Z43.0si Coupe Basic Track Mods

[Z4MCSL]

Hi all,

So I am finally going to bite the bullet and have a go at taking my z4 Coupe on track - its never going to become a dedicated track car - I have a 182 stripped out for that. But I want to give it a go mainly to dip my toe into RWD

Plan currently is

Pads
Brake fluid

Set of alloys with some r888r or similar and smaller 18 or 17 inch size.

I want alloys because I figure smaller lightweight alloys will make a difference (it really did on my clio)

Question is which wheels - and should I go for wider rear or a square set up?

Any other tips /suggestions?


Thanks

[brillomaster]

probably depends how you like your cars to handle. If you like things nice and neutral, and dont mind the tail stepping out occasionally, then go for a square setup with 245s all round. if you wanna play things a bit safer and a bit more understeery, keep the stagger and go for a 225 front and 255 rear.

when i used to track my Z4 3.0i i used a set of standard 18" MV1 wheels, with a 245/35/R18 front tyre and 255/35/R18 rear. worked great for me.

unfortunately my preferred track tyre seems to be no longer made (Federal 595 RS-R) so i'd probably go for Nankang NS2Rs, and then upgrade to R888Rs down the line if you really get into it.

Also, despite what they claim, EBC yellows and EBC blues really arent a track pad - they only last a day or two. if you're changing them , do it right the first time with some performance friction, Pagid RS/RSL, or carbon lorraine, something like that. Ferodo DS2500 at an absolute minimum.

[Mr MXT]

If the purpose is to get experience with RWD, i'd just stick to regular road tyres. It'll slide at much lower speed so you can get comfortable with it - rather than being on the edge with 888s.

[Z4MCSL]

Thanks for this, super helpful. I want to enjoy RWD so from what you've said I'll go for a square set up.

I've for 108 split rims on mine and sort of don't want to ruin them so thinking I'll probably get separate wheels with R888Rs on as I love those tyres

Thanks for the advice kn the pads, that was my instinct that ebc would be crap. I've got carbon Lorraine's on my clio and they have been amazing. In reality they are probably the cheapest pads in that they have lasted me for absolutely ages

[SpudLink]

Be careful with the overheating the front disks. It’s very easy to warp them.
Only did a few days in mine, and agree EBC Yellow Stuff are not good.

[Cambs_Stuart]

If brake temperatures and warping is a risk are there any off the shelf brake ducting kits you can fit?
Edit. Would Z4M ducts fit?

Edited by Cambs_Stuart on Friday 30th September 13:31

[phazed]

I did the same as you, have a dedicated track car, but now I do three or four days a year in my Porsche Boxster S.

Spare set of standard Porsche wheels with Toyo R888’s.
Ferodo DS2500 pads
High temperature brake fluid.

It takes me an hour to fit the wheels and pads prior to a track day and again back to the road items after.

Well worth it and a complete change to a front wheel drive track car. I actually enjoy the Porsche more, (dare I say, who wouldn’t?) but hesitate to use it as a full time track car as it is such a nice road car.

[iguana]

Be a bit of a wallowy boat if you don't stick suspension on it, doesn't have to be mega bucks stuff, just a budget but not utter cheap rubbish coilover with firmer spring rates & better damping

[Z4MCSL]

Any particular recommendations suspension wise?

[PGNSagaris]

I used Bilstein B16’s on my 130i

Slippery slope though….

Edited by PGNSagaris on Saturday 1st October 22:51

[e46m3c]

I would also advise sticking to road rubbber. Going r888 will exacerbate all the short comings such as understerr. Geo. Brakes. Suspension etc. ps4s will be fun and let the tail slide around.

Eco the ebc comments. They only last a day max.

It’s a great car so just go hit some trackdays and go from there

[e46m3c]

Re suspension gaz golds are used for racing and cheap. Failing that kw. Plenty of options going including bc racing or ohlin.

[Mr MXT]

I don’t understand the rationale (with the exception of pads and fluid) for making a load of changes before you’ve taken it on track? Bearing in mind occasional track use?

[Z4MCSL]

TBF I've come to that conclusion

I'm gonna do pads and fluids (struggling to chose pads)

Then if I enjoy it I'll buy 17s with r888r

And then if I still like it I'll look at suspension and ARBs

[jm8403]

Z4MCSL said:

TBF I've come to that conclusion

I'm gonna do pads and fluids (struggling to chose pads)

Then if I enjoy it I'll buy 17s with r888r

And then if I still like it I'll look at suspension and ARBs

Bad idea. Too much grip will just highlight the weaknesses (roll, etc)

[Z4MCSL]

I might be being dim but I'm not sure I understand your point? Sure more grip will mean you get to the edge of the capability of the car but why is that a bad thing? Surely with 17s and r888r you are going to get a quicker lap in than on standard wheels and pilot sports etc?

Im new to RWD so maybe I'm missing something here 🤦🏻‍♂️

[phazed]

True. That’s what I did with my first vRS.
High temp, brake fluid, track pads, remap, and a set of R888’s fitted.

Car went well, tyres, stuck like glue, but the roll was like a clown car! Yet, on the road, it seemed quite taught.

[E-bmw]

Z4MCSL said:

I might be being dim but I'm not sure I understand your point? Sure more grip will mean you get to the edge of the capability of the car but why is that a bad thing?

Because you will be in a new environment/situation in a car that all of a sudden has much more grip & will therefore have you going much faster in corners that, if you overcook it, means you are MUCH more likely to end up visiting the local track-side furniture, not a good idea.

You actually want low-grip until you master the other aspects of the track days.

Oh, and chasing lap times is not your goal.

[SpudLink]

E-bmw said:

Z4MCSL said:

I might be being dim but I'm not sure I understand your point? Sure more grip will mean you get to the edge of the capability of the car but why is that a bad thing?

Because you will be in a new environment/situation in a car that all of a sudden has much more grip & will therefore have you going much faster in corners that, if you overcook it, means you are MUCH more likely to end up visiting the local track-side furniture, not a good idea.

You actually want low-grip until you master the other aspects of the track days.

Oh, and chasing lap times is not your goal.

I think there is merit in this argument. You want your first oversteer moment in a RWD car at manageable speed.

[JP__FOX]

I found brakes were the first weak line in my Z4 so agree with fitting better pads but I would advise against fitting semi slicks on a relatively standard car as that'll put a lot more stress on everything, including the brakes.

Go out there and enjoy it, the modifications should come after you've tried it so you get a better idea about what you'd like to improve!