[longodj]

Hey Guys,
I have a 335xi Sedan and I just did my first autocross today. I had the problem that as soon as I'd take a turn I'd have to take my hand off the steering wheel cause my body would be flying to the side and had to brace myself with my elbow! Does anyone know if there are four point racing harnesses for the E90 Sedan? Preferably something removable....

Thanks,
Dave

[Chesmu]

lookey lookey
http://www.sportscar-parts.com/sprbelts.htm

or you could search "racing harness"

racing harness

[rsjames]

Try this:

Before you run, scoot your seat back a foot, put on your seatbelt, Pull the shoulder harness so that it's about crushing your lap, then yank the other direction to engage the inertial lock. Then move your seat back into driving position. You should be nice and snug, and the belt shouldn't loosen during your run.

Cheap and easy. Worked fine for me yesterday.

You might supplement this method with a CG Lock.

Richard

[E90330iS]

Originally Posted by longodj

Hey Guys,
I have a 335xi Sedan and I just did my first autocross today. I had the problem that as soon as I'd take a turn I'd have to take my hand off the steering wheel cause my body would be flying to the side and had to brace myself with my elbow! Does anyone know if there are four point racing harnesses for the E90 Sedan? Preferably something removable....

Thanks,
Dave

Sounds like you do some hardcore autocross haha.

[longodj]

rsjames, thanks! I was trying to do something like that but didn't think to move my seat. I guess I'm not used to the whole helmet thing and I had to move my seat for my head not to hit the roof. and 330iS....first time = car going EVERYWHERE. I was also running on stock runflats so I was loosing traction left and right....I was probably a bit (read extremely) heavy on the throttle too.

Chesmu, thanks too. I guess I forgot to do a search on the forum itself for once :-P

[ksfrogman]

Member "cgnahc" showed me an innovative device that attaches to the existing safety belt that allows you to manually lock it. You may want to PM him and ask what the brand is.

Sparco makes rear harness bars for the E30 and E36, but not for the E46 or E90.

[BMWdrmz]

Originally Posted by longodj

Hey Guys,
I have a 335xi Sedan and I just did my first autocross today. I had the problem that as soon as I'd take a turn I'd have to take my hand off the steering wheel cause my body would be flying to the side and had to brace myself with my elbow! Does anyone know if there are four point racing harnesses for the E90 Sedan? Preferably something removable....

Thanks,
Dave

Sorry to go OT, but I see you're from Rochester. Was your Autocross a SCCA event? If so, which region?

[longodj]

It was a Genesee Valley BMW CCA Autocross at MCC.

[sg335]

Buy a Schroth Profi II ASM four point harness ($265.00) and a Rallye End bolt On Kit (#01324) to attach to stock mounting locations. This is the only way to run a harness for now until Schroth releases a E90 snap in kit.

[longodj]

sg335: nice catch! Street legal too....damn....I'll definitely look into that combination, thanks a bunch

[ToddPhilly]

Originally Posted by longodj

sg335: nice catch! Street legal too....damn....I'll definitely look into that combination, thanks a bunch

FYI the Schroth harnesses are allowed for BMWCCA DE's, but many other clubs will not allow them. I looked into them for my e92 coupe, but the PCA (porsche club) will not let you run with them. Since I plan on doing many DEs with my father-in-law in the PCA, they'll do me no good. Just doublecheck you can use them with whatever club you plan on tracking with.

Also if you like AutoX, you may love DE. It's a bit more expensive, but in my opinion you learn way more and really get to put your car through more types of situations.

[rsjames]

[QUOTE=longodj;1252499]rsjames, thanks! I was trying to do something like that but didn't think to move my seat. I guess I'm not used to the whole helmet thing and I had to move my seat for my head not to hit the roof. and 330iS....first time = car going EVERYWHERE. I was also running on stock runflats so I was loosing traction left and right....I was probably a bit (read extremely) heavy on the throttle too.

I'm surprised that you were losing traction that much with the AWD. I ran my first event with the car Saturday, and the peg leg was killing me. Part of the problem is the last car I had was AWD, so I had no traction problems at all.

Yeah, I have to lay the seat back a little farther than I'd like to accommodate my helmet, and that makes my butt scoot forward. But the trick I described works pretty well. May try a CG lock next time.

Richard

[cgnahc]

Originally Posted by rsjames

Try this:

Before you run, scoot your seat back a foot, put on your seatbelt, Pull the shoulder harness so that it's about crushing your lap, then yank the other direction to engage the inertial lock. Then move your seat back into driving position. You should be nice and snug, and the belt shouldn't loosen during your run.

Cheap and easy. Worked fine for me yesterday.

You might supplement this method with a CG Lock.

Richard

Interesting method. But get one CG Lock and try it out. It's something you can use everyday, while autocrossing in traffic.

[Vegas_Sirk]

I recommend the CG Lock for cars not equipped with a roll bar. Harnesses can be more of a danger then they do good if not properly set up with a roll bar. YES thats right I said a ROLL BAR ... harness bars are the devil and provide NO ROLL OVER PROTECTION. If you roll your car and your rocking harnesses unlike standard seat belts you will be locked in that up right position.

Not only that but with out a proper Roll Bar your mounting points for your shoulders will most likely be too low (as they will probly mount to the rear seat area) and can cause spinal compression in an accident. Also if your running 4 point harnesses your run the risk of submarining.

Sorry Im just a safety nut ... if you look at my garage you'll see my old evo was big on safety for track days. For the BMW its too nice of a car to get nuts with with a roll bar or cage .... the CG LOCK will def help keep you in place and keeps all the safety of the stock restraint system.

[Getagrip]

Originally Posted by rsjames

Try this:

Before you run, scoot your seat back a foot, put on your seatbelt, Pull the shoulder harness so that it's about crushing your lap, then yank the other direction to engage the inertial lock. Then move your seat back into driving position. You should be nice and snug, and the belt shouldn't loosen during your run.

Cheap and easy. Worked fine for me yesterday.

You might supplement this method with a CG Lock.

Richard

I use the same method on all the cars I autocross. I works very well as it helps me left-foot-brake.

[S4to335]

Originally Posted by M3This

I recommend the CG Lock for cars not equipped with a roll bar. Harnesses can be more of a danger then they do good if not properly set up with a roll bar. YES thats right I said a ROLL BAR ... harness bars are the devil and provide NO ROLL OVER PROTECTION. If you roll your car and your rocking harnesses unlike standard seat belts you will be locked in that up right position.

Not only that but with out a proper Roll Bar your mounting points for your shoulders will most likely be too low (as they will probly mount to the rear seat area) and can cause spinal compression in an accident. Also if your running 4 point harnesses your run the risk of submarining.

Sorry Im just a safety nut ... if you look at my garage you'll see my old evo was big on safety for track days. For the BMW its too nice of a car to get nuts with with a roll bar or cage .... the CG LOCK will def help keep you in place and keeps all the safety of the stock restraint system.

I agree with M3This...In time I am gonna contact a cage builder friend of mine..and develop a custom bolt-in roll bar. His company is tcdesignfab.com, and he did my custom roll cage on my Spec Miata race car. He does excellent work and has probably built cages for 4-5 of the top 10 Spec Miata drivers in NorCal.

[Vegas_Sirk]

Originally Posted by S4to335

I agree with M3This...In time I am gonna contact a cage builder friend of mine..and develop a custom bolt-in roll bar. His company is tcdesignfab.com, and he did my custom roll cage on my Spec Miata race car. He does excellent work and has probably built cages for 4-5 of the top 10 Spec Miata drivers in NorCal.

tcfabdesign.com makes really nice products

[S4to335]

Tony is a good friend of mine.

[larryn]

Originally Posted by sg335

Buy a Schroth Profi II ASM four point harness ($265.00) and a Rallye End bolt On Kit (#01324) to attach to stock mounting locations. This is the only way to run a harness for now until Schroth releases a E90 snap in kit.

FYI, detailed measurements of my car's seatbelts were measured by HMS Motorsport last year, in prep for having Schroth make up a set.

Schroth says they "hope to have something by late 2007".

I would up getting Schroth Rally 4 (bolt in) harnesses. The crappy thing about them is that you have to remove the bottom back seat cusion to use them, and you cannot put the cushion back, with the rear harnesses still attached, since the cushion fits very tightly.

[S4to335]

Originally Posted by lni

FYI, detailed measurements of my car's seatbelts were measured by HMS Motorsport last year, in prep for having Schroth make up a set.

Schroth says they "hope to have something by late 2007".

I would up getting Schroth Rally 4 (bolt in) harnesses. The crappy thing about them is that you have to remove the bottom back seat cusion to use them, and you cannot put the cushion back, with the rear harnesses still attached, since the cushion fits very tightly.

That is a bummer..with the Audi fitment.you could leave the back seat intact...and still have the Rallye 4 operational.

[2e9x's]

Originally Posted by lni

The crappy thing about them is that you have to remove the bottom back seat cusion to use them, and you cannot put the cushion back, with the rear harnesses still attached, since the cushion fits very tightly.

Does this apply to the e9x? I did not experience that with my e46. On the bright side, think of the weight you would save!

[longodj]

Hey guys, I got my CG Lock yesterday. Holy crap! I haven't tested on track yet obviously but just driving around town it feels completely different when it's on. I guess a lot of the problem I was having at the track was being thrown around having really heavy feet but I definitely won't have that problem anymore