Just sent the email - fingers crossed

[leeson660]

Just sent the email on the Vmax website to sign up It really does look like a fantastic event - really friendly with just lots of like minded people taking their pride and joys and properly letting them go.

A few weeks ago after 4 years of very long hours and saving hard I finally achieved the dream and bought a top spec low mileage immaculate e46 M3CS: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

It has no modifications but has been de restricted by BMW.

I know in comparison to some of the monsters at VMax its nothing but to me its an absolute missile and I would absolutely love to properly let her go and see what she can do without risking ending up in jail! Looking at some of the results a couple of e46 M3s have posted some fairly respectable speeds.

Just one question - couldn't see many e6x M5's?? I would have thought they would be absolutely awesome at VMax.

Anyway I just hope Craig will give me the thumbs up It's a long drive from Cornwall but well worth it I reckon.

Hopefully see you at the next event!

Cheers guys

[neil_bolton]

Howdy: You'll be seeing between 165 and 170 if you've been deresticted - 170 is a very good speed and will require a tail wind.

I've only ever seen 172mph and thats holding it in 5th and with 418bhp in my M5. A typical day sees me between 164 and 170 all day long.

The BMW V10's see holding 6th gear pulling somewhere in the vicinity of 185/186s in standard trim, both the M6 and M5.

Never let it drop into the last gear, you'll never have the space to use it.

Hope that helps

[StuB]

Congrats and FWIW, you'll make one of the loveliest noises too, pulling away on the drag to the first bend.

Make sure the brakes are working properly as stock brakes on M3's aren't the best after repeated high speed stops!

[leeson660]

neil_bolton said:

Howdy: You'll be seeing between 165 and 170 if you've been deresticted - 170 is a very good speed and will require a tail wind.

I've only ever seen 172mph and thats holding it in 5th and with 418bhp in my M5. A typical day sees me between 164 and 170 all day long.

The BMW V10's see holding 6th gear pulling somewhere in the vicinity of 185/186s in standard trim, both the M6 and M5.

Never let it drop into the last gear, you'll never have the space to use it.

Hope that helps

Thanks neil.

I'd be delighted with anything around 165 especially with 1 gear left!

I'd love a go in an e39 m5 as well truly awesome cars

StuB said:

Congrats and FWIW, you'll make one of the loveliest noises too, pulling away on the drag to the first bend.

Make sure the brakes are working properly as stock brakes on M3's aren't the best after repeated high speed stops!

Thanks mate. I will never get tired of the s54 noise

The brakes yes I was a little worried about the stopping part after all the negative reviews on the m3 brakes With the CS obviously I have the bigger stoppers off the CSL but the general consensus seems to be they are bad as well!

For me they feel and perform absolutely amazing but then I've never had a car like this before. I have braked hard from 130mph down to 50mph a couple of times now and they were really powerful and very smooth. I've driven some local a roads quite quick too but nothing that's heavy on the brakes I try and keep it smooth and be a tad slower rather than going flat out then hard braking all the time. However from 165-170 I understand its a totally different ball game.

At VMax do you think they would be ok considering you only do one big stop at a time (I assume anyway)? I dont want to ruin the brakes as I really cant afford new discs / pads etc just at the moment

Cheers

James

Edited by leeson660 on Tuesday 3rd January 21:21

[neil_bolton]

leeson660 said:

Thanks mate. I will never get tired of the s54 noise

The brakes yes I was a little worried about the stopping part after all the negative reviews on the m3 brakes With the CS obviously I have the bigger stoppers off the CSL but the general consensus seems to be they are bad as well!

For me they feel and perform absolutely amazing but then I've never had a car like this before. I have braked hard from 130mph down to 50mph a couple of times now and they were really powerful and very smooth. I've driven some local a roads quite quick too but nothing that's heavy on the brakes I try and keep it smooth and be a tad slower rather than going flat out then hard braking all the time. However from 165-170 I understand its a totally different ball game.

At VMax do you think they would be ok considering you only do one big stop at a time (I assume anyway)? I dont want to ruin the brakes as I really cant afford new discs / pads etc just at the moment

Cheers

James

Edited by leeson660 on Tuesday 3rd January 21:21

Lets put it this way; Regular VMaxxers pay particular attention to their brakes both before and after the event - there are very few events that put so much strain on the cars in this way repeatedly.

I've replaced my brakes as a result, and I know others do it as a matter of course; having seen how hard the bank at the end of the runway is first hand, I know none of us wish to hit it!

[Playo]

Get the best brakes you can afford, be it better pads/fluid or bigger calipers it'll be worth the investment!

By the way, when is the next one Craig?? I'm getting itchy feet already

[BuzyG]

leeson660 said:

Just sent the email on the Vmax website to sign up It really does look like a fantastic event - really friendly with just lots of like minded people taking their pride and joys and properly letting them go.

A few weeks ago after 4 years of very long hours and saving hard I finally achieved the dream and bought a top spec low mileage immaculate e46 M3CS: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

It has no modifications but has been de restricted by BMW.

I know in comparison to some of the monsters at VMax its nothing but to me its an absolute missile and I would absolutely love to properly let her go and see what she can do without risking ending up in jail! Looking at some of the results a couple of e46 M3s have posted some fairly respectable speeds.

Just one question - couldn't see many e6x M5's?? I would have thought they would be absolutely awesome at VMax.

Anyway I just hope Craig will give me the thumbs up It's a long drive from Cornwall but well worth it I reckon.

Hopefully see you at the next event!

Cheers guys

Welcome to the world of M. I drive a Z4M. I too have read a lot about how the brakes will fade. However a full day at Spa this summer saw no degradation at all. Repeated stops from 135+ into Les combes & 125+ into the bus stop. I was trying so hard I was locking up changing down into the bus stop.(my clumsy footwork confusing the ABS I guess) Any how the CLS brakes are pretty good and there is usually a good bit of time between runs at Vmax. Obviously make sure the entire car especially the brakes are in good condition before hand, but I would say the standard CSL brakes are up to it.

Noticed you are in Cornwall. Your most welcome to come along to the Piston Heads meet this Sunday if you are free. http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[leeson660]

Cheers for all the info and advice.

I think I'll stick with the setup I have and make sure I go easy on the first few runs and see how it feels. Really looking forward to it. Before I bought the car I was looking at the AP racing brakes all round but am I right in thinking that installing them would invalidate my precious BMW warranty?

BuzyG said:

Welcome to the world of M. I drive a Z4M. I too have read a lot about how the brakes will fade. However a full day at Spa this summer saw no degradation at all. Repeated stops from 135+ into Les combes & 125+ into the bus stop. I was trying so hard I was locking up changing down into the bus stop.(my clumsy footwork confusing the ABS I guess) Any how the CLS brakes are pretty good and there is usually a good bit of time between runs at Vmax. Obviously make sure the entire car especially the brakes are in good condition before hand, but I would say the standard CSL brakes are up to it.

Noticed you are in Cornwall. Your most welcome to come along to the Piston Heads meet this Sunday if you are free. http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Spa sounds incredible good stuff - sounds like the CSL brakes should be ok so as above I'll take it easy to start with and see how it goes. Can you do as many or as few runs as you want at the event?

Thanks for the heads up on the meet - off to post there now

[tomvcarter]

leeson660 said:

Just sent the email on the Vmax website to sign up It really does look like a fantastic event - really friendly with just lots of like minded people taking their pride and joys and properly letting them go.

A few weeks ago after 4 years of very long hours and saving hard I finally achieved the dream and bought a top spec low mileage immaculate e46 M3CS: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

It has no modifications but has been de restricted by BMW.

I know in comparison to some of the monsters at VMax its nothing but to me its an absolute missile and I would absolutely love to properly let her go and see what she can do without risking ending up in jail! Looking at some of the results a couple of e46 M3s have posted some fairly respectable speeds.

Just one question - couldn't see many e6x M5's?? I would have thought they would be absolutely awesome at VMax.

Anyway I just hope Craig will give me the thumbs up It's a long drive from Cornwall but well worth it I reckon.

Hopefully see you at the next event!

Cheers guys

Whats the website? i woudl like to sign up too!

[CraigVmax]

Hi gents, sorry had a flood of vmax signups over Christmas and new year so i'm not ignoring you, just working through them.

I did see yours and you'd be most welcome matey. Wouldnt be concerned about brakes for now, they will be fine.

More vmax's this year including one in the south hopefully.

Keep an eye on this forum and also "liking" the vmax200 facebook page will be the best way to stay in the loop.

Happy new year btw!

[V8Dom]

hi craig im hopeing you still have my sign up from just after the spring vmax last year,, i can get the ultima down to 97 db now

dom

[CraigVmax]

I do Dom, good news

[Homer J]

Apologies for hyjacking

Craig, any further movement on a Northern Vmax at Elvington?

[CraigVmax]

hoping to do one mid year matey, just working on calender.

[Homer J]

CraigVmax said:

hoping to do one mid year matey, just working on calender.

You sir are a star

[leeson660]

CraigVmax said:

More vmax's this year including one in the south hopefully.

Superb! If its likely to get the go ahead I will definitely wait for this one as its a long way from Cornwall.

My boss is really up for bringing his Monaro along. Would love to put in a faster speed than him to take the office bragging rights

[mikeN54]

Brunters is in the South?

[leeson660]

mikeN54 said:

Brunters is in the South?

I did have a quick look on the map and its not quite as far as I thought. Still looking at a £500+ weekend though!

[tomvcarter]

Whats the chat about a VMAX day at the Porsche Centre?...

[CraigVmax]

Im looking into us doing a half or full day there Tom, i went last year and it was fun but also very beneficial.