05-16-2015, 07:17 PM | #1 |
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First track day today.....
So, I had my first track day today in the 228. The car is an absolute blast. I don't know the true limit of the car yet because it's also a brand new track; Palmer Motorsport Park in Massachusetts. The track is so new, there is no curbing, no real facility and half the paddock is still dirt.
So my initial impressions are that the car desperately needs bigger sway bars. It's rolls like a big Taurus wagon right now (even with H&R springs and THP). The stock brakes surprisingly hold up pretty well....I'm using RBF660 fluid. Last, the car could still really use more camber in the front (I'm running F8x M3/4 LCA's). For anyone trying to track an F22 without some sort of camber adjustment...I'm sorry. 2nd Day starts at 8am tomorrow.....we'll see how it goes 😁 |
05-16-2015, 08:00 PM | #2 | |
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05-16-2015, 08:04 PM | #3 | |
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I wonder if people feel roll cause the tires are so soft... just got some RE-71R and car feels much firmer now going through turns... |
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05-17-2015, 01:55 PM | #5 |
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interested to hear day 2 impressions. are you using the 6MT or 8AT? how did it do? how was power?
i test drove m235i and 228i msport (- thp) yesterday and on the highway, passing seemed slightly weak. i'm guessing it's fine on track since it's not "racing" but i wonder if it would feel a little slow in daily driving which is why i think i may want the extra punch in the m235i. not trying to insult your HP, just curious what your perceptions are on (and off) track. i just don't want to be wringing the car out every day, that can't be healthy for it. thanks and looking forward to some vids and still shots! matt
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05-17-2015, 05:40 PM | #6 | |
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Warm temps were 40 front and 37-38 rear. I am running the PSS's.....245/35's all around. I was thinking of changing to the RE-71R's when the PSS's are done. |
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05-17-2015, 05:51 PM | #7 | |
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The track is very difficult to figure out. There are a lot of different lines you can take. As far as power.....the 228i has plenty for me. I had no problem hanging with higher HP cars is the corners, but obviously lose in the straights. The 228i is more of a momentum car....extremely well balanced which makes the handling superior to many other cars. I drove the M235i before ordering my car. Yes, it's quicker. No, it's not worth $10k more than a 228i Msport w/ THP. Depending on what your main use of the car will be and what your current car is, will likely play a big part in your decision. Either way you can't lose. |
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05-17-2015, 08:21 PM | #8 | ||
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I've done 10 track weekends over the last few years. every weekend but one was at a new track (been to one twice), so I understand trying to figure out a new stretch of tarmac! I'm also not a "natural" so it takes me until the end of day 1 to start feeling really good about it! I'm okay with a momentum car on the track when I'm pushing it, but on the streets, I like the kick in the pants for passing and merging. I'm def not a street racer but like the power in those situations. the two cars I have picked out are $6k difference and the m235i has mandatory light upgrade so it's kind of like being a $5k difference... close enough to maybe be worth it to me coming from an F80 m3... but we'll see. I'm sure I could be quite happy with either. the only place to truly enjoy just about any car from a performance standpoint is the track anyway! *** deleted question about tires.. saw your post before this one happy motoring! thanks again!
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05-17-2015, 09:20 PM | #9 | |
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LCA's come on Friday if they don't interfere with the 17" I think I started 38 cold all around and go to 42-43 hot and I still had some rollover... as great as a street tire the PSS is... it doesn't feel at home at the track |
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05-19-2015, 07:27 PM | #10 | |
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The PSS's only have 1 or 2 track days left. One those are gone, I'm thinking of trying the Bridgestone RE-71R's. I've used RE-11's in the past and loved them. H&R sent me an email yesterday regarding sway bars and they will likely have some soon, so we'll see what happens there. Depending on sways and if I do finally sell my e30, maybe KW Clubsports are in my future 😁. |
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05-24-2015, 10:15 PM | #12 |
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08-26-2015, 09:05 PM | #13 |
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Heading back to Palmer 9/19-9/20. Can't wait to get back out there now that I have H&R sways. I'll also have a new LSD by then too 😃.
Will try and post some video once back. |
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08-27-2015, 06:54 PM | #14 |
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Please update the thread once you get back. I'm interested to see how much of a difference the sways will make.
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09-27-2015, 10:47 AM | #16 |
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Well I hit up Palmer last weekend. Needless to say, the track is awesome and easily becoming my favorite.
The car handles great other than the front tires rubbing the strut.....very unsettling in a couple corners. The H&R bars make a great change in the overall handling of the car....it's incredibly neutral. So, my fastest lap last weekend was a 2:04.32. I'm fairly certain that the car is capable of under 2 minutes, but with the tires rubbing the strut I'm scared to push a whole lot more. Unfortunately I didn't get any video. I did bring the GoPro, but forgot my SD card in my laptop at home ��. If I can, I'll upload some images from Harry's Lap Timer showing some data at least. For anyone in the Northeast, you need to make Palmer a stop for sure. |
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10-02-2015, 07:18 PM | #17 | |
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2:04 is a decent time from my short experience there. It's not an easy track to learn. 14 turns and the track never really gives you a breather. I only ran about 20 laps - didn't really want to push the car or take any chances with it since it's so new. The BMW Laptimer app showed my best lap at 2:03.86 with a max speed of 126 mph, so you were basically right with my 235 with your 228. And you're absolutely correct that the 2ers are capable of sub 2 minute laps. I talked to one of the track owners, "Fast Freddie," and asked if 2:03 at 126 mph was a decent speed for a car like mine. He said it wasn't horrible, but he was running laps in a spec Miata at 1:49. It's all about the driver. He had the same spec Miatas there on the track the day I was there, but other guys were driving them, and I was passing them easily. I was timing them informally from the pit at about 2:20.
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10-04-2015, 08:11 PM | #18 | |
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My target will be sub-2 times. I'm very excited to go back, so I'll give another report soon. Thanks!!! |
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10-13-2015, 08:04 PM | #19 |
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Thanks for the update. I'm glad you liked the sways.
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10-13-2015, 08:50 PM | #20 |
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Headed back this weekend with a freshly installed Bilstein Clubsport kit. Also corner balanced the car and did a proper alignment. Very excited to see how much this changes the cars on track handling. So far, on the street, it feels amazing.
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10-25-2015, 09:38 PM | #22 |
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Last session was amazing. The Bilstein Clubsport kit transformed the car. The 2 series LOVES camber. I'm running -2.8F and -2.3R. The car sticks! I'm no longer rubbing either which gives me much more confidence to push the car.
I was able to get some good video.....not great, but good. Unfortunately the video isn't of my best session. My best lap was a 1:58.09 in 41 degree weather and gravel thrown across T4. I'd say the car is definitely capable of 1:54-55. Again, no power adds at this time, just suspension. I'll try to add video soon. Last edited by i8ur911; 12-22-2015 at 09:19 PM.. |
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