E90 at Infineon Raceway

RedFireBeemer · 11-15-2005, 12:16 PM

Took my E90 to an open track session this past weekend at Infineon Raceway. Overall, the car did pretty good. Could definetely use some more power. Ran the car in DTC mode which allowed just enough side slip to keep myself out of trouble as this track is not as forgiving as Thunderhill Raceway (lots of cement walls with little run off room). Suspension needs to be lowered and tightened up a bit. Brakes smoked a little out of the get go, but by the end of the first session they were fine with no fade encountered during the day. I ran the tire pressures at 35 psi front and 38 psi rear. Car understeers slightly in long fast sweeping corners and understeers lots in tight corners which made me have to lift the throttle to let the front tires bite again. Overall, a great package from the factory as I could keep us and pass some modified vehicles I ran with....

Front tires took a beating and my brake pad mileage to replacement indicators went from 31,000 miles front/31,000 miles rear down to 12,000 miles front/21,000 miles rear. BMW definitely uses soft brake pads but I guess who cares since they'll be giving me free replacement pads/rotors when I need them......

EVO_S4 · 11-15-2005, 12:44 PM

must be nice to have track like that around you, nice pics too

txusa03 · 11-15-2005, 01:09 PM

wow that is awesome, you get a chance to really let it rip out on the track. Did you passed the mustang and the s2000? Thanks for sharing, now I am so jealous.

Jason · 11-15-2005, 01:10 PM

Awesome... the 3 series in its most appropriate environment

SCA · 11-15-2005, 01:47 PM

Nice pics

ACZakka325i · 11-15-2005, 02:01 PM

Can someone explain to me what the difference in traction control settings are when you hold the DTC and one thing turns off, and then if you hold it longer, another traction control system turns off.

what do each do. on my previous car it was just one and that seemed to work fine.

I would however like a little less intervention without totally turning the traction control off.

Bimmerista · 11-15-2005, 02:06 PM

RedFirebeemer: your car was at the track stock ?

In which case the e90 really rocks :rocks:

ZenDriver · 11-15-2005, 02:09 PM

Did that NSX nip you, or did you hold him off?

peakpro · 11-15-2005, 02:20 PM

Wow...great pictures....

How about some details on times, speed...etc.

db17k · 11-15-2005, 02:32 PM

I love it!, infineon is a great track too, lots of turns. great photos man, it's good to hear that people up in norcal aren't afraid to take their babies to the track!

shuzmaker · 11-15-2005, 03:00 PM

nice dood nice.

RedFireBeemer · 11-15-2005, 03:34 PM

Yup, car is completely stock. I always try to run the car at least a couple of times in stock form so that I can see what improvements I make to the car have done to it. As far as the Honda SP2000, the Cobra and the Acura are concerned, the Acura smoked me as it was really modified, the Honda SP2000 was easy to overtake and run away from, and the white Mustang Cobra (which used to be my car and now belongs to my best friend who bought it from me), would smoke me on the straights but I could would pull away from him in the corners. It was kinda weird racing my friend in the Cobra as the car was run in the exact same setup as I had modified it when I owned it, I.E. brakes, suspension and motor (527 HP)......

Bimmerista · 11-15-2005, 03:37 PM

Thanks, keep us posted on you mods that you feel are required to make it fly on the track.

ZenDriver · 11-15-2005, 04:52 PM

Quote:

the Acura smoked me as it was really modified

Was the license plate on it GOT NOS?

RedFireBeemer · 11-15-2005, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZenDriver

Was the license plate on it GOT NOS?

I actually don't remember. I wasn't behind the car very long as everytime it went by me, it pretty much sucked my headlights out of their sockets....

ZenDriver · 11-15-2005, 05:24 PM

Quote:

I actually don't remember. I wasn't behind the car very long as everytime it went by me, it pretty much sucked my headlights out of their sockets....

There is a black NSX that runs around your parts driven by a tall, lanky guy named... IIRC... Jim. The car has a full NOS kit and the requisite "GOT NOS" license plate (which he had long before the stupid stickers which say the same thing came out).

My first lap around a racetrack ever was in that NSX at Thunderhill. As he came onto the back straight, he opened up the ashtray and flicked 3 switches and said "We'll turn this on... because it's FUN!"

RedFireBeemer · 11-15-2005, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZenDriver

There is a black NSX that runs around your parts driven by a tall, lanky guy named... IIRC... Jim. The car has a full NOS kit and the requisite "GOT NOS" license plate (which he had long before the stupid stickers which say the same thing came out).

My first lap around a racetrack ever was in that NSX at Thunderhill. As he came onto the back straight, he opened up the ashtray and flicked 3 switches and said "We'll turn this on... because it's FUN!"

What did ya think of Thunderhill Raceway? I've been on that track a couple of times in the Cobra, but not the E90 yet. Looking forward to trying the e90 there too. Kinda worried about the lack of power though as Thunderhill has longer straightaways than Infineon, and is definitely harder on the brakes.

C4S4SS · 11-15-2005, 07:15 PM

Great pics, thanks for sharing!

ZenDriver · 11-15-2005, 07:31 PM

Quote:

What did ya think of Thunderhill Raceway?

Between TH, Sears Point/Infineon and Laguna... Thunderhill is my favorite track to instruct and learn on. It is a very technical track, but with all that runoff room, I have always felt that it is a place where I can safely go 10/10 and not worry TOO much. I have a much different, more agressive (with myself, NOT with other vehicles) driving style at TH then I do at Laguna or Sears.

Laguna gets sort of boring; they have tweeked it for very fast cars and there is so much room that a lap there is very drama free. Laguna is great for racing, but not so much for solo action.

Sears is my favorite place to hook up a good lap. Between the 3 SF area tracks though, I've seen more people get punished at Sears for a fuckup. Mistakes going into or out of 8 send you on a hairy pinball ride through 9 and 9a that your sure as hell gonna pay for in 10. Sears is the track that taught me never to worry much about chicanes or sharp bends in the road- it is the high speed corners that kill you.

LEDZEP · 11-15-2005, 07:42 PM

Very nice! Looks a little more fun than my daily commute!

I did have the pleasure of taking a Winston Cup (back then) car around Dover Downs for several laps... that was fun as hell hitting 150 in the straights.

connermd · 11-15-2005, 08:52 PM

Nice pics.
I was at Infineon (aka Sears Point) 2 weeks ago with my E90. It was an absolute blast. I can't wait to go back...but the waiting will be good because I need to make some changes to my car beforehand (run flats didn't wear well on the track, esp. in the front).

Who was the event run by?

RedFireBeemer · 11-15-2005, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by connermd

Nice pics.
I was at Infineon (aka Sears Point) 2 weeks ago with my E90. It was an absolute blast. I can't wait to go back...but the waiting will be good because I need to make some changes to my car beforehand (run flats didn't wear well on the track, esp. in the front).

Who was the event run by?

it was put on by Trackmasters Racing...

11-15-2005, 12:16 PM	#1
RedFireBeemer Enlisted Member 10 Rep 48 Posts Drives: 2006 Red 330i Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: California iTrader: (0)	E90 at Infineon Raceway Took my E90 to an open track session this past weekend at Infineon Raceway. Overall, the car did pretty good. Could definetely use some more power. Ran the car in DTC mode which allowed just enough side slip to keep myself out of trouble as this track is not as forgiving as Thunderhill Raceway (lots of cement walls with little run off room). Suspension needs to be lowered and tightened up a bit. Brakes smoked a little out of the get go, but by the end of the first session they were fine with no fade encountered during the day. I ran the tire pressures at 35 psi front and 38 psi rear. Car understeers slightly in long fast sweeping corners and understeers lots in tight corners which made me have to lift the throttle to let the front tires bite again. Overall, a great package from the factory as I could keep us and pass some modified vehicles I ran with.... Front tires took a beating and my brake pad mileage to replacement indicators went from 31,000 miles front/31,000 miles rear down to 12,000 miles front/21,000 miles rear. BMW definitely uses soft brake pads but I guess who cares since they'll be giving me free replacement pads/rotors when I need them...... Attached Images __________________ 2006 Electric Red 330i Beige Leather Interior Sport Performance Package Premium Package Steptronic Xenon Lights Park Distance Control Last edited by RedFireBeemer; 11-15-2005 at 01:32 PM..
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11-15-2005, 12:44 PM	#2
EVO_S4 Colonel 117 Rep 2,232 Posts Drives: 2016 M3 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: TN iTrader: (28) Garage List 2016 BMW M3 [0.00] 2009 BMW [8.24]	must be nice to have track like that around you, nice pics too __________________ 2016 M3 2016 Audi Q5 3.0T
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11-15-2005, 01:09 PM	#3
txusa03 Major General 548 Rep 6,563 Posts Drives: TS330iPPSP6MT Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Planet Earth iTrader: (3)	wow that is awesome, you get a chance to really let it rip out on the track. Did you passed the mustang and the s2000? Thanks for sharing, now I am so jealous.
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11-15-2005, 01:10 PM	#4
Jason Administrator 40712 Rep 21,238 Posts Drives: F80 M3 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	Awesome... the 3 series in its most appropriate environment
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11-15-2005, 01:47 PM	#5
SCA Brigadier General 565 Rep 3,742 Posts Drives: Multiple BMWs Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: 🇺🇸 iTrader: (0)	Nice pics
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11-15-2005, 02:01 PM	#6
ACZakka325i Colonel 277 Rep 2,008 Posts Drives: 2 stroke Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: CT iTrader: (2)	Can someone explain to me what the difference in traction control settings are when you hold the DTC and one thing turns off, and then if you hold it longer, another traction control system turns off. what do each do. on my previous car it was just one and that seemed to work fine. I would however like a little less intervention without totally turning the traction control off. __________________ (Waitlist): #1 M2CSL (Current): 2016 F15 X5 3.5xdrive - 2010 997.2 C4S Coupe (Past): 2016 F30 340xi M-Sport -2013 535i xdrive 2008 E92 M3 - 2006 E90 325i 2002 E46 325xi - 1991 E30 325i
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11-15-2005, 02:06 PM	#7
Bimmerista Major General 82 Rep 5,732 Posts Drives: superstock Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada iTrader: (0)	RedFirebeemer: your car was at the track stock ? In which case the e90 really rocks :rocks:
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11-15-2005, 02:09 PM	#8
ZenDriver Do Not Taunt Zen Driver. 12 Rep 466 Posts Drives: 325i w/ MT, ZSP in Graphite Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Portland, OR iTrader: (0)	Did that NSX nip you, or did you hold him off?
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11-15-2005, 02:20 PM	#9
peakpro Second Lieutenant 7 Rep 290 Posts Drives: ex-Z4; now looking Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	Wow...great pictures.... How about some details on times, speed...etc.
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11-15-2005, 02:32 PM	#10
db17k Chicketeh china the chinese chicken, you have? 34 Rep 790 Posts Drives: 335ci hold out Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: San Francisco iTrader: (0) Garage List 2003 S2000 [0.00]	I love it!, infineon is a great track too, lots of turns. great photos man, it's good to hear that people up in norcal aren't afraid to take their babies to the track! __________________ "In Soviet Russia car forks you!"
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11-15-2005, 03:00 PM	#11
shuzmaker First Lieutenant 27 Rep 303 Posts Drives: e90 325iAS Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Garden State iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 325i [0.00]	nice dood nice. __________________ . :: 325i :: JB :: ZSP :: Step :: BLK Dakota :: Hot Seats :: Tints :: Pilot A/S :: .
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11-15-2005, 03:34 PM	#12
RedFireBeemer Enlisted Member 10 Rep 48 Posts Drives: 2006 Red 330i Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: California iTrader: (0)	Yup, car is completely stock. I always try to run the car at least a couple of times in stock form so that I can see what improvements I make to the car have done to it. As far as the Honda SP2000, the Cobra and the Acura are concerned, the Acura smoked me as it was really modified, the Honda SP2000 was easy to overtake and run away from, and the white Mustang Cobra (which used to be my car and now belongs to my best friend who bought it from me), would smoke me on the straights but I could would pull away from him in the corners. It was kinda weird racing my friend in the Cobra as the car was run in the exact same setup as I had modified it when I owned it, I.E. brakes, suspension and motor (527 HP)...... __________________ 2006 Electric Red 330i Beige Leather Interior Sport Performance Package Premium Package Steptronic Xenon Lights Park Distance Control
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11-15-2005, 03:37 PM	#13
Bimmerista Major General 82 Rep 5,732 Posts Drives: superstock Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada iTrader: (0)	Thanks, keep us posted on you mods that you feel are required to make it fly on the track.
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11-15-2005, 07:15 PM	#18
C4S4SS Private First Class 16 Rep 180 Posts Drives: I3, E92 M3, 993TT, X5 F15 Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Westlake Village, Ca. iTrader: (1)	Great pics, thanks for sharing!
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11-15-2005, 07:42 PM	#20
LEDZEP Lieutenant General 417 Rep 12,276 Posts Drives: 2009 E70 & 2011 F25 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Area 51 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 X3 35i M Sport [7.62] 2009 X5 M Sport [0.00] 2007 328xi E90 [0.00] 2006 325xiT E91 [0.00]	Very nice! Looks a little more fun than my daily commute! I did have the pleasure of taking a Winston Cup (back then) car around Dover Downs for several laps... that was fun as hell hitting 150 in the straights. __________________ I think it is bad luck to be superstitious
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11-15-2005, 08:52 PM	#21
connermd What did I miss? 0 Rep 60 Posts Drives: e46 M3 Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: The coolest city ever iTrader: (0)	Nice pics. I was at Infineon (aka Sears Point) 2 weeks ago with my E90. It was an absolute blast. I can't wait to go back...but the waiting will be good because I need to make some changes to my car beforehand (run flats didn't wear well on the track, esp. in the front). Who was the event run by? __________________ 05" M3 ZCP
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