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      09-24-2016, 11:00 AM   #1
BurpZilla
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Track Mods for a first timer?

Hello everyone! I am taking my M2 to the track for the first time and wanted to do some minimal mods for the track, I am looking for opinions on

1. Race Pads
2. Stainless steel lines
3. and already got 2 bottles of Castrol SRF Brake fluid.

Any suggestions?
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      09-24-2016, 11:04 AM   #2
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Search engine is your friend. Lots of threads on this subject.
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      09-27-2016, 07:22 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BurpZilla
Hello everyone! I am taking my M2 to the track for the first time and wanted to do some minimal mods for the track, I am looking for opinions on

1. Race Pads
2. Stainless steel lines
3. and already got 2 bottles of Castrol SRF Brake fluid.

Any suggestions?
Excellent start.

Stainless lines - nice

Castrol SRF is the bomb.

Intermediate level track drivers should use the M Performance (pagid rs29) pads at the least , and non OEM full on track pads are encouraged for advanced level students.

Monitor your tire wear on the fronts especially and consider camber plates if you plan to track the car often
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      09-27-2016, 09:47 AM   #4
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Don't do anything other than tire pressures for your first time.
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      09-27-2016, 09:58 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jon H View Post
Don't do anything other than tire pressures for your first time.
+1. Consider your first track day with it to be a shakedown. Get to know the car and its weak points (which are relative to your driving skills/characteristics), an then upgrade accordingly.
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      09-27-2016, 12:07 PM   #6
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The general rule of thumb with trips to the track is not to modify anything. The car will tell you what you need to update. Though that might sound like esoteric mumbo jumbo it really does play out nicely that way. My cars have actually migrated to and fro in their copnfiguration based on the relative amount of time I've spent on the track. When I was single and on the track teaching or AutoXing every weekend, I had a more extreme setup. Now that I've given up autoX and reduced my track time. I've settled into a milder suspension setup. your car is plenty fast and competent out of the box. Take your time and develop your skills. The speed will come soon enough without mods. In fact the nannies in these cars will bring the speed a little too easily. Stay humble and learn.

Depending on the type of program you're in, you may go through a set of street pads in a weekend, which is not a bad thing, since they are great pads, and track pads are a bit messy to deal with, not to mention the hassle of switching back and forth unless you have the right tools. If you plan on doing this a lot and are handy enough to swap pads, you might want to invest in building a "brake box," with the necessary tools and extra pads. Motive makes a great pressure bleeder that makes bleeding a one man job. I can call out the other tools from memory, but my car is 18 years sold, so likely not completely relevant. Hopefully another M2 pilot can call out the details.
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      09-28-2016, 12:53 AM   #7
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Race pads and fluid that's all you need. Pads get really hot and they start to fade on the track. All the M2's that BMW had the press drive on the track were fitted with M performance pads, same for the M track day. At M track day I didn't run into any issues and the instructor told me pads were the only thing that wasn't stock. When I did session with my own M2 the pads started to fade and was smoking at the end of my session.
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      09-28-2016, 10:04 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ric124 View Post
Race pads and fluid that's all you need. Pads get really hot and they start to fade on the track. All the M2's that BMW had the press drive on the track were fitted with M performance pads, same for the M track day. At M track day I didn't run into any issues and the instructor told me pads were the only thing that wasn't stock. When I did session with my own M2 the pads started to fade and was smoking at the end of my session.
How noisy do you think the M performance pads are for daily driving? I'd like to use one set of pads that could do both, knowing that there would be trade offs.

Not ideal I know but I'm trying to avoid having to change pads every time I go to a track day.
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      09-28-2016, 06:59 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ex-MINI View Post
How noisy do you think the M performance pads are for daily driving? I'd like to use one set of pads that could do both, knowing that there would be trade offs.

Not ideal I know but I'm trying to avoid having to change pads every time I go to a track day.

There aren't very practical for daily use. Pretty noisy.

It's actually not too bad changing out the pads. That's the route I will go once I start tracking mine.
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      09-28-2016, 07:13 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ex-MINI
Quote:
Originally Posted by ric124 View Post
Race pads and fluid that's all you need. Pads get really hot and they start to fade on the track. All the M2's that BMW had the press drive on the track were fitted with M performance pads, same for the M track day. At M track day I didn't run into any issues and the instructor told me pads were the only thing that wasn't stock. When I did session with my own M2 the pads started to fade and was smoking at the end of my session.
How noisy do you think the M performance pads are for daily driving? I'd like to use one set of pads that could do both, knowing that there would be trade offs.

Not ideal I know but I'm trying to avoid having to change pads every time I go to a track day.
It's up to you if you want to use them for daily but just think about how a freight train sounds coming to a stop. Lol

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      09-28-2016, 07:19 PM   #11
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As the video above indicates, once you get there and get the right tools. Pad swaps take about 10-15 minutes a corner. It usually takes more time to get the car lifted and stable than to do the work. (We ARE using a jack stand, right?) There are some hybrid compounds that may work, but you'll get the worst of both worlds.

How many days are you realistically going to be on the track this year? If it's only a couple, I'd find something a little more specialized and learn to swap pads. Doing your own brake work is a huge money saver in the long run. Motive makes a nice pressure bleeder that lets you do your own fluid very easily as well.
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      10-03-2016, 10:30 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jon H View Post
Don't do anything other than tire pressures for your first time.
Agree 100%. First time with the car, do nothing other than lower the tire pressure to 30-31 cold. A stock M car is very capable. Feel the car to see what mods will help "you" the most to get the enjoyment out of the track experience.

Once you figure out that you like tracking, then do brakes / fluid / front camber/ R compound tires. The stock front camber setup will shorten your front tire life, wearing the outside of your tires rapidly.

Just keep in mind on brakes (stock brakes especially), squeeze it firm like a stiff sponge. Allow plenty of time for the brakes to cool between use. Never pull the handbrakes after a session.
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      10-03-2016, 12:14 PM   #13
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If you are an experienced driver, but just haven't been to the track before, I would echo those above recommending a track pad. I made the mistake of not running track pads on my S4, melted the wear sensors, burned through the pads and to the rotors. $2K mistake...

Granted, this probably won't happen since your car is new (and so are your stock pads), but as others have pointed out, it's not unfeasible to use up a pair of street pads in a track day/weekend.
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      10-10-2016, 09:17 PM   #14
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Appreciate everyones input, this is tremendously helpful!! Looking forward to my first track event @ Sebring.
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      10-11-2016, 09:19 AM   #15
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Remember to take it slow. Nail your driving line and smooth inputs. The speed will come soon enough.
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      10-12-2016, 05:30 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by marcva View Post
Remember to take it slow. Nail your driving line and smooth inputs. The speed will come soon enough.
Thanks! And to be honest I am a bit scared! But I think that will help, I will def not push it to the limit. Appreciate the advice. Safe driving!
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      10-13-2016, 03:24 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BurpZilla View Post
Appreciate everyones input, this is tremendously helpful!! Looking forward to my first track event @ Sebring.
Congrats on using your car for its intended purpose.
Its limits cant be enjoyed on the road - Enjoy, be safe.
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      10-18-2016, 03:43 AM   #18
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Given your experience on track, no modification would be required.

Intermediate tracking stock E46 will still be faster than you.

Save the mod money for a track performance course with an instructor.
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      10-18-2016, 09:01 PM   #19
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What oil does BMW recommend for track day use?
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      10-18-2016, 11:07 PM   #20
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What oil does BMW recommend for track day use?
The dealer uses BMW high performance synthetic oil. That should be good enough. The focus should be on brakes.
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      10-27-2016, 10:03 AM   #21
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Went to the track the past weekend with stock PSS. The car was more than capable to have fun. It has a LOT of grip and quite easy to drive. You really have to do something stupid for the car to go off track. As many have stated, the only thing I'd change for me next track day would be pads and fluid. The brakes were fading a little towards the end of a 30 min session. It was a coldwet/ day, so I wasn't going hard on the car. I guess I'll follow the crowd and go with RS29 and Castrol.
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      10-28-2016, 07:19 AM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BurpZilla View Post
Appreciate everyones input, this is tremendously helpful!! Looking forward to my first track event @ Sebring.
Love Sebring! If you are new to the hobby, prepare a budget for brakes , tires, track fees, etc......then double it. Also, make sure you track with a reputable company , like Chin Motorsports, so you can get great instruction with a safe track environment. Enjoy yourself.
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