Track forum general chit chat

[D_SheerDrivingPleasure]

Originally Posted by adc

You can still have fun but just keep your head screwed in straight, and take it easy in the early sessions.

thx. I'll pack my tire warmers.

[shaddy]

Originally Posted by uncle ben

Not looking to turn my f80 into a track weapon, just want to make some improvements (rims/tires, camber plates, track pads, mcs 1 ways). Plan on 8-10 track days a year. The problem I see with 295/30/18 is that the overall diameter of the tires are over an inch smaller than the stock 275/35/19.

What I'm planning to do for next track season is to buy some 18x10.5 square and throw on some 285/35 RS4s to have a tire that is rotatable and lasts long. This year I spent driving on my PS4S and learning the car. Same situation as you where I don't want to turn the F80 into a pure track car, and I'm not ready to buy a dedicated track car either. I started with some KW V3, eventually added camber plates, then swapped it all out for some Nitrons and a more aggressive alignment/DS1.11 for pads. This all happened over the past ~1.5 years and trying to do at least a track day every month


Anyways, I'd look at the RS4s in 285/35 if you want something a little taller. You shouldn't have problems with front clearance from what I've read, 26.3" is the max comfortably for the front which is a 265/35/19. 18x10.5 square will let you run 275,285,295 and slicks if you ever want.

[drroc]

I clumsily tried to create a single lap of Laguna where each corner required some opposite lock

[Suds]

COTA, looking into the sun up turn one.
This was during the early morning no passing session.

[Gomeler]

Grabbed a set of the Continental ExtremeContact Force enduro tires for a test day with some friends. I was very impressed with them. I cut my fastest time on a 200TW and I found the tire to be very manageable at the limit. Wore 3/32 in 240 miles on track. On a 50 degree day I could log 5 laps at pace before the fronts overheated.

Looking my data over I think I have another ~1.5s to cut on this tire based on a composite lap from ~25 laps. Sadly that'll have to wait for 2022. Now I need to adjust my alignment and steering wheel angle. I found it very hard to correct with the wheel's neutral point being pointed at ~1 o'clock. I kept gripping the wheel weird and returning it to the wrong angle.

[uncle ben]

Originally Posted by shaddy

What I'm planning to do for next track season is to buy some 18x10.5 square and throw on some 285/35 RS4s to have a tire that is rotatable and lasts long. This year I spent driving on my PS4S and learning the car. Same situation as you where I don't want to turn the F80 into a pure track car, and I'm not ready to buy a dedicated track car either. I started with some KW V3, eventually added camber plates, then swapped it all out for some Nitrons and a more aggressive alignment/DS1.11 for pads. This all happened over the past ~1.5 years and trying to do at least a track day every month


Anyways, I'd look at the RS4s in 285/35 if you want something a little taller. You shouldn't have problems with front clearance from what I've read, 26.3" is the max comfortably for the front which is a 265/35/19. 18x10.5 square will let you run 275,285,295 and slicks if you ever want.

Thanks for the advice. Right now I just have to decide between 18x10.5 square and running an 18x11 rear staggered. Leaning towards a square setup. Thanks again.

[MaX PL]

Reached out to PFC on why they haven't released a kit for the F80. Plan to get a response from their design director sometime today.

Want to do a BBK for next year and Shadow recommends Alcon over AP, but I'm leaning toward AP due to resale later on, and question Alcon parts availability with Bimmerworld down the road. I have read both positive and negative on the AP in terms of rotor longevity over at rennlist so this is a difficult decision.

Would take PFC over both depending on how they respond. If it's a year or two out I'll wait it out.

[DRLane]

Originally Posted by uncle ben

Thanks for the advice. Right now I just have to decide between 18x10.5 square and running an 18x11 rear staggered. Leaning towards a square setup. Thanks again.

Consider 11" square. Even better sidewall support on 295s. I'm running 315/295 R7s across square 11" et44 EC7s.

[SYT_Shadow]

Originally Posted by MaX PL

Reached out to PFC on why they haven't released a kit for the F80. Plan to get a response from their design director sometime today.

Want to do a BBK for next year and Shadow recommends Alcon over AP, but I'm leaning toward AP due to resale later on, and question Alcon parts availability with Bimmerworld down the road. I have read both positive and negative on the AP in terms of rotor longevity over at rennlist so this is a difficult decision.

Would take PFC over both depending on how they respond. If it's a year or two out I'll wait it out.

Resale of the AP is not great. Paid 4300 for the rear bbk, sold it after being listed for almost a year for 3k including installation...

[MaX PL]

So I heard back from PFC. Nothing in the works, but I was told this; They only need interest from "dozens" of us and would then be willing to prototype something and launch Q42022/Q12023.

Do any of you have any interest in something like this? If so, I can create a thread asking for names and maybe a poll gauging interest. I could do a similar thread/poll in the M2 forum.

If we can get 40 to 100 people showing some level of interest it sounds like it would be worthwhile for them. They know this will be a low volume product and that's all they expect per my discussion.

If I get a few Yes responses here I will create a thread here and M2 forum. (And any other BMW forums that you guys recommend; I don't know of any others)

[SYT_Shadow]

PFC will eventually get back in the game of M car BBKs, but I think we'll have to wait for a while.

[adc]

Originally Posted by MaX PL

So I heard back from PFC. Nothing in the works, but I was told this; They only need interest from "dozens" of us and would then be willing to prototype something and launch Q42022/Q12023.

Do any of you have any interest in something like this? If so, I can create a thread asking for names and maybe a poll gauging interest. I could do a similar thread/poll in the M2 forum.

If we can get 40 to 100 people showing some level of interest it sounds like it would be worthwhile for them. They know this will be a low volume product and that's all they expect per my discussion.

If I get a few Yes responses here I will create a thread here and M2 forum. (And any other BMW forums that you guys recommend; I don't know of any others)

I’m interested.

[VeloF1]

Summer NT-01 tires off. RE-71R on. Track day this Thursday. Slight chance rain. N. California. Plus, I really need to save the Nitto since there’s no supply…

[fanatic1]

Originally Posted by drroc

I clumsily tried to create a single lap of Laguna where each corner required some opposite lock

Love it, but no love for T4?

[D_SheerDrivingPleasure]

Ice sheets in the paddock yesterday at Lime Rock had me questioning my sanity.

It turned out to be a great day once the sun was up. Sparce attendance allowed lots of clean laps and cold air made twin power happy. Managed a PB. Now it's time for winter tires and a few upgrades.

[drroc]

Originally Posted by fanatic1

Love it, but no love for T4?

I couldn't find a worth while clip for T4 from that day

[MaX PL]

Are these two items both for the same purpose with the Turner a better option? Would the Turner fit MCS shocks?

https://www.bimmerworld.com/Rear-Cle...-3-Series.html

https://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-5...ounts/?pdk=AQI

[SYT_Shadow]

Originally Posted by MaX PL

Are these two items both for the same purpose with the Turner a better option? Would the Turner fit MCS shocks?

https://www.bimmerworld.com/Rear-Cle...-3-Series.html

https://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-5...ounts/?pdk=AQI

Although the turner says it fits an F8X, I don't see how. It looks like the top of the suspension goes through the Turner one and gets bolted on the other side, but that's not how the F works

I've had the BW one for a few years, it works well

[silverbackf8x]

Originally Posted by MaX PL

Are these two items both for the same purpose with the Turner a better option? Would the Turner fit MCS shocks?

https://www.bimmerworld.com/Rear-Cle...-3-Series.html

https://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-5...ounts/?pdk=AQI

Turner for factory/OE style divorced rear strut and spring setup, utilizing OE style top hat

Bimmerworld is specific to MCS style shock/coilover

[MaX PL]

Thanks guys.

Another question if you don't mind. I've created this list of six SPL parts and was wondering if there is a significant advantage in doing these six versus just getting front thrust monoballs and rear camber bearings:

Front Tie Rod Ends
Front Lower Control Arms(Wishbones)
Front Upper Control Arms(Thrust Arms?)
Rear Adjustable Upper Arms
Rear Adjustable Trailing Arms
Rear Adjustable Toe Arms

I'm assuming the SPL UCAs already come with the monoballs/spherical bearings and whichever SPL rear arms also come with spherical bearings. So it's either $500 for front and rear bearings from Bimmerworld or Turner, or $2300 for the SPL suite.

I plan to keep the car for a while longer and to want to maximize suspension performance with these options plus MCS suspension. Will I see a large benefit going full SPL versus just the front and rear bearings?

Shadow, I know I've PMd you about this already. Sorry.

[SYT_Shadow]

Originally Posted by MaX PL

Thanks guys.

Another question if you don't mind. I've created this list of six SPL parts and was wondering if there is a significant advantage in doing these six versus just getting front thrust monoballs and rear camber bearings:

Front Tie Rod Ends
Front Lower Control Arms(Wishbones)
Front Upper Control Arms(Thrust Arms?)
Rear Adjustable Upper Arms
Rear Adjustable Trailing Arms
Rear Adjustable Toe Arms

I'm assuming the SPL UCAs already come with the monoballs/spherical bearings and whichever SPL rear arms also come with spherical bearings. So it's either $500 for front and rear bearings from Bimmerworld or Turner, or $2300 for the SPL suite.

I plan to keep the car for a while longer and to want to maximize suspension performance with these options plus MCS suspension. Will I see a large benefit going full SPL versus just the front and rear bearings?

Shadow, I know I've PMd you about this already. Sorry.

No worries, it's nice to discuss this stuff as a group

With the front monoballs you only have wins. Cheap, reliable, no nvh, no maintenance.

Full SPL I'm sure is better, but now you've introduced some negatives. There are enough cases of SPL failures to make me at least think twice. I don't plan on 'nutting' my car every weekend and would prefer to die in an epic battle vs my mortal enemies than do so because an arm let loose.
Also, now you have a ton of solid bushings all over the place that aren't sealed. They need to be lubed. Can they be driven in rain/salt?

The low hanging fruit gets is most of the improvement at the least cost and with lots of reliability.

[MaX PL]

Originally Posted by SYT_Shadow

No worries, it's nice to discuss this stuff as a group

With the front monoballs you only have wins. Cheap, reliable, no nvh, no maintenance.

Full SPL I'm sure is better, but now you've introduced some negatives. There are enough cases of SPL failures to make me at least think twice. I don't plan on 'nutting' my car every weekend and would prefer to die in an epic battle vs my mortal enemies than do so because an arm let loose.
Also, now you have a ton of solid bushings all over the place that aren't sealed. They need to be lubed. Can they be driven in rain/salt?

The low hanging fruit gets is most of the improvement at the least cost and with lots of reliability.

That's honestly the impression I get from bimmerworld and auto couture as well to some extent.
There are a few cases of SPL failure which I've read about which is why I thought perhaps Turner is a better option as they have have more manufacturing/development history I believe. And if it's more than just a failure issue, but also an issue of day to day drivability, then I agree the monoball only option makes most sense.
I only drive 5,000 miles per year, however, which is why I was considering these options as street quality is not the most important to me.

Thanks again for the info. I wonder what the GTMore project will do with suspension…