Total Cost of a M3 Track Day for an Advanced Driver:

[skxf430]

Get a Lotus Exige. The consumables are less and the car will be quicker around most tracks.

[LateBraking]

Originally Posted by Malekreza11

Buttonwillow tomorrow??? I didn't know!

We definitely need to shoot the breeze at the next track event though man. I am having track withdrawals, so I hope it's sooner than later.

http://www.buttonwillowraceway.com/ check "Performance Driving School" I know school might not be your deal, but they said for advanced drivers they just require one check then open driving for them all day if they choose. Call the track and ask if there are any spots left if you want to go after all.

Originally Posted by skxf430

Get a Lotus Exige. The consumables are less and the car will be quicker around most tracks.

So true, wish I fit in a Lotus. Tried it at the LA Auto show....no bueno.

[persian54]

Originally Posted by Malekreza11

Buttonwillow tomorrow??? I didn't know!

We definitely need to shoot the breeze at the next track event though man. I am having track withdrawals, so I hope it's sooner than later.

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=568421

Originally Posted by LateBraking

So true, wish I fit in a Lotus. Tried it at the LA Auto show....no bueno.

Same

We too big.
lol

[Groundpilot]

Wow. It looks like it was a good idea to get another lighter car as a track toy. After i got my m3 i decided not to track it because it is very heavy and expensive to track. I LOVE BMWs so 135i became my track car. Its not light either, about 3300 pounds, believe it or not, but its still lighter than m3 by at least 300 pounds i think. I was able to reduce the weight by 200, so its close to 3100 now. The difference between my e92 m3 and 135i is 550 or so. It feels like a different car and very fast on the track. Someone mentioned in this thread that r-comp. tires last for only 4 days on m3. Really? I have 10 track days on my BFG-R1s and they should be good for 3 or 4 more track days. And if you have seen me on the track you know i am not slow. My rear DTC 60 pads last for about 12 track days , front DTC70 for 6. I may still take my m3 to the track once a year just to see how it does.

[klammer]

I have not found it to be that expensive. The yoko ad08's have lasted me almost 20 events, will go through about 2 sets of track pads over 15 events and oil changes. I mean it's not free but think it's relatively cheap vs. a dedicated race car, but then again....

[Gearhead999s]

Originally Posted by M3 09 AND135I 11

mentioned in this thread that r-comp. tires last for only 4 days on m3. Really? I have 10 track days on my BFG-R1s and they should be good for 3 or 4 more track days. And if you have seen me on the track you know i am not slow. My rear DTC 60 pads last for about 12 track days , front DTC70 for 6. I may still take my m3 to the track once a year just to see how it does.

My Toyo R888's lasted about 3.5 hours before they corded and came apart.The RA1's last me about 4 -5 days only if I am carefull and make that I flip them on the rims at about 50% life and keep rotating them front to rear.I think that my issue is that our tracks around here are quite abrasive compared to places like the Glen.I have toasted 1 heat cycle old Hoosier slicks in about 45 minutes.My 11 with the ZCP is much easier on tires than my 08 was.

[Martin_D]

it all depends on how FAST you are...

[Gearhead999s]

Originally Posted by Martin_D

it all depends on how FAST you are...

`
Yep.That just might be a factor

[RickyBobby]

Whoever started this thread should be banned
I try not to think about running costs. I've been pretty lucky over the years to take advantage of sponsorships and contingencies. There's no way I'd be able to do this as much as I have without outside help along the way.

[Merked M3]

I calculated it at $3500 for the first track day and $600 for every track day after that (until something wears out). And yes that is moderately depressing, haha!!!

For me there are certain things I consider necessary for safety, so I wouldn't run a stock car, especially one with 400hp. My home track is Laguna Seca (10 minutes away) so that might be a tad more demanding than your average.

[LiM3y]

Originally Posted by Merked M3

I calculated it at $3500 for the first track day and $600 for every track day after that (until something wears out). And yes that is moderately depressing, haha!!!

For me there are certain things I consider necessary for safety, so I wouldn't run a stock car, especially one with 400hp. My home track is Laguna Seca (10 minutes away) so that might be a tad more demanding than your average.

How?

[Merked M3]

Originally Posted by LiM3y

How?

Dedicated set of track wheels & tires, race compound brake pads F&R, ss lines, motol 600, Track insurance, entree fee, NO hotel or travel though!! I wont take it to Laguna with anything less or else it could cost me more in the long run anyway.

So after buying that stuff up front, every other day I only have to pay for entry fee and track insurance. And if I'm lucky & the pump is open; 6 gallons of 100 unleaded @ $8/gallon!!!!

[Gearhead999s]

Originally Posted by Merked M3

Dedicated set of track wheels & tires, race compound brake pads F&R, ss lines, motol 600, Track insurance, entree fee, NO hotel or travel though!! I wont take it to Laguna with anything less or else it could cost me more in the long run anyway.

So after buying that stuff up front, every other day I only have to pay for entry fee and track insurance. And if I'm lucky & the pump is open; 6 gallons of 100 unleaded @ $8/gallon!!!!

If I did the accounting the way you are my cost would be well over $2000/day

[persian54]

my costs aren't that high, but then again I'm not as fast as many of you :P

[Erhan]

This is one of the reason why I sold my M3.. I can't afford to track it as much as I want to track...

I was thinking a GT3 (996), but that also will be expensive because it is still relatively heavy, and has massive tires. I am seriously thinking a Lotus, most likely an Exige S.. It uses 195F and 225R tires, weight 2000lbs... It only has 220hp, so it won't use as much gas as M3 either.

[LiM3y]

Originally Posted by Merked M3

Dedicated set of track wheels & tires, race compound brake pads F&R, ss lines, motol 600, Track insurance, entree fee, NO hotel or travel though!! I wont take it to Laguna with anything less or else it could cost me more in the long run anyway.

So after buying that stuff up front, every other day I only have to pay for entry fee and track insurance. And if I'm lucky & the pump is open; 6 gallons of 100 unleaded @ $8/gallon!!!!

A-ha! You're right.

I amortize over all of them to take the sting out! LOL!

[llis]

Originally Posted by 1MORELAP

School fee - $300
Tires - $100 ($1,000 per set, 10 days to wear them)
Pads and brake fluid - $100 ($500 per set, 5 days to wear them)
Fuel - $100
Oil - $20 ($100 per change, 5 days)
Total - $600 to $650

I assumed BMW pays for rotors and all fluids and that your insurance covers you. Some may want to add rotors and track insurance... what another $200?

That pads price seems very high. I have DTC70s (which are very kind to rotors) and have had way more than 5 days. I would not call myself a gentle braker or slow tracker.

Camber plates can save on tires, or you'll be chunking on the corners while still having nearly full tread on the main tread surface.

Tires depends upon what tire. NT01s will last much longer than R6s.

If you're running track-only tires, figure in transport costs (truck/trailer or hitch/tire dolly).

[klammer]

Not sure I follow the logic completely, why not throw the cost of the car in there as well? Lots of things have a high cost of admission but the cheapen up over time. As a dedicated track car? Yes the E9x is not ideal, but as the dual performer this car is, it truly shines. Having just finished up my 14th track day of the year feel I have some insight. Been on the same set of rubber (AD 08) in the rears for over 20 events now (including last year) with about 10k on them, replaced fronts after hitting a pothole; 10 events about 7k. These aren't super expensive either, think about 1k for all 5. Also my track pads for my BBK is about 1k a set as well, and got about 9 events out of the pagids, 3 and counting on the carbotechs, and 2 on the stock Alcon pads (which are also pagids but not the rs series). Then you consider the oil changes, done about 4, will do 5 over 18 events, at say 200 a pop. (all this ignores DIY, which would drop cost). And of course the events which are also about 200 a day. Those are what I consider the costs, about $500-$600 per event, up front costs not included as I would consider that the car. Don't eat out for a week and hit the track!!!
One last thing, a point to consider is that this car does both grocery getting and track duty very well so instead of 2 cars you only need 1. Just don't understand the guys who say this isn't a good track car... It's not a good race car, but it's a fucking great track car

[persian54]

Originally Posted by klammer

Not sure I follow the logic completely, why not throw the cost of the car in there as well? Lots of things have a high cost of admission but the cheapen up over time. As a dedicated track car? Yes the E9x is not ideal, but as the dual performer this car is, it truly shines. Having just finished up my 14th track day of the year feel I have some insight. Been on the same set of rubber (AD 08) in the rears for over 20 events now (including last year) with about 10k on them, replaced fronts after hitting a pothole; 10 events about 7k. These aren't super expensive either, think about 1k for all 5. Also my track pads for my BBK is about 1k a set as well, and got about 9 events out of the pagids, 3 and counting on the carbotechs, and 2 on the stock Alcon pads (which are also pagids but not the rs series). Then you consider the oil changes, done about 4, will do 5 over 18 events, at say 200 a pop. (all this ignores DIY, which would drop cost). And of course the events which are also about 200 a day. Those are what I consider the costs, about $500-$600 per event, up front costs not included as I would consider that the car. Don't eat out for a week and hit the track!!!
One last thing, a point to consider is that this car does both grocery getting and track duty very well so instead of 2 cars you only need 1. Just don't understand the guys who say this isn't a good track car... It's not a good race car, but it's a fucking great track car

+1 on being dual purpose

And I can drop the top when I want to head to Malibu and cruise on PCH :P

[1MORELAP]

Getting everyone back on topic. It costs between $600 and $1,000 per day to run our M3s on the track for a day in the advanced (fast) group. Not including any initial investment into track setups nor the car itself. Not counting accelerated wear and tear. just the fees and consumables.

[swamp2]

My calculations never exclude hotel which it typically about $75/night (shared between two guys) and insurance, which for me for a 2 day event is about $350. This isn't cheap fun at all. I should do more carting... but then again I don't really do too many track events per year.

[klammer]

Originally Posted by 1MORELAP

Getting everyone back on topic. It costs between $600 and $1,000 per day to run our M3s on the track for a day in the advanced (fast) group. Not including any initial investment into track setups nor the car itself. Not counting accelerated wear and tear. just the fees and consumables.

Have run the advanced group a few times, let's not confuse it with fast.