Alternator v-belt snapped during track event

[Lojs]

I was participating in a track event 2 weeks ago. At around lap 6 (just as the tires started warming up and my speed picked up) the car politely informed me in red font that it was not intending to charge the battery any more. I went into the pits and my mechanic buddy checked the engine bay and found that the v-belt driving the alternator (and something else, A/C?) was shredded into pieces and wound up on all the pulleys and tensioners.
So I called the BMW assistance services and had the car towed away (after driving a little away from the track premises of course). Everything got replaced under warranty. Besides the v-belt itself they replaced all the pulleys and tensioners.
I had Michelin Cup tires, Pagid RS29 pads. Everything else was stock. Car had 10k kms.

Anyone heard of similar issues? Is that in anyway related to hard driving? Or was I unlucky to pick up some track debris into the engine bay?

[M3SSY]

http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1142702

guy had a car show up with no belt after transport..

[DBV]

Glad to hear you got it taken care of. What track were you at? I ask because I will be in Berlin with my car for about 10 days after I take European Delivery.

[Lojs]

Originally Posted by DBV

Glad to hear you got it taken care of. What track were you at? I ask because I will be in Berlin with my car for about 10 days after I take European Delivery.

I was actually quite far away at Pannonia Ring in Hungary. But if you are looking for racetracks near Berlin check out Sachsenring and EuroSpeedway Lausitz (aka Lausitzring) Both are DTM/ FIA GT1/ MotoGP level locations and are within a 2h drive. The later has "open sessions" every Monday from 6pm until dusk starting at EUR19 for 15 mins, which gives you flexibility in how long you want to stay out. (you can also get 10 sessions for EUR160)
http://www.sachsenring-circuit.com/en/
http://www.lausitzring-shop.de/de/Ti...es-Fahren.html

As another alternative there is a less fancy but nevertheless very technical track up north called Driving Center Groß Dölln. It is actually an old soviet military airport (used to be largest in Europe) converted to a driving training location with wet sections for drift training, slalom etc. They also have a proper circuit now there.
http://www.drivingcenter.de/freies_fahren_pkw.html

[DBV]

Originally Posted by Lojs

I was actually quite far away at Pannonia Ring in Hungary. But if you are looking for racetracks near Berlin check out Sachsenring and EuroSpeedway Lausitz (aka Lausitzring) Both are DTM/ FIA GT1/ MotoGP level locations and are within a 2h drive. The later has "open sessions" every Monday from 6pm until dusk starting at EUR19 for 15 mins, which gives you flexibility in how long you want to stay out. (you can also get 10 sessions for EUR160)
http://www.sachsenring-circuit.com/en/
http://www.lausitzring-shop.de/de/Ti...es-Fahren.html

As another alternative there is a less fancy but nevertheless very technical track up north called Driving Center Groß Dölln. It is actually an old soviet military airport (used to be largest in Europe) converted to a driving training location with wet sections for drift training, slalom etc. They also have a proper circuit now there.
http://www.drivingcenter.de/freies_fahren_pkw.html

Thanks for the tips! Probably won't be able to make any of these, as I have prior engagements on the 4th and that following Monday. Oh well, I guess the Nurburgring will have to do!

[quattr0]

do you drive on uneven roads a lot? i do hope its not the same issue w n54 where the belt touches the subframe and worn out after several pot holes

[Lojs]

Originally Posted by quattr0

do you drive on uneven roads a lot? i do hope its not the same issue w n54 where the belt touches the subframe and worn out after several pot holes

I'd say, not really. Berlin is not famous for bad roads and the trips I do outside can't be called off-road either. Plus I would be very surprised if the effect you mentioned would already appear at 10k kms.

[Mike@N54Tuning.com]

Glad it got taken care of and by the sounds of it they did a very thorough repair.

Hopefully this was a one off.

Mike