[Ralph123x]

Hey all,

I recently bought a 2018 330i Base model. Every single thing is stock except I upgraded to Bilstein B12 Shocks/Springs.

I want to track the car a few times a year.

1. My maintenance/full inspection is up to date
2. I know need to upgrade the brakes
3. Tires have plenty of threads left

Do I need to do anything else to get it track ready?

Thanks!

[FaRKle!]

Definitely camber plates.

Nice to have next things would be monoball tension strut/thrust arms and monoball toe arms.

[Ralph123x]

oh okay nice. So besides those suspension upgrade, I can pretty much start tracking right away? I wouldn't need like oil cooler or anything like that?

[dbldangertilt]

Is this a novice-level HPDE or are you experienced? If novice, I wouldn't worry about camber or cooling yet, just get out there and work on driving.

I prioritize high temp brake fluid, pads > tires... then everything else

[Ralph123x]

Originally Posted by dbldangertilt

Is this a novice-level HPDE or are you experienced? If novice, I wouldn't worry about camber or cooling yet, just get out there and work on driving.

I prioritize high temp brake fluid, pads > tires... then everything else

It's novice level. It'll be my first time. And okay, sounds good. I know some cars like my old 1 series would overheat within 3 - 5 laps unless you added oil cooler.

Just wanted to make sure I don't need any of that to track the b48 f30.

[zinner]

Originally Posted by Ralph123x

It's novice level. It'll be my first time. And okay, sounds good. I know some cars like my old 1 series would overheat within 3 - 5 laps unless you added oil cooler.

Just wanted to make sure I don't need any of that to track the b48 f30.

F30 is a beast cooling wise. Find a good shop that sponsors track events to get an inspection done pre event (most orgs will require that). If the are good and bmw based they can help guide you. If it's bmw cca they are great at helping you cause everyone knows bmws and find folks with your chassis and chat them up at the event. You can totally roll in stock and have a blast.

[Ralph123x]

Originally Posted by zinner

F30 is a beast cooling wise. Find a good shop that sponsors track events to get an inspection done pre event (most orgs will require that). If the are good and bmw based they can help guide you. If it's bmw cca they are great at helping you cause everyone knows bmws and find folks with your chassis and chat them up at the event. You can totally roll in stock and have a blast.

Awesome thanks a lot! I appreciate that a lot and will be looking for those group.

One last question and worry are my brakes... I have the most base brake that comes with F30 (312mm). How dangerous is it to track with these? I have no idea how long they'll last before failing.

Besides changing brake fluid, do you recommend at least upgrading to 340mm before attempting to track?

[zinner]

I would be very surprised if you run into any trouble your first time out with factory brakes, even the base brakes. You just adjust your brake points to accommodate, just flush them with some good hi temp brake fluid and make sure you have a lot of pad material left.

[Gabyracing]

I had a 2017 330i 6 speed that I used time attack for 1 full year (12+ events) + couple of trackdays before that.
Its a great car, solid engine and chassis. Never skipped a beat on me and all I did was maintenance in between races.

My car had h&r springs, vorshlag camber plates, 340 brakes, ss brake lines, Castrol SRF braking fluid, catless dp and bm3 tune
Also dedicated track wheels & tires
Wheels were Bimmer World TA5r 18x9.5 +35
Tires: falken rt660 265/35/18
Square setup. With 5mm spacer in front

Alingment: camber: -2.5 f, -2 r. 0 toe all around

Pretty simple build IMO.

I think you are headed in the right direction with what you said.

The big 3 for me were
1. Suspension, which you have. For me the body roll on stock suspension was horrible
2. Brakes! Dont know your experience, but if you are not racing or planning to extract every tenth of the car stock brakes are fine. Just get good pads for the track, ss brake lines and racing brake fluid.
Once you start pushing you will notice where the small brakes fall short.
3. Do camber plates. It will save your tires.
I did my first trackday witout then and ate up the outside shoulder of my tires.

Really liked this car, only wished it had more power. But you should have no concerns really.

Hit the track and have fun!

[Ralph123x]

Awesome! I appreciate it a lot. Got my first day setup for March at NASA AZ.

I'll look into the big 3s for sure.

[zinner]

yeah camber plates and a track alignment just like Gabyracings spelled out definitely will help save on tires. Camber plates pay for themselves after an event or two just in tire wear.

[Ralph123x]

Just an update if anyone cares, did my first track day yesterday in Arizona Motorsports Park. It was a blast.

Car was completely stock except the B12 Shocks/Springs. High temp brake fluids.

Only thing I noticed was brakes were starting to feel "weaker" after a couple of laps. I would have my braking point set but every lap I would have to set it back further and further. Ran off track a couple of times because I wasn't braking enough.

Just ordered Zimmerman rotors, StopTech 309 Pads, and Stainless Steel lines.

I really do want Camber Plates but I'm not sure how worth it it'll be if I'm only doing tracks 2 - 3 times a year. I also want squared setup so I can rotate all 4 tires but like I said, unless I track more often, maybe it's not worth the cost? Because yea, it seems like my brand new tires did take a hit lol

Edit: Actually I might do camber plates. They don't seem terribly expensive labor wise. I thought they would be another $500 - $1k to install like my shocks/struts was.