The tire chain switch seems to allow the car to spin its way out of the aforementioned quivering blob problem, but I agree it needs an off switch, and nobody seems to know how that might be accomplished without also crippling the electronic throttle and/or ABS and/or cruise-control.

Its biggest weakness is IMO the fact that it isn't that useful. It does seem to have problems as the wiring harness to the electronic throttle can degrade and toast the system, but when it works it works.

The biggest advantage to the ASR (traction control) is that it upgrades the ABS to a 4-channel instead of the 3-channel Ford-style ABS that the non-ASR 124s have. It is also very nice on wet roads to be able to keep your foot in it as you pull out and get a little accidental tirespin. My (daughter's) E 320 will spin itself into a frenzy on a quick right-turn takeoff with the open differential in the rain. Kind of hard on the new Blizzaks.

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Gone to the dark side

- Jeff