Query - ABS in a saxo worth it?

26th April 2012, 23:36

Hi all,

Always wondered maybe a strange question but is the ABS in a vts any good is it worth it, does it really stop you locking up? has it ever saved you from a butt clenching moment?

Thinking of a vts conversion into a furio, but my furio does lock up under hard braking just wondered if the abs is something i would like..

Answers on a postcard

26th April 2012, 23:38

Not worth i looked into it need to much stuff and loads of work.

26th April 2012, 23:46

The abs is terrible.

It's a shite system, and just goes wrong. A lot.

And if anything it gave me a butt clenching moment when it needlessly kicked in when I was braking for a traffic queue.

26th April 2012, 23:52

abs is over rated...

27th April 2012, 00:08

It depends if you are female or not...

27th April 2012, 00:09

pfft ABS don't see real racers with ABS do ya....

27th April 2012, 00:09

I honestly don't think it ever activated in the 3.5 years I've driven it. And that includes a track session too.

If your wheels are skidding your tyres are probably cheap crap. Getting better tyres will be lot easier and make the car a tonne better in all respects not just braking.

27th April 2012, 00:17

Spending your money on better tyres, better disks and pads or better callipers would be money better spent

27th April 2012, 00:30

I have a decent setup 266mm with good pads and discs.

@ adsayer i have Michelins locking up and toyos on the rear relatively new, my left caliper always locks up first maybe there is air in the system causing one to lock first rather than an even braking point.

@ cam didn't want to retro fit, just wondered if it was better to buy a vts.

@ Rey swear jord said they were really good lol.

27th April 2012, 00:31

So adsayer have you locked up before? does it kick in?

27th April 2012, 01:46

Which michelins mate? How's the tread depth on them?

More likely a sticky calliper I would have thought especially if you're still managing to lock them.

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Never locked up dude. And never has the abs activate on me as far as I know. If it has it's ultra mild, which makes me wonder what point is in it if it's suppose to be that mild.

27th April 2012, 01:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barry123

Which michelins mate? How's the tread depth on them?

More likely a sticky calliper I would have thought especially if you're still managing to lock them.

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Never locked up dude. And never has the abs activate on me as far as I know. If it has it's ultra mild, which makes me wonder what point is in it if it's suppose to be that mild.

Pilots, 5-6mm expensive tyres but last forever!

27th April 2012, 01:57

And you're locking them?!??!? Holy moly!

27th April 2012, 08:00

If they last forever then they're made from a hard compound.

The softer the compound, the more grip you get, but the faster they wear out. That's probably why you're locking up as they're not actually offering much grip!

I've almost always run Nankangs (mid-range all season tyre) and only ever locked up in icy conditions. In those circumstances, ABS can be quite helpful, but not essential I'd say.

Generally speaking if your ABS has to activate, it shows you're not driving to the conditions. (In my case, black ice and approaching junctions a little to rapidly!!)

27th April 2012, 08:12

I live in a very hilly area and theres one hill which turns right back on its self at the bottom, its hard to explain but anyway it usually lifts the back wheel under braking on that hill, and the abs starts going nuts, think its the only time it ever kicks in on me tbh.

27th April 2012, 09:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by baker556

@ Rey swear jord said they were really good lol.

Jord never drove it did he

I did over 20k in my VTS and I never trusted the brakes once.

I was running Pilots as well, I probably just had a knackered ABS system tbh, but it's enough for me to know I'd never want it again.

Also, would buying a VTS not make more sense rather than just throwing money into yours now?

27th April 2012, 13:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scooby-Doo

If they last forever then they're made from a hard compound.

The softer the compound, the more grip you get, but the faster they wear out. That's probably why you're locking up as they're not actually offering much grip!

I've almost always run Nankangs (mid-range all season tyre) and only ever locked up in icy conditions. In those circumstances, ABS can be quite helpful, but not essential I'd say.

Generally speaking if your ABS has to activate, it shows you're not driving to the conditions. (In my case, black ice and approaching junctions a little to rapidly!!)

Dude these michelins are very good i can honestly say best tyre i've ever had, all my tyres have locked up but these the least.

For me abs is there incase of the worst thing happening someone stepping out into the road etc etc.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rey

Jord never drove it did he

I did over 20k in my VTS and I never trusted the brakes once.

I was running Pilots as well, I probably just had a knackered ABS system tbh, but it's enough for me to know I'd never want it again.

Also, would buying a VTS not make more sense rather than just throwing money into yours now?

Nah tbh i don't want another saxo i want to be done with them but until i have a job i just want one that runs.

27th April 2012, 13:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by baker556

Dude these michelins are very good i can honestly say best tyre i've ever had, all my tyres have locked up but these the least.

That tells me more about your driving style than about your choice of tyres tbh.

27th April 2012, 13:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scooby-Doo

If they last forever then they're made from a hard compound.

The softer the compound, the more grip you get, but the faster they wear out. That's probably why you're locking up as they're not actually offering much grip!

I've almost always run Nankangs (mid-range all season tyre) and only ever locked up in icy conditions. In those circumstances, ABS can be quite helpful, but not essential I'd say.

Generally speaking if your ABS has to activate, it shows you're not driving to the conditions. (In my case, black ice and approaching junctions a little to rapidly!!)

Dont mean to sound a dick here but how are Nankangs are mid range tyre? Only worth fitting to a 4x4 if you ask me!
Also ABS is a pain on ice/snow I've found

27th April 2012, 14:54

Nankangs are amongst the very worst of tyres for a car IMO.

When I had them on my VTR they were awful, much preferred the Falkens that replaced them.

And baker I only locked up in my R a handful of times (all on nankangs btw), sure you haven't got some air in the system or aren't being progressive enough with the pedal?

27th April 2012, 15:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gandi699

Dont mean to sound a dick here but how are Nankangs are mid range tyre? Only worth fitting to a 4x4 if you ask me!
Also ABS is a pain on ice/snow I've found

I wouldn't class them as top brand, nor as a budget tyre since they're too expensive for that, hence the mid-range bracket. I suppose you could argue the point either way.

I've had them on a Ford Capri, Sierra, Probe (both 16" and 17") without problem. The Falkens I had were dire and wouldn't keep the Capri on the road if there was even a slight hint of dampness in the air.

I guess it's all dependent upon the batch of tyre and the car it's fitted to. Probably also driving style comes into it as well.

27th April 2012, 19:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scooby-Doo

That tells me more about your driving style than about your choice of tyres tbh.

its not that i take the back lanes alot so its more to do with gravel and mud being pushed over to the edge on the passenger side if you get me.

Nothing to do with driving style, its tractors and mums bombing it about down blind bends...

27th April 2012, 19:20

btw nankangs are awful.

27th April 2012, 19:26

If its so bad, remove it all together. How much weight is saved!

28th April 2012, 12:41

frankly I'd rather skid. At least I know what's going on then instead of abs shit.

28th April 2012, 12:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scooby-Doo

I wouldn't class them as top brand, nor as a budget tyre since they're too expensive for that, hence the mid-range bracket. I suppose you could argue the point either way.

I've had them on a Ford Capri, Sierra, Probe (both 16" and 17") without problem. The Falkens I had were dire and wouldn't keep the Capri on the road if there was even a slight hint of dampness in the air.

I guess it's all dependent upon the batch of tyre and the car it's fitted to. Probably also driving style comes into it as well.

Its a well known fact capri's corner sideways!

28th April 2012, 16:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by baker556

its not that i take the back lanes alot so its more to do with gravel and mud being pushed over to the edge on the passenger side if you get me.

Nothing to do with driving style, its tractors and mums bombing it about down blind bends...

Fair enough then.

I'd much rather have Nankangs than Champiro.

I had Champiro on my Capri and had an unreal amount of understear. (Odd for a Capri, I know!!)