Auto crossing the ///m for the first time, any pro tips?

[Kung Fu English]

So I have reasonable experience autocrossing my STI, but I am on my way to taking the m3 for the first time.

Mainly for fun as my modded sti is probably faster than the stock m3 at autocross speeds but hey, I gotta have some fun.

Basic questions though: what tire pressure about should I start at?

MDM on or off?

Anything else?

[Richbot]

Turn everything off and drive the car on the rear tires, if you try to turn with the front end on a stock car it will push everywhere. Depends on the tire, but even on Hoosiers which like lower pressures normally I shoot for 40-42psi hot in front and 35-37 in the rear. Start there and back it off until you start to see sidewall scrubbing just like any autocross car

[Merked M3]

If you are on stock tires I would do 36Front and 32Rear COLD. In my experience the fronts gain a lot of heat per run and the rears barely anything. I let some pressure out of the fronts and keep it at 36-38 hot.

On an autocross course you will definitely push a lot. If you can setup your corners and maximize speed just below understeering you can be quick. And yes, turn traction off! Have fun!

[AWM3ME2]

Look ahead.

[pkimM3r]

Drift.

[FogCityM3]

Go to a race track...in all seriousness I personally have more fun on the race track vs auto-x, the M3 really shines in that environment. Autocross is fun, but M3 doesn't really shine compared to the smaller nimble cars in Auto-x, but it still is easier on car wear/tear.

[Kung Fu English]

Originally Posted by FogCityM3

Go to a race track...in all seriousness I personally have more fun on the race track vs auto-x, the M3 really shines in that environment. Autocross is fun, but M3 doesn't really shine compared to the smaller nimble cars in Auto-x, but it still is easier on car wear/tear.

Luckily, this particular auto-x was at a race track. It was at Grattan Raceway near grand rapids, MI. It was a glorified HPDE. Basically they raced us on half the track and put up some gates every so often and 1 slalom on one of the straights but it was mostly like racing on the regular track, which was awesome.

It was also only $25 vs the normal $200 for the HPDEs there like the one they had the day before, but we only got 4 runs due to time constraints so good with bad.

Overall it was a good first experience, half auto-x which I'm used to and half track day which I have no experience doing.

I used MDM for 2/4 runs, then no ESC for the other 2. I felt like I could probably push the car harder in the quick turns and slalom like sections with the MDM, but I felt like I had much more control with ESC off. When I hit the gas with MDM on, I didn't get the response I wanted from the engine due to the MDM and it just felt wierd. But my times were a bit slower, though this could have been due to me almost spinning out on the start with no ESC and all wheel spin lol.

[FogCityM3]

Wow, sounds like a good Auto-X setup. It's such a blast doing these things sounds like you had a great time.

Originally Posted by Kung Fu English

Luckily, this particular auto-x was at a race track. It was at Grattan Raceway near grand rapids, MI. It was a glorified HPDE. Basically they raced us on half the track and put up some gates every so often and 1 slalom on one of the straights but it was mostly like racing on the regular track, which was awesome.

It was also only $25 vs the normal $200 for the HPDEs there like the one they had the day before, but we only got 4 runs due to time constraints so good with bad.

Overall it was a good first experience, half auto-x which I'm used to and half track day which I have no experience doing.

I used MDM for 2/4 runs, then no ESC for the other 2. I felt like I could probably push the car harder in the quick turns and slalom like sections with the MDM, but I felt like I had much more control with ESC off. When I hit the gas with MDM on, I didn't get the response I wanted from the engine due to the MDM and it just felt wierd. But my times were a bit slower, though this could have been due to me almost spinning out on the start with no ESC and all wheel spin lol.

[Kung Fu English]

Originally Posted by FogCityM3

Wow, sounds like a good Auto-X setup. It's such a blast doing these things sounds like you had a great time.

Yea it's a once a year thing for the group we get to go to that track. Usually it's just normal autox around a parking lot but they do tend to be a bit higher speed than others i've done.

Next stop is BMWCCA at Tire Rack!

[CSBM5]

Originally Posted by FogCityM3

Go to a race track...in all seriousness I personally have more fun on the race track vs auto-x, the M3 really shines in that environment. Autocross is fun, but M3 doesn't really shine compared to the smaller nimble cars in Auto-x, but it still is easier on car wear/tear.

An M3 setup for SCCA F-stock is a killer car in an autocross. Witness this year's SCCA national championships going on this week, for the first time, something other than a late model Mustang GT in F-stock class is in the trophies (after the first day)...a 2008 M3 in 4th. Hope his 2nd day today goes well. 2nd heat (one that FS runs in) should be starting soon.

[CSBM5]

...and the E90 M3 laid down the FTD in F-stock today at the Nationals and moved up to 3rd overall trophy. Awesome performance. Hope he's a board member!

[Kung Fu English]

Originally Posted by CSBM5

An M3 setup for SCCA F-stock is a killer car in an autocross. Witness this year's SCCA national championships going on this week, for the first time, something other than a late model Mustang GT in F-stock class is in the trophies (after the first day)...a 2008 M3 in 4th. Hope his 2nd day today goes well. 2nd heat (one that FS runs in) should be starting soon.

that is excellent. I don't know that I will do a full FS setup but i know it's fun.

[Raucky2000]

-3 degrees frt 1/8" toe out
-2 degrees rear 0 toe out

DISCONNECT REAR SWAY BAR!
The car is soooo much better w/o the rear bar it isn't funny!

[dmw16]

Originally Posted by Kung Fu English

...was a glorified HPDE.

In all fairness, it's an unglorified HPDE actually

[Millie]

Originally Posted by Raucky2000

-3 degrees frt 1/8" toe out
-2 degrees rear 0 toe out

DISCONNECT REAR SWAY BAR!
The car is soooo much better w/o the rear bar it isn't funny!

explain.

[Raucky2000]

Well my full setup is this:

H&R frt bar
AST DA custom Grand AM shocks w/ 275psi
Hypercoil springs 900 frt & 1100 rear

I've found better turn in with -3.5 frt and -2 rear
Toe is the same as above.

With the rear bar removed/disconnected it gets rid of that nasty snap spin, even at much lower spring rates of 450 frt and 700 rear. It makes oversteering completely predictable and improves traction from what I've found.

Plus I was able to get my e90 M3 down to a LEGAL 3406lbs w/o fuel and driver for STU.

I'm happy to answer any other questions.

[Millie]

Do you recommend disconnecting the thing for a stock shock M3? Can it be done on site?

[1MOREMOD]

900-1100 is a ton of spring!

[Raucky2000]

Yeah disconnecting the rear bar can be done on site , np.

You have to have the shocks to handle that kind of rate. The M does very well with very little body roll compared to a stock setup.

Not as much as my autox only miata at 1300 frt and 900 rear.
Plus it's only 2060lbs, but just as much hp. It's a total blast to autox and a lot to hang on to.