Took my M3 on the track yesterday for 1st time
Discussion
Only had it 3 months and it's done almost 10k miles, been through the alps, round the Pyrenees and it's now been on the track 
. It was the first time for me and the car. Being hounded by a Corsa round a hairpin below 
I've got lots to learn with DSC off, the electronics are very eager (and effective). I confirmed the brakes are rubbish and it's too soft round the corners. But good fun to see what it can do and where the limits are. Tyres took a bit of a hammering (shoulders) and had to back off in the afternoon.
I also had a few passenger laps in a GT3, very impressive, serious grunt, sounds good, huge stoppers and dealt with the high speed Gerrards better than the M with less roll.
For those that have been here before, I'd appreciate any brake upgrade advice (mostly road, some track and not sure I can justify AP's) and any tips on avoiding excessive tyre wear.
. It was the first time for me and the car. Being hounded by a Corsa round a hairpin below I've got lots to learn with DSC off, the electronics are very eager (and effective). I confirmed the brakes are rubbish and it's too soft round the corners. But good fun to see what it can do and where the limits are. Tyres took a bit of a hammering (shoulders) and had to back off in the afternoon.
I also had a few passenger laps in a GT3, very impressive, serious grunt, sounds good, huge stoppers and dealt with the high speed Gerrards better than the M with less roll.
For those that have been here before, I'd appreciate any brake upgrade advice (mostly road, some track and not sure I can justify AP's) and any tips on avoiding excessive tyre wear.
Car looks great. Was this your first track day ever, or just with the car?
Pads and fluid change will make a big difference to your braking. I suffered with my brakes at the Nurburgring earlier in the year, however have unintentionally gone the AP route when it turned out that the local BMW dealer had a set of calipers in the cupboard that had been taken from a CSL prior to returning it to standard to put on their forecourt.
A friend working in part of the same family franchise network brought this to my attention, and I've now got a box of shiny red AP 6 and 4 pots to fit. Just need to save up and get the front discs and bells for the kit.
Any more pictures available?
Can't confirm from just one picture, however it appears that you could be a long way from the apex. Have you considered some tuition?
Pads and fluid change will make a big difference to your braking. I suffered with my brakes at the Nurburgring earlier in the year, however have unintentionally gone the AP route when it turned out that the local BMW dealer had a set of calipers in the cupboard that had been taken from a CSL prior to returning it to standard to put on their forecourt.
A friend working in part of the same family franchise network brought this to my attention, and I've now got a box of shiny red AP 6 and 4 pots to fit. Just need to save up and get the front discs and bells for the kit.
Any more pictures available?
Can't confirm from just one picture, however it appears that you could be a long way from the apex. Have you considered some tuition?
Yes, not too close to the Apex on that, it's very concrete and is the tightest corner in the country (according to instructor), so didn't want to get tooo close in my daily transport. Also, if you boot it out of there you want to use the width of the exit and it's obviously very easy to get the back going very sideways. I'm not too used the kick the other way you get when the tyres dig in again, it's quite sudden when it comes. Video of that corner here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6cWKnv381M
It was my first time on a track, so lots of learning to do.
Another pic, although still waiting for the pro jobs to arrive.
It was my first time on a track, so lots of learning to do.
Another pic, although still waiting for the pro jobs to arrive.
Edited by 0836whimper on Sunday 6th September 13:49
See here mate...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
They're the same 6-pots fitted to the 135i, but yellow (135i ones are grey). Give your dealer a shout for a price with the part numbers in (1):
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=UN92...
They bolt up using a set of brackets (about £100/pair) and grip standard CSL discs. I've had them for about 9 months, just doing track days and they've made a massive difference!
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
They're the same 6-pots fitted to the 135i, but yellow (135i ones are grey). Give your dealer a shout for a price with the part numbers in (1):
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=UN92...
They bolt up using a set of brackets (about £100/pair) and grip standard CSL discs. I've had them for about 9 months, just doing track days and they've made a massive difference!
slightly off topic but i was also at mallory yesterday, i was in the z4 roadster, and yes that hairpin without dsc is entertaining, i pushed a little to much and lost it on the grass a little further up from where that video was shot. from then on i didnt accelerate hard in 2nd on exit.
Car looks great mate....Ive done a couple of trackdays, in my M3, at Mallory myself and getting to grips with Shaws takes a while....you seem to go in too fast or too close to the apex....brand new set of tyres shot to pieces there.
Was it the straight forward track or did they have the 'bus stop' and 'edwinas' open?
Was it the straight forward track or did they have the 'bus stop' and 'edwinas' open?
klarky said:
slightly off topic but i was also at mallory yesterday, i was in the z4 roadster, and yes that hairpin without dsc is entertaining, i pushed a little to much and lost it on the grass a little further up from where that video was shot. from then on i didnt accelerate hard in 2nd on exit.
There's not alot of run-off, you did well to save it. Couldn't tell what engine was in the your Z, but guess it makes little difference on a corner that tight.The instructor was telling me to aim wide out of the corner with the throttle pinned, I was thinking erm...think I know what is going to happen if I don't straighten up sharpish. It doesn't help that people are filming etc, waiting for someone to over-do it.
A LSD must make a difference, the racing clio had a wheel up in the air all the way round.
falkster said:
Car looks great mate....Ive done a couple of trackdays, in my M3, at Mallory myself and getting to grips with Shaws takes a while....you seem to go in too fast or too close to the apex....brand new set of tyres shot to pieces there.
Was it the straight forward track or did they have the 'bus stop' and 'edwinas' open?
Standard, no chicanes or extra bits. I race my road-bike round there every week, so am used to the lay-out, just not at that speed.Was it the straight forward track or did they have the 'bus stop' and 'edwinas' open?
0836whimper said:
falkster said:
Car looks great mate....Ive done a couple of trackdays, in my M3, at Mallory myself and getting to grips with Shaws takes a while....you seem to go in too fast or too close to the apex....brand new set of tyres shot to pieces there.
Was it the straight forward track or did they have the 'bus stop' and 'edwinas' open?
Standard, no chicanes or extra bits. I race my road-bike round there every week, so am used to the lay-out, just not at that speed.Was it the straight forward track or did they have the 'bus stop' and 'edwinas' open?
Must be fantastic with your knee down round gerrards!!!
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