Do you take your M3 to the track?

[aus]

Originally Posted by Lemon Jelly M3

You need to understand..
Buying an M3 and not tracking is same thing as buying a super-duper gaming computer and using it only for web browsing.

Or like dating Kate Upton and just cuddling.
She looks hot on your arm when you go out, but what's the point???

.

[Red_Baron]

Like most people, I personally don't but I tell everyone I do.

[FormulaMMM]

Originally Posted by lthai

Like most people, I personally don't but I tell everyone I do.

That's awesome.

[Khrishna]

Originally Posted by Lemon Jelly M3

You need to understand..
Buying an M3 and not tracking is same thing as buying a super-duper gaming computer and using it only for web browsing.

+1

I love how these folks are so sure that the "only" way to enjoy M3 is by tracking, so I suppose the overwhelming majority of M3 owners are not enjoying theirs..ridiculous.

[Mr. ///M3 RD]

Originally Posted by Khrishna

+1

I love how these folks are so sure that the "only" way to enjoy M3 is by tracking, so I suppose the overwhelming majority of M3 owners are not enjoying theirs..ridiculous.

I enjoy mine every day ... I drive the ///M3 basically for safety ...

In the 60s Esso had a slogan "Put a Tiger in your Tank"

I'm happy to know I have "A real Tiger" under the hood when I need the power to get out off harms way.

[Khrishna]

Originally Posted by M3RD

I enjoy mine every day ... I drive the ///M3 basically for safety ...

In the 60s Esso had a slogan "Put a Tiger in your Tank"

I'm happy to know I have "A real Tiger" under the hood when I need the power to get out off harms way.

Haha..cool vintage ads

[1MOREMOD]

Originally Posted by Khrishna

+1

I love how these folks are so sure that the "only" way to enjoy M3 is by tracking, so I suppose the overwhelming majority of M3 owners are not enjoying theirs..ridiculous.

you can partially enjoy it this way. wont know til you try then you will be hooked and get it. there is no equating hard street driving if your crazy enough for that to actual track time. its a night and day difference in how you use the car and skills you develop.

[canadian stig]

Originally Posted by Khrishna

+1

I love how these folks are so sure that the "only" way to enjoy M3 is by tracking, so I suppose the overwhelming majority of M3 owners are not enjoying theirs..ridiculous.

Why ridiculous? It's true. Where I live, in Markham north of Toronto, there are a lot of rich Chinese immigrants that buy their young kids brand new M3's. Where I live an M3 is as common as a Camry. You see all those young teenage boys and girls in e92 and e93 M3 all over the neighbourhood and hardly anyone of them has probably ever driven faster than the speed limit. Forget the track. Most of them don't even go for a spirited drive on the street. They just buy those cars to pose and look good in them. You can put them in a e92 328i with an M3 bodykit conversion and they wouldn't know the difference.

[baba louey]

Markham sounds like a good place to pick up a used M3.

[kel_m3]

Not the only way to have fun in an M3 but it's definitely among the best ways

[adc]

Originally Posted by chriszeh

you can partially enjoy it this way. wont know til you try then you will be hooked and get it. there is no equating hard street driving if your crazy enough for that to actual track time. its a night and day difference in how you use the car and skills you develop.

Once you go black...

[armyav8tor]

Those who doesn't track will never understand those who do. That is fine with me, more track time for me. The worst thing Top Gear did was run that episode of Clarkson trying to do a 10 min lap at the Ring with a diesel Jag. After that, every Brit rushed to the Ring and congested the place ever since. But make no mistakes, the track separates the men from the boys. I can destroy any one of these bone heads on the street thinking they're hot shit but I just laugh and let them be on their way because I know what the real deal is. Bring it to the track and I will smoke you like a cheap cigar.

[1MOREMOD]

Originally Posted by baba louey

It surprises me that no one (other than myself) has mentioned how valuable reading some books on driving fast can help both before and after one's first track experience. I have at least 10 books on the art and science of driving fast. From Piero Taruffi's The Technique of Motor Racing (1959) to Ross Bentley's Inner Speed Secrets series. All books had good things that helped me have more confidence on the track. Also I've many lapping days under my belts in a go-kart. There is no question that time in the kart also helped with my confidence. My main point is that there are all sorts of things that one can do to make their track days more enjoyable and safe.

This is a good point. I too have relied on some books for insight. Combined with watching video, proper instruction, and lots of practice you are capable of improving much quicker than driving alone.

[S65NAPWR]

Originally Posted by RudyP

As a BMWCCA and PCA instructor, I certainly encourage those who think they might like to try driving on a track to do so. It is a ton of fun and will definitely teach you about your car and make you a better driver. That said, I certainly would not berate anyone who chooses not to track their M3 - to each their own (even though you are kind of missing out )

The biggest counterpoint to tracking IMO is that many insurance companies will not cover an accident on a race track, even if it is an educational event and not a competitive driving event. Of course this varies, but I think it makes sense to be aware of this. Accidents do happen occasionally on both track and street and on the street you are guaranteed insurance will cover it.

Likelihood of damage also varies widely depending on track design. Someone mentioned Watkins Glen and that is a very unforgiving track with Armco everywhere. In contrast, Mid Ohio (my home track now) has very good run off areas and only a few places to smack into hard objects.

On a related note, if anyone in the greater Ohio area is on the fence and would like to check it out, let me know, I'd be glad to take you out on track (in my car) next season to give you a taste.

Well said. Everyone enjoys their M cars in their own way. Tracking is simply a high water mark in which to enjoy the car's performance, you don't need to do it, but it's surely one of the best ways to experience the high points of the F-1 racing derived performance and the acclaimed "balance" car reviews talk so much about.

[baba louey]

Originally Posted by chriszeh

This is a good point. I too have relied on some books for insight. Combined with watching video, proper instruction, and lots of practice you are capable of improving much quicker than driving alone.

And dare I say video games, including BMW M3 Challenge. The most important thing that I've learned from all the above mentioned learning aids is that vision (obvious it may seem) trumps all. If you can't keep your head up, you're going to get into trouble.

[Transfer]

I'm sad to say there is some real douchebaggery in this thread.

[timsm3]

planning to take it to the track in the future!

[kevin///mlee]

One auto-x down and track next month. I've owned my E90 since September. It is my daily driver and will see a lot of track time as well!

[davidjm3]

i just had this m3 for a few weeks..browsing over sites to make it track-ready..will probably try it one time before it becomes really cold

[HeartMD]

Arguments b/w those that track their cars and those that don't are the same as those b/w Dems and Republicans when it comes to tax hikes and goverment spending. Everyone only sees their point of view as the end all solution.
To each their own. The only track experience I ever had was when I went out to Vegas and payed to track a Lambo Gallardo and F430 scudaria at that the Las vegas exotics racing gig. That was fun as hell and really changed my mind on tracking. I do plan on taking my car out to Lime Rock park this coming season during one of the Bmw CCA events.

[PINHEAD]

a lot of small penis in here..

[eastbird]

Every year a100 laps on the nurburgring without any problem m3 the ultimate tracktoy
greats from belgium