Discussion
Been on a track day with my mate in his at donnington, watch out for brake fade big time! The brakes are good and powerful but could only really manage a couple of laps at a time without overheating and fading. His had yokohama ad08's which were good but you will have to watch out for tyre temp and pressures a lot more closely if your just running normal road tyres.
stevec33 said:
Watch out for brake fade big time! The brakes are good and powerful but could only really manage a couple of laps at a time without overheating and fading.
Seriously? I mean, I knew my standard brakes were s
t (E46 M3) as are the E90's, single pot calipers have no place on a 1.5+ ton car with 3-400hp! I thought they'd fixed the problem???Christ, why can't BMW just fit decent brakes as standard!
Jim1556 said:
Christ, why can't BMW just fit decent brakes as standard!
I think the brakes are fine under hard road driving, considerably better than my E46 M3 was on the OEM set up. However I'd want uprated fluid and pads for track work since it's not a light car and the speeds the F80 can achieve on track would mean you're going to really push the standard compound/fluid after a few big braking zones.They weren't too bad today, to be fair.
Terminal speed on the start finish/back straight was about 115mph or so, and it didn't let me down. I did 5-8 laps at a time.
The pedal went a bit long, but retardation was generally there.
The tyres felt overheated a couple of times.
Did 64 miles to half a tank in the morning (8.7mpg according to the OBC...).
Terminal speed on the start finish/back straight was about 115mph or so, and it didn't let me down. I did 5-8 laps at a time.
The pedal went a bit long, but retardation was generally there.
The tyres felt overheated a couple of times.
Did 64 miles to half a tank in the morning (8.7mpg according to the OBC...).
Anyone who wants to track a road car should upgrade their fluid and pads. It will mean a much more enjoyable session rather than worrying about stopping at the end of long straights.
Cant go wrong with these: http://www.cl-brakes.com/en/ and use the RC5+ compound and their fluid is also top notch. Don't forget to change the fluid yearly to prevent moisture build up.
Cant go wrong with these: http://www.cl-brakes.com/en/ and use the RC5+ compound and their fluid is also top notch. Don't forget to change the fluid yearly to prevent moisture build up.
I track my F80 M3. Like the others have said, brakes are main issue but easily sorted. I went with Motul 600 fluid and RS29 pads on standard discs. Plus some cooling ducting.
That will let you go round all day, but the next issues I found were the MPSS were getting very hot and the standard camber on the font were eating the outside edges of the front tyres. So I had a bit more work done at Litchfield on the suspension and geo.
ETA!: (just seen you replied james)
That will let you go round all day, but the next issues I found were the MPSS were getting very hot and the standard camber on the font were eating the outside edges of the front tyres. So I had a bit more work done at Litchfield on the suspension and geo.
ETA!: (just seen you replied james)
I expected the brakes to struggle tbh. It's a while since I was into the trackday scene however I used to use SRF and Mintex 1155s on otherwise standard brakes and that combo would typically survive open pit days.
The tyres on the other hand, they got very hot and don't look too great. I dropped a couple of PSI all round from road pressures and in hindsight I'm not sure it helped tyre behaviour. There's plenty of tread depth left, however the fronts are very 'slugged up' with some outside shoulder wear (as mentioned above).
If I take it back out I'll probably change the brake pads/fluid and maybe put some more track orientated tyres on. In my head though, if I do that, I might as well buy something more track focuses altogether for that kind of thing...
The tyres on the other hand, they got very hot and don't look too great. I dropped a couple of PSI all round from road pressures and in hindsight I'm not sure it helped tyre behaviour. There's plenty of tread depth left, however the fronts are very 'slugged up' with some outside shoulder wear (as mentioned above).
If I take it back out I'll probably change the brake pads/fluid and maybe put some more track orientated tyres on. In my head though, if I do that, I might as well buy something more track focuses altogether for that kind of thing...
Hi Janesmith, I was there with the M5 (though not on track). It was good to have a chat, didn't realise you were on PH! Had a great day in the caterham. Your M3 was pretty quick down the straight and sounded nice. Great colour and wheels, shame about the brakes but not a great surprise I guess.
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