[avantix]

Hi guys, has anyone logged any track time with their 335? I'm thinking of taking it out to a local FIA compliant track but a little worried about the body roll on the F30 going into tight corners. I've changed the springs to H&R sport which does slightly lessen roll but still. Has anyone taken theirs out to a track?

[mocohead]

Many of us with significant time with the F30 platform on the track. Check out the track forum for many helpful posts! Short version - Bone stock, the F30 may well be one of the most well balanced and fun to drive cars around. There is nothing to worry about - it is great!

[Dog Face Pony Soldier]

The concern is tires, brakes and hitting something. Don't worry about body roll.

[avantix]

Originally Posted by glennQNYC

The concern is tires, brakes and hitting something. Don't worry about body roll.

I've already got the hitting something part, partly figured out. This track is built on an old international airport tarmac and they've configured the track with very few guardrails so hitting walls is almost a non-issue. Other cars may be a problem

[DVC]

I haven't seen too many accounts of xDrive F30s on the track yet, so looking forward to hear your report. xDrive cars sit a little taller with a bit softer suspension, but it's still a great chassis - body roll or not.

[ZheHbKa]

if you optioned for DHP then your suspension is good to go

[F32]

Originally Posted by ZheHbKa

if you optioned for DHP then your suspension is good to go

[Mak135i]

The car (with my current set up) did much better than I expected. Brake fade and over-heating were not a problem even in hot, humid weather (New Orleans). Even though the steering has little feel, it is very accurate and the car goes pretty much exactly where you point it, even as you are expecting it to under-steer (which it doesn't).

My best lap in a C63 AMG was 1.23.8. In the 335i, it was exactly 3 seconds slower which I consider a good number for the 335i

[Elk]

+1

The F30 is far from a track car.

As a practical matter however you can track the car, but keep in mind it is a heavy sedan. Keep an eye on pads (feel and wear), front tires (these cars understeer, especially when pushed) and oil temperature.

Start with an extra 5 psi in the front tires and keep an eye on wear. You want the wear even across the tire, but will probably see wear on the outside front edge. Add more air, up to the cold air max, if uneven wear remains an issue.

Have fun.

[Nikos335i]

I'm assuming you are referring to Icar?

You will be fine in termes of handling, body roll, etc... your biggest concern should be tire wear on that track as the concrete will take a toll on them.

Have fun!

[ft1339]

Probably not the best track car but neither is the M3. Yes there is always better...

[jbr5049]

I know that f30 member shivaswrath tracks his f30.

He also has almost every OEM performance mod out there. He said he smokes the e9x m3 on the track with a ppk 335.

[nemith]

Originally Posted by DVC

I haven't seen too many accounts of xDrive F30s on the track yet, so looking forward to hear your report. xDrive cars sit a little taller with a bit softer suspension, but it's still a great chassis - body roll or not.

I took my xDrive out on the track for the first time. Bone stock with RFTs and everything. It was also my first time on the track and the body roll was not noticeable for my skill (even though i can notice it more on the street).

Car did great, instructor was impressed. I think he said something like "The car is so quiet and accelerates so smoothly i didn't realize we were getting that fast on the straights"

The RFTs were squealing and tires are more of an upgrade at this point that worrying about the suspension next time i go out.

[snowghost]

Originally Posted by jbr5049

I know that f30 member shivaswrath tracks his f30.

He also has almost every OEM performance mod out there. He said he smokes the e9x m3 on the track with a ppk 335.

Nice.

[Presario]

Originally Posted by nemith

I took my xDrive out on the track for the first time. Bone stock with RFTs and everything. It was also my first time on the track and the body roll was not noticeable for my skill (even though i can notice it more on the street).

Car did great, instructor was impressed. I think he said something like "The car is so quiet and accelerates so smoothly i didn't realize we were getting that fast on the straights"

The RFTs were squealing and tires are more of an upgrade at this point that worrying about the suspension next time i go out.

Very nice! Glad to hear.

BTW, that's a sweet E36 M3 lightweight in the background!

[JN1]

Just took my F30 335i out to the track this weekend. First time on a high speed track, my previous experience was Buttonwillow, Willow Springs, Beaverrun Complex in PA and a couple others but only for drift events.

I was really impressed with the stock handling and even the RFTs, they didn't do bad at all. As long as you were driving proper lines and not late braking there was little to no brake fade. Overheating wasn't an issue at all but we were only running 25 min stints. Overall I'm happy with the car. I didn't buy it be a track car, but it does alright out there.

The car truly serves the purpose I bought it for. Quick, fun yet practical, comfortable daily. I can drive clients or co-workers around during the week and sling it around the track on weekends.

[Presario]

Originally Posted by JNLBC

Just took my F30 335i out to the track this weekend. First time on a high speed track, my previous experience was Buttonwillow, Willow Springs, Beaverrun Complex in PA and a couple others but only for drift events.

I was really impressed with the stock handling and even the RFTs, they didn't do bad at all. As long as you were driving proper lines and not late braking there was little to no brake fade. Overheating wasn't an issue at all but we were only running 25 min stints. Overall I'm happy with the car. I didn't buy it be a track car, but it does alright out there.

The car truly serves the purpose I bought it for. Quick, fun yet practical, comfortable daily. I can drive clients or co-workers around during the week and sling it around the track on weekends.

Thanks for chiming in JN. Looking forward to taking my car to the track for a day out as well. That is a sick photo of you rocking the STIG helmet!

[SergioK]

Originally Posted by JNLBC

The car truly serves the purpose I bought it for. Quick, fun yet practical, comfortable daily. I can drive clients or co-workers around during the week and sling it around the track on weekends.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7358/9...46de27ee4b.jpg

Yep! I tell everyone I will not do anything (track mods) to my F30. It by far meets and exceeds all expectations for double duty. I did virtually everything to my E46 and it was a great track car but as a daily driver it got tiresome. The F30, right out of the box, performs wonderfully on track.

[shivaswrath]

I've done 2 days now, if you want an actual usable track car, the 335i won't cut it (as I found out yesterday at Lime Rock); you'll need the following DESPERATELY:
1. An effective oil cooler. I have a base 335i, with one cooler, but I went into limp mode TWICE at Lime Rock...there were 4 20 minute sessions, at the end of the 3rd session, I was flying down Sam Posey straight at 120mph, and it went into limp mode. Had to cool off for 1 hour with the hood up to cool off. LAST session of the day, on minute 19 of the session, limp mode again. I'm hoping the aftermarket can either offer us DUAL double stack oil coolers, OR, a single, effective one.
2. M Performance Brakes - I have these, and I was out braking EVERYONE in my class - cars ranged from modified BMW's to Merc's. On Sam Posey straight, the braking zone before big bend goes from 6 down to 1; most brake at 5, I was braking at 4-3 (scrubbing speed from 115-120mph). THAT's AMAZING for BMW pads and brakes...LOVED them. Gave me an edge on the track.
3. M performance suspension - I didn't squeal at all on the track, so literally with the stock 225/255 S001 tire setup, I could've pushed harder, if i had...
4. AN LSD - desperately needed for this body type.

All in all, I'm going to continue track days with this car, but will need the following:
1. some sort of 5 point belt system.
2. an LSD.
3. OIL COOLER!!!

thankfully, with the MPS and MPB, I managed to "max" out the car and stay competitive within the class. Fucking love this car...

[SergioK]

What did the oil temp gauge display? How hot did the oil get?

Something tells me your limp mode may have been exacerbated by your out-braking everyone. These cars can go into limp mode if the brakes overheat.

[Forgiven]

Mine isn't 335i or consider as track car but I did take my active hybrid3 to couple of auto x events and hpde by bmw.

I have zero issues, but thinking to get a better brake pads. I learned my basics from the events and planning to continue whenever I can.