Autocross

msan · 07-19-2019, 06:34 PM

So going to finally dip my toe into driving my own car and signed up for an auto cross tomorrow at Anaheim stadium through puretrack.

Anyways, just curious what DCT settings I should try? I was thinking going S3 and no power button. I’m guessing I will shift up to 3rd at most?? So maybe the DCT setting doesn’t really matter as long as it’s in manual mode...

Let me know what you think. Here’s their proposed track layout. Any tips appreciated!

kevin @ eas · 07-19-2019, 06:45 PM

I would do traction control off, MDM on and S5. I like the power button on for response but in the end power output should be the same overall.

radiognome · 07-19-2019, 10:31 PM

What settings do you normally drive on the street?

Anyway, I would recommend going with:
- EDC Sport
- DSC off
- Power Normal
- Servotronic Sport

Reason for the Power Normal is because you want to be smooth, jerking these cars in AutoX will make it really hard to drive. You'll be faster with Normal, especially if you usually drive Normal.

roastbeef · 07-19-2019, 11:21 PM

Try S1. The theory is if you shift mid corner, it won't upset the balance of the car- especially since it's all flat. Experiment with it, but don't bother with the "power button."

msan · 07-20-2019, 01:13 AM

Ok I will start off with dsc off, power normal, edc comfort, and S3 and adjust from there . Thanks guys!

msan · 07-20-2019, 01:01 PM

So just finished. Main lesson learned was I need to learn how to accelerate of a turn before a longish straight. Spun the car on my 4th run of 8. I think was getting more aggressive by then and was accelerating out of the turn in the bottom right corner of the pic above.

DSC off was good in that the car was definitely communicating/squirrely if I got on the gas too early or too aggressive. The drivelogic didn't really come into play for me as I was in first gear for the first two turns and then second the rest of the way. Just used S3. I am thinking I did need to downshift during the crossover turn as that was probably the slowest part of the course but didn't have the mental capacity to do all those things so kept it in second.

Good news I did get better during the 8 runs. Started with a high 41 on my second run and ended with a low/mid 39 on the last one.

I think next time I will bring an air pump so that I can take some air out the tires. I didn't do that this time but I think it might help. Was 32 psi cold in the front tires before I left home.

Puretrack was a good experience. Got a free (clean) helmet and sock rental as part of the price. Didn't have to work any corners and was in and out within 90 mins for my one hour time slot.

Thanks guys!

radiognome · 07-20-2019, 10:02 PM

The main reason you want to have DSC off is to make as little computer adjustments as possible. Even though AutoX is relatively slow and safe, you are still doing what most people do not do on the road, and computer is trying to "save" you. Still I would definitely turn DSC on if it's raining.

More aggressive power setting would make it even worse in turns. On a short course like that staying in second usually is the best approach. Not sure you want to downshift to 1 in any turn, if you think that you need - most likely it means that you over broke on entrance into the turn.

As for the tires pressure - what tires are you riding? In any case it's recommended to put more tire pressure than on the road. Because in hard turns if you are low on pressure the tire tends to mush over onto its sidewall and the car starts feeling sloppy. Some people go as high as 44psi front, but it really depends on individual car set up and tires installed. I would recommend to start with 36-38psi and then adjust.

BTW, if you like the whole experience and want to continue then you actually want to work in corners. Because then you can see what other people do in those turns and what works and what doesn't.

dparm · 07-20-2019, 10:29 PM

I settled on this for autocross after fiddling with settings over and over:

DSC off -- even with Euro MDM it was too intrusive
S6 DriveLogic -- because why not
Softest EDC -- I prefer feeling the weight transfer
Normal throttle -- I want linear response
Normal steering -- I want linear response

If you are new to it, maybe start with MDM on and try to get DSC off by the end of the day. If it's wet, start with MDM on until you can get a feel for how greasy things are.

Rassilon · 07-21-2019, 02:00 AM

S3-s4 depends on tire traction, more aggressive setting will unsettle the car

msan · 07-21-2019, 11:12 AM

Just curious, is s5 and s6 only useful for 0-60 straight line acceleration?

Rassilon · 07-21-2019, 01:18 PM

I think you can use them if you have slicks or are on a track with mostly 2-3, 3-4 shifts. 1-2 in S5/s6 is wild in street tires. Btw, I am assuming you have the gts flash which cleans up slow speed stutter and increases shift speed.

msan · 07-21-2019, 03:59 PM

Yes I have the guts flash. Car always starts in D2

dparm · 07-21-2019, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edwardgtxy

I think you can use them if you have slicks or are on a track with mostly 2-3, 3-4 shifts. 1-2 in S5/s6 is wild in street tires. Btw, I am assuming you have the gts flash which cleans up slow speed stutter and increases shift speed.

I rarely ran an autocross course where I could actually get all the way up to redline in 1st gear. I typically short shifted into 2nd just before the first corner.

Dpc2u · 07-21-2019, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by msan

Yes I have the guts flash. Car always starts in D2

"Guts flash"! Man, I want that too!
Gotta love auto correct.

sgreer78 · 07-21-2019, 05:25 PM

DSC off in the rain too. It's just going to make you slower.

radiognome · 07-21-2019, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sgreer78

DSC off in the rain too. It's just going to make you slower.

We are not going to be super fast in the rain anyway. DSC will make it safer. I would recommend to keep it on in the rain, if not for our cars then for other people on a course. There was one time I span real hard in dry missing a light pole and workers behind it by just a feet or so. Would be completely different situation in the rain.

shy222 · 07-23-2019, 09:55 AM

Dude I was there running my white e90 m3 at the 8am session and saw you run. I just pressed my m button and never thought of adjustments. I did lower my tire pressure to 31 but even that was too high. I would do 28 next time. My car seems heavy and seems to understated lots during lad corner. I think I was running in 39s to 40s as well never got a feel for the track layout. Ping me next time you head out[IMG][/IMG]

07-19-2019, 06:34 PM	#1
msan Major 403 Rep 1,171 Posts Drives: 2011 E90 M3 / 2012 X5 35i M Sp Join Date: May 2015 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (16)	Autocross - DCT / M settings So going to finally dip my toe into driving my own car and signed up for an auto cross tomorrow at Anaheim stadium through puretrack. Anyways, just curious what DCT settings I should try? I was thinking going S3 and no power button. I’m guessing I will shift up to 3rd at most?? So maybe the DCT setting doesn’t really matter as long as it’s in manual mode... Let me know what you think. Here’s their proposed track layout. Any tips appreciated! Attached Images
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07-19-2019, 06:45 PM	#2
kevin @ eas BimmerPost Supporting Vendor 2904 Rep 21,701 Posts Drives: 2015 BMW M4 Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Anaheim iTrader: (22)	I would do traction control off, MDM on and S5. I like the power button on for response but in the end power output should be the same overall. __________________ Kevin S. \| european auto source (eas) email: kevin@europeanautosource.com · web: https://europeanautosource.com· tel 866.669.0705 · ca: 714.369.8524 x31 GET DAILY UPDATES ON OUR BLOG · FACEBOOK · YOUTUBE · FLICKR · INSTAGRAM
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07-19-2019, 10:31 PM	#3
radiognome Private First Class 38 Rep 184 Posts Drives: E93 M3 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Northern Virginia iTrader: (1)	What settings do you normally drive on the street? Anyway, I would recommend going with: - EDC Sport - DSC off - Power Normal - Servotronic Sport Reason for the Power Normal is because you want to be smooth, jerking these cars in AutoX will make it really hard to drive. You'll be faster with Normal, especially if you usually drive Normal.
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07-19-2019, 11:21 PM	#4
roastbeef Lieutenant General 11582 Rep 12,722 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (4)	Try S1. The theory is if you shift mid corner, it won't upset the balance of the car- especially since it's all flat. Experiment with it, but don't bother with the "power button." __________________ Instagram; @roastbeefmike Last edited by roastbeef; 07-19-2019 at 11:48 PM..
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07-20-2019, 01:13 AM	#5
msan Major 403 Rep 1,171 Posts Drives: 2011 E90 M3 / 2012 X5 35i M Sp Join Date: May 2015 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (16)	Ok I will start off with dsc off, power normal, edc comfort, and S3 and adjust from there . Thanks guys!
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07-20-2019, 01:01 PM	#6
msan Major 403 Rep 1,171 Posts Drives: 2011 E90 M3 / 2012 X5 35i M Sp Join Date: May 2015 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (16)	So just finished. Main lesson learned was I need to learn how to accelerate of a turn before a longish straight. Spun the car on my 4th run of 8. I think was getting more aggressive by then and was accelerating out of the turn in the bottom right corner of the pic above. DSC off was good in that the car was definitely communicating/squirrely if I got on the gas too early or too aggressive. The drivelogic didn't really come into play for me as I was in first gear for the first two turns and then second the rest of the way. Just used S3. I am thinking I did need to downshift during the crossover turn as that was probably the slowest part of the course but didn't have the mental capacity to do all those things so kept it in second. Good news I did get better during the 8 runs. Started with a high 41 on my second run and ended with a low/mid 39 on the last one. I think next time I will bring an air pump so that I can take some air out the tires. I didn't do that this time but I think it might help. Was 32 psi cold in the front tires before I left home. Puretrack was a good experience. Got a free (clean) helmet and sock rental as part of the price. Didn't have to work any corners and was in and out within 90 mins for my one hour time slot. Thanks guys!
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07-20-2019, 10:02 PM	#7
radiognome Private First Class 38 Rep 184 Posts Drives: E93 M3 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Northern Virginia iTrader: (1)	The main reason you want to have DSC off is to make as little computer adjustments as possible. Even though AutoX is relatively slow and safe, you are still doing what most people do not do on the road, and computer is trying to "save" you. Still I would definitely turn DSC on if it's raining. More aggressive power setting would make it even worse in turns. On a short course like that staying in second usually is the best approach. Not sure you want to downshift to 1 in any turn, if you think that you need - most likely it means that you over broke on entrance into the turn. As for the tires pressure - what tires are you riding? In any case it's recommended to put more tire pressure than on the road. Because in hard turns if you are low on pressure the tire tends to mush over onto its sidewall and the car starts feeling sloppy. Some people go as high as 44psi front, but it really depends on individual car set up and tires installed. I would recommend to start with 36-38psi and then adjust. BTW, if you like the whole experience and want to continue then you actually want to work in corners. Because then you can see what other people do in those turns and what works and what doesn't. Last edited by radiognome; 07-20-2019 at 10:08 PM..
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07-20-2019, 10:29 PM	#8
dparm Stop the hate, get a V8 3850 Rep 8,625 Posts Drives: C7 Corvette GS, AMG C63 S Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Frisco, TX iTrader: (1)	I settled on this for autocross after fiddling with settings over and over: DSC off -- even with Euro MDM it was too intrusive S6 DriveLogic -- because why not Softest EDC -- I prefer feeling the weight transfer Normal throttle -- I want linear response Normal steering -- I want linear response If you are new to it, maybe start with MDM on and try to get DSC off by the end of the day. If it's wet, start with MDM on until you can get a feel for how greasy things are. __________________ Now: 2017 Corvette Grand Sport, 2021 AMG C63 S sedan Past: 2011.5 M3 sedan ZCP
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07-21-2019, 02:00 AM	#9
Rassilon First Lieutenant 85 Rep 330 Posts Drives: 2011 e92 m3 Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (0)	S3-s4 depends on tire traction, more aggressive setting will unsettle the car
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07-21-2019, 11:12 AM	#10
msan Major 403 Rep 1,171 Posts Drives: 2011 E90 M3 / 2012 X5 35i M Sp Join Date: May 2015 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (16)	Just curious, is s5 and s6 only useful for 0-60 straight line acceleration?
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07-21-2019, 01:18 PM	#11
Rassilon First Lieutenant 85 Rep 330 Posts Drives: 2011 e92 m3 Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (0)	I think you can use them if you have slicks or are on a track with mostly 2-3, 3-4 shifts. 1-2 in S5/s6 is wild in street tires. Btw, I am assuming you have the gts flash which cleans up slow speed stutter and increases shift speed.
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07-21-2019, 03:59 PM	#12
msan Major 403 Rep 1,171 Posts Drives: 2011 E90 M3 / 2012 X5 35i M Sp Join Date: May 2015 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (16)	Yes I have the guts flash. Car always starts in D2
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07-21-2019, 05:25 PM	#15
sgreer78 Private First Class 43 Rep 180 Posts Drives: 2016 Cayman GT4 Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: St Louis iTrader: (3)	DSC off in the rain too. It's just going to make you slower.
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07-23-2019, 09:55 AM	#17
shy222 New Member 6 Rep 25 Posts Drives: e90 m3 Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: OC iTrader: (1) Garage List 2009 Bmw m3 sedan [0.00]	Dude I was there running my white e90 m3 at the 8am session and saw you run. I just pressed my m button and never thought of adjustments. I did lower my tire pressure to 31 but even that was too high. I would do 28 next time. My car seems heavy and seems to understated lots during lad corner. I think I was running in 39s to 40s as well never got a feel for the track layout. Ping me next time you head out[IMG][/IMG]
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