M4 GTS use on track

[Osiris]

Originally Posted by cntzl

What about track insurance?

I didn't bother with 135i. Rather unwise maybe.

[johnr265]

Originally Posted by cntzl

I have been to track couple of times in Europe before but I have never tracked a car here in US including my M4. Since I got my M4, I have noticed that I'm much more inclined to drive it very aggressively on public roads. Almost everyone recommends that I take it to the track and it will calm me down on public roads. While it sounds pretty convincing, I still can't justify the cost of a track day. Entrance fee is about $300-$400 depending on the event, track insurance $400-500 for my ZCP etc and it already sums up to ~$800. So here is my question (not M4 GTS specific): How much does a track day cost on average? I mean, I'm mostly interested in the track prep part that is required both before and after the event as in replacing brake pads, fluid etc . I know that the total cost might depend on the car, shop etc. but I'm just trying to get an idea from experienced people

As you well point out, the car affects things and the more aggressively you drive, the faster you wear things out. I think $1000/day is a reasonable ballpark because you have to amortize other costs brakes, tires, the occasional windshield, wear and tear on the car, gas to and at the event, hotel, track fees. This doesn't include insurance costs. When you really start getting serious, you add Hoosiers, trailers, tow vehicles, and everything also wears faster because of the added stress you are putting on the car with the stickier rubber. Costs can be as high as $1500/day in these situations and in a more expensive car.

I think for most people, not adding it up makes it more fun because you can plead ignorance, both to yourself and your significant other .

[Osiris]

Originally Posted by johnr265

As you well point out, the car affects things and the more aggressively you drive, the faster you wear things out. I think $1000/day is a reasonable ballpark because you have to amortize other costs brakes, tires, the occasional windshield, wear and tear on the car, gas to and at the event, hotel, track fees. This doesn't include insurance costs. When you really start getting serious, you add Hoosiers, trailers, tow vehicles, and everything also wears faster because of the added stress you are putting on the car with the stickier rubber. Costs can be as high as $1500/day in these situations and in a more expensive car.

I think for most people, not adding it up makes it more fun because you can plead ignorance, both to yourself and your significant other .

Yes significant other is huge factor. I don't know about others but I am bending over backwards to just keep this GTS purchase active. Specially that the car is two seats only and I also have 1M. So I am keeping my track intentions and potential other costs under wraps for now.

[KKSigs]

Originally Posted by Osiris

Yes significant other is huge factor. I don't know about others but I am bending over backwards to just keep this GTS purchase active. Specially that the car is two seats only and I also have 1M. So I am keeping my track intentions and potential other costs under wraps for now.

Yes there is a fine line for a happy wife, happy life. My wife and I really don't talk much about my car stuff or she pleads ignorance about it.

[PNWM3]

Originally Posted by KKSigs

Yes there is a fine line for a happy wife, happy life. My wife and I really don't talk much about my car stuff or she pleads ignorance about it.

Here's my wife with her M6 a few years ago and then at the 2-Day M School in SC. She drove her M6 on the track a few times and she's all for the GTS. She'll probably go to most track days as well. Will save on insurance but we'll spend more on tires and everything else.

[schnell325]

Originally Posted by KKSigs

Yes there is a fine line for a happy wife, happy life. My wife and I really don't talk much about my car stuff or she pleads ignorance about it.

Apparently I went over that line a few years ago

[VCP]

And she doesn't have a GTS on the way

Originally Posted by schnell325

Apparently I went over that line a few years ago

[cookiesowns]

My 2 cents..

Personally I feel track insurance is really only necessary if you feel you will drive the balls off the car at a track you're unfamiliar or don't know the event organizer that well.

If you run with well organized events, and know your limits or the car limits, it's a pretty safe experience.

Obviously $$$$ happens... just be safe, follow the rules, don't be a dick, and avoid the A$$HOLE drivers on the track ( there's always 1 at every event, trust me ) and you should be fine =)

[mu2002cs]

Originally Posted by mu2002cs

I just did a 3 Day HPDE at COTA. Track insurance from Locton was $870 with 15% deductible.

Two key things to consider:

1) Track insurance covers both your car and damage to the track. Guard rails, air walls, etc are expensive.

2) Make sure you cover the full value of your car. Partial value brings in a host of insurance laws that could cost you your car!

****** Update based on experience

I'm an experienced driver so I normally don't buy track insurance, but did for the 3 days at COTA. Why did I buy insurance , because I did not know the GTS capabilities and was not familiar with the car (had it a week before tracking). Next time out, I'll skip the insurance.

Lessons learned:

1) front tires are shot after 350 track miles
2) rear tires have about 200 track miles left
3) the tolerance between the front wheel and the calipers is very tight. Check for debris after every run as the build up will scratch the inside of the wheels. You will have to remove the wheels to do this as the debris sticks to the wheels and the calipers.
4) if you have not already done so, have your splitter and air dam wrapped.
5) I had a harness installed in the car. This is one fast car and generates high G forces. It definitely needs a harness to be safe and to keep you in your seat.

So factor all of this into your costs.

Lastly - the best way to enjoy the GTS is on the track!

[PNWM3]

Originally Posted by mu2002cs

****** Update based on experience

I'm an experienced driver so I normally don't buy track insurance, but did for the 3 days at COTA. Why did I buy insurance , because I did not know the GTS capabilities and was not familiar with the car (had it a week before tracking). Next time out, I'll skip the insurance.

Lessons learned:

1) front tires are shot after 350 track miles
2) rear tires have about 200 track miles left
3) the tolerance between the front wheel and the calipers is very tight. Check for debris after every run as the build up will scratch the inside of the wheels. You will have to remove the wheels to do this as the debris sticks to the wheels and the calipers.
4) if you have not already done so, have your splitter and air dam wrapped.
5) I had a harness installed in the car. This is one fast car and generates high G forces. It definitely needs a harness to be safe and to keep you in your seat.

So factor all of this into your costs.

Lastly - the best way to enjoy the GTS is on the track!

What harness and how did you have it set up with the seats the way they are without movable headrests?

[redrumm3]

Originally Posted by mu2002cs

****** Update based on experience

I'm an experienced driver so I normally don't buy track insurance, but did for the 3 days at COTA. Why did I buy insurance , because I did not know the GTS capabilities and was not familiar with the car (had it a week before tracking). Next time out, I'll skip the insurance.

Lessons learned:

1) front tires are shot after 350 track miles
2) rear tires have about 200 track miles left
3) the tolerance between the front wheel and the calipers is very tight. Check for debris after every run as the build up will scratch the inside of the wheels. You will have to remove the wheels to do this as the debris sticks to the wheels and the calipers.
4) if you have not already done so, have your splitter and air dam wrapped.
5) I had a harness installed in the car. This is one fast car and generates high G forces. It definitely needs a harness to be safe and to keep you in your seat.

So factor all of this into your costs.

Lastly - the best way to enjoy the GTS is on the track!

Great insight, thanks!

[MarksM]

Originally Posted by mu2002cs

****** Update based on experience

I'm an experienced driver so I normally don't buy track insurance, but did for the 3 days at COTA. Why did I buy insurance , because I did not know the GTS capabilities and was not familiar with the car (had it a week before tracking). Next time out, I'll skip the insurance.

Lessons learned:

1) front tires are shot after 350 track miles
2) rear tires have about 200 track miles left
3) the tolerance between the front wheel and the calipers is very tight. Check for debris after every run as the build up will scratch the inside of the wheels. You will have to remove the wheels to do this as the debris sticks to the wheels and the calipers.
4) if you have not already done so, have your splitter and air dam wrapped.
5) I had a harness installed in the car. This is one fast car and generates high G forces. It definitely needs a harness to be safe and to keep you in your seat.

So factor all of this into your costs.

Lastly - the best way to enjoy the GTS is on the track!

Glad you got at least 350 miles, Front tires shredded in 200 miles on mine.
Insurance is probably not for your mistakes, but for those around that want to hit you. All but one of my track "problems" came from others who were much less careful. Remember the other guy has no responsibility to fix you car on normal track days, even driving school days. Read what you sign.

BTW, New track rules out here are changing to require a Hans type device if you use a 4,5, or 6 point harness.

[VCP]

100%!

Originally Posted by mu2002cs

****** Update based on experience



Lastly - the best way to enjoy the GTS is on the track!

[GraveSmiles]

Originally Posted by cntzl

What about track insurance?

I've never had insurance for the track. Not for a E46 M3, F13 M6 or M4 GTS. (I picked up my M4 GTS 6PM on a Friday and had it on a track at 8am Saturday with 55kms on the clock. See photo)
The "focuses the mind" title is 40% tongue in check, 60% true. I think of I had track insurance I would drive differently, more recklessly.

[Captain Unknown GT4]

Way to go! That pic do show how well the GTS fit to track inviroment. Great pic!

Just out of curiosity, what set up did you drive? Street or track from bmw manual or set it up anything at own taste other than the 2 settings bmw show?

Car looks Rather high of the ground in that pic. but great angle on that rear wing. Looks like Max aero.

[GraveSmiles]

Originally Posted by Captain Unknown GT4

Way to go! That pic do show how well the GTS fit to track inviroment. Great pic!

Just out of curiosity, what set up did you drive? Street or track from bmw manual or set it up anything at own taste other than the 2 settings bmw show?

Car looks Rather high of the ground in that pic. but great angle on that rear wing. Looks like Max aero.

At Sandown I have been running street suspension settings, it's a very bumpy track. I do run full aero just for a bit of confidence even though there are no high speed corners. I'll be heading out to Phillip Island Grand Prix circuit at the end of January, hopefully. That's a smooth track with a number of high speed corners so I will change to the track setting for that and maybe even a little lower to get as much aero as possible.
Here is a video of Sandown chasing down a Cayman GT4 after being overtaken by a friend in his 991 GT3RS.

[Captain Unknown GT4]

Great video, Thanks For upload!

That track car will drive much better if low down track setting, also tire will last and performance better in that setting vs high street setting.

Please I would Love the hear you feedback on how the car drive if and when you get the chance to low down track setting. Personal I did think that drop did a big big improvement and car is a blast then to drive these kind of tracks.

[Warranty P]

Originally Posted by RPChan

Most track weekends will require that you have high performance bake fluid in your car that has been changed in the past 6 months. I recommend that you have track pads as well. I do the work myself. Fluid costs $10. Hawk performance pads on my e36M3 run around $200 for the set. I imagine more for an M4 but probably not a lot more. They will last multiple weekends. Many drivers use their street tires for their first events. Tires have to have a reasonable amount of tread. Most operations will pair you with an instructor for your first events which is included in the price of the event. The only other expense is you have to have a current helmet. All in all you might spend up to $1000 but the majority of that investment is usable for future events.

This is just silly, track days in Germany cost you anywhere from 15-30 Euro per 25 min. On the track. I never get track insurance and I certainly would never go to the track if it cost me $1000 to do it.

[M4_GTS]

Originally Posted by Warranty P

This is just silly, track days in Germany cost you anywhere from 15-30 Euro per 25 min. On the track. I never get track insurance and I certainly would never go to the track if it cost me $1000 to do it.

I went to the ring last year and it only cost me in total 200usd for a night at the Lindner Hotel, dinner at the Pistenklause and 3 laps around the ring. Not to mention the insurance provided by BMW AG from Allianz covers tourist days at the ring.

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by M4_GTS

I went to the ring last year and it only cost me in total 200usd for a night at the Lindner Hotel, dinner at the Pistenklause and 3 laps around the ring. Not to mention the insurance provided by BMW AG from Allianz covers tourist days at the ring.

'Ring "turistenfahrts" are not track days; the ring simply becomes a public toll road without speed limit (on most sections) and anyone is allowed access with any vehicle. There are actual proper track days/HPDE-type events organized at the 'ring and registration is quite expensive (500EUR~1000EUR+).

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by Warranty P

This is just silly, track days in Germany cost you anywhere from 15-30 Euro per 25 min. On the track. I never get track insurance and I certainly would never go to the track if it cost me $1000 to do it.

I think RPChan also includes consumables and amneties in his total track day cost. When you start adding up registration, fuel, tires, brakes, lodging, it quickly goes in the $500~$1000 per day range. But I think it is less depressing not trying to add it up

http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1317805

[Warranty P]

Originally Posted by M4_GTS

I went to the ring last year and it only cost me in total 200usd for a night at the Lindner Hotel, dinner at the Pistenklause and 3 laps around the ring. Not to mention the insurance provided by BMW AG from Allianz covers tourist days at the ring.

Right, that sounds a lot more reasonable than dumping $1K per track event. Although I must say that I was always a little apprehensive at Nurburgring. I always preferred shorter closed loop tracks.