[Laserbeam...er]

Just curious if anyone else runs their F10 at open track days/HPDE events? Wondering how they perform and how the brakes hold up. I just recently picked up another f10 (535i 6MT) and will be using it for this purpose when not toting the kids around and would like to know what flaws it presents when put under this kind of stress.

[Laserbeam...er]

No one? I know it is not a popular platform for this but I expected at least a few rogues on here willing to beat on their F10's on more than just a straight line!

[Hella-Buggin']

Too heavy. The brakes and tires probably won't last a day.

[JDMSteven]

This would be interesting to see! I kind of enjoy the way my F10 feels thru the corners, if I get a chance I wouldn't mind running my car in an autocross. Hoping to take it to the 1/4 soon, but it's just an fbo 535i xDrive with jb4

[spielnicht]

Let's put it this way. Name a single factor of the F10 that would make you think it's a good car for tracking. There are none. You'd need to drop $2600 on KW V3s just to begin with and that won't even be enough.

[Laserbeam...er]

Originally Posted by Hella-Buggin'

Too heavy. The brakes and tires probably won't last a day.

It really isn't much heavier (~700 lbs.) than the Porsche 997 I just sold. Had plenty of fun with that.

Originally Posted by spielnicht

Let's put it this way. Name a single factor of the F10 that would make you think it's a good car for tracking. There are none. You'd need to drop $2600 on KW V3s just to begin with and that won't even be enough.

Do either of you have experience using your F10 on a road course? I was specifically asking for impressions from those who have. I have been licensed with NASA and SCCA for years, already have a dedicated track car, and purchased my F10 535i 6MT as a fun family vehicle that I could take out and have some fun with if I wanted to/use as an instructor vehicle if desired. I was not looking for impressions on why I shouldn't track it. I have already addressed the suspension and feel that it is more than adequate for what I will be doing with it. I was more concerned with other weak points from this kind of stress.

[Pierre Louis]

The 5-er is arguably better in every way than a typical 3 series IMO including a more advanced suspension that can easily be improved, even from the base version, with Koni shocks and PSS tires. Even the standard G30 seats are great as sports seats if you can fit into them (standard f10 seats are more generous, ahem). My standard LCI 5-er came with sport transmission, 18 inch wheels/45 aspect tires, and a better steering response than any M335i I've ever tried (at the BMW track no less).

[Bmwdoubles_]

I track mine

[Matt338]

I tracked mine once about a month or two ago. Car is a '16 535i M Sport with DHP and IAS on OEM 19s with run flats. Did 5 laps of Palm Beach Int'l Raceway here in Florida with an instructor.
Car is definitely heavy, no getting around that. That said, it did well. Didn't feel as big as I expected. I wasn't out for that long but the brakes never faded. Was actually braking after the instructor said to and it had no problem slowing in the allotted space. Changed direction quickly and confidently; on the longer, slow, tighter corners I was really impressed. Each lap I took them faster and faster and the car held its line each time. Way more fun than I expected it to be. I've only briefly driven other 535s with the standard M Sport suspension so can't really compare, but I have to assume the DHP made a nice improvement to the handling on the track.
I tried a lap with automatic shifting but even in sport + the transmission felt lazy and was too prone to upshift (a weird complaint based on how it behaves in normal street driving). Regardless, you'll definitely need to be shifting your own gears for it to be responsive enough.
Now with all this said, I'm not sure how competitive it would be against, well, just about anything else someone would want to drive on the track. If you're just looking to have more fun than you can on the road, highly recommended.

[Laserbeam...er]

Originally Posted by Bmwdoubles_

I track mine

Looks awesome! How has your car done? Have you had to address any weak points?

[Laserbeam...er]

Originally Posted by Matt338

I tracked mine once about a month or two ago. Car is a '16 535i M Sport with DHP and IAS on OEM 19s with run flats. Did 5 laps of Palm Beach Int'l Raceway here in Florida with an instructor.
Car is definitely heavy, no getting around that. That said, it did well. Didn't feel as big as I expected. I wasn't out for that long but the brakes never faded. Was actually braking after the instructor said to and it had no problem slowing in the allotted space. Changed direction quickly and confidently; on the longer, slow, tighter corners I was really impressed. Each lap I took them faster and faster and the car held its line each time. Way more fun than I expected it to be. I've only briefly driven other 535s with the standard M Sport suspension so can't really compare, but I have to assume the DHP made a nice improvement to the handling on the track.
I tried a lap with automatic shifting but even in sport + the transmission felt lazy and was too prone to upshift (a weird complaint based on how it behaves in normal street driving). Regardless, you'll definitely need to be shifting your own gears for it to be responsive enough.
Now with all this said, I'm not sure how competitive it would be against, well, just about anything else someone would want to drive on the track. If you're just looking to have more fun than you can on the road, highly recommended.

That's good news about the brakes. I have already ordered drilled rotors and upgraded pads but I really don't feel the need to do any sort of big brake kit as this isn't a dedicated track car.

As a concession for being somewhat forced to opt for a larger daily use vehicle I found the lightest possible F10 and waited a long time to find a bare-bones manual transmission version of the 535i. It comes in just shy of 3,700 lbs. without me in it. With the H&R springs, H&R sway bars, and Koni adjustable shocks I think it handles quite well.

[nwob]

Originally Posted by Laserbeam...er

That's good news about the brakes. I have already ordered drilled rotors and upgraded pads but I really don't feel the need to do any sort of big brake kit as this isn't a dedicated track car.

As a concession for being somewhat forced to opt for a larger daily use vehicle I found the lightest possible F10 and waited a long time to find a bare-bones manual transmission version of the 535i. It comes in just shy of 3,700 lbs. without me in it. With the H&R springs, H&R sway bars, and Koni adjustable shocks I think it handles quite well.

what rotors and pads did you end up going with? When my rotors get hot in the canyons my steering wheel starts shaking a little under braking. trying to see what the bests options are for our f10s.

[Bmwdoubles_]

Originally Posted by Laserbeam...er

Looks awesome! How has your car done? Have you had to address any weak points?

Car didn't do too bad, 2:14 around Fontana Speedway. I think with the new hardware i have and fueling I can get low 2 minutes. The weak point is the chasis stiffness. I upgraded my sways, springs and suspension, increased tire width.

[Laserbeam...er]

Originally Posted by nwob

what rotors and pads did you end up going with? When my rotors get hot in the canyons my steering wheel starts shaking a little under braking. trying to see what the bests options are for our f10s.

I went with the powerstop kit. Have had good luck with their products in the past and for the price you cannot beat the value. Have beaten their rotors to death on the track and they have held up very well.

Originally Posted by Bmwdoubles_

Car didn't do too bad, 2:14 around Fontana Speedway. I think with the new hardware i have and fueling I can get low 2 minutes. The weak point is the chasis stiffness. I upgraded my sways, springs and suspension, increased tire width.

I have been tossing around whether or not I should start installing polyurethane bushings in the vehicle or if it would be worth the bother. I think it would be beneficial to do the rear subframe bushings if nothing else but haven't convinced myself to drop the subframe yet.

[Bmwdoubles_]

Originally Posted by Laserbeam...er

I went with the powerstop kit. Have had good luck with their products in the past and for the price you cannot beat the value. Have beaten their rotors to death on the track and they have held up very well.

I have been tossing around whether or not I should start installing polyurethane bushings in the vehicle or if it would be worth the bother. I think it would be beneficial to do the rear subframe bushings if nothing else but haven't convinced myself to drop the subframe yet.

That's great news about the power stop product. Though I'm down with lifetime pads and rotors from FCP.

If your serious about mounts like me look at this pricy option from VTT

https://vargasturbo.com/product/vtt-...mount-inserts/

And there's claim it maintains some level stock NVH

[Laserbeam...er]

Originally Posted by Bmwdoubles_

That's great news about the power stop product. Though I'm down with lifetime pads and rotors from FCP.

If your serious about mounts like me look at this pricy option from VTT

https://vargasturbo.com/product/vtt-...mount-inserts/

And there's claim it maintains some level stock NVH

Nice! I hadn't seen those before! Based on the design I can imagine it wouldn't transmit much for NVH, but simply helps stabilize the rubber bushing. I like that design and I don't think $150 is a bad price for that. I spent almost $500 on my previous HPDE/family car (Audi S3) for engine, tranny, and dogbone torque arm mounts. I was looking for some ~85 duro engine and trans mounts for the F10 but had come up dry on options until this.