Tracking your car

[HuskyBMW]

I have yet to receive my M3 but looking forward to taking it to the track at least once or twice per month. With that said, I am wondering what sort of mods would people avoid if they were going to track their car. I have seen lots of pics of cars that have been lowered on various springs, cars with various spacers, various aerodynamics add-ons, etc. I'm no expert but I sometimes think these things make the car look much different but how much do they change the driving dynamics and if you fully intended to track the car, would some of these changes damper the track experience. Curious on others thoughts. It seems there is a fine line between making the car look better and making it drive better.

[SMURFDADDY]

Twice a month is some serious track time.

Depends on what you're looking to get out of your car. I think you will come to find that with track duty like that you will definitely want to upgrade your pads and brake lines if not the whole system.

As for the aero bits you mentioned, they don't really add much or detract from the aerodynamic balance of the car (although most of the vendors will probably battle me on this). If you want a functional aero setup I would look into a front splitter/diffuser that has more than 2-3" of depth beyond the bumper. Something along the lines of what APR or VARIS would produce. In my opinion, all the other lips/diffusers are purely cosmetic.

My .02

[Doctor///M]

Experience the car in stock form. Decide what you like and don't like depending on your driving preferences. Mod as needed. I think the car is more than capable as-is for my 2-3 track days per year.

[SMURFDADDY]

Originally Posted by Doctor///M

Experience the car in stock form. Decide what you like and don't like depending on your driving preferences. Mod as needed. I think the car is more than capable as-is for my 2-3 track days per year.

Well put

[Doctor///M]

Originally Posted by SMURFDADDY

Well put

Thanks. Also forgot to mention, 2-3 track days per month will definitely require a dedicated set of track wheels/tires. An 18" setup will probably be best.

[SMURFDADDY]

Originally Posted by Doctor///M

Thanks. Also forgot to mention, 2-3 track days per month will definitely require a dedicated set of track wheels/tires. An 18" setup will probably be best.

There is an awesome group buy going on right now on APEX Wheels, OP you should consider getting in on it

[Ianvr6]

Remember to buy tack insurance. You never know what can happen if you get too excited at the track.

I'm telling you from personal experience.

[smithf80]

THIS:

Originally Posted by Doctor///M

Experience the car in stock form. Decide what you like and don't like depending on your driving preferences. Mod as needed. I think the car is more than capable as-is for my 2-3 track days per year.

and this:

Originally Posted by Ianvr6

Remember to buy tack insurance. You never know what can happen if you get too excited at the track.

I'm telling you from personal experience.

[Carl L]

Some performance pads are all you need (I've always used Pagids) as the stock brakes are easily the best ever fitted to an M car. If you find yourself enjoying it buy some dedicated 18s with Cup tires. Also, every other session I'd change out the brake fluid.

One last bit of advice is to leave the nannies on while you get a feel and when you take them off keep the throttle in Comfort mode. I've only been once in the new one and, while it's certainly no GT3, it's hard to believe you're driving a sedan- it redefines what a super sedan is.

[HuskyBMW]

Thanks for the info/advice guys. Twice a month might be a little ambitious but once a month is hopefully doable. I have considered getting some track wheels/tires if I really get into this. I guess my may concern is I don't want to do things for cosmetic purposes that may indirectly have a negative influence on its tracking potential.

[FTS]

http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1095259

[Jim B]

Originally Posted by Ianvr6

Remember to buy tack insurance. You never know what can happen if you get too excited at the track.

I'm telling you from personal experience.

Those tacks can really do bad things to your car--like 4 flat tires.

[Bryant@TMB]

As every else has pointed. A good set of performance pads for your first few sessions. Then when you are more comfortable, A track set of 18s and track tires will do wonders to your time. A good set of KW or even JRZ if you are willing to spend the money will help with stiffening the suspension.

Dont worry too much, first go have fun in the stock car.

[SherM4n]

Originally Posted by Carl L

One last bit of advice is to leave the nannies on while you get a feel and when you take them off keep the throttle in Comfort mode.

Perhaps the most frustrating thing about the car is that the rev matching with the manual transmission is only deactivated in sport plus.

[CanAutM3]

Changing the offset of the wheels, with either spacers or different wheels will alter the suspension tuning. Spacers change the relationship between wheel travel and spring/damper travel, hence alter the spring/damper rate relative to wheel travel. In the front, modifying the offset also changes the required ackerman angle in the steering.

Too aggressive lowering while keeping the stock shock rates will also be detrimental to the suspension tuning and wheel travel.

I would say most of the "aero" M-Performance bits are more detrimental to performance because they add weight without bringing much (if any) aero gain (except maybe for the rear spoiler, but even it is debatable).

The must do modifications for tracking the car IMO are track pads, tires more suitable for the track than the stock PSS and camber plates when they become available. All else is superfluous IMHO. I would rather work on my driving skills and put the money towards more track time .

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by Carl L

?..keep the throttle in Comfort mode.

I would avoid the "Efficient" engine setting at the track. Efficient is artificially dampened so it makes the engine response rather sluggish and the power delivery less predictable. In Sport and Sport+, the anti lag features are activated. IMO, Sport is the minimum setting while Sport+ is ideal on a dry track. You just need to calibrate your right foot accordingly .

[SherM4n]

Ah, thanks. I didn't realize that the throttle in comfort mode was deliberately skewed in the opposite direction. The throttle response in Sport+ doesn't seem too exponential in your opinion? I haven't taken delivery of the car yet, so have no real experience with driving it hard in the different modes.

I really wish manufacturers would stop equating aggressive throttle maps with sportiness, though. Audi does this as well; on my RS 4 and TT RS, if you want the exhaust valves open or the shocks firmer, you also have to deal with a throttle map that's harder to modulate. Modulation can be done, of course, but in my mind when the car is being driven in a sporty manner (i.e., you're approaching the limits of traction, etc.) is when you want a longer--and therefore more precise--throttle pedal. But what do I know?

[MaynardZed]

I noticed that efficient mode runs warmer than sport or sport+. Anyone else notice this? I think there was a thread on this topic awhile back. Probably want the engine running its coolest on the track so efficient not the best.

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by MaynardZed

I noticed that efficient mode runs warmer than sport or sport+. Anyone else notice this? I think there was a thread on this topic awhile back. Probably want the engine running its coolest on the track so efficient not the best.

Agreed and it is a very good point.

I have noticed the same thing. I observed a clear drop in oil temperature a few seconds after switching to Sport+.

My understanding is that an engine is more efficient in terms of fuel consumption when it has a higher operating temperature, hence why they did this for "Efficient".

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by SherM4n

Ah, thanks. I didn't realize that the throttle in comfort mode was deliberately skewed in the opposite direction. The throttle response in Sport+ doesn't seem too exponential in your opinion? I haven't taken delivery of the car yet, so have no real experience with driving it hard in the different modes.

I really wish manufacturers would stop equating aggressive throttle maps with sportiness, though. Audi does this as well; on my RS 4 and TT RS, if you want the exhaust valves open or the shocks firmer, you also have to deal with a throttle map that's harder to modulate. Modulation can be done, of course, but in my mind when the car is being driven in a sporty manner (i.e., you're approaching the limits of traction, etc.) is when you want a longer--and therefore more precise--throttle pedal. But what do I know?

My impression:

On the F8X, the full pedal travel is used to control throttle in any of the modes. In Efficient, you need more pedal movement for a given throttle opening in the first portion of the travel. While in Sport+, it is more linear and Sport is somewhere in between. It is not a question of simply using a shorter overall pedal travel for the full throttle opening. It therefore makes it easier to modulate the throttle at higher RPM and bigger throttle openings. Also, as I posted previously, the anti-lag gizmos are only activated in Sport and Sport+ (with even more anti-lag in Sport+).

[SherM4n]

Gotcha. I wasn't meaning that the entire pedal travel wasn't still being used, but I presumed that--like Audi--BMW was loading up throttle response early in the pedal travel. For example with the RS 4's sport mode, 80% of the engine torque comes on in the first 30% of pedal travel. If Sport+ with BMW is actually more linear, then that will make me happy as that is what I'm actually seeking. Appreciate the info.

[Carl L]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

I would avoid the "Efficient" engine setting at the track. Efficient is artificially dampened so it makes the engine response rather sluggish and the power delivery less predictable. In Sport and Sport+, the anti lag features are activated. IMO, Sport is the minimum setting while Sport+ is ideal on a dry track. You just need to calibrate your right foot accordingly .

I did not now about the anti-lag feature so thanks for the info on that. However, intelligent use of the skinny pedal as a given , I'd still recommend Comfort throttle for a track beginner/ first time with an F8x there. I for one do not care for Sport + on this car (for throttle and especially steering), but I think Sport is setup superbly. Take this with a pinch of salt though as I've only had one track day in this model. Very impressed with it though, you can half-forget you're in a sedan.