Stock M3 Pretty Impressive at Mid-Ohio

[lmcgrew79]

Track/Course: Mid Ohio
Best Lap Time: 1:43:97
Brake Pads: Hawk DTC 70 Front & Rear
Tires: Stock Sizes 246/265 Michelin Pilot Super Sports 38 PSI Hot
Suspension:Stock
Alignment:
Front: Pulled Pins -1.5/1.6 , 1/16 toe out
Rear: -1.7/1.8, 1/16 toe in

I usually track a modded 2008 Dodge Viper but decided to take the M3 out this weekend to a PCA HPDE as it was going to be a little cold. 2010 M3 DCT non Comp with sunroof and EDC. The car weighed in at 3650 full of fuel. Ive owned the car for 1.5 years and this was the first time ive had it on track. I tried the mdm mode for the first session and a half as it was 35 to 40 degrees, but quickly figured out the traction control is very limiting on lap times. Safer? yes, but im used to driving a 640 hp viper with no driving aids so it was a bid annoying. Im thinking around 1.5 to 2 seconds it was cutting from my lap times. It was kicking in at places it shouldnt have been or decreasing radius turns where to you need to rotate the car. I think for track work the mdm dynamic mode pretty much sucks. With out it the car comes alive and is very enjoyable, smoother and faster. Just dont try it unless you can quickly correct oversteer and understeer. Overall i had the funnest weekend ive had in a while on track as the car was simply a blast to drive.

[WickedE93]

Funnest video to watch ever! You my friend know how to have fun in an M3!

[yandy]

great video and nice driving.I agree with the MDM, even the Euro version when you have more grip, gets really annoying.

[Sleeper519]

I had forgotten just how much the street tires screeched and yowled around the track, especially when you're driving the snot out of it.
I've learned to love the lack of aural drama with R-comps.

Great lap!

[lmcgrew79]

Originally Posted by Sleeper519

I had forgotten just how much the street tires screeched and yowled around the track, especially when you're driving the snot out of it.
I've learned to love the lack of aural drama with R-comps.

Great lap!

Yeah me to, it was pretty tiring keeping those street tires going forward.

[lmcgrew79]

In Car View

[OC3]

Nice driving. Looks like a very fun track. That silver 'vette rotates well.

[bigjae1976]

Great video. Like I've always said, the E9X M3 is a monster even in stock form. Just need to know how to drive it.

[P1]

Nice video! I can just smell the tires and the brakes from behind my computer screen when watching it...

[Richbot]

Not sure if you have done this already or want to bother for your street car, You can lose some of that understeer with a couple Simple tweaks without ruining it. Your car reminds me of how mine was in Stock form, fine from apex onward but seems to push like a broom on corner entry which mine decidedly does not do anymore with a little front toe out and stiffer front bar

[Groundpilot]

Originally Posted by Richbot

Not sure if you have done this already or want to bother for your street car, You can lose some of that understeer with a couple Simple tweaks without ruining it. Your car reminds me of how mine was in Stock form, fine from apex onward but seems to push like a broom on corner entry which mine decidedly does not do anymore with a little front toe out and stiffer front bar

A little front toe out would be ideal to reduce understeer and greatly improve turn in, but i think tires will be damaged in a long run for the daily driver

[surlynkid]

DSC and MDM is very intrusive on this car if you ask me. I had an off and ended up re-entering track with DSC on and it took me a few turns to figure out why I was getting the DSC lights at just about every turn. I could not even feel the car moving around but DSC was kicking in. The GT3 is far less intrusive.

[Groundpilot]

Originally Posted by surlynkid

DSC and MDM is very intrusive on this car if you ask me. I had an off and ended up re-entering track with DSC on and it took me a few turns to figure out why I was getting the DSC lights at just about every turn. I could not even feel the car moving around but DSC was kicking in. The GT3 is far less intrusive.

If your driving inputs are smooth, mdm is not as intrusive as you think

[bigjae1976]

Originally Posted by Groundpilot

If your driving inputs are smooth, mdm is not as intrusive as you think

True but if you want to put a lot of slip in the tires then MDM will kill all hope. While the M3 can be pretty damned fast with MDM on...it is much faster and a LOT more fun with it off.

Unlike the E46M3...the E9x is much easier to catch and recover smoothly. The E9x really rewards those who can steer with their right foot.

[OC3]

Originally Posted by Groundpilot

If your driving inputs are smooth, mdm is not as intrusive as you think

Until the car is driven faster... and, faster...

[timbo_3101]

Great driving. I see you pulling 1.1g (lateral), which is incredible for a stock setup, and also must be difficult to remain in the seat without a harness (?).

[4M]

Great work OP. Mind sharing what you used to mount your camera/phone to the windshield? Looking to pick something up for my next HPDE.

[klammer]

Looks like an awesome track and great driving. Think mid-ohio is on my hit list this year. Tku for sharing.

[M3Carbon]

What times are you running out there in the Viper? Curious to see a comparison.

[lmcgrew79]

Originally Posted by timbo_3101

Great driving. I see you pulling 1.1g (lateral), which is incredible for a stock setup, and also must be difficult to remain in the seat without a harness (?).

The ribs and knees do get sore.

Originally Posted by 4M

Great work OP. Mind sharing what you used to mount your camera/phone to the windshield? Looking to pick something up for my next HPDE.

Satechi CR-3600 mount

Originally Posted by OC3

Until the car is driven faster... and, faster...

This is true.

Originally Posted by Groundpilot

A little front toe out would be ideal to reduce understeer and greatly improve turn in, but i think tires will be damaged in a long run for the daily driver

1/16 of toe out front 1/16 toe in rear, maxed front camber by pulling pins and -1.8 camber rear.

Originally Posted by M3Carbon

What times are you running out there in the Viper? Curious to see a comparison.

My best in the viper is a 133.94

[lmcgrew79]

Ill be at VIR with the Viper next weekend May 16-18 with the FSR PCA, then im going to take my E46 to mid ohio for the first time on June 7th & 8th with NASA. If anyone will be there? Im super interested to see how the e46 does at mid ohio. Im thinking 1:46-1:48. It has h&r lowering springs,koni yellows, and dunlop star specs that are about 4 years old. Does anyone know how the E46 handles on track vs the E90?

[lmcgrew79]

Originally Posted by bigjae1976

True but if you want to put a lot of slip in the tires then MDM will kill all hope. While the M3 can be pretty damned fast with MDM on...it is much faster and a LOT more fun with it off.

Unlike the E46M3...the E9x is much easier to catch and recover smoothly. The E9x really rewards those who can steer with their right foot.

My e46 i owned for about a year and never took it to the track, then i sold it and bought it back from the guy i sold it to last month after he had it for a little over a year. I put the koni/hr simply because it was as quick cheap fix and the 94000 mile original suspension was shot. Ive maxed the camber at around -2.0 on the front and -1.5 on the rear. 1/16 toe out front 1/16 toe in rear. Has star spec z1 that are dated from 2010 running 245/40/18 and 275/35/18 on the factory 18's. Im put some hawk dtc70 and 60's front and rear and see how it does. Ive autoxed both quite a few times and feel the e92 kicks the rear out much easier, but at autox speeds both are very easy to manage.

Obviously you have alot of track time in the e46 and i see you have an E90, im interested in hearing how different the two cars are on track? My e46 i owned for about a year and never took it to the track, then i sol