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      01-21-2020, 04:20 PM   #1
propwash5
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F30 328i Makes a Decent Track Car

Took my stock 328i grocery getter to homestead over the weekend. Much better track car than I expected with just pads and fluid. I was turning the same lap times as in my former Honda S2000.

Video of me catching a couple of Dodge Chargers


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      01-22-2020, 05:09 PM   #2
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What brakes do you have? M Sport or base? Looks like they were having a heck of a time managing all that weight.
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      01-22-2020, 06:51 PM   #3
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What brakes do you have? M Sport or base? Looks like they were having a heck of a time managing all that weight.
Car has the m-sport brakes. I'm running Pagid RSL-29s up front and EBC yellows in the back. Mostly because I'm too lazy to swap pads on all 4 wheels for the track. No problem with the brakes on street tires. Not sure if they'd be up to r-comps though.
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      01-28-2020, 12:25 PM   #4
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I too found the 328I to be very nicely balanced overall, could always use more power, but for what it has its fine. My only gripe would be that the stock msport suspension\ARB's are still way to soft for track use, and the IC could be a bit bigger in stock form as I was getting heatsocked through out the end of the sessions.

FYI charger RT's really are not that fast on the track, they weigh like 5000lbs and are absolute pigs :P.
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      01-28-2020, 04:09 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RMachuca3d View Post
I too found the 328I to be very nicely balanced overall, could always use more power, but for what it has its fine. My only gripe would be that the stock msport suspension\ARB's are still way to soft for track use, and the IC could be a bit bigger in stock form as I was getting heatsocked through out the end of the sessions.

FYI charger RT's really are not that fast on the track, they weigh like 5000lbs and are absolute pigs :P.
Can definitely agree with those reflections. I put the intercooler in before I jumped to stage 1 because I had the same heat soaking, especially in the July/August heat. Vastly more consistent performance thereafter. I have done a lot with the suspension but am hesitant to install ARBs as I have regretted doing them on other cars in the past.

Those Dodges are real pigs. I have had Hellcat Chargers in my run group before and they are very easy to pass in every scenario other than on the straight (obviously).
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      01-28-2020, 08:29 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MacklinUSOB View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by RMachuca3d View Post
I too found the 328I to be very nicely balanced overall, could always use more power, but for what it has its fine. My only gripe would be that the stock msport suspension\ARB's are still way to soft for track use, and the IC could be a bit bigger in stock form as I was getting heatsocked through out the end of the sessions.

FYI charger RT's really are not that fast on the track, they weigh like 5000lbs and are absolute pigs :P.
Can definitely agree with those reflections. I put the intercooler in before I jumped to stage 1 because I had the same heat soaking, especially in the July/August heat. Vastly more consistent performance thereafter. I have done a lot with the suspension but am hesitant to install ARBs as I have regretted doing them on other cars in the past.

Those Dodges are real pigs. I have had Hellcat Chargers in my run group before and they are very easy to pass in every scenario other than on the straight (obviously).
The Dodges are easy targets. I gained multiple car lengths in the braking zones and right transitions. Although not completely a fair fight since I dropped down to a slower run group for my first time out with the F30.

Agreed that the suspension is soft even in M-sport trim. But I walked away impressed with the car's capabilities considering the buyer it's designed for. We are probably the .001% that tracks these cars. Yet the car is still engaging with no major handling flaws to ruin the fun.
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      01-28-2020, 08:52 PM   #7
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Originally Posted by MacklinUSOB View Post
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Originally Posted by RMachuca3d View Post
I too found the 328I to be very nicely balanced overall, could always use more power, but for what it has its fine. My only gripe would be that the stock msport suspension\ARB's are still way to soft for track use, and the IC could be a bit bigger in stock form as I was getting heatsocked through out the end of the sessions.

FYI charger RT's really are not that fast on the track, they weigh like 5000lbs and are absolute pigs :P.
Can definitely agree with those reflections. I put the intercooler in before I jumped to stage 1 because I had the same heat soaking, especially in the July/August heat. Vastly more consistent performance thereafter. I have done a lot with the suspension but am hesitant to install ARBs as I have regretted doing them on other cars in the past.

Those Dodges are real pigs. I have had Hellcat Chargers in my run group before and they are very easy to pass in every scenario other than on the straight (obviously).
The Dodges are easy targets. I gained multiple car lengths in the braking zones and right transitions. Although not completely a fair fight since I dropped down to a slower run group for my first time out with the F30.

Agreed that the suspension is soft even in M-sport trim. But I walked away impressed with the car's capabilities considering the buyer it's designed for. We are probably the .001% that tracks these cars. Yet the car is still engaging with no major handling flaws to ruin the fun.
I have people come up and ask about the build all of the time because you're right, F30, especially the 28s are not often seen at the track. Strangely enough though the only F30s to see competition in North America were Bimmerworld's 328s.
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      02-19-2020, 07:15 AM   #8
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Before I finally bought an F30, I talked to several guys with the new car at the track, it was maybe 40% 4cyl cars. Either way, without exception, they all owned a bmw before. And all had favorable things to say, especially if the rear is tightened with losing those flimsy control arms, and getting some camber in the nose.

So rather than have a crazy car payment, I found a good deal on a 13 m sport 328i witn a stick.

Other than the steering and drive modes that are sort if new and gimicky imh, it drives like a bmw. I’m coming from an n52 that I put 200,000 miles on, many at watkins glen. (Now I have a 97 m3 so I dont need to drive my dailey at the track).

My old 330i was great on the track, m3 front suspension, 13” brakes all around from the factory (later replace with 335i fronts) and a 3.38 lsd, solid adjustable tow links in the rear, exhaust, tune.

It was gutless going up the hill out of tbe boot, the new 328i had a lot more torque at 3500 rpm going for it, and I would concider putting larger rear brakes on it, rear bar and either m3 control arms/and or those kmac plates for some
Camber. If the garage warms up ill take a pair of my track tires/wheels from the m3 and see if they fit.
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      02-19-2020, 08:46 AM   #9
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      02-19-2020, 12:51 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by StealYourFace View Post
Before I finally bought an F30, I talked to several guys with the new car at the track, it was maybe 40% 4cyl cars. Either way, without exception, they all owned a bmw before. And all had favorable things to say, especially if the rear is tightened with losing those flimsy control arms, and getting some camber in the nose.

So rather than have a crazy car payment, I found a good deal on a 13 m sport 328i witn a stick.

Other than the steering and drive modes that are sort if new and gimicky imh, it drives like a bmw. I’m coming from an n52 that I put 200,000 miles on, many at watkins glen. (Now I have a 97 m3 so I dont need to drive my dailey at the track).

My old 330i was great on the track, m3 front suspension, 13” brakes all around from the factory (later replace with 335i fronts) and a 3.38 lsd, solid adjustable tow links in the rear, exhaust, tune.

It was gutless going up the hill out of tbe boot, the new 328i had a lot more torque at 3500 rpm going for it, and I would concider putting larger rear brakes on it, rear bar and either m3 control arms/and or those kmac plates for some
Camber. If the garage warms up ill take a pair of my track tires/wheels from the m3 and see if they fit.
I did the same thing. Picked up a used '13 m sport for next to nothing. I think the value colors my on-track impression. At MSRP I might expect more. But for what I paid I was happy the car held up and didn't require major mods to be enjoyable. It's far from sharp or track focused. But it responds to inputs and doesn't fall apart when pushed (Looking at you G37).
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      04-27-2020, 08:48 PM   #11
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328i's are awesome indeed! I loved tracking my 328. My only regret was not buying coilovers but the m performance brake kit was phenomenal ! You can tell how bad I needed a suspension setup
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      04-30-2020, 08:51 AM   #12
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Eddie nice pic man, any more pics of the car?
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      05-05-2020, 12:13 PM   #13
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Eddie nice pic man, any more pics of the car?
Yes sir! This engine just gave out on me about 4 weeks ago but this car was amazing for the time I had it.
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      05-05-2020, 03:20 PM   #14
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Man that's great looking! Ouch man what happened?
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      05-26-2020, 10:26 PM   #15
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4cyl - so everything probably.
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      05-28-2020, 06:52 PM   #16
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Thanks for information of F30 on track!
I enjoy fun driving sometimes, not every month.
I'm going to take part in a certain fun meeting in Okayama International Circuit next Saturday!

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      05-29-2020, 01:45 PM   #17
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Yes sir! This engine just gave out on me about 4 weeks ago but this car was amazing for the time I had it.
details please on what happened to your engine.
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      05-29-2020, 01:46 PM   #18
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Man that's great looking! Ouch man what happened?
Freaking timing chain man.
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      05-29-2020, 01:48 PM   #19
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Yes sir! This engine just gave out on me about 4 weeks ago but this car was amazing for the time I had it.
details please on what happened to your engine.
Timing chain was the main cause. Bmw was quoting me 17k for a new engine. Lol
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      05-30-2020, 06:19 PM   #20
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Quote:
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Yes sir! This engine just gave out on me about 4 weeks ago but this car was amazing for the time I had it.
details please on what happened to your engine.
Timing chain was the main cause. Bmw was quoting me 17k for a new engine. Lol
That's rough man. Sorry that happened. There are a ton of used low-mileage motors on the market, maybe that's your best bet.

FCP is releasing a DIY video on how to replace the N20/6 timing and oil pump chain gear. I think I may be picking that kit up soon...
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      05-31-2020, 03:08 PM   #21
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I have seen a number of 328's on the track, there was one that was running at VIR from Carmines Auto. I think Bimmerworld races/sponsors one as well.
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      05-31-2020, 09:42 PM   #22
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I have seen a number of 328's on the track, there was one that was running at VIR from Carmines Auto. I think Bimmerworld races/sponsors one as well.
ST is done (which sucks! F30s, caymans, miatas... some other can't remember), their F30s are sold the at least one of their st Caymans (2.9) was still avail for $50k. Thats a no expense spared porsche race car for 50k!
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