03-28-2016, 08:02 PM | #1 |
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Would you run a stock X1 on the track?
To those of you who regularly track your cars...would you run a completely stock X1 on the track? I have a 2015 xDrive35i, Sport Line.
We are driving 2400 miles to California later this summer for the BMW CCA Oktoberfest and plan to do one track day each at Sonoma and Laguna Seca. Instead of towing the dedicated track car (E36 M3), we are considering taking the X1 instead. Other than tires/brakes/fluids, are there any modifications or improvements that you feel are necessary to run an X1 well on the track? Any items recommended? I'm not looking to turn my daily driver into a track car, just looking to be sure we have a great time driving a couple of "bucket-list" tracks! Thanks for your advice! |
03-29-2016, 12:06 AM | #3 |
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If the car is stock you will have zero problems. You will get some body roll but that's not going away unless you change suspensions. Sport line will have more roll than my stock M-sport did, so YMMV. The oil cooler and radiator issues only came when I was running 18lbs of boost. If the car was stock, I would remove the camber pins and adjust for maximum camber and just go have fun (obviously you will need pads and fluids, but seems like you are experienced enough to know that already).
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03-29-2016, 01:36 PM | #4 |
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I plan on doing it this year through one of the NASA High Performance Driving Events (have a friend who is a regional director).
First time the car will be absolutely stock. We'll see if I get hooked afterward, then who knows |
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03-29-2016, 04:39 PM | #5 |
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personally, I would tow the E36M
The E84 35i looks to have the same cooling system as F30 335 (non m sport) and E89 35i I have tracked both those cars and gotten 300F oil temps and power reduction, and the stock tires (summer RFT) lost grip quickly (all of those within one 15 minute session). It wasn't super fun to be honest, and I don't have a high appetite for tracking our stock E84 35i |
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03-29-2016, 05:34 PM | #6 |
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Circuit of the Americas X1 s28i M Sport
I'm better at driving than uploading, but I have a video of my 2014 X1 s28i M Sport at COTA near Austin, Tx.
Car runs cooler when driving hard in which I usually hit approx 120 mph on the straights of several courses including High Plains Raceway near Denver. I have Pirelli P7 summer performance 255/40r18 and 225/45r18. I put 12 mm spacer on front only to even the track closer, ans stop the sway. Stock, the rears are 2 inches wider with the staggered, so now the rears are only approx 1 inch wider. I have scanguage to measure temps, and it runs about 209 deg when jumping on and off the gas as in track day. Cruising, the engine knows you aren't dumping excess heat so it can run water temp up to 236 f for efficiency. |
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03-29-2016, 06:10 PM | #7 |
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Thanks for the advice! Much appreciated, keep it coming. Sounds like we can make this work with the X1.
Our other option is to drive the 2013 JCW MINI Hardtop, 6-speed (also, completely stock). A fun car, but limited room to bring spares, tools, helmets... Yes, we are both experienced drivers, though these tracks will be new to us. We are only doing one day at each track, so I don't expect to run the X1 as hard as I run the M3 at Mid-Ohio. I will definitely purchase new summer, high performance tires. Thanks for the tip on the wheel spacers and camber adjustments. And Bucketfoot....be careful....once you try this sport, I expect you will be hooked. Soon all of your spare time and money will go into track time, car maintenance, safety equipment and performance parts. |
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03-29-2016, 08:36 PM | #8 |
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03-29-2016, 08:41 PM | #9 | |
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03-29-2016, 09:59 PM | #10 |
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If you're experienced, I'm sure you can find a way to have fun for a day with an N55 X1.
Bring real pads, have decent tires, and make liberal use of those curbs (and your ride height). Honestly, spend $250 on a used JB4 and you just might surprise a few hamfists while you're at it. Which is going to be where most of your fun lies...honestly. If you don't have one already, you should. Transforms these cars. Wife approved! Predictable handling, AWD traction on exit and reasonably quick on a tune...it's a neat little sleeper. Have at it.
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03-30-2016, 07:51 AM | #11 |
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It has a lot of steep off camber turns that will kill the power. I leave my traction control on because the left rear wheel will spin wildly coming out of turns.
When I widened the track with 12mm spacers on the front, I can get around them without traction kicking in. I've got the smaller engine, but it was labeled "quick" at COTA. That means with the low rpm torque, it's pulling hard out of turns, and high speed cars pull on it after 100 mph. |
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03-30-2016, 07:57 AM | #12 |
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In the future, you'd probably be better off leaving the TC off, and just using a bit more throttle control exiting the off-camber stuff. TC on vs. off is literally seconds a lap slower in these cars.
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03-30-2016, 09:34 AM | #13 | |
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Once I get the tire pressures right on about 3 runs, and I hour; I'm done. I don't even go one hot days over 90 deg f, since neither me or the tires will like it. |
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03-30-2016, 09:35 AM | #14 | |
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'02 S54 M3 (500/500 GC/Koni)
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03-30-2016, 10:04 AM | #15 |
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I ain't even worried about seconds since it's all apples and oranges out there with no racing into corners where late braking grabs the position.
I just wanna enjoy car at high speed where i don't get tickets. I wish I could upload my COTA vid showing me and others being held up by a Viper guy. I see fast cars and slow drivers every where I go. |
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03-31-2016, 12:36 AM | #16 |
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Oh man. That would be so much fun! I'm close enough to Laguna Seca to make it out for a track day with a local club. My fear is becoming over enthusiastic and wiping out, damaging my baby.
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03-31-2016, 01:42 AM | #17 |
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I wouldn't use X128 experience to assess the X135 cooling situation.
With 2 experienced drivers sharing as well, I really think you'll overheat the oil (or the brakes, or the tires) and one or both of you will not have a great time (unless you really are just there to drive the track and experience it, like 1-2 'ring tourist laps kind of situation) If your Mini has been prepped for HPDE I think that would be a better option |
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03-31-2016, 09:36 AM | #18 |
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Good catch that there's 2 engines to look at.
I don't drive the piss outta my X1 for last second sense there's no trophy. I just enjoy driving fast for 20 minutes. I don't get that the faster 35i has to be pampered or worried about. I've seen Corvette guys have the brake overheat trouble. My s28i would repeatedly brake hard from 90 to 30 with no trouble. My laser temp gauge showed around 550 f max on any brake part, while the M6 guy running with me showed 650 deg f. He was only a little faster. This was at HPR. |
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03-31-2016, 10:07 AM | #19 | |
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03-31-2016, 06:38 PM | #20 | |
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i overheated the oil in my wife's F30 (N55) 335 after 1 session at buttonwillow 13CW. It got to 300F and the stock contisportcontact 5P summer RFT were greasy as well. no fun. Glad to see X135 works, and i'm surprised since its the same 600W cooling fan and 1 oil cooler as F30 335, but am glad to hear it works. Maybe the radiator is bigger or gets more air or something in the X135 |
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