Taking a standard bmw 330 se 4 door on track?
Discussion
Hi all,
I recently got black flagged for noise at Bedford in my track car so am
having evil thoughts about taking my everyday cheap hack 330 se to Bedford on Sun..
With its crappy open diff and susp like jelly (more to the point my crap driving!) I know I'm not going to be going past anyone but am hoping to have lots of fun!
Anyone ever done similar and what was it like?
My track car is so quick it almost takes the fun out of track days as usually there's nothing to play with but using the BMW barge I don't think ill have this problem!
Cheers all
I recently got black flagged for noise at Bedford in my track car so am
having evil thoughts about taking my everyday cheap hack 330 se to Bedford on Sun..
With its crappy open diff and susp like jelly (more to the point my crap driving!) I know I'm not going to be going past anyone but am hoping to have lots of fun!
Anyone ever done similar and what was it like?
My track car is so quick it almost takes the fun out of track days as usually there's nothing to play with but using the BMW barge I don't think ill have this problem!
Cheers all
Thanks for the advice chaps, will absolutely have a very sensitive brake foot if I do take it on..
I'm now getting a bit nervous about taking it on as it looks like I'll sell it and replace it with a car more capable of everyday duties and some light track stuff... A 200sx
Thanks again and will report back on what I do
I'm now getting a bit nervous about taking it on as it looks like I'll sell it and replace it with a car more capable of everyday duties and some light track stuff... A 200sx
Thanks again and will report back on what I do
Yes I know the noise issue is completely ridiculous but its o.ly because of complaints from residents and the constant threat of being shut down by the council
Maybe they'll build some noise defence and up the limit a bit as there are some standard cars that won't pass..
It has increased a lot since I've been going.. used to be 98db static and now 101db.. although driveby is where most fail
Maybe they'll build some noise defence and up the limit a bit as there are some standard cars that won't pass..
It has increased a lot since I've been going.. used to be 98db static and now 101db.. although driveby is where most fail
Friend of mine has taken his E46 330i SE on brands, the Ring/GP Circuit + a car limits day!
No problems with the brakes, yes the car rolls slightly but doesn't hamper the driving experience, if anything it gives one a better idea of the cars grip levels. We would go out for 15 min sessions with no problems, the car was more than capable of holding of much more 'focused' machinery.
His car is totally standard with 115k on the clock. It has been well serviced but it does not have any up-rated fluids or parts.
So, why don't you just go for it. Just be easy on the brakes and limit yourself to 15-20min sessions. On the subject of the open diff, with DSC off, coming out of tighter corners will prove no problem (with good tyres!)thanks to the cars linear power delivery.
Lew
No problems with the brakes, yes the car rolls slightly but doesn't hamper the driving experience, if anything it gives one a better idea of the cars grip levels. We would go out for 15 min sessions with no problems, the car was more than capable of holding of much more 'focused' machinery.
His car is totally standard with 115k on the clock. It has been well serviced but it does not have any up-rated fluids or parts.
So, why don't you just go for it. Just be easy on the brakes and limit yourself to 15-20min sessions. On the subject of the open diff, with DSC off, coming out of tighter corners will prove no problem (with good tyres!)thanks to the cars linear power delivery.
Lew
lou556 said:
Friend of mine has taken his E46 330i SE on brands, the Ring/GP Circuit + a car limits day!
No problems with the brakes, yes the car rolls slightly but doesn't hamper the driving experience, if anything it gives one a better idea of the cars grip levels. We would go out for 15 min sessions with no problems, the car was more than capable of holding of much more 'focused' machinery.
His car is totally standard with 115k on the clock. It has been well serviced but it does not have any up-rated fluids or parts.
So, why don't you just go for it. Just be easy on the brakes and limit yourself to 15-20min sessions. On the subject of the open diff, with DSC off, coming out of tighter corners will prove no problem (with good tyres!)thanks to the cars linear power delivery.
Lew
Lew,No problems with the brakes, yes the car rolls slightly but doesn't hamper the driving experience, if anything it gives one a better idea of the cars grip levels. We would go out for 15 min sessions with no problems, the car was more than capable of holding of much more 'focused' machinery.
His car is totally standard with 115k on the clock. It has been well serviced but it does not have any up-rated fluids or parts.
So, why don't you just go for it. Just be easy on the brakes and limit yourself to 15-20min sessions. On the subject of the open diff, with DSC off, coming out of tighter corners will prove no problem (with good tyres!)thanks to the cars linear power delivery.
Lew
Thanks so much for that, that's really good to know of your friends experiences!
The diff is just about the only thing I don't like about the car... I wish it would lock to allow more drift fun but on a normal trackday it wouldn't be a problem!
I think I will just do it and abandon my idea of getting a 200sx as my 330 is so mint.. I went to see a 200sx yesterday but it was covered in rust despite having only covered 15k miles! My 330 I've had for nearly a year and has been perfect, full BMW history 48k miles and just 2700 quid.. probably the best car I've ever bought!
The Nissan was a bucket in comparison and much more expensive...
I saw your post on carlimits, have a few questions about your m3 but will ask on that post...
Thanks again..
Sam
ARAF said:
I used to use a standard 325 ti. The understeer and body roll were quite bad, but cured with a different geo setup, and uprated ARBs. I also put KWs on it, though you don't need to go to these lengths. The car is still being tracked by the chap I sold it to.
That's good to hear.. thank you for letting me know about thatJust a quick update
I took the plunge and got the diff welded!
I know this won't be to everyones taste but it really was the only cost effective thing I could do...
Did a drift day in it last Sat and had an absolutely fantastic time really so much fun!
The car did ok given that its completely standard and the body roll was nothing like as bad as I thought it would be!
It felt like the thing was going to tip over but suspect its more to do with the bench type seats and me falling out of them every corner! My knee still has a scab on it due to my flailing about!
It looks so much flatter in this vid than I thought it would:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tHQYDG3amA
planning to take it to Bedford on sat so hoping brakes will last a couple of laps before fading but mostly just to have fun!
I took the plunge and got the diff welded!
I know this won't be to everyones taste but it really was the only cost effective thing I could do...
Did a drift day in it last Sat and had an absolutely fantastic time
really so much fun! The car did ok given that its completely standard and the body roll was nothing like as bad as I thought it would be!
It felt like the thing was going to tip over but suspect its more to do with the bench type seats and me falling out of them every corner! My knee still has a scab on it due to my flailing about!
It looks so much flatter in this vid than I thought it would:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tHQYDG3amA
planning to take it to Bedford on sat so hoping brakes will last a couple of laps before fading but mostly just to have fun!
git-r said:
It looks so much flatter in this vid than I thought it would:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tHQYDG3amA
Nicely done!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tHQYDG3amA
Thanks a lot for comments
yeah - at the start of the day I was spinning every corner lol but towards the end managed nearly a whole lap!
its so addictive as you get one corner linked up then think great then spin the next! Some of the guys on that day just seemed to do lap after lap perfectly...
had just as much fun if not more than I would have if I'd taken my track car
so much cheaper than a track day too!
think its brilliant you can do this sort of thing in this type of car.. Cant wait till I do the next one!
Cheers
yeah - at the start of the day I was spinning every corner lol but towards the end managed nearly a whole lap!
its so addictive as you get one corner linked up then think great then spin the next! Some of the guys on that day just seemed to do lap after lap perfectly...
had just as much fun if not more than I would have if I'd taken my track car
so much cheaper than a track day too!
think its brilliant you can do this sort of thing in this type of car.. Cant wait till I do the next one!
Cheers
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