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06-29-2008, 12:56 AM | #1 |
Very slow driver
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Drives: X3 & 135i & C55 AMG & 911 GT3
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Toronto
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First track day with the 135i
Took the 135i to Shannonville Motosports Park yesterday. The 135i is completely stock, including the standard Bridgestone run flat tires. The car held up very well (despite being not completely broken in.......). No engine overheating ever happened, despite running multiple 30 minute continous sessions throughout the whole day. That extra engine oil cooler built in the 135i obviously works well despite being 29 degrees celsius during the hot afternoon. The oil temp gauge stayed at just above 120 degrees celsius (manual says normal operating temp is between 100-150 degrees).
The run flat tires squeal a lot but I think they grip pretty well. Yes, there is understeer if you enter corners too quickly, but if you stay with the principle of "slow in, fast out", I think it is fine. I drove with DTC (dynamic traction control) on, which is the setting between full DSC on and e-diff only. This was also the first time I drove a manual transmission car on a track. I can't say I've mastered the "heel & toe" technique of downshifting completely, but I'm getting there. Previously, I've taken my all purpose daily driver/family hauler C55 AMG for track days. I'm pretty sure I can take corners faster around this particular track in the 135i than in the C55. Here is a 9 minute clip of a few laps on the 4.03km SMP Full Track configuration of Shannonville where there wasn't much traffic slowing me down. You can see one of the cones was knocked down, which made hitting that particular corner apex impossible.
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06-29-2008, 06:06 PM | #3 |
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I just completed day 3 of a BMWCCA Performance Driving School at Reno/Fernely Raceway. My car is also completely stock and it handled very well. The instructors were all impressed with both how well the car held the track and how well I drove for a first timer. (never been to a track before) I was even able to keep up with my Dad in his Lotus Elise no problem. He was a little tighter through the corners, but I blew him away on the straights.
All in all it was a really fun experience. I don't think I "caught the bug" enough to really get into it, but I'll probably start going out a few times a year on the "test & tune" days. Dan |
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07-01-2008, 10:47 PM | #4 |
Very slow driver
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Drives: X3 & 135i & C55 AMG & 911 GT3
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Toronto
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Here are some pics of the cars (starting with my own):
And of course, there were quite a number of E46 M3's:
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07-02-2008, 11:38 AM | #5 |
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Very nice!! Thanks for the pics!!
I think I'm getting the bug to track my car more and more...I noticed some pics of folks without helmets. I thought helmets were required out on any track. I'm only dabbling, so not having the expense (or the restricted peripheral vision) of the helmet, small as it may be, is appreciated. |
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07-02-2008, 10:11 PM | #7 | ||
Very slow driver
11
Rep 104
Posts
Drives: X3 & 135i & C55 AMG & 911 GT3
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Toronto
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Quote:
Quote:
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