Z4 coupe on track

[JaseB]

Things have transpired against me and it looks very much like my 7 won't be ready for a trackday this coming monday - gutted!

A plan B might be to use the tintop ie 20 odd k's worth of (non M) Z4 Coupe, so other than the value vs risk of damage how would a standard Coupe stand up on track, I guess I'm thinking mostly brakes?!

What do folks do for track insurance for these occasions? The 7 is covered under it's road policy.

Oh and I don't care about the tyres, they're runflats and it would be a good excuse to wear them through a little...

[mmm-five]

I've seen a few standard 3.0 Z4s on track and they seem to do fine for short periods. I suppose the brake issue will ultimately be down to how hard you are on them and how many heavy braking areas there are.

I've not had any problem in my ///M at Cadwell or Oulton, but then it's got ///M brakes.

MORIS or Competition Car Insurance can cover you on most UK tracks, but it won't be cheap - e.g. about £10/£1000 of cover plus 10% excess (mine worked out at £250/day and £2500 excess). However one of them offers to insure only certain parts of the car for a reduced premium - e.g. £10k bodywork/chassis with a £1k excess for £125.

[Thorny]

If it's any help, I've taken my standard 130i on track three times now and it's been absolutely fine, really good fun, so the Z4 will be great for it. My brakes faded a little after 3/4 laps of Bedford but nothing significant. I drive with a little mechanical sympathy though!

[JaseB]

The day will be full of buzzing little 7's I suspect any mechanical sympathy might go by the wayside

I don't want the pedal going soft on the way into Quarry...

[mmm-five]

Castle Combe is not hard on brakes though, so you should be fine - it's only the two chicanes (Bobbied & Esses) that need a heavy prod.

Unless you're want to brake AFTER Avon Rise, then Quarry isn't bad at all - in fact braking up Avon Rise will mean you'll get the braking benefit of going uphill too.

[JaseB]

Sounds a different proposition to the 7, I was braking after Avon Rise with a quick stomp before Quarry, the tin tops on the same day seemed to be braking before and after.

I wasn't so worried about the chicanes as they have run off

[Mattt]

Trackdemon used to track his 3.0Si Coupe regularly, and IIRC he said it was pretty good. He used to change the pads himself afterwards though, and said they were pretty cheap from a motorfactor.

[snorkel sucker]

Thorny said:

If it's any help, I've taken my standard 130i on track three times now and it's been absolutely fine, really good fun, so the Z4 will be great for it. My brakes faded a little after 3/4 laps of Bedford but nothing significant. I drive with a little mechanical sympathy though!

have also taken my 130i on track (oulton) and have to say it fared better in the brakes department than i could have given it credit for, and was waaaaay better than my previous car on track

as im sure you will know, dont expect very much from the runflats - turn in wasnt particularly sharp (that said my TD was in feb and was, erm, damp to say the least!). I did find though that some trail braking to get the nose tucked in helped...and also helped make the most of that wonderful poise bmws have when exiting a corner :-)

enjoy! i think you'll be plesantly suprised!