Taking the 550i to a race track
09-25-2007, 05:42 AM
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A friend is booking a local race track for the day and I'll be participating 
It'll be in 8 weeks time and I was wondering if there are any tips from those of you who have done this before can give me?
There'll be no racing but we'll be able to go as fast as we are comfortable with, or dare
I've got invisible bra covering my fronts and side mirrors so stone chips shouldn't be a big issue.
I have 19" wheels but it's been suggested that I should get a set of 18's for track use. The 18's are cheaper and there's more variety. Do you think this is a good idea and any recommendation?
How many laps do you think I can do before the brakes perfomance diminishes?
What checks should I do on the car before tracking it? Brake oil? Engine oil?
FYI, some info on my car:
172 type 19" wheels with Yokohama Advan Sport tyres
Eibach Pro Kit springs
H&R sway bars set on Medium
I-drive states I've got another 30,000kms on my brakes
ODO reading is 20,000kms
Service is up to date
Any tips that you guys can give is appreciated! Thanks in advance!
I've driven on the track several times and even in the current M3. Never timed my self in the M3 but I got it to about 210kmh in the long back stretch.
Here's a look of the track (a Porsche 997 GT3 stock does it in about 1m 17sec):
It'll be in 8 weeks time and I was wondering if there are any tips from those of you who have done this before can give me?There'll be no racing but we'll be able to go as fast as we are comfortable with, or dare
I've got invisible bra covering my fronts and side mirrors so stone chips shouldn't be a big issue.
I have 19" wheels but it's been suggested that I should get a set of 18's for track use. The 18's are cheaper and there's more variety. Do you think this is a good idea and any recommendation?
How many laps do you think I can do before the brakes perfomance diminishes?
What checks should I do on the car before tracking it? Brake oil? Engine oil?
FYI, some info on my car:
172 type 19" wheels with Yokohama Advan Sport tyres
Eibach Pro Kit springs
H&R sway bars set on Medium
I-drive states I've got another 30,000kms on my brakes
ODO reading is 20,000kms
Service is up to date
Any tips that you guys can give is appreciated! Thanks in advance!
I've driven on the track several times and even in the current M3. Never timed my self in the M3 but I got it to about 210kmh in the long back stretch.
Here's a look of the track (a Porsche 997 GT3 stock does it in about 1m 17sec):
09-25-2007, 06:22 AM
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The following documents are tech inspection checklists that I found that a couple of BMW CCA chapters use for their driver's school events.
bmwcc_tech_inspection.pdf
track_tech_sheet.pdf
As far as tires and brakes, clearly you'll be accelerating the wear of those components but I'm not sure if it'll be worth changing wheels/tires unless you plan on doing this frequently. The track looks pretty fast -- plenty of straights between few turns -- but I'm thinking you'll be okay with brake fade.
bmwcc_tech_inspection.pdf
track_tech_sheet.pdf
As far as tires and brakes, clearly you'll be accelerating the wear of those components but I'm not sure if it'll be worth changing wheels/tires unless you plan on doing this frequently. The track looks pretty fast -- plenty of straights between few turns -- but I'm thinking you'll be okay with brake fade.
09-25-2007, 06:23 AM
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Originally Posted by gwf545' post='473977' date='Sep 26 2007, 12:47 AM
It sounds like fun, but doesn't it void the warranty on your car to track it?
09-25-2007, 06:31 AM
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Originally Posted by Rudy' post='473978' date='Sep 26 2007, 12:52 AM
The following documents are tech inspection checklists that I found that a couple of BMW CCA chapters use for their driver's school events.
As far as tires and brakes, clearly you'll be accelerating the wear of those components but I'm not sure if it'll be worth changing wheels/tires unless you plan on doing this frequently. The track looks pretty fast -- plenty of straights between few turns -- but I'm thinking you'll be okay with brake fade.
As far as tires and brakes, clearly you'll be accelerating the wear of those components but I'm not sure if it'll be worth changing wheels/tires unless you plan on doing this frequently. The track looks pretty fast -- plenty of straights between few turns -- but I'm thinking you'll be okay with brake fade.
09-25-2007, 08:18 AM
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be sure this is what you want to do with your big luxury sedan...im sure it will be fun, but I would personally not do that to my car. a miata yes, 550i...nope
also, check with your auto insruance as well as health insurance provider. Im serious.
also, check with your auto insruance as well as health insurance provider. Im serious.
09-25-2007, 08:51 AM
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Originally Posted by s4iscool' post='474015' date='Sep 25 2007, 12:18 PM
be sure this is what you want to do with your big luxury sedan...im sure it will be fun, but I would personally not do that to my car. a miata yes, 550i...nope
also, check with your auto insruance as well as health insurance provider. Im serious.
also, check with your auto insruance as well as health insurance provider. Im serious.
09-25-2007, 08:55 AM
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My Ride: My ex-ride: EU '08 LCI 520dA. Space Grey, Sport Seats in Black Leather/Fabric Anthracite, Sport Steering Wheel, A/C with Extended Features, Hi-Fi Speakers, Cup Holders, Cruise with Braking function, Folding Rear Seats, Xenons, Park Distance Control.
Originally Posted by Rudy' post='474041' date='Sep 25 2007, 07:51 PM
That "big luxury sedan" would put a Miata to shame on a track -- period...
Yeah, go for it. Just inflate your tyres above max.
Have fun, but keep your brain or...
.
09-25-2007, 10:07 AM
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My Ride: Currently MB SL 500 Roadster
Next: 2009 535i. Hopefully summer '08
Originally Posted by Ricracing' post='474043' date='Sep 25 2007, 11:55 AM
Yeah, go for it. Just inflate your tyres above max.
Have fun, but keep your brain or...
.
Have fun, but keep your brain or...
.
09-25-2007, 10:32 AM
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Originally Posted by Rudy' post='474041' date='Sep 25 2007, 12:51 PM
That "big luxury sedan" would put a Miata to shame on a track -- period...
The potential for spinning out, or worse, crashing at the track, makes tracking the E60 a poor choice IMO. If youre out there to just drive with some aggression and get some high speed runs, that can be fun and safe...but not rewarding like ripping up a course in a more track oriented car.