My BMW E46 330i Sport
Discussion
wackojacko said:
petrolveins said:
Look forward to it, wanna have a good look around your E46, and Jack's. Heck ignore the other cars I wan't to look at all the E46s.
Most likely I'll be the goon in the Christmas jumper the same colour as your car so do come say hello.
I'm even going to wash my car for you. Most likely I'll be the goon in the Christmas jumper the same colour as your car so do come say hello.
Also will be sporting some Xmas attire on myself and the car.
Swoxy there's a meet in Bracknell to convoy down, take a look in the Thames Valley Section.
I will be there.Time for another update. The car has successfully completed it and my first ever track day at Donington.
Had an absolutely awesome time, and the car was excellent, only small issues to speak of which I will mention in a moment.
One of my mates who happens to be a racing driver came along with me, and also rather usefully acted as chauffeur to and from the track, it was a very early 4:30am start so I was grateful he was driving me. He immediately commented on how soggy the suspension felt compared to his own E39 Sport, I thought it was normal, but he pointed out the car would pitch and roll before the car would turn, nothing wrong with it, just 10 year old suspension that is a bit worn. I had also decided to bring the set of 18s I usually have on the car as spares, and ran the newly purchased 17s with more rubber on them, this rubber later turned out to be pretty hard stuff, and combined with the cold meant we didn't actually wear them that much, so didn't need the spares.
In the days leading upto the track day I was pretty nervous, so had taken out track insurance on the car, and on the actually morning I was properly petrified when I first got on the track, everything flying past me, I was a mess. My mate though is an absolute legend and got me through the first little outing. The format of the day was open pitlane which suited us perfectly. He took me around a few times to show me the lines, braking points and everything. Then I got behind the wheel again, still quite nervous and tense, but steadily get the hang of it and started enjoying myself, we started with the DSC in it's half off mode, so it didn't grab the brakes in every corner, but didn't allow me to get the car out of shape and spin off. It was a very cold day, just about freezing, but it was dry, so I was nervous about spinning off, enough people did. Towards the end of the morning we found the car cutting out briefly every time we exited Coppice, and were pretty sure it wasn't mechanical so asked some of the M3 guys there what they thought it might be, heads were scratched, and someone asked how much fuel we had, half a tank, they suggested we fill up to the brim and see what happens, and sure enough back on track all was good, we were running the tank too low for that corner and sucking on air briefly. My mate commented how we were the only standard road car there, everything else from the Mini Cooper S to the 911 GT3 wasn't standard. For standard OEM brakes we were both impressed, they didn't fade on us once, we probably didn't pound them enough for that to happen, but I think we did boil the fluid, and my god did they stink. Even still, they got a little spongey towards the end, and we got some vibration through the steering wheel which sorted itself out. Other than that the car did not miss a beat, it was fantastic. I was also so chuffed with the progress I made, my mate was an excellent coach, and I found myself passing a lot of the other cars by the end of the day. The 330ci on coilovers and semi-slicks that was flying past us in the morning I was able to pass comfortably by the afternoon, most of the MX-5s were dealt with too.
Funnily enough I had another mate there testing a Ginetta which was good fun having him fly past us several times. But the E46 did very well considering the state of the suspension and the tyres. I only had one pant-wetting moment, entering craner on the kerb the back end stepped wide a little at 90mph+ but managed to catch it. It was great fun with my mate behind the wheel, had a 1M on our tail he somehow managed to shake loose. I got the GoPro out towards the end, and this morning watching the footage of me driving timed a 1:34.5 towards the end of the day, which doesn't sound too bad to me.
Overall, an absolutely fantastic day, really feel I came on leaps and bounds and really achieved something, I reckon with decent suspension and some proper tyres it would be even quicker than the cars I couldn't keep up with yesterday. I've totally caught the bug and wondering now what parts of the interior are really necessary and what coilovers I should get. I do however need to get saving up before I do anything else.
The star though aside from my mate, who I can't thank enough for teaching me so much, is really the car; managed 11.8 mpg on track, and then managed 39mpg on the M40 with the spare set of wheel and tyres in the back. It was really balanced on track, stopped well, turn in was good, it stood up well to a whole day on track, and didn't ever complain, except when we didn't give it enough fuel. I'm not really used to doing 11.8mpg, but more impressively it took both of us, 4 wheels and tyres and helmets and stuff up and down in comfort, without any squeaks or rattles and even did 39mpg on the M40 with the cruise control set to 80. Absolutely cracking car, can't think of a better all rounder I'd rather own.
There are a few photos floating about I'll try post up later.
Had an absolutely awesome time, and the car was excellent, only small issues to speak of which I will mention in a moment.
One of my mates who happens to be a racing driver came along with me, and also rather usefully acted as chauffeur to and from the track, it was a very early 4:30am start so I was grateful he was driving me. He immediately commented on how soggy the suspension felt compared to his own E39 Sport, I thought it was normal, but he pointed out the car would pitch and roll before the car would turn, nothing wrong with it, just 10 year old suspension that is a bit worn. I had also decided to bring the set of 18s I usually have on the car as spares, and ran the newly purchased 17s with more rubber on them, this rubber later turned out to be pretty hard stuff, and combined with the cold meant we didn't actually wear them that much, so didn't need the spares.
In the days leading upto the track day I was pretty nervous, so had taken out track insurance on the car, and on the actually morning I was properly petrified when I first got on the track, everything flying past me, I was a mess. My mate though is an absolute legend and got me through the first little outing. The format of the day was open pitlane which suited us perfectly. He took me around a few times to show me the lines, braking points and everything. Then I got behind the wheel again, still quite nervous and tense, but steadily get the hang of it and started enjoying myself, we started with the DSC in it's half off mode, so it didn't grab the brakes in every corner, but didn't allow me to get the car out of shape and spin off. It was a very cold day, just about freezing, but it was dry, so I was nervous about spinning off, enough people did. Towards the end of the morning we found the car cutting out briefly every time we exited Coppice, and were pretty sure it wasn't mechanical so asked some of the M3 guys there what they thought it might be, heads were scratched, and someone asked how much fuel we had, half a tank, they suggested we fill up to the brim and see what happens, and sure enough back on track all was good, we were running the tank too low for that corner and sucking on air briefly. My mate commented how we were the only standard road car there, everything else from the Mini Cooper S to the 911 GT3 wasn't standard. For standard OEM brakes we were both impressed, they didn't fade on us once, we probably didn't pound them enough for that to happen, but I think we did boil the fluid, and my god did they stink. Even still, they got a little spongey towards the end, and we got some vibration through the steering wheel which sorted itself out. Other than that the car did not miss a beat, it was fantastic. I was also so chuffed with the progress I made, my mate was an excellent coach, and I found myself passing a lot of the other cars by the end of the day. The 330ci on coilovers and semi-slicks that was flying past us in the morning I was able to pass comfortably by the afternoon, most of the MX-5s were dealt with too.
Funnily enough I had another mate there testing a Ginetta which was good fun having him fly past us several times. But the E46 did very well considering the state of the suspension and the tyres. I only had one pant-wetting moment, entering craner on the kerb the back end stepped wide a little at 90mph+ but managed to catch it. It was great fun with my mate behind the wheel, had a 1M on our tail he somehow managed to shake loose. I got the GoPro out towards the end, and this morning watching the footage of me driving timed a 1:34.5 towards the end of the day, which doesn't sound too bad to me.
Overall, an absolutely fantastic day, really feel I came on leaps and bounds and really achieved something, I reckon with decent suspension and some proper tyres it would be even quicker than the cars I couldn't keep up with yesterday. I've totally caught the bug and wondering now what parts of the interior are really necessary and what coilovers I should get. I do however need to get saving up before I do anything else.
The star though aside from my mate, who I can't thank enough for teaching me so much, is really the car; managed 11.8 mpg on track, and then managed 39mpg on the M40 with the spare set of wheel and tyres in the back. It was really balanced on track, stopped well, turn in was good, it stood up well to a whole day on track, and didn't ever complain, except when we didn't give it enough fuel. I'm not really used to doing 11.8mpg, but more impressively it took both of us, 4 wheels and tyres and helmets and stuff up and down in comfort, without any squeaks or rattles and even did 39mpg on the M40 with the cruise control set to 80. Absolutely cracking car, can't think of a better all rounder I'd rather own.
There are a few photos floating about I'll try post up later.
james_gt3rs said:
Wait for the 'My trackday modified BMW E46 330i Sport' post next month... 
Don't even tempt me! The soggy suspension is a great excuse for coilovers and a decent performance exhaust is needed too, and I'm not sure how much of that heavy interior I really need. Just need to stop being broke first before anything gets done. Photo time, big thanks to Nick Barrett at Xtreme Sports Photography for all the photos.
XSP_55-4 by tlynchie, on Flickr
XSP_0224-5 by tlynchie, on Flickr
XSP_0289-18 by tlynchie, on Flickr
That's my mate Tom in the yellow Ginetta.
XSP_0547-9 by tlynchie, on Flickr
XSP_0568-10 by tlynchie, on Flickr
XSP_0624-14 by tlynchie, on Flickr
XSP_0845-15 by tlynchie, on Flickr
XSP_55-4 by tlynchie, on Flickr
XSP_0224-5 by tlynchie, on Flickr
XSP_0289-18 by tlynchie, on Flickr
That's my mate Tom in the yellow Ginetta.
XSP_0547-9 by tlynchie, on Flickr
XSP_0568-10 by tlynchie, on Flickr
XSP_0624-14 by tlynchie, on Flickr
XSP_0845-15 by tlynchie, on Flickr
petrolveins said:
Finally washed the car today, first time in months.
Why not wash it, especially when it's so nice? If you keep the road salt off it, you'll have less corrosion / rust issues as well.
Those are great photos from Donington. - I only live about 20 minutes away from there but have never had the pleasure of a trackday. - The 320i, whilst a nice road car isn't exactly suited to that. Speaking of which, mine needs a bit of TLC once the weather warms up (I can't be bothered with trying to tinker with it in the rain and minus temperatures etc.). - I need a garage!
First time I have personally washed it in months, usually goes through the machine at work without me even knowing every once in a while. I leave it with the keys in it in the work yard intending to wash it at myself, but usually one of the valet guys spots it and has it done for me before I even know it. Love those guys. Utter legends.
That reminds me, must get those photos onto Flickr and here.
In other news I haven't spent any money at all on the car recently except fuel, tyres and brakes are still fine, but the big service is due next month or so, so I'll probably spend some more money on the car at the same time. Still love it though, and don't really want to get rid.
That reminds me, must get those photos onto Flickr and here.
In other news I haven't spent any money at all on the car recently except fuel, tyres and brakes are still fine, but the big service is due next month or so, so I'll probably spend some more money on the car at the same time. Still love it though, and don't really want to get rid.
Just saw your earlier mention of coilovers and thought I'd post my experience with them. I have an E46 330cd Sport with D2 coilovers. They cost £650, so mid-range I'd say. I've also changed all my bushes for powerflex too.
The car feels far more stable around high speed bends now, a massive improvement. Previously it would feel vague and a bit wobbly at the limit, but now I can launch it into bends with a lots of confidence. Also, the weight of the back end when making high speed direction changes seems to transfer less severely than it used to. There is still some body roll, but it is much more controlled. And finally, there seems to be more feel for what the front end is doing. Still not a huge amount, but better than nothing as there was before.
On the road I don't think they're actually that bad with the damping backed off. I definitely try to avoid potholes, and the bigger speed bumps occasionally scrape the bottom of the car, but generally I don't mind the firmer ride. It's not like the ride was great beforehand anyway! I've been commuting 160 miles a day for the last 4 months without any trouble anyhow.
On track I'd say they were great, definitely worth it. I'd hate to have done a track day on the standard Sport suspension if I'm honest. There are still further improvements that could be made though, like reducing roll even more, and reducing the understeer. I too was thinking of going for the square setup, but haven't had chance to get anywhere with that yet. And probably a stiffer rear anti-roll bar.
The car feels far more stable around high speed bends now, a massive improvement. Previously it would feel vague and a bit wobbly at the limit, but now I can launch it into bends with a lots of confidence. Also, the weight of the back end when making high speed direction changes seems to transfer less severely than it used to. There is still some body roll, but it is much more controlled. And finally, there seems to be more feel for what the front end is doing. Still not a huge amount, but better than nothing as there was before.
On the road I don't think they're actually that bad with the damping backed off. I definitely try to avoid potholes, and the bigger speed bumps occasionally scrape the bottom of the car, but generally I don't mind the firmer ride. It's not like the ride was great beforehand anyway! I've been commuting 160 miles a day for the last 4 months without any trouble anyhow.
On track I'd say they were great, definitely worth it. I'd hate to have done a track day on the standard Sport suspension if I'm honest. There are still further improvements that could be made though, like reducing roll even more, and reducing the understeer. I too was thinking of going for the square setup, but haven't had chance to get anywhere with that yet. And probably a stiffer rear anti-roll bar.
Thanks for that cava. I'm sure my standard suspension ride has got worse, really crashy at low speed, and quite wallowy at high speed. Can't wait to get it all sorted out and riding a bit lower and flatter. Haven't looked much into anti-roll bars, I'll just ask my BMW mechanic to have a look over it all, my mate from Donington was under the impression the front anti-roll bar needs replacing.
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