[CHCCubs]

Great looking E36 M3

[mrmd1999]

Originally Posted by CHCCubs

Great looking E36 M3

I've enjoyed reading these posts. I am about to order my first ever BMW (340i xDrive). I am a car enthusiast, but I'm never going to take this car to the track. The most excitement the car might see will be taking a few curvy roads or interstate onramps/offramps too fast. I want the M Sport package, but I am thinking that, for my purposes, the track handling package will be overkill. I test drove several 3 series, without the THP, and in no way did I feel that the stock brakes were substandard or "terrible." Thoughts/suggestions?

[DarkstarZero]

Originally Posted by mrmd1999

I've enjoyed reading these posts. I am about to order my first ever BMW (340i xDrive). I am a car enthusiast, but I'm never going to take this car to the track. The most excitement the car might see will be taking a few curvy roads or interstate onramps/offramps too fast. I want the M Sport package, but I am thinking that, for my purposes, the track handling package will be overkill. I test drove several 3 series, without the THP, and in no way did I feel that the stock brakes were substandard or "terrible." Thoughts/suggestions?

What you get with the ZTR option (Track Package) on the 340 is Variable Steering, M Brakes (Brembo), and Adaptive Suspension.

All of those options are nice to have even outside of the track. I switch to sport suspension when I'm about to take a turn and don't want to slow down for it, then switch back to comfort afterwords. It's fun.

The Variable Steering is something you don't notice until you don't have it. When I go from this car to my old M3 and I'm turning the wheel multiple rotations just to parallel park, that's when I realize how nice this option is.

The M Sport Brembo Brakes just look cool. No, you don't need them, even on the track the normal brakes with track pads will do fine. But it's undeniable how much better they make the car look. Those brakes really make the car stand out from the ordinary BMW.

It's $1,700 for ZTR, $1,500 if you talk your sales guy down. Worth it? I'd say so. Those features really make the car feel special. To make up the money, I would recommend getting Sensatec seats instead of Dakota leather. They look and feel the same. The Dakota leather really is disappointing in comparison.

[cncmastr]

Agreed about Dakota vs the upholstery formerly known as Leatherette. Zero maintenance, looks the same as Dakota. The only sucky part is it will make your ass sweat in the hot months...

[kablammo]

Are you able to fully (100%) defeat DSC and DCT nannies?

Looking at getting an F31 similar to your's and wonder if DSC/DCT can be defeated 100%. I like to hoon in the winter

[cinetic]

Yes, you can just hold the button down until DSC is deactivated, which will allow for over/understeer but xdrive will always be rerouting power. Not sure if it locks in a permanent distribution with DSC off, though.

[kablammo]

Originally Posted by cinetic

Yes, you can just hold the button down until DSC is deactivated, which will allow for over/understeer but xdrive will always be rerouting power. Not sure if it locks in a permanent distribution with DSC off, though.

Awesome thanks!

[Wunsch]

Originally Posted by kablammo

Are you able to fully (100%) defeat DSC and DCT nannies?

Looking at getting an F31 similar to your's and wonder if DSC/DCT can be defeated 100%. I like to hoon in the winter

Holding the button turns everything off completely, yes. That said, I've been very surprised at how much leeway allowed in the DTC mode (what you get with a short press of the button, or putting the car in Sport+). It quickly intervenes for understeer, but it seems to allow a ton of oversteer before doing anything.

[DarkstarZero]

Originally Posted by kablammo

Are you able to fully (100%) defeat DSC and DCT nannies?

Looking at getting an F31 similar to your's and wonder if DSC/DCT can be defeated 100%. I like to hoon in the winter

Yep, I'm with you. When it snows or there's a cold rain, I treat it like a free skid pad session

Better get that F31 soon. They say it's the last wagon BMW is ever going to sell in North America.

[spuntyb]

Originally Posted by DarkstarZero

Yep, I'm with you. When it snows or there's a cold rain, I treat it like a free skid pad session

Better get that F31 soon. They say it's the last wagon BMW is ever going to sell in North America.

Same here. I love turning it off when the roads are empty and it's wet. So much fun (for an auto box awd anyways - doesn't beat my old subie wagon with a stick).

I'm torn now. Definitely eyeing the amg wagon for our next lease, but no way I want to daily hoon a car that (relatively) big. I'm pissed they won't bring us another wagon here so I can just upgrade to a G21 when this lease is over. Now it looks like I might have to buy her out. Well, at least it makes some more CF parts and suspension upgrades worth it.

[DarkstarZero]

Originally Posted by spuntyb

Same here. I love turning it off when the roads are empty and it's wet. So much fun (for an auto box awd anyways - doesn't beat my old subie wagon with a stick).

I'm torn now. Definitely eyeing the amg wagon for our next lease, but no way I want to daily hoon a car that (relatively) big. I'm pissed they won't bring us another wagon here so I can just upgrade to a G21 when this lease is over. Now it looks like I might have to buy her out. Well, at least it makes some more CF parts and suspension upgrades worth it.

Thats what I did. My F31 was on a lease and I liked it so much I bought it, added a Dinan Stage 1 and M performance parts. Soon I'm going to add the roof rack and box which will give it more storage capacity than any SUV.

[Tom K.]

Originally Posted by StealYourFace

I love it, I just wish they sold a 328 non xi with a stick here!

Exactly the reason I haven't replaced my '07 MT E91 with an F31.

Tom

[SportySpice]

Fantastic and very entertaining post. The track pictures are amazing and they belong on the cover of Car and Driver.

[spuntyb]

Originally Posted by DarkstarZero

Thats what I did. My F31 was on a lease and I liked it so much I bought it, added a Dinan Stage 1 and M performance parts. Soon I'm going to add the roof rack and box which will give it more storage capacity than any SUV.

Nice!

I've already started the modding with the active autowerke tune, some cosmetic stuff, and non-runflats, but have held off on springs and exhaust mods since it was a lease and wasn't sure I wanted to get all the parts only to sell them. Now I'm window shopping!

I have the Thule rack and box on mine and love it. Holds everything I need.

[LarryO]

Great to see the same year and model on the track. I have not done an HPDE in something like 15 years (last was with my 2005 E46 M3), but this has inspired me to get back to an event this year with my touring...

[328iX]

Originally Posted by LarryO

Great to see the same year and model on the track. I have not done an HPDE in something like 15 years (last was with my 2005 E46 M3), but this has inspired me to get back to an event this year with my touring...

I have a stock car and it's extremely boaty, I'm not sure if OP has the sport seats ( im aware its a old thread too) but i cant take any corner on stock suspension and base seats.

My last F31 some coilovers made a world of difference, cant wait to do it my current f31

[andino]

Originally Posted by LarryO

Great to see the same year and model on the track. I have not done an HPDE in something like 15 years (last was with my 2005 E46 M3), but this has inspired me to get back to an event this year with my touring...

There's a handful of us that track our tourings. You should take yours out for sure. Its pretty good on track!

Originally Posted by 328dX

I have a stock car and it's extremely boaty, I'm not sure if OP has the sport seats ( im aware its a old thread too) but i cant take any corner on stock suspension and base seats.

My last F31 some coilovers made a world of difference, cant wait to do it my current f31

OP def has sport seats since he has m-sport trim.

[deviantspeed]

Looks fun, I wish I still lived near road coarses! I've done SMMP many times, and even the Bullpen a few times. Autox gets boring at that point.

When you say HUD, you mean the window display? If you just put the transmission in sport mode (flip selector left in drive), it'll show the gear on the dash. Careful though, once you go manual with the paddles, you can't long press the right paddle to go full auto.

60/40 for sure with x-drive, and I forget the weight distribution, but it's closer to 50/50 over the sedan which is off a little more (albeit, slightly but hey bragging rights for F31 owners!). I looked it up one time, and that's what I remember.

[FaRKle!]

Originally Posted by deviantspeed

60/40 for sure with x-drive, and I forget the weight distribution, but it's closer to 50/50 over the sedan which is off a little more (albeit, slightly but hey bragging rights for F31 owners!). I looked it up one time, and that's what I remember.

The wagons are about 48.5% front and 51.5% rear.

[deviantspeed]

Originally Posted by FaRKle!

The wagons are about 48.5% front and 51.5% rear.

It's a better balance than the sedan.

[MmmmmM2]

Holy thread revival Batman!

[dmaxdmax]

Nice post, OP! Inspires me to find a track in the 'after time' and use up the last of my runflats.

My b58 needs a workout and it can't get it but for quick drag races out of NJ Tollbooths. Short little free drag sessions, but they're over so quickly.

Time to find a local track. Who's been at Lime Rock? NJ Motorsports Park? Others in the NJ/NYC area?