Quote:
Originally Posted by Relax19
I'm curious to know what everyone thinks about tracking a 328i AT? The car has been out for some time now, and I'm curious to know if anyone has done a full year's worth of tracking?
I recently got rid of my e36 m3 track car that I owned for around 11 years. And since I only do maybe 1-2, or 3 track days a year it made for a hard case to justify keeping a track only car especially in LA where parking is a total PIA.
I did a shake down recently at an SCCA autox and a I had a few take away's:
Positive:
1. Surprising turn in, I suspect it's mostly due to the weight and position of the N26
2.Steering Feel wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.
Negatives:
1. Body Roll even on a Sport line, with M-Sport suspension it's pretty bad
2. Gearing on the ZF 8 Speed is a bit interesting
3. Lag down low
What are some basics that people have done that really awaken the car on track?
I'm debating on getting F80 LCA/TS, brake pads, and stainless steel lines.
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Ah man, that's a bummer circumstances we're better for keeping the E36 around, they make excellent track toys. Rest assured, your F30 can hang with and overtake them with the proper mods.
As many like DVC as shown us, you can turn the F30 into a real weapon if you really dive in on improvements, the chassis receives suspension mods well. For any street car heading to the track, best to start with the basics.
1. Tires (and if your budget allows, lighter wheels) - Switching from the stock wheels and tires saved me over 45 pounds of unsprung weight while at the same time getting 20mm wider tires all around. A square lightweight non-rft setup does A LOT for control and handling balance. 255 square on 8.5 or 9" wheels is what most aim for but it may or may not require some camber, 245 and 8.5" et38 are a safer bet on an otherwise stock car.
2. Brake Fluid & Pads & SS Lines - Pads and fluid are a must but SS lines can also add some feel and better consistency when working them out. Porterfields and EBC Yellows are well reccomended around here. Motul RBF 600, 660, or Castrol SRF are all good choices. I am on the base single pot brakes with 312mm rotors and their feel and performance with SS lines+RBF 600+EBC Reds is good for my needs. Many buy a set of second hand 335i front 4 pot brembos with 340mm rotors which are a straight swap, but complain of lack of feedback/feel ymmv.
3. CAMBER - Aside from the run-flats, this is a real limiting factor on track performance. Without some additional camber outer edge tire wear is a serious problem and can eat your tires insanely quick as Farkle mentioned. Options are OE correction hubs, the F80 LCA/TS mod, eccentric adjustible bushings, or camber/caster plates. I can tell you there was a serious improvement on track just doing the LCA's on my car, I plan on doing the TS in the spring to compliment them. Some on the F3X board don't like this mod but it's VERY popular and well recieved on the F2X board and they both share the exact same suspension geometry and parts.
4. Springs & Dampers - Tons of quality options, thankfully. I was similarly dissatisfied by how soft the stock suspension was and how little it did to control weight transfer in turn causing traction issues. Ohlins is top here, but if your budget isn't large enough, KW and Bilstein also have very good options. On KW V2's I am more comfortable off track, the beauty of adjustible rebound.
5. The Rabbit Hole - Subframe Bushings, LSDs, brake ducting, rear control arms, bracing... I'm sure you know how this goes.
GOOD LUCK TO YOU AND YOUR WALLET!