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      09-01-2014, 06:08 PM   #1
MaynardZed
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M4 on the Track for the first time - Review

I wanted to summarize my initial track time with the new M4. Firstly, I would consider myself an intermediate level driver at best. I've been tracking for only a year and a half, but I've done 12-15 events in that time period. I don't believe I have any natural talent, but I'm analytical and am able to learn quickly. I'm pretty quick in my E36, but it is set up right and is very easy to drive fast. Keep this review in context.

Track: INDE Motorsports Ranch, Wilcox, AZ
http://www.indemotorsports.com/site/...ction_thetrack
Club: ProAutoSports
http://www.proautosports.com/

My dad runs formula ford and wanted to come down early Friday for practice so he trailered my E36 M3 and I came down later in the evening with the M4. Wilcox is about 200 miles away and the M4 was a pleasure to drive on the highway except for the 45 minute bumper to bumper on I-10. No manual is fun in 5 mph stop and go traffic.

On Saturday I didn't drive the M4 on the track at all. I was focused on time trials with the E36 (which I won), was busy wrenching on mine and my buddy's E36, and there was a bad patch of asphalt at the end of the straight that was demolishing windshields. It just seemed best to keep her safe, ie. I chickened out.

Video of E36 during Saturday Time Trials


Sunday looked a lot better for the M4. They fixed the patch at the end of the straight and I had wrapped up another time trial win in the E36 with a time of 2:03.431 (bettering that black Corvette's 2:04.390) by lunchtime.

The M4 is bone stock except for 15/12mm spacers. Got ready to go out in Orange (intermediate group - open passing). Let some air out of the tires so they were 32psi all around. Strapped Harry's to parking brake. Gave into my E36 buddy and allowed him to ride shotgun. I would've preferred to go solo on the maiden voyage, but he seemed so sad when I hesitated. So now 500lbs total driver+passenger weight. Two more guys asked to ride in the backseat, I said no.

Gridded up towards the back of the pack. I felt a little bit apprehensive about putting my gorgeous new $70K sports car on a race track, so kept the nannies on for piece of mind. Once the session started I was immediately comfortable with car. Instincts kicked in and I just followed the same line that I was driving all weekend in the E36. Overall the M4 did great. I'll outline the details and pros and cons below. Sorry I have no video of the M4, but I have no real good way to mount the GoPro in it yet.

M4 Lap Time: 2:12.92 All in all a respectable lap time for what I was doing.

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Good:
-Nimble yet precise steering and turn in.
-Flat, not much body roll at all
-Tires actually did surprisingly well for first 5-8 minutes of session
-Seat fairly supportive for factory
-Power and Torque were great
-Exhaust sounds great.
-Engine temp never budged off 180 degrees

Not so Good:
-Brakes started to fade about 10 minutes in. Also started to squeal? Need Track pads, SS lines, and fluid
-Tires heated up too much and got slick about 10-12 minutes in. Left front tire was 44psi when I came off. Went out at 32psi.
-Turbo Lag. It is there. Tried it in Sport and Sport+ but maybe the manual gives too much time for turbos to unwind. Thought I was shifting fast?
-DSC too intrusive, was flashing in 3rd gear on the straightaway? Yes, I know, next time I'll turn it off.
-Need more secure belting system for serious trackers. Harness bar, etc.
-Need camber plates
-Need better tires, duh!

Harry's Data M4 vs. E36
Straight Entry: M4 32mph E36 51mph
End of Straight Speed: M4 109mph E36 102mph
Lateral g max: M4 0.95 E36 1.2

All in all, there is potential for this car for track use. I was probably middle of the pack in the intermediate group and probably the fastest one out there when I went out with novice group later. Better tires, pads, and alignment will go a long way in reducing lap times.
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Road course laptimes for BMW M4 2015 6MT
WHP East Track: 1:04.880, Arizona Motorsports Park: 1:54.352
Road course laptimes for Porsche 911 991.1 GTS 7MT
WHP East Track: 1:02.770, Arizona Motorsports Park: 1:48.889

Last edited by MaynardZed; 09-01-2014 at 06:23 PM..
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      09-01-2014, 07:10 PM   #2
turbo8765
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How would you rate the amount of understeer? Have you driven track cars other than the e36 that you might compare the chassis balance to?

How easy is it to steer with the throttle? To what extent can you modulate the throttle mid turn?

How does the chassis respond if you lift throttle mid turn?

Are you saying oil temps stayed at 180?

Thanks for the review!
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      09-01-2014, 09:14 PM   #3
MaynardZed
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Quote:
Originally Posted by turbo8765 View Post
How would you rate the amount of understeer? Have you driven track cars other than the e36 that you might compare the chassis balance to?

How easy is it to steer with the throttle? To what extent can you modulate the throttle mid turn?

How does the chassis respond if you lift throttle mid turn?

Are you saying oil temps stayed at 180?

Thanks for the review!
I tracked an E60 M5 (too heavy) for awhile when I started out and the F82 has better initial turn in for sure, even though I had Dinan stage 3 suspension on the M5.

They both understeer mid turn though, and I can't accurately say how well throttle would have helped the F82's understeer because the nannies would overtake and bog you down when I tried. I eventually drove the M5 with all the nannies off which was fine in 3rd and above gears since the S85 didn't have much torque and was very linear in it's building of power. I suppose I feared the S55 turbo surge enough to keep it in check with the nannies at least for this initial outing. Next time it will be DSC off, MDM still on with the F82.

Yes, the E36 with coilovers is not fair comparison. You can almost drive it like a kart. Just brake and then throttle down far before the apex.

The temp gauge on the dash (coolant temps I believe) never moved from beginning to end of session.
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Road course laptimes for BMW M4 2015 6MT
WHP East Track: 1:04.880, Arizona Motorsports Park: 1:54.352
Road course laptimes for Porsche 911 991.1 GTS 7MT
WHP East Track: 1:02.770, Arizona Motorsports Park: 1:48.889
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      09-01-2014, 09:15 PM   #4
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Thank you for the review

In addition to 8765's questions:
- which tires do you have on the E36?

I had similar experience with the PSM flashing on the GT3 on some straights (bumpy ones particularly), which was a traction control.
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      09-01-2014, 09:45 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FTS View Post
Thank you for the review

In addition to 8765's questions:
- which tires do you have on the E36?

I had similar experience with the PSM flashing on the GT3 on some straights (bumpy ones particularly), which was a traction control.
Hankook Z214 C51 medium. On sale, and seemed just as good as Hoosier R6. I was only 1-2 seconds behind my buddy in his GTR on nittos nt01. The M4 on 300utg street tire being 9 seconds behind E36 seems very respectable to me actually.

Wanted to mention one more thing about the "perceived" turbo lag. It was mostly noticeable on upshifting like from 3rd to 4th down the straight, a slight delay after engaging 4th then the turbo kicks in and it pulls real strong. The lag is NOT noticeable if you remain in the same gear at high rpm and give throttle. There was a spot on this track in front of the pits that a quick throttle input is needed to flatten the car and the M4 did just fine with this at high rpm in 3rd gear.
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Road course laptimes for BMW M4 2015 6MT
WHP East Track: 1:04.880, Arizona Motorsports Park: 1:54.352
Road course laptimes for Porsche 911 991.1 GTS 7MT
WHP East Track: 1:02.770, Arizona Motorsports Park: 1:48.889

Last edited by MaynardZed; 09-01-2014 at 10:03 PM..
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      09-01-2014, 09:58 PM   #6
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Hell Yeah! Especially with DSC on and first time on track
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      09-02-2014, 12:05 AM   #7
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try this to stay more secure. (in the video i had a lot of slack before clipping in but do it with less and its on real tight.) i do this and do not move around in my stock seat when going sideways and dont need to press down on the dead pedal or flare my thighs out anymore

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      09-02-2014, 08:45 AM   #8
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OK, Saloon I'll try that next time. Next track day for the M4 probably not until November. Hope to have some better tires and brake pads by then.
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Road course laptimes for BMW M4 2015 6MT
WHP East Track: 1:04.880, Arizona Motorsports Park: 1:54.352
Road course laptimes for Porsche 911 991.1 GTS 7MT
WHP East Track: 1:02.770, Arizona Motorsports Park: 1:48.889
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      09-02-2014, 09:16 AM   #9
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Also, get this:

http://www.cg-lock.com/
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      09-03-2014, 08:22 AM   #10
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Great review.

I'll chime in after my first track day. I'll keep my brakes stock as well.
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      09-03-2014, 03:48 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by peter_s View Post
Great review.

I'll chime in after my first track day. I'll keep my brakes stock as well.
Thanks. Have fun. I immediately felt confident with the M4. I think you'll find the brakes the week point unless its a very fast flowing track.
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Road course laptimes for BMW M4 2015 6MT
WHP East Track: 1:04.880, Arizona Motorsports Park: 1:54.352
Road course laptimes for Porsche 911 991.1 GTS 7MT
WHP East Track: 1:02.770, Arizona Motorsports Park: 1:48.889
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