[Garf117]

Hello! This is my first post here so please be gentle. I'm looking to prepare my 21 330i for it's first track day and wanted some suggestions/discussion.

I'm going to be running at Road Atlanta June 15th. The car will be stock aside from a JB+ boost controller running +3.5 boost (more on this later), Michelin PS4 tires, and some sort of new brake fluid TBD.

Car:
2021 330i m sport package (does not have the m brakes)
52k miles

Prep so far:
fresh oil (5w30 liquid molly from fcpeuro)
new NGK 94201 spark plugs gapped to .22
freshish OE pads and rotors
fresh brake fluid is planned but no specifics yet
new MPS4 tires to ruin

UPDATE:

I posted an update shortly after the track day but wanted to edit this OP upon reflection.

Prep changes:
I went with Motul 600 brake fluid and ditched the idea of MPS4 tires in favor of Yokohama Advan Apex 601's. The tires were 255 square which wasn't idea on a 8in wide front tire but I didn't have any issues at all during the event.

September Track Day Prep:
I'm heading back to Road Atlanta for Jzilla's September 15 event. I've picked up EBC Blue Stuff brake pads for these tiny brakes. Braking wasn't a big issue fade wise but I lacked confidence knowing I was on OEM pads and rotors.
Oil change number 2 will happen before the event so I can send the first batch off to blackstone and see how the engine oil held up.
NEW WHEELS! I planned to get new wheels after this track day and right when I got home ordered HRE FF10's 19x9. I will move the Advan's over to these and won't have to worry about tires that are too wide for my fronts again.
I am going to at least start off running the JB+ boost controller (set to half setting so +2 psi). The car had zero power issues all day during a sunny 95f Georgia weekend. Assuming it will be cooler in September I will give it a shot. If things get too hot it's easy to take off.

If time and my budget permit I might grab some sway bars. Any recommendations or reviews would be great.

PIC FOR ATTENTION AND CUZ WHY NOT (added the grainy phone photos here)

[prostcfc]

My first track day with my M340 was last year and I ran bone stock. I didn't want to spend extra money without knowing if I'd enjoy it with the car, or without understanding what's needed. I went through a set of front OEM pads in the weekend; rears were okay. Rotors are fine and being reused this year. If I were you I probably would just run the stock pads. For this year I bought new wheels, 200TW tires, Project Mu HC-CS pads, and Endless RF-650 fluid. Last year I used a low viscosity brake fluid (i.e., what OEM is spec'd for), but you could consider getting a normal viscosity fluid for this. My car was also speed limited to ~130 mph because of the stock all season run flats. I've since removed that with MHD Stage 0.

One thing I did not like, and I'm not sure if it's the same with the 330i, was Sport/Sport+ in automatic made the transmission extremely sensitive, in that any pedal pressure coming out of a corner was downshifting multiple gears as if I was wanting to floor it at all times. This year I'm going to be using it in manual shifting, and just let the transmission downshift when needed into corners, and then be able to further control it myself.

[Garf117]

Originally Posted by prostcfc

One thing I did not like, and I'm not sure if it's the same with the 330i, was Sport/Sport+ in automatic made the transmission extremely sensitive, in that any pedal pressure coming out of a corner was downshifting multiple gears as if I was wanting to floor it at all times. This year I'm going to be using it in manual shifting, and just let the transmission downshift when needed into corners, and then be able to further control it myself.

So you were in Sport/+ but letting the car shift itself when you ran into this? I was planning to use the paddles pretty must always on track but I hope if I'm in manual mode with the paddles it stays in higher gears under WOT. It would suck to be coming out of a corner in 3rd, roll onto the throttle and it jump down to 2nd automatically. Could cause a spin.

[prostcfc]

Originally Posted by Garf117

So you were in Sport/+ but letting the car shift itself when you ran into this? I was planning to use the paddles pretty must always on track but I hope if I'm in manual mode with the paddles it stays in higher gears under WOT. It would suck to be coming out of a corner in 3rd, roll onto the throttle and it jump down to 2nd automatically. Could cause a spin.

If you’re in manual mode you’re good. It will only downshift on its own to prevent a stall. In Sport/+ not in manual mode is when I was experiencing the extreme downshifting.

[chrispy28_xd]

If you're at a level where you're comfortable threshold braking, then I would definitely move up to race fluid. Stock fluid is no good on these cars in a high performance setting.

I recommend removing JB+. I had it on mine back in my earlier days, and the ECU always complained, then eventually the car went into limp mode in one session.

I'm not too familiar with the stock rotors/calipers on a 330i, but better brake pads is way better bang for buck. Upgrading your entire brake system is hardly worth it unless you're at time trial pace or the stock setup is really bad (doubtful). Plenty of fast advanced drivers stick to their OEM rotors/calipers and just use track pads.

Regarding trans fluid, my shop didn't charge much for a flush (<$200 IIRC). I did at 30k miles, but I'm also at the track at least once a month for the past 2 years. I would do it just for peace of mind.

[peelerec]

Everything Chris said above, I concur. Especially for this being your “recon” track day just to learn the car. Expect the car to have heavy body roll and not grip very well with heavy cornering. Brake early as you get familiar with the cars weight and chassis dynamics. Have fun!

[helmet91]

The Nordschleife is a bit different than a circuit... I have M-Sport brakes on my 330i; I have Turner steel lines and I'm running Motul RBF 660 fluid. I've never had anything close to brake fade. Next year I'll probably upgrade to Endless MX72+ pads.

The BMW* MPS4S do well on 'Ring, not sure about your situation though.

I have the Dinan piggyback set at Sport, so not too much extra boost.

The car is set at Sport Individual which has the suspension at Comfort and Transmission at Sport.

Pretty good times...

[chrispy28_xd]

The ring isn't your typical track where you have to scrub a lot of speed several times in 90s-2m lap, and there isn't enough time in between corners to cool the system.

Tire choice should be based on skill and situation. If your car is primarily a daily, and you're still at the beginning stages of your motorsports journey, then PS4S will serve you just fine. For me, if I were to run those tires, I'd cook them after the second hot lap, and I may not even get 2 track days out of them. Once you start picking up pace, an endurance tire should be the next step, but keep in mind some track-ready tires might not be comfortable on the street (noise, too much feedback, etc).

[Garf117]

Originally Posted by chrispy28_xd

If you're at a level where you're comfortable threshold braking, then I would definitely move up to race fluid. Stock fluid is no good on these cars in a high performance setting.

I recommend removing JB+. I had it on mine back in my earlier days, and the ECU always complained, then eventually the car went into limp mode in one session.

I'm not too familiar with the stock rotors/calipers on a 330i, but better brake pads is way better bang for buck. Upgrading your entire brake system is hardly worth it unless you're at time trial pace or the stock setup is really bad (doubtful). Plenty of fast advanced drivers stick to their OEM rotors/calipers and just use track pads.

Regarding trans fluid, my shop didn't charge much for a flush (<$200 IIRC). I did at 30k miles, but I'm also at the track at least once a month for the past 2 years. I would do it just for peace of mind.

Thank you! I've run Motul 660 in the past. Still work or does BMW need something specific. All my previous experience is with Honda/Mazda, nothing euro.

Where are you located that you got a shop to do the trans fluid replacement for $200? I have find the parts for less than $350ish. BMW wants to charge $900 to have it done with them.

[chrispy28_xd]

Motul 660 is fine, though I go with Castrol SRF. I'm in the Bay Area, but my shop surprisingly didn't charge much for flushing and replacing the diff fluid. I'm guessing it's because it doesn't take very long (~1 hr of labor), so most of the cost was just the fluid.

[Dan B]

Don't forget to prep the driver. Sleep the night before. Bring water, food, shade, hat, chair, towels, jacket/sweatshirt, rain jacket, umbrella, and if you don't mind the extra setup a canopy.

For the car bring a torque wrench, tire pressure gauge, bottle of brake fluid, quart of oil, and fill up with gas before you get the to the track. Way cheaper than at the track. If you really push it extra brake pads and a way to jack up the car to change them.

All of this can pretty much fit in a couple of totes. Make sure the totes are water proof.

If I may, a few pieces of advice.

• Slow is fast, meaning don't overdrive the car. Work your way up to speed.
  
• You are better to turn into a corner later than earlier and adjust as you go along. Turning in early leads to more spins and off track excursions that turning in late.
  
• If you can have an instructor ride along do it! Best performance mod you can get.
  
• Have fun. That is the reason for going.

[peelerec]

I used this checklist as a template.

https://frontstreet.media/2020/06/10...r-every-event/

[Garf117]

Originally Posted by Dan B

Don't forget to prep the driver. Sleep the night before. Bring water, food, shade, hat, chair, towels, jacket/sweatshirt, rain jacket, umbrella, and if you don't mind the extra setup a canopy.

For the car bring a torque wrench, tire pressure gauge, bottle of brake fluid, quart of oil, and fill up with gas before you get the to the track. Way cheaper than at the track. If you really push it extra brake pads and a way to jack up the car to change them.

All of this can pretty much fit in a couple of totes. Make sure the totes are water proof.

If I may, a few pieces of advice.

• Slow is fast, meaning don't overdrive the car. Work your way up to speed.
  
• You are better to turn into a corner later than earlier and adjust as you go along. Turning in early leads to more spins and off track excursions that turning in late.
  
• If you can have an instructor ride along do it! Best performance mod you can get.
  
• Have fun. That is the reason for going.

Always solid advise! I should have given better account of my experience. This will be my 5th track day, 2nd at Road Atlanta.

[Dan B]

Originally Posted by Garf117

Always solid advise! I should have given better account of my experience. This will be my 5th track day, 2nd at Road Atlanta.

Funny how initials can be regional. You say RA and I think Road America.

Have fun!

[Garf117]

Originally Posted by Dan B

Funny how initials can be regional. You say RA and I think Road America.

Have fun!

Most people probably think Road America lol I've lived within 2 hours of Atlanta my whole life so it's probably a me thing for sure.

[Garf117]

UPDATE:

Track day was great. Even with tires that were too wide for the front's I still beat my previous lap time by 6 seconds with a 1:58.18.

The car needs better brake pads and rotors asap. Sway bars are next on the list. The thing rolls heavy under sweeping corners and I will likely have bruising on my left leg from using it to press against the door cup holder while propping me up in the turns.

Some potato quality pics the gf took for reference.

[BeeEhmWie]

Just learn to drive fast first lol the stock car is probably plenty esp with the bigger brakes

[ztkm340]

Originally Posted by BeeEhmWie

Just learn to drive fast first lol the stock car is probably plenty esp with the bigger brakes

Saying I heard multiple times already: "The problem is between a seat and the steering wheel" car is fine and improve it as you get better and car becomes the limiting factor.

To my first HPDE event I went in with a 450whp STI and that taught me a big lesson. I also lifted a head then as it couldn't cope with the continuous abuse at that power level. From then on, I would only start modifying when I was outdriving the car and needed more grip, braking or power.

[Garf117]

Originally Posted by ztkm340

Saying I heard multiple times already: "The problem is between a seat and the steering wheel" car is fine and improve it as you get better and car becomes the limiting factor.

To my first HPDE event I went in with a 450whp STI and that taught me a big lesson. I also lifted a head then as it couldn't cope with the continuous abuse at that power level. From then on, I would only start modifying when I was outdriving the car and needed more grip, braking or power.

I think I didn't explain this well in my original post. This isn't my first hpde event. Aside from brake fluid, oil, and tires (which do need to be changed before tracking a car) the car was stock. I'm not looking for lap time. Just to improve. I asked about modifications to see where others found limit first, not to make those changes before going.

[ztkm340]

Originally Posted by Garf117

I think I didn't explain this well in my original post. This isn't my first hpde event. Aside from brake fluid, oil, and tires (which do need to be changed before tracking a car) the car was stock. I'm not looking for lap time. Just to improve. I asked about modifications to see where others found limit first, not to make those changes before going.

I'm not knocking you. I think you're approach is very sound which wasn't in my case, you went the smart way. I'm also gearing up to do my first track day in my new M340Xi this coming weekend and the only mods I'm bringing is the brake fluid and new engine oil, tires are PS4s and I'm rocking the stock brake pads (hopefully they'll last as I wait for RHDJapan order of PMU's).

[Garf117]

Originally Posted by ztkm340

I'm not knocking you. I think you're approach is very sound which wasn't in my case, you went the smart way. I'm also gearing up to do my first track day in my new M340Xi this coming weekend and the only mods I'm bringing is the brake fluid and new engine oil, tires are PS4s and I'm rocking the stock brake pads (hopefully they'll last as I wait for RHDJapan order of PMU's).

Thanks bud. Assuming the pads aren't already super worn they will last. I ran stock pads on mine and it has base model 330 calipers. Road Atl is pretty heavy on brakes. Granted it wasn't like I was Senna out there.

[Dan B]

I was at my RA (Road America) a couple of weeks ago for the IMSA race. I was chatting with a BMW performance center instructor. He said a lot of the school cars run the ZTK package that comes with the 374mm from rotors. He said they only hit about 80 mph but get run hard. The only upgrade he recommended was pads.

As always, YMMV.