BMW M3 Forum (E90 E92)

BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read


Go Back   M3Post - BMW M3 Forum > M3 (E90 / E92 / E93) > M3 Photos/Video/Media Gallery
 
BPM
Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      01-29-2015, 12:07 PM   #1
radiantm3
Apex Everything!
radiantm3's Avatar
United_States
967
Rep
4,378
Posts

Drives: 2007 Honda S2000, 2017 GT350
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Cedar Park, TX

iTrader: (6)

Garage List
2011 E92 M3  [9.35]
2014 BMW i3  [10.00]
Thunderhill's amazing 5-mile track (photos + video)

So I haven't been to the track since last September. My motor failed in the fall and I was without my car for a few months. The new motor was recently broken in...just in time for my first track day of the year. Thunderhill finished building a whole new 2 mile test track on the west side which can be connected to the east side for a total of 5 miles, and the west side is glorious. Just wanted to share a few photos taken by gotbluemilk.com and a video of my best lap of the day. Lots of time left on the table (as you can see by the sloppy lap), but I was just glad to finally get out there again.











And yes, I even got to drive a few laps in a friend's 991 GT3! It is everything I have dreamed of, but I quickly realized that the GT3 (at least the current gen) is way too much car for my skill level. I only drive with DSC off at the track and running with traction/stability control totally ruins the experience for me. With the nannies on the GT3 was very easy to drive, but I felt the system working and I'm afraid the car might be too much with the nannies off. I think if I ever decide to upgrade to a Porsche, I should be on the lookout for a 996 GT3.



Appreciate 1
      01-29-2015, 01:56 PM   #2
tlrid3r
just another M3
tlrid3r's Avatar
United_States
507
Rep
1,148
Posts

Drives: e92 M3
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: San Jose, ca

iTrader: (6)

__________________
///M3... Don't want more power, Just want it to turn sharper one step closer each time. -Ohlins TTX Raceline, PolePostions seats, Akrapovic EVO, ARC-8, 1/2 Cage, Seat Delete, Stoptech BBK, solid Subframe and diff bushing, spherical bearing on everything.
Appreciate 0
      01-29-2015, 02:10 PM   #3
ByeFelicia
Captain
ByeFelicia's Avatar
396
Rep
852
Posts

Drives: F80
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: .

iTrader: (2)

Nice Photos, I need to make it out there one of these days
Appreciate 0
      01-29-2015, 02:22 PM   #4
Bokke
Major
Bokke's Avatar
571
Rep
1,320
Posts

Drives: E90M3/991.2GT3/G82M4CSL/9YOTGT
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Dallas, TX

iTrader: (0)

__________________
Garage:
09 E90 ///M3 | SS | Black | Modded
22 992.1 GT3 | Black | PCCB | LWB | PDK
23 G82 ///M4CSL | AW | Race Buckets |
24 9YO Cayenne TGT | QGM| Burgundy | Neodyne / PCCB
Appreciate 0
      01-29-2015, 03:35 PM   #5
jolette
Hammer_Down!!
jolette's Avatar
United_States
58
Rep
663
Posts

Drives: e92 M3 6MT
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Upstate, NY

iTrader: (16)

Quote:
Originally Posted by radiantm3 View Post
So I haven't been to the track since last September. My motor failed in the fall and I was without my car for a few months. The new motor was recently broken in...just in time for my first track day of the year. Thunderhill finished building a whole new 2 mile test track on the west side which can be connected to the east side for a total of 5 miles, and the west side is glorious. Just wanted to share a few photos taken by gotbluemilk.com and a video of my best lap of the day. Lots of time left on the table (as you can see by the sloppy lap), but I was just glad to finally get out there again.











And yes, I even got to drive a few laps in a friend's 991 GT3! It is everything I have dreamed of, but I quickly realized that the GT3 (at least the current gen) is way too much car for my skill level. I only drive with DSC off at the track and running with traction/stability control totally ruins the experience for me. With the nannies on the GT3 was very easy to drive, but I felt the system working and I'm afraid the car might be too much with the nannies off. I think if I ever decide to upgrade to a Porsche, I should be on the lookout for a 996 GT3.



Great pics looks like a real good time. Just curious, what caused the engine failure?
Appreciate 0
      01-29-2015, 05:16 PM   #6
VMRWheels
General
VMRWheels's Avatar
2037
Rep
25,989
Posts

Drives: BMW
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Anaheim, CA

iTrader: (4)

Garage List
2013 BMW M3  [10.00]
2015 BMW M4  [0.00]
2013 BMW F30  [0.00]
2014 BMW F22  [0.00]
2013 BMW F06  [0.00]
Awesome coverage! Thanks for sharing
__________________
Appreciate 0
      01-29-2015, 05:48 PM   #7
Expert@ApexWheels
BimmerPost Supporting Vendor
Expert@ApexWheels's Avatar
3467
Rep
6,683
Posts


Drives: M3
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Bay Area

iTrader: (0)

Thunderhill surely looks beautiful this time of year. Can't wait to come out and drive the full 5-mile track! Great coverage of your weekend, thank you for sharing!
__________________
Appreciate 0
      01-29-2015, 08:38 PM   #8
E46M3forRay
Güdentyte
E46M3forRay's Avatar
1108
Rep
1,179
Posts

Drives: GT3 & 1M
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: SF Bay Area

iTrader: (9)

Garage List
2011 1M  [0.00]
2023 Model 3  [0.00]
2014 991.1 GT3  [0.00]
2022 T4R TRD Pro  [0.50]
Haven't driven the new 5 mile track yet. Hopefully get to try it out soon.

Great photos btw!
__________________
CURRENT - 991 GT3 | Future Classic 1M | Model 3 | T4R TRD Pro Lime Rush

SOLD - MB M2 CS | SMB F80 M3 CS | E90 M3 | E90 335i | E46 M3 Vert | E39 M5 | E34 525i
Appreciate 0
      01-29-2015, 08:47 PM   #9
rawdenim
Glorious Leader
rawdenim's Avatar
No_Country
34
Rep
304
Posts

Drives: E92 M3
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: New York City

iTrader: (0)

Awesome pics and video. Thanks for sharing.
Appreciate 0
      01-29-2015, 10:31 PM   #10
dc5s
Private
56
Rep
94
Posts

Drives: m3
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: east

iTrader: (0)

looks like a well set up and balanced car
Appreciate 0
      01-29-2015, 11:12 PM   #11
e92m3jb
Private First Class
11
Rep
149
Posts

Drives: 08 m3
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: toronto

iTrader: (4)

What happened to your last motor?
Appreciate 0
      01-30-2015, 01:14 AM   #12
AP3X_FTW
Captain
AP3X_FTW's Avatar
United_States
213
Rep
982
Posts

Drives: E92 M3
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: OC

iTrader: (15)

Great stuff OP, thanks for sharing. Love this track, and cant wait to hit it again this year with the 5 mile config.

BTW, were you victim to the rod bearing issue? Details...
__________________
E46 ///M3 Race Car
F15 X5 ///Msport



For Sale - E92 M3 Full Black Interior Part Out
Appreciate 0
      01-30-2015, 07:58 AM   #13
GOLFFRR
GOLFFRR's Avatar
10718
Rep
27,537
Posts

Drives: GOLFFRR cart
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: we sell BMWs to "ALL" US states

iTrader: (4)

that gt3 man I need one of those! Cool pics
__________________

BEFORE YOU BUY YOUR NEXT BMW, EMAIL OUR GUY KOTE FIRST!
Kote M Sales:Kotem@bmwofcamarillo.com Cell:805-368-9101
vipfinance@bmwofcamarillo.com for warranties!
Appreciate 0
      01-30-2015, 11:00 AM   #14
tito_gsx
Private
Canada
4
Rep
91
Posts

Drives: F80 M3
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Vancouver

iTrader: (1)

Thanks for sharing. Great driving btw, you wouldn't have any issues adapting to gt3 whether 996 or 991. I did plenty of laps at thunderhill on my racebike so I know all the old corners very well. Very cool perspective from track ready m3. The new section looks very challenging
Appreciate 0
      01-30-2015, 11:44 AM   #15
radiantm3
Apex Everything!
radiantm3's Avatar
United_States
967
Rep
4,378
Posts

Drives: 2007 Honda S2000, 2017 GT350
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Cedar Park, TX

iTrader: (6)

Garage List
2011 E92 M3  [9.35]
2014 BMW i3  [10.00]
Thanks guys.

Quote:
Originally Posted by e92m3aw6mt View Post
What happened to your last motor?
Quote:
Originally Posted by AP3X_FTW View Post
Great stuff OP, thanks for sharing. Love this track, and cant wait to hit it again this year with the 5 mile config.

BTW, were you victim to the rod bearing issue? Details...
Yes I believe so. I had 61k miles on my car. I got a check engine light one day when I was just getting on the freeway. Pulled off and into a parking lot and the motor wouldn't turn after I turned it off. The dealership saw metal shavings in my oil filter and basically said the motor is gone. I have an extended warranty, but they initially denied it because they said I "abused" my car by taking it to the track (they researched and found all my youtube videos).

From the marketing side, the M3 is designed for track use, but when it comes to the dealerships and warranty claims, proof of your car being at the track is used against you. The only thing that changed their mind was the fact that I have been such a big BMW customer over the last few years (I bought 7 brand new BMW's in the last 5 or so years) so they considered it a "good will" replacement. So I'm happy and will continue to buy BMW's because they are great cars, but I'll never buy another new BMW with intentions of taking it to the track.
Appreciate 0
      01-30-2015, 07:44 PM   #16
M3 Pilot
Lieutenant
M3 Pilot's Avatar
Australia
74
Rep
478
Posts

Drives: 17' F80 M3 ZCP
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Australia

iTrader: (0)

Thanks for sharing. Finally a car with rollcage that actually sees track time.

I don't know about your dealer but at our local dealership that sells purely ///M Cars, all the videos being played shows the M3 being driven and reviewed on the racetrack. The likes of Chris Harries, Top Gear, etc.

Our dealership also organises track days and encourage owners to bring their own cars to the track and carries out a pre and post track day inspection.

For a dealer to go to the extend of looking up youtube videos of you driving on the track and refute warranty on a car that broke down for its intended use is unethical.

If however your car isn't stock, that is completely a different story.
Appreciate 0
      02-03-2015, 06:56 PM   #17
SneakyDeeky
driver mod in progress
SneakyDeeky's Avatar
United_States
223
Rep
1,858
Posts

Drives: with both feet
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Redondo Beach, CA

iTrader: (6)

Garage List
2015 VW Golf R  [5.50]
2014 Audi SQ5  [10.00]
Another great thread!



PS - Glad they took care of you, but I agree it's disappointing they tried to deny your initial claim. I was considering selling my 335i to get a CPO M3 just because I'm getting more track time and a warranty was appealing since I'm on engine #2 also and mine wasn't under warranty. Your story makes me reconsider though. Maybe a dedicated track car like an S2k is the way I should go.
__________________

Last edited by SneakyDeeky; 02-03-2015 at 07:06 PM..
Appreciate 0
      02-03-2015, 11:58 PM   #18
ronn16E90
Major
ronn16E90's Avatar
Philippines
130
Rep
1,291
Posts

Drives: E90 N52 & E92 m3
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Auburn

iTrader: (5)

Garage List
2009 E92 M3  [0.00]
2006 325i  [9.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by radiantm3 View Post
Thanks guys.





Yes I believe so. I had 61k miles on my car. I got a check engine light one day when I was just getting on the freeway. Pulled off and into a parking lot and the motor wouldn't turn after I turned it off. The dealership saw metal shavings in my oil filter and basically said the motor is gone. I have an extended warranty, but they initially denied it because they said I "abused" my car by taking it to the track (they researched and found all my youtube videos).

From the marketing side, the M3 is designed for track use, but when it comes to the dealerships and warranty claims, proof of your car being at the track is used against you. The only thing that changed their mind was the fact that I have been such a big BMW customer over the last few years (I bought 7 brand new BMW's in the last 5 or so years) so they considered it a "good will" replacement. So I'm happy and will continue to buy BMW's because they are great cars, but I'll never buy another new BMW with intentions of taking it to the track.
Hmm, I feel like that they shouldve just change the engine since like you said " it is designed for track" How long have youve been taking the car to the track?
__________________
Appreciate 0
      02-04-2015, 08:28 AM   #19
jeff@autocouture
BimmerPost Supporting Vendor
jeff@autocouture's Avatar
963
Rep
13,780
Posts


Drives: 2002 E53 X5 4.6is
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: New Jersey

iTrader: (0)

good to see the car is still up and going, i thought you parted it a while back
Appreciate 0
      02-04-2015, 10:04 AM   #20
automotiveaperture
Second Lieutenant
automotiveaperture's Avatar
93
Rep
248
Posts

Drives: Frozen Black M3
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Northern California

iTrader: (0)

Awesome pics radiant! Always loved your GTS inspired beast

From your perspective of having such a track focused m3, and getting to drive the GT3, if you had to pick one... ? I'm at the cross roads of perhaps selling the frozen and building a track car, or saving my pennies for a GT3. Thanks for your input!
Appreciate 0
      02-04-2015, 11:26 AM   #21
FormulaMMM
Brigadier General
FormulaMMM's Avatar
United_States
3663
Rep
3,422
Posts

Drives: E90 M3
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Midwest

iTrader: (2)

Surprised by your hesitance with the 991 given your experience level. Think with some more seat time and experience with the rear engine layout you'd be able to run no nannies with confidence? Or it just seemed unpredictable?
__________________
M4 GTS, GT3, C63 S | E90 M3s, E39 M5

Appreciate 0
      02-04-2015, 01:52 PM   #22
radiantm3
Apex Everything!
radiantm3's Avatar
United_States
967
Rep
4,378
Posts

Drives: 2007 Honda S2000, 2017 GT350
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Cedar Park, TX

iTrader: (6)

Garage List
2011 E92 M3  [9.35]
2014 BMW i3  [10.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by SneakyDeeky View Post


PS - Glad they took care of you, but I agree it's disappointing they tried to deny your initial claim. I was considering selling my 335i to get a CPO M3 just because I'm getting more track time and a warranty was appealing since I'm on engine #2 also and mine wasn't under warranty. Your story makes me reconsider though. Maybe a dedicated track car like an S2k is the way I should go.
Yea BMW will sing the praises of the M3 as a trackable car and then use it against you if you have serious motor issues. But I guess all car companies will be like that. My next car will be designed for track use out of the box.

Quote:
Originally Posted by ronn16E90 View Post
Hmm, I feel like that they shouldve just change the engine since like you said " it is designed for track" How long have youve been taking the car to the track?
I've done about 31 track days in the car. I had 61k miles. I pretty much drive it like a grandma on the street with the occasional redline maybe once every 2 weeks. The car is just way too loud and attention-getting to rev it often on the street.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Alex@Autocouture View Post
good to see the car is still up and going, i thought you parted it a while back
I planned on it, but whenever I drive it I fall back in love with the car. The car is paid off this fall so I figured I'd hold off until then. I don't think I've ever kept a new car long enough for it to be paid off.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sam@ModeCarbon View Post
Your threads just make me want to go out and drive


Quote:
Originally Posted by automotiveaperture View Post
Awesome pics radiant! Always loved your GTS inspired beast

From your perspective of having such a track focused m3, and getting to drive the GT3, if you had to pick one... ? I'm at the cross roads of perhaps selling the frozen and building a track car, or saving my pennies for a GT3. Thanks for your input!

Quote:
Originally Posted by FormulaMMM View Post
Surprised by your hesitance with the 991 given your experience level. Think with some more seat time and experience with the rear engine layout you'd be able to run no nannies with confidence? Or it just seemed unpredictable?
The GT3 is a fantastic car. But it's also far beyond most driver's abilities to drive fast on a track unless you leave the nannies on. I don't enjoy driving cars at all with nannies as they totally ruin the experience of driving for me (at least on the track). To be honest, maybe the GT3 is the right car for me, but I wasn't going to turn off all the safety features on a car that I don't own especially since it was my first rear engine experience (at least in real life). I know that the 991 GT3 is a lot of car based on the power output alone and adding the rear engine bias as well is just a lot to deal with.

So I decided that it's much smarter for me to get into a 996 GT3 because 1) there's no traction control systems in the first place, 2) I can drive a manual, and 3) It's not such a huge jump in power for me. But with the announcement of the new Cayman GT4, my heart is completely set on that car. So this fall I'll either be ordering a Cayman GT4, finding the right 996/997 GT3, or finding a Lotus Exige. I really want to get a track-ready mid/rear engine car next.

What I learned most based on my limited experience at the track (including driving the GT3) and logging lots of hours in simulation is we are all numbed by all the safety systems in modern cars. They make fast cars feel easy to drive. That's why so many people here are supercharging their M3's and still wanting more. I've been driving with DSC off completely on the street and on the track for the longest time and it has really taught me to respect even the "torqueless" E9x M3. When I do an acceleration run in the M3 I spin the tires through first and second gear. I kind of wish we lived in a world where those safety systems didn't exist in sports cars. People would have a lot more respect for fast cars and probably wouldn't be buying cars far beyond their driving abilities.
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:40 PM.




m3post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST