It allows you to steer into the skid, while feathering the throttle, so that you can flat track it around the corner.

On the other hand, if you understeer into the corner, you have lots of spare time so that you can just hang on and enjoy the view as you sail into the trees.

Edit: I agree that a skilled driver will only be able to do so much, ie recover a certain amount. Past that, he or she is going to end up in a similar situation to the understeering vehicle. I also wasn't suggesting that the old tires would be bald, but rather just partly worn.

All of this changes somewhat with DSC. If you understeer, there isn't much it can do. If you oversteer, it can apply a single brake very quickly to help keep the car under control, within the limits of physics. It still alters the equation, IMO.

Everyone should go to (pavement) skid school. Slightly off topic, but I recall driving an overpowered Ford Sierra rally car on a dirt track, with an instructor. Halfway through the corner he could flip a switch and lock up the rears, and then watch as we got ourselves through it. Everyone should have so much fun.

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2007 X3 3.0si, 6 MT, Premium, White

Retired:
2008 535i, 6 MT, M Sport, Premium, Space Grey
2003 X5 3.0 Steptronic, Premium, Titanium Silver
2002 325xi 5 MT, Steel Grey
2004 Z4 3.0 Premium, Sport, SMG, Maldives Blue