a seasoned drifter or a beginner, this blog post will guide you through some essential tips and techniques for perfecting your E30 drift skills.

Table of Contents

1. Know Your E30

Before you take your E30 out on the track, it’s essential to understand the car’s characteristics. The BMW E30, particularly the 325i and 325is models, offers a solid chassis and rear-wheel-drive configuration, which is perfect for drifting. However, it’s important to know the car’s handling quirks, engine response, and power delivery.

Engine and Suspension: Make sure your engine is running smoothly and is in good shape. Drifting demands power, but more importantly, good suspension to handle the strain and give you control over the car’s movements. If your suspension is stock, consider upgrading to performance shocks, springs, or coilovers.
Tires and Alignment: The E30’s rear-wheel-drive setup makes tire selection crucial. Choose tires that are designed for drifting—some prefer a mix of harder tires on the front and softer ones on the rear for better control. Also, ensure the alignment is set up correctly to prevent unpredictable handling during drifts.

2. Master the Clutch Kick

The clutch kick is a fundamental technique in drifting, and it’s one of the most effective ways to initiate a drift in the E30. Here’s how you can execute it:

Approach: Begin by accelerating in a straight line. Once you’re ready to initiate the drift, push in the clutch, rev the engine slightly, and then quickly release the clutch. This action will momentarily break traction on the rear tires, causing the car to slide.
Throttle Control: After the clutch kick, you’ll need to use throttle control to maintain the drift. The E30’s rear-wheel-drive layout allows for excellent throttle control, which is key to staying sideways and controlling the angle.

3. Feint Drifting: A Perfect Technique for E30

Feint drifting is a technique that works exceptionally well with the E30, as it relies on weight transfer to break the tires loose. Here’s how to perform a feint drift:

Initiate the Feint: Approach the corner at speed and, just before the turn, quickly steer away from the corner. This action will shift the car’s weight toward the opposite side.
Countersteer and Power On: Once the weight shifts, quickly steer back into the corner, and apply power to break the rear tires loose. You’ll be sliding sideways, and the E30’s responsive steering and rear-wheel-drive layout will allow you to maintain a smooth drift.

Feint drifting is an excellent choice for tight corners and will give you more control over your car’s angle, helping you maintain speed and flow throughout the course.

4. Learn the Art of Countersteering

Countersteering is crucial in drifting, as it allows you to maintain control over the car during a slide. The E30’s steering is relatively quick and precise, but it requires skill to use it correctly.

Once You’ve Initiated the Drift: When the rear of the car starts to slide out, you need to quickly countersteer by turning the wheel in the opposite direction of the slide. This will help you maintain control and prevent the car from spinning out.
Throttle Input: As you countersteer, the amount of throttle you apply will control the drift angle. More throttle will increase the angle of the drift, while easing off the throttle will reduce it. Finding the right balance between throttle, steering, and brakes is essential for smooth drifting.

5. Perfect the Handbrake Technique

Using the handbrake in drifting can be a game-changer, especially for tighter corners where you need to quickly break traction. The E30’s handbrake is relatively responsive, and when used in combination with the throttle, it can help initiate and maintain a drift.

Initiating with the Handbrake: Enter a corner at speed, and just as you approach the turn, pull the handbrake momentarily while simultaneously steering into the corner. This will lock up the rear wheels, forcing them to lose grip and initiating a slide.
Throttle and Steering: After releasing the handbrake, immediately apply throttle to keep the rear wheels spinning and adjust the steering to control the angle. The E30’s responsive handling makes this technique easier to control.

6. Focus on Smooth Transitions

Once you’ve initiated a drift, transitioning between drifts becomes an essential skill to learn, especially when you’re linking multiple corners together. Smooth transitions are the key to maintaining momentum and flow in a drift.

Transitioning Between Corners: After exiting a drift, quickly steer in the opposite direction to prepare for the next corner. The E30’s balanced chassis and rear-wheel-drive setup help make this a seamless process once you get the hang of it.
Throttle Modulation: Use the throttle to control the drift during the transition. Smoothly modulating the throttle as you transition between corners will help you keep the car in a controlled drift.

7. Practice, Practice, Practice

Drifting is a skill that takes time to develop, and there’s no substitute for practice. The more seat time you get in your E30, the more natural the movements will become.

Track Days: Find a local drift track or practice area to work on your skills. The key to improving is to push yourself within the limits of your car and skill level. Remember, drifting isn’t about going fast; it’s about controlling the car in a slide.
Get Feedback: If possible, have a more experienced drifter or instructor watch your technique and give feedback. Sometimes, small adjustments to your throttle, steering, or brake inputs can make a world of difference.

Conclusion: Drifting the E30 with Confidence

The BMW E30 is one of the most fun cars to drift, offering a combination of precision, balance, and a classic driving experience. By mastering techniques such as the clutch kick, feint drift, countersteering, and handbrake use, you can unlock the full drifting potential of your E30. Above all, remember that drifting is about control, not chaos. With patience, practice, and the right techniques, you’ll be well on your way to perfecting your E30 drift skills and taking your drifting game to the next level.