[edycol]

Originally Posted by Brian86

Get a 2WD. It'll be about 400lb lighter.

The 4wd will do nothing the assist on a race track unless you're north of 400hp. Even then it's not a GTR, the T-case won't deliver more torque to the front than it does from the factory no matter how much power you're pushing so there still isn't much help. Certainly not enough to overcome the weight penalty.

As mentioned above, easier maintenance, better factory parts, less understeer, easier to change direction. Better starting point all around.

It's neat to try an Xdrive on track once. The car takes a unique set when powering out of corners with the front wheels driving.

---------- Ninja Edit

The 4wd might have better front wheel bearings. The sealed 2wd front hub assemblies don't seem to last nearly as long as the press-in. Hard to say. That front left does a lot of heavy lifting.

No way.
200lbs is max. Some specs. are 3350lbs for RWD and 3583lbs for AWD and some 3428lbs for AWD. I am leaning it is 3350+ but slightly below 3,600lbs for AWD. That is 328. Now, N54/55 models might have different specs. Also, the manual is definitely lighter.

Hmm, good info on bearings. That is an interesting observation.

[Thumbie]

Thanks for your feedback, interesting to hear your reviews. There should be more people tracking that have your mentality. "track whatever ya got and go have fun" without needing the fastest car.

. I continue the hunt. Sounds like, except xDrive, I'm looking for the exact same thing as you haha. xenon, no idrive, 6 speed, sport package (ideally M sport) but I'd get aftermarket seats and suspension if not. and not gold paint or tan interior lol.

If you ever want to check out a california track my buddy is an organizer. https://www.ongridtrack.com/


And to continue the original discussion. If it hasn't already been said, finding a manual 328i that isn't a beat up pre-LCI is not super easy depending on how picky you are.

[edycol]

Originally Posted by Thumbie

Thanks for your feedback, interesting to hear your reviews. There should be more people tracking that have your mentality. "track whatever ya got and go have fun" without needing the fastest car.

. I continue the hunt. Sounds like, except xDrive, I'm looking for the exact same thing as you haha. xenon, no idrive, 6 speed, sport package (ideally M sport) but I'd get aftermarket seats and suspension if not. and not gold paint or tan interior lol.

If you ever want to check out a california track my buddy is an organizer. https://www.ongridtrack.com/


And to continue the original discussion. If it hasn't already been said, finding a manual 328i that isn't a beat up pre-LCI is not super easy depending on how picky you are.

Thanx for the tip. Having 2 1/2 and 5 year old terrorists at home, venturing to events like this is hard.
Why not going 128i?

[2one3E90]

I do pretty well with my 330i setup. Its not very daily drivable. Check out my channel on youtube duelingsixes. I track my 328i and 330i.

[Thumbie]

Originally Posted by edycol

Thanx for the tip. Having 2 1/2 and 5 year old terrorists at home, venturing to events like this is hard.
Why not going 128i?

Understandable.

Just really like the 3 series, pretty set on the 3- series. Looked into it though!

Of course after a track weekend at Thunderhill a couple weeks ago I had all my buddies saying blah blah M3 way better blah blah not even the same car, performance aside everything else is better blah blah. So now I've gotta convince myself the extra $15k is not worth it (but it could be?)

[edycol]

Originally Posted by Thumbie

Understandable.

Just really like the 3 series, pretty set on the 3- series. Looked into it though!

Of course after a track weekend at Thunderhill a couple weeks ago I had all my buddies saying blah blah M3 way better blah blah not even the same car, performance aside everything else is better blah blah. So now I've gotta convince myself the extra $15k is not worth it (but it could be?)

It is not only $15k. You have to put on a side money for regular rod bearings change.
Brakes are really expensive, etc. I mean, M3 is M3 but…

[dmytro98]

I can certainly vouch for 128i as a track car. It may not be the fastest but it is very easy to make them bulletproof, cheap and fun on track. Just need an n54 oil cooler depending on climate along with a proper brake pad and fluids to make the car run endless laps without having to worry about anything besides tire temps and fuel because at track pace I average about 7mpg.
There is plenty of room for the suspension to be improved, but most of that is fixed with decent coil overs and camber plates. everything else like bushings and adjustable arms will make noticeable improvements but won't be a complete game-changer.
If you have the money the m3 would be worth it in my opinion simply because of the noise. You can get a 328i/335i to handle like an m3 but you can't make the 328i sound like an m3

[dmytro98]

Also, I just noticed that you're also in colorado springs edycol. I have a 128i that's slowly becoming more and more track-prepped if you're ever interested in checking it out.

Build Thread:
https://www.1addicts.com/forums/show....php?t=1872101

First Track Day:

[edycol]

Originally Posted by dmytro98

Also, I just noticed that you're also in colorado springs edycol. I have a 128i that's slowly becoming more and more track-prepped if you're ever interested in checking it out.

Build Thread:
https://www.1addicts.com/forums/show....php?t=1872101

First Track Day:

Hey,
Yeah. I am always interested in sharing experiences etc. We need to get some coffee. I am now in ski mode . I hope I will be able to go to that Xmass event at HPR. All depends on babysitting opportunities.

[dmytro98]

I won't be back in the springs until late january so we can try to arrange something then

[edycol]

Originally Posted by dmytro98

I won't be back in the springs until late january so we can try to arrange something then

Sure, let me know when here.

[Terry3]

I love tracking my E90 N52. 2725 Lb with 240 WHP. MCS 2 ways. It is a hoot on track. 245 square setup. Not the quickest but it delivers in the driver engagement department! Building another E92 right now for more of a Street/Track car, as this is full build.

[charlie_m]

Nice pic! Oak tree?

[Terry3]

Originally Posted by charlie_m

Nice pic! Oak tree?

Yessir! This is an Old IMSA car - raced in the Grand AM - ST Series.

[Biginboca]

Originally Posted by Terry3

Yessir! This is an Old IMSA car - raced in the Grand AM - ST Series.

2725lbs is light for an E90! Can you post some pics of the inside and under hood? What brakes are you running?

[carguy138]

Super helpful thread. Would really appreciate some thoughts on what to do here.

Car is a 2011 335i xdrive 6MT, M-sport and now has 72k miles. I'm the second owner, have owned it for 8 years and it is in excellent shape. I've done a ton of preventative maintenance and upgrades over the years. Experience level is intermediate, (HPDE, lemons, winter rally schools, etc.) and signed up for 6 HPDE days this summer.

Anyways the car has been great but I'm trying to take a step back to see if I should contine. I've started looking at E46 and E90 M3s but the entire used car buying experience is a huge turn off. I know my car but anything different is a maintenance crap shoot and likely has 4-5 owners at this point.

Here's what I've done to it over the years.

-Turner Delrin Subframe Mounts
-Turner Delrin Diff Mounts
-E93 M3 rear subframe brace
-E90 M3 Rear Sway Bar
-E90 M3 Front Strut Brace
-UUC Front Sway Bar
-Dinan Springs/Koni Yellows/Dinan Camber plates
-BMW Group N Rear Toe Arm Bushings
-Poly Front Control Arm Bushings
-BMW Xdelete (removed driveshaft and will eventually remove front diff and seperate half shafts)
-Lots of coding including FTM and removal of all brake nannies (e-diff is the only one still on)
-aluminum mickey mouse flange, crank seal plate, brake line for coolant line (mcdonalds straw), new waterpump/thermostat/serp belt, pulleys, etc.

Here's what I'm looking to add

-LSD (wavetrac, mfactory v2 clutch or diffsonline 35/60 3 clutch)
-SS brake lines
-Brass brake guide pins
-Apex SM-10 18x9 with 255/35 square tire setup (or pick up two 8.5" 287 wheels for the front)
-Accusump 3 quart
-bimmerworld aluminum pedals

All in, about another $6,000 in running gear.

I'm just looking for a fun and somewhat reliable HPDE car. Don't really care about being the fastest driver on track. My car handles great, just the entire rod bearing issue scares me a bit.

Am I nuts for doing this?

[edycol]

I think you are way passed the line where you should wonder should you do something or not. You already invested a lot.
This is expensive hobby, so nuts is relevant. People think I am nuts what I did to my 328, but I love it. They also think I am nuts for waking up at 4, driving 3hrs to ski 7-8hrs, and then drive back 3hrs. But I can't quantify joy of rowing gears in E90 while driving back toads in the Rockies after 2ft of fresh snow.
So, the question is: do you think if you are nuts?
As long as you are not taking money from your kids college fund, and they have plenty stuff to eat, I would say you are more normal than most people.

[carguy138]

Originally Posted by edycol

I think you are way passed the line where you should wonder should you do something or not. You already invested a lot.
This is expensive hobby, so nuts is relevant. People think I am nuts what I did to my 328, but I love it. They also think I am nuts for waking up at 4, driving 3hrs to ski 7-8hrs, and then drive back 3hrs. But I can't quantify joy of rowing gears in E90 while driving back toads in the Rockies after 2ft of fresh snow.
So, the question is: do you think if you are nuts?
As long as you are not taking money from your kids college fund, and they have plenty stuff to eat, I would say you are more normal than most people.

I've read a ton of your replies about oil in other threads and thanks a ton! I'm moving away from Liqui Moly 5w-30 based on what you posted and going to try Castrol Edge 0w-40 or Motul 5w-40 sport next.

Yeah I get that and great points. Just trying to take a step back and re-consider if I should keep going down this path with a xdrive N55 or start fresh. In hindsight I probably should have started with an E90 M3 but c'est la vie and I really like the car.

We also have two SUVs for daily driving, so this 335 is more of a garage "toy".

[edycol]

Originally Posted by carguy138

I've read a ton of your replies about oil in other threads and thanks a ton! I'm moving away from Liqui Moly 5w-30 based on what you posted and going to try Castrol Edge 0w-40 or Motul 5w-40 sport next.

Yeah I get that and great points. Just trying to take a step back and re-consider if I should keep going down this path with a xdrive N55 or start fresh. In hindsight I probably should have started with an E90 M3 but c'est la vie and I really like the car.

We also have two SUVs for daily driving, so this 335 is more of a garage "toy".

Take into consideration that if you ditch that 335, you are at the beginning with another car and you will find bunch of stuff to upgrade.
I mean, xDrive is not the best platform to track, but you you already did a lot of stuff.
I personally think 128 would be really interesting project car.

[carguy138]

Originally Posted by edycol

Take into consideration that if you ditch that 335, you are at the beginning with another car and you will find bunch of stuff to upgrade.
I mean, xDrive is not the best platform to track, but you you already did a lot of stuff.
I personally think 128 would be really interesting project car.

Yep.

Wavetrac and accusump ordered!

[Torgus]

Originally Posted by carguy138

Yep.

Wavetrac and accusump ordered!

Fancy!

Will you be installing the accusump yourself?

[carguy138]

Originally Posted by Torgus

Fancy!

Will you be installing the accusump yourself?

Correct. Using the guide AndyW posted.