WC Track Journal

[TDW_Nero]

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Starting to get into tracking the E92 and will be posting my PB's of whatever trackdays to keep track of progress from here-on out. I usually forget to setup the GoPro but this should give me that extra push.

Anyways my first post:
Turn 8 Black Friday @ Thunderhill East Bypass
2:03

Borrowed a wing for this session, my current problem with the car is not enough camber in the rear (SPL Rear Camber Arms on order)

Currently debating on a Aeromotion wing vs GT4 MK2

Would like to start meeting/seeing more E9X owners on the track

Will be at Buttonwillow next Friday

[spxxx]

Originally Posted by Nero_tDriveway

Starting to get into tracking the E92 and will be posting my PB's of whatever trackdays to keep track of progress from here-on out. I usually forget to setup the GoPro but this should give me that extra push.

Anyways my first post:
Turn 8 Black Friday @ Thunderhill East Bypass
2:03

Borrowed a wing for this session, my current problem with the car is not enough camber in the rear (SPL Rear Camber Arms on order)

Currently debating on a Aeromotion wing vs GT4 MK2

Would like to start meeting/seeing more E9X owners on the track

Will be at Buttonwillow next Friday

Awesome! More NorCal E9X'ers!! If you go the GT4 Wing route, I have a nearly brand new MKRennsport GT4 MK2 wing that'll likely be for sale soon once the GT-250 goes on.

[dogbone]

Originally Posted by Nero_tDriveway

Would like to start meeting/seeing more E9X owners on the track

Will be at Buttonwillow next Friday

Speed Ventures’ Bimmer Challenge is a cool event where you can meet other BMW owners—-several being E9x M3s—-in a friendly competitive environment. The dude (Elie) who runs the Bimmer Challenge cares about it a lot and makes it a nice sub-event within the Speed Ventures DE event.

I’ll be out there at the Buttonwillow Dec 17/18 event.

[Richneerd]

I see me in the distance pulling away from you.

[TDW_Nero]

Went to Buttonwillow last Friday and had an amazing time

It was my 2nd time driving there with a goal of Sub2's but could only manage 2:02. The last session I got more comfortable and unfortunately couldn't get a clean lap in. Sub2 might be in the cards for next time

[TDW_Nero]

Returned to West trying out the new wing. Car felt proper and I'm able to heel-toe pretty smoothly this time around at West. First session was was experimental (tried driving on my street damper settings) and couldn't get confidence in the car. Ended up skipping my next two sessions to do ride alongs and to let another Advance driver test out the car. By that time I've already firmed up the rebound and managed a 1:27.9 during open pit. Not the fastest since the car can probably do 1:23's/4's with a more capable driver. I have the urge to gut the rear for some weight reduction, but not quite ready for that kind of commitment

Also debating if I should continue posting my full sessions or just the fastest lap of the day

Anyways:

[TDW_Nero]

Chasing sub 40s at Laguna but alas

Close but no cigar

[sperkins]

Enjoying watching your progress.
Thanks for sharing!

[TDW_Nero]

Originally Posted by sperkins

Enjoying watching your progress.
Thanks for sharing!

Thank you! Will be returning on the 6th for redemption. Current concern is waiting for the pads to arrive

[TDW_Nero]

Had a slight shipping mishap from Carbotech. Sent me XP10 instead of XP20's. Then after sending those back for the exchange the XP20's came a little off. Trackday was only a few days away so I thought I would not attend

You can see that the old XP10's in one particular pad was at the end of life (10ish trackdays) and the rears still had plenty of life. I'm going to hold onto them just cause. The taper was pretty bad (I suspect Turn2 Laguna most likely the main culprit) I'll be rotating front pads every other track day from here on.

[TDW_Nero]

Someone convinced me to grind the pads down to fit and not miss the trackday but holy cow this trackday at Laguna Seca was packed. Was able to run low 40s consistently throughout the day with traffic until a clean lap in Session 3. Finally got a new PB 1:39.48 and following lap 1:39:94 with traffic. Glad I didn't b*tch out and got those pads to fit.
Anyways, Sub40 club

Bonus: During Session2 I got the chance to drive a McLaren 600LT for 3 laps (1 outlap 2 baby pushes)and was definitely intimidating driving a mid engine supercar. I babied the hell out of it and still got a 1:41.24

[M3SQRD]

Originally Posted by Nero_tDriveway

Had a slight shipping mishap from Carbotech. Sent me XP10 instead of XP20's. Then after sending those back for the exchange the XP20's came a little off. Trackday was only a few days away so I thought I would not attend

You can see that the old XP10's in one particular pad was at the end of life (10ish trackdays) and the rears still had plenty of life. I'm going to hold onto them just cause. The taper was pretty bad (I suspect Turn2 Laguna most likely the main culprit) I'll be rotating front pads every other track day from here on.

Why didn’t you switch to the XP12? XP20 even with some aero can overpower the tire and definitely the stock ABS. XP20s have amazing initial bite and linear feel thru a braking event. BIG difference between XP12 and XP20. Going from XP10 to XP20 should be interesting!

[TDW_Nero]

Originally Posted by M3SQRD

Why didn’t you switch to the XP12? XP20 even with some aero can overpower the tire and definitely the stock ABS. XP20s have amazing initial bite and linear feel thru a braking event. BIG difference between XP12 and XP20. Going from XP10 to XP20 should be interesting!

You're right it could probably easily overpower tires. This entire track day I've only had to use at most 50% of the brake pedal to slow down. I was planning on experimenting harder in the next session to figure out where the ABS threshold is but rain was coming down so I made the call to pack up and leave with a sub40 under my belt

The initial reason I got the XP10's was because I wanted to promote rotor longevity, but after the last few events I decided to forgo rotor life for stopping power. It was mainly recommended from someone who ran XP20's with high praise and also the car has no weight reduction mods aside from the Akra Exhaust. Going from XP10 to XP20 was quite the night and day difference. Good bite and modulation. I felt like I didn't have to try as hard to get the sub40 this time around while the previous event at Laguna (XP10) I was trying to extract as much as possible from those pads and ended up boiling fluid, though to be fair I've stiffened up the rear rebound to dial out understeer for more rotation since the last time.

[TDW_Nero]

Hello there another update that nobody asked for

To install the rear sway bar the rear subframe needs to be dropped. Since that's the case we 'might as well' do everything in between

SPL Front & Rear End Links

SPL Rear Camber & Toe Arms

Spherical Goodies

Auto Solutions Shifter @ 17% Throw Reduction + 95A Bushing
I had originally requested 13% but Ronald had convinced me that 17% should be the minimum so here we are

ECS Poly Diff Mounts
Turner Solid Subframe Bushings
Front & Rear Hotchkis Sway Bars

Next trackday isn't until May, so plenty of time to procrastinate