Driving without ASR..A lot more fun, but dangerous?

2509 Views 8 Replies 7 Participants Last post by Glenn Wallace, Aug 27, 2005

demoe

Discussion Starter · Jul 27, 2005

On my 2002 Spider, I have the sluggish start from a standstill problem...I've noticed that if I turn off the ASR and run in Sport mode, drivabilty improves not only off the line but through all gears and the car is a completely different animal.....Do most of you defeat the ASR? ...any downsides? I live in Northern California, with good weather, nothing hazardous in terms of wet roads...

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MikeA

· #2 · Jul 28, 2005

For normal driving I leave it in Sport with MSR (opps, I mean MSP) enabled. I kept MSP off for a while but found the rear end can get pretty loose, pretty quickly if you aren't careful. It did make for quicker takeoffs from a standing stop.
On the other hand, I have taken the car to the track three times, and on the most recent trip (Sears Point), I had the courage to turn it off, and it sure made driving a lot more fun. I could drift through turns and coming out of a turn, with the wheels still slipping a bit, I could immediately get on the accelerator. With MSP on, coming out of a turn, there would be a discernable pause after getting on the accelerator before the MSP computer(s) let power be passed to the rear wheels.
So, it is up to you I guess. Just one less 'safety net' with MSP turned off.
Mike

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SJP63

· #3 · Jul 28, 2005

Not sure about ASR or MSR, but I'm impressed with the ability of my MSP (Maserati Stability Program) to keep the rear end in line. Yesterday in the wet on a tight sloping bend whilst accelerating the back end came loose really unexpected. The MSP braked one of the rear wheels and the car quickly straightened up.

On the down side, pulling out into traffic quickly, the MSP prevents too much wheel spin by chopping the acceleration, leaving me going nowhere fast with the clutch burning as it re engages. Makes me want to switch MSP off but bearing in mind what happened in the wet, I don't think so...

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MVP

· #4 · Aug 18, 2005

I haven't turned it off yet, I'll try it tommorow.

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Dr. Larry Kauffman

· #5 · Aug 22, 2005

I keep forgeting to set the Sport mode, but I'm getting better. Yesterday I turned off the MSP for a ride around town. The car is quicker and feels like it found 30 more HP somewhere. I like it, but I'm not sure how it would be in the mountains or curvy roads. Everyday seems like a learning experience with this car. Never felt that way with my Porsches, even my twin turbo.

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MVP

· #6 · Aug 23, 2005

Tried it it without the ASR mode. Don't recommend it for around the town driving but I get a 3rd gear chrip and I can get this thing really sideways with it off.

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iufan993

· #7 · Aug 25, 2005

I almost always turn it of for any heavy acceleration from a stop, or it cuts out too much with wheel spin. I then turn it back on as sort of a routine. Leave it on in the twisties though. The back end WILL still step out a bit with it on.

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iufan993

· #8 · Aug 25, 2005

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Glenn Wallace

· #9 · Aug 27, 2005

Sport mode will allow more control - it optimizes for grip over stability.

But I have not been game enough to turn MSP off yet -- I've got a lot of track time, rally, rallycross experience etc, but still it is a lot of car and RWD.

I am at the stage now where I'm very comfortable with full throttle in most situations in sport mode.

Probably the first thing I will try is switching MSP off for straight line starts, but I may take it to the track to try it in a safer environment.

Has anyone gone to Italy for the Maserati driving school? That looks like fun, and a good way to explore the limits of the car using someone else's tires!

Glenn

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