Kiasu King Kong

Thanks for comments on 520 and 523. I will book an M5 instead (that is when I strike TOTO first price).

eggz

Heh...heh...field report. Ok, fun as usual. But PML organized means free flow of Ramli burgers and soft drinks. Also, lots of PML marketing chio babes around. PML mechanics (+ David) were there to work on your rides if you experience problems.
Best of all for those staying a night at the Westin, there was police escort all the way from Sepang to Westin in KL, yep no stopping at traffic lights, cut through traffic jams etc.

As for the track experience, I think I'm starting to get the hang of it, keeping up with the trainers in the new E90 330i was easy and sometimes felt like I could overtake, maybe they were not pushing hard. There were some track newbies with E39 M5s and M3s and I smoked a few of these quite easily

6spdMan

So I guess RY's remap of the ECU has worked well?

Edlee

Heh...heh...field report. Ok, fun as usual. But PML organized means free flow of Ramli burgers and soft drinks. Also, lots of PML marketing chio babes around. PML mechanics (+ David) were there to work on your rides if you experience problems.
Best of all for those staying a night at the Westin, there was police escort all the way from Sepang to Westin in KL, yep no stopping at traffic lights, cut through traffic jams etc.

As for the track experience, I think I'm starting to get the hang of it, keeping up with the trainers in the new E90 330i was easy and sometimes felt like I could overtake, maybe they were not pushing hard. There were some track newbies with E39 M5s and M3s and I smoked a few of these quite easily
[/quote]
Wow!!! Guessed I missed out on plenty. Someone told me to avoid the track for fear of stone chips scratching the headlights, fenders and bonnet.

Were the other brands I mentioned there also - namely Ferrarri and Evo?

tategoi

I understand from quite a few people incl Amos that the active steering is the most probable cause for all the hesitation whilst turning, etc. Problem is that active steering cannot be turned off at owner's disposal, otherwise we can definitely verify this.

This brings to my mind the time when power steering was introduced. Those days, drivers were forming a bee-line for cars with the new innovation. However, as it was "new" to the Jap car market, many people faced the exact problem which many 520 owners are facing today - hesitation whilst turning. This is because power steering drained quite some engine speed and with the alternator and air-con compressor included, was more than what the engine could take. They, however, improved on this by fine tuning the power steering and more importantly, re-working the pulley ratios and the complaints diminished.

I wonder why BMW never looked at this. Maybe they are; and that is why the 523 comes w/out active steering - because the engine isn't strong enough to incorporate the active steering. Its the cheapest and most obvious way out. Why should they admit to the problem and spend much more in R & D rectifying the matter when only the lowest in the E60 range is facing the problem? Just take off the option and tell people they get what they pay for.

Therefore, for now, I would have to contradict you and vote for the 523 w/out active steering.

MR RUSSO, can we have your opinion on this please?
[/quote]

The 2.2L in 520i is the entry level engine, when you compare it with 525i, 530i and 545i, obviously it will hesistate. Comparing 523 w/o AS with 520 w/ AS, of course 520 also hesitates. Anyone had compared the hesitation level between a 520 w/ AS and another 520 w/o AS?

In any case, hesitation is all in the mind of the driver. When you feel the car hesitates, like what Russo always like to say, FLOOR THE BASTARD, see if it still hesitates

Lack of power, yes for 520i. Hesitation? No. Thats straight from the experience of a 520i driver

eggz

You're right about the stone chips etc. I've got so many on my bonnet, lost count already. BTW, my windscreen cracked again

The EVOs were there in the morning, toto and I were with the "fast and furious" convoy and we arrived early to catch some of the EVOs having their last runs. The 1 hour of track time between the EVOs and BMWs was used by the Ferrari driving instructors for some orientation and practice runs in preparation for the following day's Ferrari track day. There were two 360CS and one 612 Scaglietti. The noise from the V8s was amazing! The 612 was fast, but it's V12 sounded much tamer.

No worries Ed, save yourself for when you get your M6, get prepared with IDT and then head to Sepang and let rip!

totoseow

You're right about the stone chips etc. I've got so many on my bonnet, lost count already. BTW, my windscreen cracked again

The EVOs were there in the morning, toto and I were with the "fast and furious" convoy and we arrived early to catch some of the EVOs having their last runs. The 1 hour of track time between the EVOs and BMWs was used by the Ferrari driving instructors for some orientation and practice runs in preparation for the following day's Ferrari track day. There were two 360CS and one 612 Scaglietti. The noise from the V8s was amazing! The 612 was fast, but it's V12 sounded much tamer.

No worries Ed, save yourself for when you get your M6, get prepared with IDT and then head to Sepang and let rip!
[/quote]

fast n furious convoy...somehow driving alone is a lot faster than convoy driving.
correction - all 3 were challenge stradales. one of the reds din paint the stripes on...maybe no more money. eggs did u stand at the track side when the 612 went past? can feel the wind woosh! a lot more drag it seems. that red CS according the keith had the chief italian trainer....freaking fast. made the M3s look like they were in reverse gear...ok randys csl was awesome..

Edlee

Okay guys. I have received a response from PML and sent PM to you, Zag, Valvetronic and Tategoi. Pls respond soonest possible.

Please note that the 25/26 Sep course is fully booked and we are now hopefully attending the next one which is 15/16 Oct.

If anyone else is interested, please PM me for details soonest possible.

Edlee

INTENSIVE DRIVER TRAINING

We now have confirmation from the following:
1 Totoseow
2 Tategoi
3 Russo plus 2
4 Edlee and son

Total now is 7. We have only got 5 slots left. Anyone who is keen, pls PM me soonest possible to avoid disappointment.

Edlee

We now have Eggz.
Unfortunately Valvetronic has asked to be excluded.
4 slots left. Any takers?