Left foot braking -- does it help or not?

Richardo · 07-26-2011, 09:51 PM

So I've been practicing left foot braking on my 335i with AT, and I have to admit that it seems to work really well in the turns. By keeping down on a gas a bit to keep the revs up slightly during braking, I get instant and consistent power immediately upon releasing the brake (as opposed to just guessing when to hit the gas prior to the apex). I think it's especially helpful for our cars owing to the unpredictability of the turbo lag -- that's what I missed in cornering compared to some of my previous normally aspirated cars.

At first it was a little difficult because my left foot isn't as sensitive as the right one, but after some practice, it's certainly helping me make smoother (and faster) turns. I would imagine that's it's pretty hard on the brake pads, so I'm only using it on autocross and practices (rather than normal street driving).

Any thoughts or advice on how to make best use of it? Thanks.

The HACK · 07-26-2011, 10:55 PM

Just as trail-braking can be very helpful when executed properly, LFB can both shave significant time off of a lap as well as help balance the vehicle in the middle of a turn. If you execute it right.

Try karting if you want to pick up LFB quickly.

Richardo · 07-26-2011, 11:11 PM

That's good advice regarding karting -- it's actually the first time I had tried doing it & won that day's best time.

mike-y · 07-27-2011, 12:13 PM

practice, practice, practice.. I've used LFB on some FWD cars to get a little rotation mid corner, but as you have discovered, it's sometimes tricky to find just the right amount of pressure with the left foot.

At least you don't have to worry about moving your left foot back over in front of the clutch pedal after your LFB maneuver. It's kinda embarrassing when you go to change gears and instead of stabbing the clutch, you lock up all 4 tires.

J Tyler · 07-27-2011, 06:09 PM

I LFB every corner I don't have to downshift. Or, if its paddle 'box, I always LFB.

Richardo · 07-27-2011, 11:06 PM

Thanks for both of the comments. I hadn't realized it was also useful for front-wheel drive too.

ngng · 07-30-2011, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richardo

Thanks for both of the comments. I hadn't realized it was also useful for front-wheel drive too.

I use it in my Audi to get the car to rotate as well!

1MEAN3 · 08-08-2011, 07:39 PM

practice makes perfect

07-26-2011, 09:51 PM	#1
Richardo Private First Class 14 Rep 153 Posts Drives: 335i AT sport Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Texas iTrader: (0)	Left foot braking -- does it help or not? So I've been practicing left foot braking on my 335i with AT, and I have to admit that it seems to work really well in the turns. By keeping down on a gas a bit to keep the revs up slightly during braking, I get instant and consistent power immediately upon releasing the brake (as opposed to just guessing when to hit the gas prior to the apex). I think it's especially helpful for our cars owing to the unpredictability of the turbo lag -- that's what I missed in cornering compared to some of my previous normally aspirated cars. At first it was a little difficult because my left foot isn't as sensitive as the right one, but after some practice, it's certainly helping me make smoother (and faster) turns. I would imagine that's it's pretty hard on the brake pads, so I'm only using it on autocross and practices (rather than normal street driving). Any thoughts or advice on how to make best use of it? Thanks.
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07-26-2011, 10:55 PM	#2
The HACK Midlife Crises Racing Silent but Deadly Class 1821 Rep 5,337 Posts Drives: 2006 MZ4C, 2021 Tesla Model 3 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Welcome to Jamaica have a nice day iTrader: (1)	Just as trail-braking can be very helpful when executed properly, LFB can both shave significant time off of a lap as well as help balance the vehicle in the middle of a turn. If you execute it right. Try karting if you want to pick up LFB quickly. __________________ Sitting on a beat-up office chair in front of a 5 year old computer in a basement floor, sipping on stale coffee watching a bunch of meaningless numbers scrolling aimlessly on a dimly lit 19” monitor.
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07-26-2011, 11:11 PM	#3
Richardo Private First Class 14 Rep 153 Posts Drives: 335i AT sport Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Texas iTrader: (0)	That's good advice regarding karting -- it's actually the first time I had tried doing it & won that day's best time.
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07-27-2011, 12:13 PM	#4
mike-y just another bmw douche bag 195 Rep 3,640 Posts Drives: 1.9L of fury Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (4)	practice, practice, practice.. I've used LFB on some FWD cars to get a little rotation mid corner, but as you have discovered, it's sometimes tricky to find just the right amount of pressure with the left foot. At least you don't have to worry about moving your left foot back over in front of the clutch pedal after your LFB maneuver. It's kinda embarrassing when you go to change gears and instead of stabbing the clutch, you lock up all 4 tires.
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07-27-2011, 06:09 PM	#5
J Tyler My ride: bimmergirl84 22 Rep 302 Posts Drives: For free. Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: SloCal iTrader: (0)	I LFB every corner I don't have to downshift. Or, if its paddle 'box, I always LFB. __________________ HP Autowerks 335i - 1st Place @ RTA Las Vegas 2010 HP Autowerks 335i @ Buttonwillow HP Autowerks 335i @ Laguna Seca IS-F @ Chuckwalla Valley Raceway ________135i Fun
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07-27-2011, 11:06 PM	#6
Richardo Private First Class 14 Rep 153 Posts Drives: 335i AT sport Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Texas iTrader: (0)	Thanks for both of the comments. I hadn't realized it was also useful for front-wheel drive too.
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08-08-2011, 07:39 PM	#8
1MEAN3 New Member 0 Rep 10 Posts Drives: 2008 3.28i Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Brooklyn iTrader: (0)	practice makes perfect
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