Thunderhill's amazing 5-mile track (photos + video)

[C-M2]

Mark, I may have missed it but what was the determined cause of the failure? If I remember correctly you were running new bearings already correct?

[radiantm3]

Originally Posted by C-M2

Mark, I may have missed it but what was the determined cause of the failure? If I remember correctly you were running new bearings already correct?

BMW never told me. They didn't even open anything up. All they did was check the filter and see metal shavings. My bearings were initially replaced at 16-17k (car was stock and only had 1 track day which was my first ever) miles and the engine failure happened at 60k.

[FormulaMMM]

Originally Posted by radiantm3

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.

Right, I certainly understand your decision to leave them on under the circumstances. I'd be surprised if it was too much of a handful nannies off, but that's not the time to find out. I was nose to tail ("ish") with a 991 recently for multiple sessions and that thing looked planted everywhere.

With you on track driving without tc. I'd never now move to a platform where I couldn't get comfortable without the safety net. MP4-12C looks to me from a distance to be one of those cars where the nannies are keeping it on track. At 8-9/10 that thing noticeably squirms under braking, corner entry, exit. GT3 the opposite. Unreal how those put the power down out of corners (all generations).

GT4 looks incredible.

[JLIxAPB]

[automotiveaperture]

Really appreciate your feedback radiant, makes sense, good luck choosing between all those awesome track toys

[radiantm3]

Originally Posted by Sam@ModeCarbon

Do you notice any difference tracking on the te's as opposed to fi's?

Nope. Both are nearly the same weight.

[Ringer]

I really like the your red rollcage!

[PrimeBMW]

Thanks for posting up the videos and pics! I really enjoy Thunderhill and can’t wait to drive all 5 miles sometime this year. With regards to you “next car”. I can’t argue with the Cayman GT4 or the Clubsport that comes with a half cage/roll bar. Or the 991 GT3. Both look fantastic! But I would argue that your current set up (don’t know your specific mods) or a modified e46 M3 would be faster than either a 996 GT3 or Lotus Exige. It’s hard to beat a modified M3 on the track