Automatic box and first track day
Discussion
Hi all. I have just bought a 2003 Z4 BMW 2.5i and I really want to have a go at a track day. However I am worried about the durability of the auto box. Has anyone taken a bmw with a slush box to a track day and if so did it last or end in tears ? lol Maybe I should have a fluid change done before hand considering the car is 10 years old.
Let me know what you think guys?
Pascal
Let me know what you think guys?
Pascal
menor95 said:
I dont think I do. But if you say others dont have major issues with standard cars then I should be ok. Are you a regular at your local track?
Pascal
Bonjour Pascal,Pascal
may I ask which circuit you are attending as this will make a difference on how hard your gearbox will be working? I have done Goodwood in my Jaguars with no problems at all, but I wouldn't do Cadwell in it as there is too much going on!! I put mine through the "J" gate at Goodwood ensuring a bit of engine braking and being in the correct gear for the exits. Theres nowt worse than an auto box deciding to change gear when you dont want to so use the sequential if you have it. ...........then go buy a manual
D
Bedford is good.(vid below) lots of run off if needed??? and a good mix of corners and fast straights. I done this in the Eunos back in the summer and it was superb through the twisty section but left wanting on the straights. A good handling car with some top end power, perfect. Do find a lot of fast stuff out there though, just keep your eyes open and drive within your, and the cars, capabilities and you'll have a great day. Some of the airfield days are good value, Abingdon maybe?, I think North Weald, up in Essex, closest to you, they do some good days there.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmS7DdTr5tU
D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmS7DdTr5tU
D
Might want to try MotorSportVision or BHP Trackdays.
Prices are dependant on day of the week and season etc. For example ive booked Brands Hatch on 21st dec for £89.......4 days before chrimbo, and it may p*ss with rain, lots wont take the chance so they have to make it cheap enough for clowns like me to book it
D
Prices are dependant on day of the week and season etc. For example ive booked Brands Hatch on 21st dec for £89.......4 days before chrimbo, and it may p*ss with rain, lots wont take the chance so they have to make it cheap enough for clowns like me to book it
D
I wouldn't be doing my first track day in the wet. If you cannot wait until Spring, then perhaps take a chance and book at the last minute when you can see the weather forecast.
Your car will be fine - BMWs are built for a bit of rough and tumble.
You won't even be harder on the brakes than a manual car. As any track driver will tell you, you don't use engine braking on track. Instead you either accelerate hard or brake hard. So brake down to the right speed before each corner, and accelerate through it. Use sport mode on the auto box, so that the engine holds each gear up to say 6000 rpm before changing up.
You will go through a lot of fuel, and will end up tired after a full day. If it was me, I would be quite tempted to take a risk and turn up at lunch time and ask to pay for an afternoon session - a couple of hours on track should be quite sufficient for a first time, and there will be far fewer cars on track in the afternoon. A whole day is knackering on both car and driver, so many people don't go out much in the afternoon session.
Bedford is a good track - very little to hit, but watch the armco on the side of the main straight, so don't boot it too hard coming out of the corner before. Don't forget your DRIVING LICENCE. You won't get on track without it. Do take some tuition, well worth it. Do hire a helmet at the track first time if you don't have one already. And relax and have fun. And when your car is in the pits to cool off (every 15 minutes), check the oil and water levels and blag a ride with someone else to learn how it is done and to show you the lines. The track day crowd is very friendly. I blagged a friend a passenger ride in a Radical last time out. Just ask.
Bedford, Snetterton, Cadwell, Brands and Oulton all belong to MSV. Other TDO's events are still listed on MSV's website. Brands is your nearest circuit to London, but there are some tricky corners in the wet and loads of armco. I think your choice of Bedford is a good one.
If you end up doing more track days you will probably opt for a manual, and will upgrade your brake fluid to 5.1 (higher boiling point) and your pads to non-fade. And get some R rated track tyres, Toyo 888 or similar. Frankly for your first day, on a cold and possibly damp track, your road tyres will probably do you better.
Finally, if you choose Snetterton (Norfolk, M11 A11) a week on Saturday (16th) instead (Javelin track days), come and join us in the TVR group. There will be at least 6 TVRs there that day. If you don't want to risk your car on a track with barriers, come along to watch and have passenger rides (£20 for the whole day). I will happily give you some rides, as i am sure will some of my friends. I will have my 888 track tyres with me, but may well end up on my road rubber if it is cold or wet. Just PM me if you are coming so I know to look out for you and get you signed in.
Your car will be fine - BMWs are built for a bit of rough and tumble.
You won't even be harder on the brakes than a manual car. As any track driver will tell you, you don't use engine braking on track. Instead you either accelerate hard or brake hard. So brake down to the right speed before each corner, and accelerate through it. Use sport mode on the auto box, so that the engine holds each gear up to say 6000 rpm before changing up.
You will go through a lot of fuel, and will end up tired after a full day. If it was me, I would be quite tempted to take a risk and turn up at lunch time and ask to pay for an afternoon session - a couple of hours on track should be quite sufficient for a first time, and there will be far fewer cars on track in the afternoon. A whole day is knackering on both car and driver, so many people don't go out much in the afternoon session.
Bedford is a good track - very little to hit, but watch the armco on the side of the main straight, so don't boot it too hard coming out of the corner before. Don't forget your DRIVING LICENCE. You won't get on track without it. Do take some tuition, well worth it. Do hire a helmet at the track first time if you don't have one already. And relax and have fun. And when your car is in the pits to cool off (every 15 minutes), check the oil and water levels and blag a ride with someone else to learn how it is done and to show you the lines. The track day crowd is very friendly. I blagged a friend a passenger ride in a Radical last time out. Just ask.
Bedford, Snetterton, Cadwell, Brands and Oulton all belong to MSV. Other TDO's events are still listed on MSV's website. Brands is your nearest circuit to London, but there are some tricky corners in the wet and loads of armco. I think your choice of Bedford is a good one.
If you end up doing more track days you will probably opt for a manual, and will upgrade your brake fluid to 5.1 (higher boiling point) and your pads to non-fade. And get some R rated track tyres, Toyo 888 or similar. Frankly for your first day, on a cold and possibly damp track, your road tyres will probably do you better.
Finally, if you choose Snetterton (Norfolk, M11 A11) a week on Saturday (16th) instead (Javelin track days), come and join us in the TVR group. There will be at least 6 TVRs there that day. If you don't want to risk your car on a track with barriers, come along to watch and have passenger rides (£20 for the whole day). I will happily give you some rides, as i am sure will some of my friends. I will have my 888 track tyres with me, but may well end up on my road rubber if it is cold or wet. Just PM me if you are coming so I know to look out for you and get you signed in.
groomi said:
QBee said:
...As any track driver will tell you, you don't use engine braking on track.
I assume you've never driven anything that will boil it's brakes if you as much as look at the pedal then! 
Pascal by his own admission is a newcomer to our wonderful and exiting pastime and as such would be ill advised to leave it till last minute and brake hard, in my humble opinion. in my experience from driving an auto on track it is benificial to use the gearbox to aid decelleration and to keep you in the correct rev range for the exit. As previously stated theres nothing worse than the gearbox changing up when you sould like to be in the same gear for a series of corers, lifting on and off the throttle for balance.
To be honest Pascal it would be wise to have an easy day out somewhere and try your car out for size.
most importantly is to have fun and not worry about how fast you are. I have had my 4 litre s/c out on the 'Ring and been humbled by cars with half the power......embarrassed, no......impressed by their skill, commitment and knowledge...yes. had fun......Hell yeah
groomi said:
QBee said:
...As any track driver will tell you, you don't use engine braking on track.
I assume you've never driven anything that will boil it's brakes if you as much as look at the pedal then! Actually, if you try to drop the clutch in second gear on the way into a corner on track in my car, you tend to end up going off fairly smartly backwards, as you lock up the rear axle!!
QBee said:
groomi said:
QBee said:
...As any track driver will tell you, you don't use engine braking on track.
I assume you've never driven anything that will boil it's brakes if you as much as look at the pedal then! Actually, if you try to drop the clutch in second gear on the way into a corner on track in my car, you tend to end up going off fairly smartly backwards, as you lock up the rear axle!!
groomi said:
In which case, perhaps your advice to a newb with an auto barge of which you have no experience of taking on track, wasn't too wise?
I don't think so. Indeed i hope it wasn't unwise.I haven't advised him to drive like a nutter, but I have said that I don't think he will be using engine braking.
I have driven a Z4 at speed and it was very competent in my opinion. I nearly bought one, just in the final analysis I preferred the TVR. But I would have been taking whichever one I had bought on track without hesitation.
It is after all a BMW Z4, not a heavy old barge, so should be competent from the company that states they make the "Ultimate Driving Machine".
I don't expect him to be driving as fast as i would, or be braking as hard.
And my experience of 27 years of driving big heavy auto barges (Lexus LS, Saab 9-5, Mercedes E Class and Audi A8) is that their brakes are better than most, as the manufacturers know they don't have engine braking. I have had the brakes of the Saab pouring smoke, all four wheels, before now under extremely hard braking, but neither lost the brakes nor boiled the fluid.
But thanks for your comments - we all want the best for the guy.
Actually, if you try to drop the clutch in second gear on the way into a corner on track in my car, you tend to end up going off fairly smartly backwards, as you lock up the rear axle!!
Fun indeed Qbee,
When i do the same in my Eunos i nail the throttle and exercise plenty of oppo, not the fastest way round a circuit but loads of school boy giggling It does help having just a third of the power as a TVR
I pleased that there is another member out there wanting to explore the limits of his, and his cars, capabilities in a relatively safe environment. Enjoyment and empty wallets is what its all about
D
Fun indeed Qbee,
When i do the same in my Eunos i nail the throttle and exercise plenty of oppo, not the fastest way round a circuit but loads of school boy giggling
It does help having just a third of the power as a TVRI pleased that there is another member out there wanting to explore the limits of his, and his cars, capabilities in a relatively safe environment. Enjoyment and empty wallets is what its all about
D
menor95 said:
Hi all. I have just bought a 2003 Z4 BMW 2.5i and I really want to have a go at a track day. However I am worried about the durability of the auto box. Has anyone taken a bmw with a slush box to a track day and if so did it last or end in tears ? lol Maybe I should have a fluid change done before hand considering the car is 10 years old.
Out of context perhaps, but for newer BMWs : the Rent4Ring team race cars in the VLN with slush-boxes (admittedly the latest ZF 8 speed in the current 1 series) and older auto S Class Mercs and Audi A8s have previously been ran in the Nurburgring 24 hour race.Gassing Station | Track Days | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff