550i On Track at VIR
11-28-2008 | 10:54 AM
#1
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Joined: Mar 2007
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From: North Carolina, USA
My Ride: 2008 BMW 550i
2006 BMW X3
I took my 550i to VIR for a Carolinas PCA HPDE. It was my second time at the track with the car. It did quite well except for some brake fade. A lot of that was caused by a sloppy session on Saturday. By Sunday I was running well with no fade until like the last lap of hard sessions. I did a best lap of 2:30 and hit 137 mph in the back straight, both better than last year. Here is a video:
Two friends also went, one with an e46 M3, and one with an e92 M3. Both were in the beginner group but did well. The e92 M3 got down to 2:35 laps. His instructor in an e36 M3 with a few mods was hitting 2:17 laps.
11-28-2008 | 12:25 PM
#2
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Joined: Jul 2008
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From: Cleveland, Ohio
Awesome! In the spring I plan on attending my first track event! Im excited but nervous! Any tips that I should need to know? Also, where did you get your helmet and what is a good brand and style? Sorry for being nooby. 
11-28-2008 | 01:24 PM
#7
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From: So. Cal (SFV)
My Ride: 2011.5 Alpine White E90 M3 | Black Novillo Leather | Carbon Fiber Leather Trim | ZCP | ZP2 | M-DCT | Navigation | Moonroof | 6FL Mods: TMS 12.5mm spacers all around l Hawk HPS Brake Pads l OEM M3 Edition Grills l Paint Matched Side Gills l Key Hole D
Cool vid..thanx for sharing...looks like a great experience 
11-28-2008 | 02:23 PM
#9
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Joined: Dec 2007
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From: St. Louis Burbs, USA
My Ride: 2007 530i. Purchased 6/28/07. Titanium Silver Metallic, Black Dakota Leather, Dark Poplar Trim, Steptronic, Premium Package, Cold Weather Package, Bluetooth, Adaptive Control Xenons. 10/30/07 Added OEM 124s with 245/40/18 & 275/35/18 Michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires. Installed red Cal Covers� from BavAuto. 11/21/07 Added OEM all-weather floor mats (for winter, carpet in summer) and coat rack. 6/26/08 installed M5-style rear spoiler. 6/30/08 put on red reflectors. 8/22/08 Euro turn signal stickers applied. 3/20/09 Installed Shadowline Trim. 3/27/09 Added Matte Black Kidney Grilles from Trinity. 4/03/09 Installed Bimmian Shadow Matte Black 530i Badges. 4/04/09 Installed LED license plate lights from Trinity. 5/01/09 Installed Brabus Interior LED Kit and White Angel Eyes. 5/02/09 Put in Brabus 6K Fogs. 5/14/09 Removed charcoal filter. 5/15/09 Installed light smoke LED side marker lamps from Trinity. 5/21/09 Sprint Booster. 6/12/09 Painted exhaust tips flat black. 6/13/09 Pulled red Cal Covers and painted calipers low gloss black. 6/27/09 RPI Ram Air Scoop from Trinity. 8/15/09 Installed Brabus's silver invisibulbs front and rear. 9/24/09 Installed R-Dash license plate LEDs from Brabaus (John).
FUN!!!
11-28-2008 | 03:45 PM
#10
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From: Western Washington
My Ride: 2008 Space Gray 550i, Light Poplar Wood, Anthracite Head Liner, Sport Package, Sport Automatic Transmission, Cold Weather Package, Front Ventilated Comfort Seats in Black Nasca Leather, NAV, HUD, Active Steering, Comfort Access, Night Vision, Lane Deviation Warning, Active Cruise Control, Heated Rear Seats, Folding Rear Seats, Power Shade w/ Rear Side-Shades, Rear Air Bags, Logic 7, HD Radio, Sirius Satellite Radio, iPod/USB Adapter. Car in BMW Body Shop, estimated completion 01/24/07.
Very cool, Richard. I can't wait to get out to PIR in the spring. It looked like you were allowing the SAT to handle the upshifts and you were downshifting with the paddles, is that right? Were you in D mode with the Sport button enabled? Also DTC/DSC off?
Thanks, keep them coming,
Cal
Thanks, keep them coming,
Cal