01-02-2014, 12:46 PM | #1 |
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Some thoughts from track test drive of '14 328 xdrive
Hey all, I got about 3.5 hours of seat time test driving a 2014 328 xdrive luxury line (8spd automatic, non DHP) at Toronto Motorsports Park (40F ambient temperature, track was mostly dry with some wet patches) and wanted to share few thoughts about how the car drove
Overall, I had a lot of fun with the car and think it is a solid choice for a winter commuter. Last edited by nicknaz; 01-02-2014 at 12:54 PM.. |
01-03-2014, 06:27 PM | #2 |
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Didn't realize the track was open this time of year, especially considering the weather around here as of late. I take it the car was on the stock all season tires?
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01-03-2014, 09:05 PM | #3 |
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Probably the least appealing F30 setup to take to the track lol.
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01-03-2014, 10:34 PM | #4 |
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lol - yup, was thinking the same...
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01-05-2014, 10:49 PM | #5 | ||
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YMMV but it was pretty much a dry track for the most part last Sunday. Car was stock on all season tires Quote:
When I'm visiting a track away from home I use whatever is on hand. |
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01-06-2014, 07:36 AM | #8 |
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The brakes are fine. It was the pads that overheated. Same thing would have happened on any model BMW other than the M, which comes with harder compound pads. With track pads you would have had no complaints about the brakes.
Does anyone know for sure (not guessing) if the M Sport brakes option comes with harder compound pads from the factory? Or are they the same soft pad compound that you get with the standard brakes? Last edited by mlc1978; 01-06-2014 at 07:45 AM.. Reason: add |
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01-06-2014, 07:58 AM | #9 | |
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01-06-2014, 08:17 AM | #10 |
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01-06-2014, 08:22 AM | #11 | |
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SOLD: 2012 335i Mineral Gray M Performance Exhaust/Brakes/Suspension/LSD|Bav Stage 1/AMP||ER CP/IC/DP/OC | Dinan CAI/N55 PWG BIG TURBO|BMWF30.com |
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01-06-2014, 08:50 AM | #12 | |
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Here is what BMW had to say about the 320i "The 320i goes back to the very essence of the 3 Series. It’s a true Sports sedan that embodies BMW’s intelligent approach to performance; that’s to say through the use of both a great engine and an advanced chassis that offers sharp handling and response in all situations. The Sport package echoes this positioning, with its simple, yet comprehensive attributes. It combines athletic design elements as well as dynamic drivetrain components to further enhance the driving experience… Equipped with the Sport Package, the 320i is even more of a homage to cars like the 2002ti; it is a very versatile car that can handle pretty much anything a driver might expect from his car, but its primary focus is on pure, simple driving pleasure."
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01-06-2014, 12:14 PM | #13 | |
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Do you have the M sport brakes with a pad swap on your 335? How do you like them / how much lapping can you do before they overheat? |
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01-06-2014, 12:21 PM | #14 | |
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If my friend gets the MP brakes, he is giving me his 335 hardware for nothing, so I will comment first hand if that happens.
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01-06-2014, 12:34 PM | #15 | |
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320i doesn't have enough power to be able to steer the car on the throttle in the way you can with the 328i. |
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01-06-2014, 12:48 PM | #16 |
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If that's what makes you happy that's fine
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01-06-2014, 01:37 PM | #17 | |
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I have not yet had a chance to really heat up my 335 (has the regular brakes) but my going assumption is it will have heat issues, like my Z435. Seems like it is a matter of when, not if, with these non M cars unless upgrades are made. The 335 M sport brakes are interesting. At $650 for the larger rotors (same size as the M performance, right?) , they are definitely on my shopping list for next time. |
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01-06-2014, 02:24 PM | #18 |
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I can confirm that the M Sport brakes (with stock pads and fluid) were rock solid for a long track day
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01-06-2014, 10:46 PM | #19 |
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You got over 10 MPG on track? Damn. I'm happy when I approach 3 MPG.
I think you might have been braking more than necessary. At those ambient temps on all seasons, you shouldn't have heat soaked them. |
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01-06-2014, 11:09 PM | #20 | |
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I believe the 328 xdrive has ~12" front rotors and is ~3700lbs. Not exactly a ton of heat capacity for such a porky car.... I am sure there was room to improve my driving but on the other hand, I drove the 997.2 in a similar fashion and it did not have the brake issues. (is it really that surprising that the brakes on a base model 328 need to be upgraded for track use?) One thing that might have worsened the situation is that the traction control was left on for most of day. The brakes seemed to last longer when I drove in DSC OFF EDIT: my griping about the brakes aside, I want to reiterate the fact the car was a TON of fun. Non track users aren't going to notice any of these things we are talking about and track users will know better than to spend their money on this particular configuration.... |
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01-08-2014, 07:21 AM | #21 | |
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I guarantee your results would have been different had you disabled the traction control. The brakes were being used the majority of the time you were driving. This is rule #1 when driving on track by the way. |
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01-08-2014, 12:51 PM | #22 | |
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Out of curiosity, why do you think the 328 should have been able to do the hot lapping without overheating the brakes? Is your track car an F30 328 ? |
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