[AD18]

Hi all,

So in a few months I'm thinking of doing my first ever track day in my 335i. Its a novice only event at Oulton Park which is ideal and I'm almost ready to pull the trigger for it.

Few things I wanted to ask about the car though, would I be alright in taking it onto a track? I'll of course check all the tyre pressures, oil levels etc but as a totally stock car will it be able to handle a day long track day? As it'll be my first event I won't be going crazy fast of course.

One thing I've been thinking of upgrading is the brake pads. I've been reading through the forums at possible options and although Cool Carbons seem to get good reviews they only seem available in the U.S. so I think I'll go for either EBC yellowstuff...or maybe redstuff may be better as I will likely only do the odd track days? The discs I'll be keeping as standard, I'd just like slightly more powerful brakes as I don't like the current feel of them. The only concern I had about the yellow stuff pads were that they would eat away at the standard discs easily, not sure if that is true or not though.

I bought the car a year and a half ago and the dealer put on front discs and pads so they don't need changing by any means.

Any other tips for the day are welcome, I think there is the option for an instructor to sit with you for £25 which I may also go for.

Cheers

[davealfa11]

ds2500 on stock discs
drive to your abilities ,turn in late and slow in fast out and yes instructor is worth the money

[terryc101]

Avoid yellowstuff Imo, I run ds2500s as mentioned above in my track car and they are decent track/fast road pads Ime. Although there is nothing stopping you going on with standard pads, you just drive to the pads that are in the car, start to feel fade? Come in and cool down.

For a first track day 100% use tuition if it is available, you'll learn more in those few laps than you would all day by yourself.
Break your track time into small sessions, 20 mins out...20 mins in the pits etc. You don't want to get carried away and push the car beyond its limits and always use the last lap of your session as a cool down.
Don't put the handbrake on When you come in the pits.

One thing to think about with trackdays is that if you're not insured on them, you've got to be happy to walk away with a total loss. It's very rare on trackdays but I've seen guys come in their family car and bounce off the tyres a few times and that's that. Keep in your head that you want to drive it home again.

[BMW Steve]

Don't Do It,,,,,,,,,

You will regret it if it go's tit's up.

I go to Castle Coomb race track on RWYB days and I have watched so many inspiring race drivers get it wrong.

[terryc101]

Originally Posted by BMW Steve

Don't Do It,,,,,,,,,

You will regret it if it go's tit's up.

I go to Castle Coomb race track on RWYB days and I have watched so many inspiring race drivers get it wrong.

Don't scare the poor guy lol a castle Coombe action day is probably the worst example you can use. High speed technical bends and wanting to show off with no real experience makes coombe action days hilarious spectating but awful track time.

[AD18]

Thanks for the replies regarding the brake pads. I have seen DS2500 pop up on a number of other posts but it is difficult to gauge against yellowstuff as they seem to be highly rated here too. I'd just like an overall better brake pad that isn't bad when cold or in slow speeds but stronger when going quicker. If this Ferodo pad ticks those boxes I'll give it a go.

[AD18]

Originally Posted by terryc101

Avoid yellowstuff Imo, I run ds2500s as mentioned above in my track car and they are decent track/fast road pads Ime. Although there is nothing stopping you going on with standard pads, you just drive to the pads that are in the car, start to feel fade? Come in and cool down.

For a first track day 100% use tuition if it is available, you'll learn more in those few laps than you would all day by yourself.
Break your track time into small sessions, 20 mins out...20 mins in the pits etc. You don't want to get carried away and push the car beyond its limits and always use the last lap of your session as a cool down.
Don't put the handbrake on When you come in the pits.

One thing to think about with trackdays is that if you're not insured on them, you've got to be happy to walk away with a total loss. It's very rare on trackdays but I've seen guys come in their family car and bounce off the tyres a few times and that's that. Keep in your head that you want to drive it home again.

Originally Posted by BMW Steve

Don't Do It,,,,,,,,,

You will regret it if it go's tit's up.

I go to Castle Coomb race track on RWYB days and I have watched so many inspiring race drivers get it wrong.

Haha interesting points and I do understand there is an element where it could all go completely wrong. I did a driving experience in an M4 about a month ago by MSV around Oulton Park which was my first ever time on track (even if it was only 2x15 min sessions). I loved it and wanted to get back on track which is why I thought of doing a novice track day but in my own car. The day is split up into seven 20 minute driving sessions throughout the day.
I don't know what the alternatives would be other than more of these driving experiences?

[imy]

Yellow stuff are good. Ebc changed the compound I think a little while ago. No issues on my car.

[terryc101]

Originally Posted by imy

Yellow stuff are good. Ebc changed the compound I think a little while ago. No issues on my car.

Ah maybe they're decent these days then, I remember a good few years ago they used to fall apart with hard use.

I'd say go for it op, if you get the trackday bug and don't want to risk your car then you could always get a cheap little car to use on track.

[mjn77]

Been running EBC Yellow Stuff in the rears of mine since Christmas, no issues so far.

[AD18]

Originally Posted by mjn77

Been running EBC Yellow Stuff in the rears of mine since Christmas, no issues so far.

Originally Posted by imy

Yellow stuff are good. Ebc changed the compound I think a little while ago. No issues on my car.

So no issues with them while they are cold - just like the OEM pads? Are they perfectly fine for normal everyday driving use like a normal commute to work?

Thanks.

[mjn77]

None from me, but i guess the real test will be in the Alps in July.

[AD18]

Ok good. Going on trackways will be a rare occurrence but if these upgraded pads work well in everyday street driving then that sounds ideal.

[hazkirby]

My 330i with stock brakes and worn SE suspension was fine around blyton.

At one point I did 40 mins straight. Brakes were noisy but were not faded.

I too was thinking about brakes before I did the event but really they're not going to make you kquicker on your first track day. Better to learn your car, skills and track then worry about upgrades after.

And do get track day insurance !

[imy]

Originally Posted by AD18

So no issues with them while they are cold - just like the OEM pads? Are they perfectly fine for normal everyday driving use like a normal commute to work?

Thanks.

From cold they are good generally, i have a mini roundabout at the end of my road so i tend to pump the brakes a bit leading up to it to warm them. but after that they function really well.

[Chappers 71]

I have EBC red stuff on mine, I think there excellent. Good from cold, excellent when up to temp, no noise, minimal dust. Fitted them Feb 2015 & have covered 18.5k since, rears will need replacing soon but fronts still have plenty of life left & the red pads do look kinda sexy

[abeardo83]

For a trackday, go either ds2500 or yellows. Reds are NOT up to the task, plain and simple.

Make sure you do a cool down lap every 4 or 5 as the stock 335i is an overheater.

Go steady, get some insurance and tuition and enjoy yourself.

Which novice day is it? I'm thinking of doing one once I get the bearings done on the M.

[AD18]

Originally Posted by hazkirby

My 330i with stock brakes and worn SE suspension was fine around blyton.

At one point I did 40 mins straight. Brakes were noisy but were not faded.

I too was thinking about brakes before I did the event but really they're not going to make you kquicker on your first track day. Better to learn your car, skills and track then worry about upgrades after.

And do get track day insurance !

Thats good to know, did you upgrade to some other pads after the trackday?

[AD18]

Originally Posted by abeardo83

For a trackday, go either ds2500 or yellows. Reds are NOT up to the task, plain and simple.

Make sure you do a cool down lap every 4 or 5 as the stock 335i is an overheater.

Go steady, get some insurance and tuition and enjoy yourself.

Which novice day is it? I'm thinking of doing one once I get the bearings done on the M.

Thanks, seems like I can't go too wrong between the two. I was actually wondering about the Reds since trackdays will be rare but if yellows are good for everyday use then seems good.

This one I think is on the 3rd June at Oulton Park

[AD18]

Also, does everyone generally upgrade front and rear pads in one go or is it perfectly Ok to have upgraded front pads and stock rear?

[hazkirby]

Originally Posted by AD18

Thats good to know, did you upgrade to some other pads after the trackday?

Not just yet because I need to refresh/upgrade the old SE suspension. Yellowstuffs will be next on my list possibly new discs too.

[Dace64]

I have done 4 track days so far in my E92. Standard discs front and rear with DS 2500's up front. Make sure you change the brake fluid to a race fluid and you will be fine. I have done Oulton over a dozen times and it's a great track. Just ensure you do a cool down lap each time you come in. Don't put the handbrake on when you stop!
Have fun!