135i Hoosier Fun - Pics/Vid from Autocross Yesterday

[larryn]

Well, some of you might know of have heard of Matt Murray, multi-time SCCA Solo champion. He's running a 135i at Nationals this year in Topeka, and had yet to drive one. He is sort of local and asked me if he could get some seat time at the Boston Chapter event yesterday, which I was happy to have him there. Great guy.

Anyway, those of you who know him, he's like THE Hoosier Pimp. Rachel and I gave him some seat time, both behind the wheel and passengering, to get a feel for the cars.

It wasn't long before Matt broke out the Hoosier crack and mounted some on my car. The acceleration difference is amazing. Launching 275/35/18 full race rubber, compared to my pretty sticky Dunlop Star Specs was impressive.

As I mentioned in another thread, I had the following tires on the car with NO SPACERS. 2004 18" ZHP wheels:

F 18x8 ET47 245/40/18
R 18x8.5 ET50 275/35/18

Keep in mind that 275 Hoosiers are freaking huge. Larger than a regular 275. They fit without the slightest tiniest bit of rubbing. I have rolled my fronts, but there was a lot of room for a wider tire up front than the 245. Don't ask me how. It just does.

Here's some pics, pimping some Hoosier purple signage too. My buddy, Miguel works for HMS Motorsport, and is nuts, as you can see in one of the pics.

[ModBargains.com]

WOW. look at those tires. just look at them.

[135-CS]

This is great!!!

What brake fluid are you using?

[larryn]

I'm using ATE TYP 200. I would recommend ATE, but not their super blue, which works great, but BMW Techs always note it on your work order, even if they aren't anywhere near the brakes/master cylinder.

[mattm]

Originally Posted by larryn

Anyway, those of you who know him, he's like THE Hoosier Pimp.

I *think* I am offended.:biggrin:

[larryn]

Nice having you there yesterday, Matt!

[mattm]

Originally Posted by larryn

Rachel and I gave him some seat time, both behind the wheel and passengering, to get a feel for the cars.

And thanks to both of you for the seat time. It gave me a great taste of the 135i and what to expect.

I am not so sure I am getting anymore autocross seat time in a 135i before Nationals. Unless a generous soul is going to the NYBMWCCA event on each of the next two Saturdays down at Nassau Coliseum in Long Island. I'll supply the tires. :wink:

[mattm]

BTW, I was impressed how well your Dunlop Tires held on.

[larryn]

I am too, but I think if same sized hohos were on my car, even smaller than 275s, no contest. The dunlops are the hot tire now, and it's no wonder that they are pretty much backordered unless you know people. John Mac managed to wrangle a set up for me from Hoosier Tom, of all people.

I REALLY want to see those 275s up front. I don't see how it's possible, but you had those magic wheels with ZHP juice on 'em that made tire fit that I didn't think would.

I wish I had've thought of it, but we could've tried to mount up one of the rear wheels up front.... Literally, day late and dollar short.

Btw, I admit to already surfing e46fanatics, to see what a set of 4 rear ZHP wheels would cost.

[Justin(OKC)]

i know you are excited about the tires, but honestly, those wheels look good on the car!!!!

[weathergrl]

Originally Posted by mattm

And thanks to both of you for the seat time. It gave me a great taste of the 135i and what to expect.

I am not so sure I am getting anymore autocross seat time in a 135i before Nationals. Unless a generous soul is going to the NYBMWCCA event on each of the next two Saturdays down at Nassau Coliseum in Long Island. I'll supply the tires. :wink:

I look forward to seeing you drive down at Nationals this year. I was debating running ours in DSL for a little while, but decided to run DSPL when Pat Lipsinic offered up his Impreza (can you say 'grip'!) I look forward to seeing how it does, best of luck to you!

[adc]

Originally Posted by larryn

Btw, I admit to already surfing e46fanatics, to see what a set of 4 rear ZHP wheels would cost.

$1200 for a mint set, $800 for a knackered one? :wink:

Do you think these rims will fit with any 245/275 street tire? I'm starting to feel sorry I sold mine...

[larryn]

Hoosiers are usually much bigger than street tires, so I would think so. That's a loaded question though. :smile:

[RedTRex]

275 Hoosiers mounted on a stock front wheel rub in the front.........They rub outer lip (prob not if your rolled) and rub inboard aft wheelwell.

[ichiban]

Originally Posted by larryn

I'm using ATE TYP 200. I would recommend ATE, but not their super blue, which works great, but BMW Techs always note it on your work order, even if they aren't anywhere near the brakes/master cylinder.

awww, i still have couple liters of super blue left over from my suby. Damnit

[IND-Distribution]

How did you find the handling bias to be with that stagger setup? Did the car understeer, or was it balanced?

Did the open diff give you trouble?

[larryn]

Originally Posted by RedTRex

275 Hoosiers mounted on a stock front wheel rub in the front.........They rub outer lip (prob not if your rolled) and rub inboard aft wheelwell.

I'm still amazed that a 275 will physically even go on a 18x7.5 wheel... Never seen anything like that before.

[adc]

Originally Posted by ichiban

awww, i still have couple liters of super blue left over from my suby. Damnit

Use it. It has a limited shelf life anyway, I think.

I never made it a secret that I go to the track, and have always discussed planned mods with my SA. Kind of along the lines of "if I throw in some sways, will it cause me any grief with BMW".

Since they know I do track days - I explain the Super Blue by saying that I don't want to die when my stock fluid boils before a critical corner. Never had any grief about it.

[ichiban]

well i guess it's just luck of the draw. You have to get a good SA.

[roldan]

Not related to Hoosiers, but..

@ taxi fare signage. Brilliant!

The more I read and hear about it the more I regret not being able to make it on Sunday.. next time!

[adc]

Originally Posted by ichiban

well i guess it's just luck of the draw. You have to get a good SA.

That's probably true.

Even so, you can educate them to some extent, make them understand you are not some reckless idiot, and that you still have a great degree of mechanical sympathy for the car (just some higher demands every now and then).

And if you don't like working with yours in particular, talk to the Service Manager and have him move you to another team. Just do the research beforehand so you are certain you'll like where you end up...

[mattm]

Originally Posted by roldan

The more I read and hear about it the more I regret not being able to make it on Sunday.. next time!

Well if you want to make a little drive down to Nassau Coliseum Saturday, I'll have the Hoosiers AND the taxi signage.:biggrin: They'd look good on your car.