[jbass524]

This is the video of a couple of laps from the track day. The brakes go funny in the middle of the second lap:

[JMK007]

Originally Posted by CoolDude196

Sorry if this question is stupid, tracking a daily driver in the UK isn't common hence my ignorance.

Are you guys using a designated extra set of alloys/tyres you've bought specifically for the track, or are you using the same alloys/tyres you commute with?
Basically, do you have two sets of wheels/tyres. One for track, one for normal driving

Most guys who track their cars regularly will have a second set of track wheels/tires. Depending upon what type of track wheel/tires you purchased, some people will drive on their track tire set up to and from the track event. Others will put the track wheels/tires in the back seat, drive to the event, and then put them on at the track. On the return home, they will swap back to their regular daily wheels/tires back on. For those who have race tires, you really don't want to drive on the street with those.

[Nike SB'd]

Originally Posted by jbass524

Car: Stock, Base Model F30 328
Suspension: KW V3s
Alignment, Camber: reduce toe for mileage, -0.7 ft. -1.9 rr.
Wheels: APEX ARC-8, 17X9" ET42
Tires: Hoosier R6, 245/45/17
Brakes: Stock

I recently tracked my F30. It was better than expected and the light front end along with the KWs was crisp, poised, and surprisingly good with understeer. The motor was great and even though I have an AT the car was really fun and crisp, as long as you turn off traction control. In 110 degree heat there was no perceivable loss of power and no overheating. Hallelujah!!!! I previously owned an E92 335



The brakes were less than desirable but I just used the sock pads and fluid. My fault. I got the funniest warning I had ever seen half way through my last session: "Excessive braking load: Drive moderately". It made me laugh as I was entering a braking zone at 110. Funny.



I used 245/40/17 Hoosier R6s, which are a little small in diameter. They should be 245/45/17 for the F30 but I had these . The Hoosier 245s measure to 255 so this is in reference to other manufacturers 255s. I had never driven a car where, in a way, the tires had more grip than the car.

The KW V3s are very, very good and I highly suggest them for a street/track car. KW targets the performance street user but I think they're more than good for the track. The V3s have the feel and control of a much more expensive coilover and even with the progressive springs, which I hate on the track but love on the street, the car was very poised and predictable. I could have even dialed up the compression damping more to mimic stiffer springs and I'm sure the handling would have been even better and with less body roll.

I would love some swaybars as an interim upgrade to control the body roll until the aftermarket matures for the F30. Without aftermarket bushings and M3 suspension bits available, I wouldn't use stiffer springs to control roll and increase handling as the weak links are all of the soft, rubber bushings. I do like stiffer springs as opposed to large swaybars to control roll but at this point I would opt for the bars.

With the suspension setup, throttle steering in sustained corners was easy and I only had to compensate for understeer a little. The suspension, tires, and car were remarkably good as a system and would have been much better with a manual tranny. The motor was really great and I expect great things from it.

I loved going at it with fully prepared track cars in the race group with my "Mom Rocket"

SUSPENSION NOTES: You may want to change to a stiffer, linear spring but as I said above, wait until better bushings and other suspension bits are available. With KW V3s and a very low ride height I only get a little rubbing on the fender liner at the 2:00 position close to the outside. This is mainly due to my ride height. It's only low because this isn't my track car so maximizing handling isn't vital to me. I'm after looks

Really interesting to hear your feedback, I plan on doing extremely similar mods to my 328 (V3s), though I don't think I'd run that aggressive of a tire. Also interesting to note the brake warning, probably worth changing up the front pads.

[SergioK]

Yeah, clearly those tires are outperforming the brakes. I wonder how the active brake-fade compensation thingy handled that. Also, from that one shot, that's some serious spring compression right there.

[utenigma]

Originally Posted by SergioK

Yeah, clearly those tires are outperforming the brakes. I wonder how the active brake-fade compensation thingy handled that. Also, from that one shot, that's some serious spring compression right there.

That's what that message means - the active brake-fade compensation has reached it's limit

I'm sorry, the brakes you are trying to reach are unavailable, please try again later

[jbass524]

Originally Posted by SergioK

Yeah, clearly those tires are outperforming the brakes. I wonder how the active brake-fade compensation thingy handled that. Also, from that one shot, that's some serious spring compression right there.

I drove the car hard knowing the suspension/springs an brakes were a big compromise. You gotta love that positive camber gain on the front. I'm living the low life

[JN1]

Surprised I haven't seen many people running 18" Enkei yet. They are typically inexpensive and super light. I wonder if they have F30 friendly fitment readily available.

[Forgiven]

Yes they got a couple of them line up from tirerack. As far as fitment goes, I think it will be just fine for non bbk cars.

[rustyminded]

Originally Posted by jbass524

Car: Stock, Base Model F30 328
Suspension: KW V3s
Alignment, Camber: reduce toe for mileage, -0.7 ft. -1.9 rr.
Wheels: APEX ARC-8, 17X9" ET42
Tires: Hoosier R6, 245/45/17
Brakes: Stock

I recently tracked my F30. It was better than expected and the light front end along with the KWs was crisp, poised, and surprisingly good with understeer. The motor was great and even though I have an AT the car was really fun and crisp, as long as you turn off traction control. In 110 degree heat there was no perceivable loss of power and no overheating. Hallelujah!!!! I previously owned an E92 335



The brakes were less than desirable but I just used the sock pads and fluid. My fault. I got the funniest warning I had ever seen half way through my last session: "Excessive braking load: Drive moderately". It made me laugh as I was entering a braking zone at 110. Funny.



I used 245/40/17 Hoosier R6s, which are a little small in diameter. They should be 245/45/17 for the F30 but I had these . The Hoosier 245s measure to 255 so this is in reference to other manufacturers 255s. I had never driven a car where, in a way, the tires had more grip than the car.

The KW V3s are very, very good and I highly suggest them for a street/track car. KW targets the performance street user but I think they're more than good for the track. The V3s have the feel and control of a much more expensive coilover and even with the progressive springs, which I hate on the track but love on the street, the car was very poised and predictable. I could have even dialed up the compression damping more to mimic stiffer springs and I'm sure the handling would have been even better and with less body roll.

I would love some swaybars as an interim upgrade to control the body roll until the aftermarket matures for the F30. Without aftermarket bushings and M3 suspension bits available, I wouldn't use stiffer springs to control roll and increase handling as the weak links are all of the soft, rubber bushings. I do like stiffer springs as opposed to large swaybars to control roll but at this point I would opt for the bars.

With the suspension setup, throttle steering in sustained corners was easy and I only had to compensate for understeer a little. The suspension, tires, and car were remarkably good as a system and would have been much better with a manual tranny. The motor was really great and I expect great things from it.

I loved going at it with fully prepared track cars in the race group with my "Mom Rocket"

SUSPENSION NOTES: You may want to change to a stiffer, linear spring but as I said above, wait until better bushings and other suspension bits are available. With KW V3s and a very low ride height I only get a little rubbing on the fender liner at the 2:00 position close to the outside. This is mainly due to my ride height. It's only low because this isn't my track car so maximizing handling isn't vital to me. I'm after looks

you were running 245 all around or only rear ? because I need to get these camber tires and I have 17" 7.5" front and 17" 8.5" rear but Idk if 245 will fit in the front.

[DVC]

Originally Posted by rustyminded

you were running 245 all around or only rear ? because I need to get these camber tires and I have 17" 7.5" front and 17" 8.5" rear but Idk if 245 will fit in the front.

245 square is the hot setup for the track. As long as you get the offset right (et 42 for a 9" wheel) then you should be clear.

[rustyminded]

Originally Posted by DVC

245 square is the hot setup for the track. As long as you get the offset right (et 42 for a 9" wheel) then you should be clear.

It's everyday use but a little aggressive, they only got 245/45 for my 17" but the man said it would be fine because it has 2 degree of camber do you think it would be safe even in sharp turns ?

[jbass524]

Originally Posted by rustyminded

It's everyday use but a little aggressive, they only got 245/45 for my 17" but the man said it would be fine because it has 2 degree of camber do you think it would be safe even in sharp turns ?

245/45/17 is the right size. The Hoosier R6 on my car above measures like a 255.

[ric124]

It's been a couple years since the last post but I'm sure there are more people out there who are tracking their cars now.

I track my car but I'm looking to improve my setup and wanted to see what everyone's opinion is.

My car is pretty much stock with suspension being the adaptive M and H&R sport.

[Nihilation]

Same boat. Are there bushing upgrades on the market?

[DVC]

Nothing new as far as bushings when I checked a month or two months ago. Ground Control camber plates are a huge track enhancement though. Their latest design is very solid...been running them on my car on the street too.

[pikcachu]

Originally Posted by krnnerdboy

I'll let you know after this weekend, but I just sold my track car and I already signed up for willow springs so ill be going out with my

328i
H&r sport springs
+1/16 toe out and -1.5 camber
255/40/17 nt01 on stock 17x7.5

This will have to do in a pinch

not sure it's a good idea to run 255 on a 7.5 rim you probably need 8.5 at least..

[Nihilation]

Car: Sportline F30 328i 6MT
Suspension: Dinan on M-Sport Non-DHP
Alignment, Camber: unknown
Wheels: Volk LE37, 18X8.5" ET40
Tires: Dunlop Sport Maxx RT, 245/40/18
Brakes: Stock

The Dinan springs really firmed up the ride on the street to the point where I'd say it's borderline harsh. On track at NJMP, the car felt near neutral with just a hint of push or a little more in the tightest corners. The dampers felt good on track with these springs. Brake dive has been minimized.

While the stock brakes got me there and back, they never felt the same after braking for turn 1 on the second lap of the first session. We removed the pads a few weeks later and they were well glazed. Since then I've had a full AP Racing brake kit installed.

NJMP Video chasing a Porsche Cayman:

[DVC]

Originally Posted by Nihilation

Car: Sportline F30 328i 6MT
Suspension: Dinan on M-Sport Non-DHP
Alignment, Camber: unknown
Wheels: Volk LE37, 18X8.5" ET40
Tires: Dunlop Sport Maxx RT, 245/40/18
Brakes: Stock

Cool video... the varying camera angles are a nice artistic touch!

I have never run on Thunderbolt without the 2nd chicane, so it was very interesting seeing that section.

I was just there a couple weeks ago (for Oktoberfest), so might as well share some video as well... (you can see what the 2nd chicane looks like if you haven't run it that way yet)

Current car setup:
Car: 2014 335i M Sport, 8AT, MPPK
Suspension: DHP, with Dinan springs/shockware
GC Camber plates, H&R sway bars
Camber: -2.5° front, -2.0° rear
Toe: -0.02° front, -0.10° rear
Diff: M Performance LSD
Wheels: Apex ARC-8, 18X9" ET42 (spacers: 3mm front, 5mm rear)
Tires: Dunlop Direzza Star Spec ZII, 245/40/18
Intake/Exhaust: aFe Magnum Force intake / CG Precision cat-back exhaust
Brakes: M Sport, Reybestos St-43 race pads

(Please pardon the wretched brake pad squeal... the Reybestos pads stop like crazy, but the noise it ridiculous.)