Did the BMW M track day!

Started by Char, June 14, 2017, 06:33:38 PM

Char

Hey guys, over the weekend I attended the BMW M track day in Miami at Homestead. It was FANTASTIC and well worth every penny of admission. Drove the M4 and M2 on the track, the M3 on the autocross and the M550i, X6, M6 and M6 Vert on the drag.

I'm happy to report I had the 3rd fastest auto time of the day (out of 103 people) and I believe I placed top 15-20 overall with all 900 people who did it over the 5 days.

The best part of the even for me, was driving the M2 full bore behind the instructor, it was in my opinion, a more fun car than the M4. We also go a special ride along with the pro/instructors for a full balls-to-the-wall lap, which was other worldly. I would TOTALLY recommend you do this event!

Hopefully I can load some pictures up here soon.
Quote from: 565 on December 26, 2012, 09:13:44 AM
... Nissan needs to use these shocks on the GT-R.  It would be like the Incredible Hulk wielding Thor's hammer.... unstoppable.

MexicoCityM3

Nice. Sounds like a blast. I agree the M2 is the best drivers car in he lineup.
Founder, BMW Car Club de México
http://bmwclub.org.mx
'05 M3 E46 6SPD Mystic Blue
'08 M5 E60 SMG  Space Grey
'11 1M E82 6SPD Sapphire Black
'16 GT4 (1/3rd Share lol)
'18 M3 CS
'16 X5 5.0i (Wife)
'14 MINI Cooper Countryman S Automatic (For Sale)

r0tor

Were the brakes on the M6 vert total shit for you?  I did the event last month and that thing cooked the brakes terribly.
2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee No Speed -- 2004 Mazda RX8 6 speed -- 2018 Alfa Romeo Giulia All Speed

Char

Quote from: r0tor on June 15, 2017, 05:19:23 AM
Were the brakes on the M6 vert total shit for you?  I did the event last month and that thing cooked the brakes terribly.

Nope, no problems with the brakes on that one...but that car and the X6M should not even have an M badge.
Quote from: 565 on December 26, 2012, 09:13:44 AM
... Nissan needs to use these shocks on the GT-R.  It would be like the Incredible Hulk wielding Thor's hammer.... unstoppable.

GoCougs

So why is it always so hard for you to upload pictures?

MexicoCityM3

Quote from: Char on June 15, 2017, 08:42:29 PM
Nope, no problems with the brakes on that one...but that car and the X6M should not even have an M badge.

Really? I like the elephant Ms. I mean, once they crossed the taboo of doing an M SUV, they did it right IMO. Total beasts.
Founder, BMW Car Club de México
http://bmwclub.org.mx
'05 M3 E46 6SPD Mystic Blue
'08 M5 E60 SMG  Space Grey
'11 1M E82 6SPD Sapphire Black
'16 GT4 (1/3rd Share lol)
'18 M3 CS
'16 X5 5.0i (Wife)
'14 MINI Cooper Countryman S Automatic (For Sale)

cawimmer430

Quote from: Char on June 15, 2017, 08:42:29 PM
Nope, no problems with the brakes on that one...but that car and the X6M should not even have an M badge.

Wasn't there a video of an X6 M outclassing a Mercedes CLS63 AMG on the track?

I am not the biggest fan of SUVs, but that's pretty impressive and deserves respect.
-2018 Mercedes-Benz A250 AMG Line (W177)



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Raza

Quote from: MexicoCityM3 on June 16, 2017, 07:26:51 AM
Really? I like the elephant Ms. I mean, once they crossed the taboo of doing an M SUV, they did it right IMO. Total beasts.

It was the beginning of the end for M.  Now you can get a 118i M-Sport to go along with your 5,000 pound "sports car" SUV that's shit as an SUV, shit as a coupe, and shit as a sports car. 
Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?
If you can read this, you're too close


2006 BMW Z4 3.0i
http://accelerationtherapy.squarespace.com/   @accelerationdoc
Quote from: the Teuton on October 05, 2009, 03:53:18 PM
It's impossible to argue with Raza. He wins. Period. End of discussion.

r0tor

X5M has massive braking performance and damn good acceleration... Have to give it some props
2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee No Speed -- 2004 Mazda RX8 6 speed -- 2018 Alfa Romeo Giulia All Speed

Char

Quote from: GoCougs on June 15, 2017, 11:43:51 PM
So why is it always so hard for you to upload pictures?

I didn't really take any, waiting for a friend to send me them.
Quote from: 565 on December 26, 2012, 09:13:44 AM
... Nissan needs to use these shocks on the GT-R.  It would be like the Incredible Hulk wielding Thor's hammer.... unstoppable.

Char

Quote from: r0tor on June 16, 2017, 04:33:18 PM
X5M has massive braking performance and damn good acceleration... Have to give it some props
Sure does, and the interior js steller. But doesn't deserve an M badge.
Quote from: 565 on December 26, 2012, 09:13:44 AM
... Nissan needs to use these shocks on the GT-R.  It would be like the Incredible Hulk wielding Thor's hammer.... unstoppable.

MexicoCityM3

Quote from: Raza  on June 16, 2017, 02:59:53 PM
It was the beginning of the end for M.  Now you can get a 118i M-Sport to go along with your 5,000 pound "sports car" SUV that's shit as an SUV, shit as a coupe, and shit as a sports car. 

If you drove one you'd get it. Maybe.
Founder, BMW Car Club de México
http://bmwclub.org.mx
'05 M3 E46 6SPD Mystic Blue
'08 M5 E60 SMG  Space Grey
'11 1M E82 6SPD Sapphire Black
'16 GT4 (1/3rd Share lol)
'18 M3 CS
'16 X5 5.0i (Wife)
'14 MINI Cooper Countryman S Automatic (For Sale)

MX793

Quote from: MexicoCityM3 on June 17, 2017, 10:27:36 AM
If you drove one you'd get it. Maybe.

They (the X5 and X6) aren't in the spirit of the "M" brand.  Do you know why BMW never made M versions of the 7 or 8 series (though the 850CSi was technically produced by M division)?  Because the cars were deemed too large and heavy to be worthy of M treatment because they weren't the sort of vehicles that would be taken to a track and used in motorsport (which is what "M" stands for)..  The M treatment was deemed a poor fit for a full sized, flagship luxury sedan or a large luxury GT.  Yet BMW of today is more than happy to flush H&H equity in the name of more cash flow.  The X5 and X6 should have never gotten full M badging.  They aren't suited for motorsport (I suspect that their taller stature would actually disqualify them from competing in many series).  That's not to say they shouldn't have built higher performance versions, because there's something pretty awesome about a tank that can haul ass like those things can, but they shouldn't have been branded as "M" cars.
Needs more Jiggawatts

2016 Ford Mustang GTPP / 2011 Toyota Rav4 Base AWD / 2014 Kawasaki Ninja 1000 ABS
1992 Nissan 240SX Fastback / 2004 Mazda Mazda3s / 2011 Ford Mustang V6 Premium / 2007 Suzuki GSF1250SA Bandit / 2006 VW Jetta 2.5

Galaxy

Quote from: MX793 on June 17, 2017, 04:08:49 PM
Do you know why BMW never made M versions of the 7 or 8 series (though the 850CSi was technically produced by M division)?  shouldn't have been branded as "M" cars.

The 850CSI is an M8 according to german vehicle papers. BMW stated M8 in the type certification process, and when they made the change to 850CSI they did not want to redo the paper work.


MX793

Quote from: Galaxy on June 18, 2017, 03:43:24 AM
The 850CSI is an M8 according to german vehicle papers. BMW stated M8 in the type certification process, and when they made the change to 850CSI they did not want to redo the paper work.



It was built by M division, but last minute or not, BMW opted to not brand it as such.  They should have done the same with the X cars.
Needs more Jiggawatts

2016 Ford Mustang GTPP / 2011 Toyota Rav4 Base AWD / 2014 Kawasaki Ninja 1000 ABS
1992 Nissan 240SX Fastback / 2004 Mazda Mazda3s / 2011 Ford Mustang V6 Premium / 2007 Suzuki GSF1250SA Bandit / 2006 VW Jetta 2.5

12,000 RPM

MCM is contractually obligated to praise all things BMW.... forgive him :lol:

I get the appeal of a 600 HP SUV that can handle, but lol @ slapping an ///M badge on it. It's like a Cayenne GT3.
Protecctor of the Atmospheric Engine #TheyLiedToUs

Char

Quote from: MX793 on June 18, 2017, 05:25:41 AM
It was built by M division, but last minute or not, BMW opted to not brand it as such.  They should have done the same with the X cars.

+1000000% this.
Quote from: 565 on December 26, 2012, 09:13:44 AM
... Nissan needs to use these shocks on the GT-R.  It would be like the Incredible Hulk wielding Thor's hammer.... unstoppable.

Tave

They should run them in Dakar and the Baja.
As I write, highly civilized human beings are flying overhead, trying to kill me.

Quote from: thecarnut on March 16, 2008, 10:33:43 AM
Depending on price, that could be a good deal.

Galaxy

Quote from: MX793 on June 18, 2017, 05:25:41 AM
It was built by M division, but last minute or not, BMW opted to not brand it as such.  They should have done the same with the X cars.

BMW would actually have an avenue to sell none M Performance cars. Alpina. They are sold through official BMW dealers, so I guess BMW itself gets a cut of the profit.

MX793

Quote from: Galaxy on June 29, 2017, 05:27:07 AM
BMW would actually have an avenue to sell none M Performance cars. Alpina. They are sold through official BMW dealers, so I guess BMW itself gets a cut of the profit.

Alpina is a separate company, though.  Like Roush tuned Mustangs, which you can purchase at select Ford dealership.
Needs more Jiggawatts

2016 Ford Mustang GTPP / 2011 Toyota Rav4 Base AWD / 2014 Kawasaki Ninja 1000 ABS
1992 Nissan 240SX Fastback / 2004 Mazda Mazda3s / 2011 Ford Mustang V6 Premium / 2007 Suzuki GSF1250SA Bandit / 2006 VW Jetta 2.5

Raza

Quote from: MexicoCityM3 on June 17, 2017, 10:27:36 AM
If you drove one you'd get it. Maybe.

I suppose the only way to be around an X6 is to get in so you don't have to look at the exterior.
Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?
If you can read this, you're too close


2006 BMW Z4 3.0i
http://accelerationtherapy.squarespace.com/   @accelerationdoc
Quote from: the Teuton on October 05, 2009, 03:53:18 PM
It's impossible to argue with Raza. He wins. Period. End of discussion.

Raza

Quote from: 12,000 RPM on June 18, 2017, 08:53:23 AM
MCM is contractually obligated to praise all things BMW.... forgive him :lol:

I get the appeal of a 600 HP SUV that can handle, but lol @ slapping an ///M badge on it. It's like a Cayenne GT3.

Honda Odyssey Type R!


I'm fine with fast versions of the SUVs.  I can't possibly see how they'd be engaging or fun to drive beyond the wow factor of going so fast in a three ton skyscraper, but that's not the point.  It's the M badging (as MX pointed out) to which I object. 
Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?
If you can read this, you're too close


2006 BMW Z4 3.0i
http://accelerationtherapy.squarespace.com/   @accelerationdoc
Quote from: the Teuton on October 05, 2009, 03:53:18 PM
It's impossible to argue with Raza. He wins. Period. End of discussion.

MexicoCityM3

Quote from: Raza  on June 29, 2017, 08:42:03 AM
Honda Odyssey Type R!


I'm fine with fast versions of the SUVs.  I can't possibly see how they'd be engaging or fun to drive beyond the wow factor of going so fast in a three ton skyscraper, but that's not the point.  It's the M badging (as MX pointed out) to which I object. 

That wow factor is really really wowzy. Bigly. The branding, well, yeah it was unfortunate. It seems now the real ///M cars will be the small ones (M2) and the GTS/CS branded ones that sit now above the "regular" ones.
Founder, BMW Car Club de México
http://bmwclub.org.mx
'05 M3 E46 6SPD Mystic Blue
'08 M5 E60 SMG  Space Grey
'11 1M E82 6SPD Sapphire Black
'16 GT4 (1/3rd Share lol)
'18 M3 CS
'16 X5 5.0i (Wife)
'14 MINI Cooper Countryman S Automatic (For Sale)

2o6

i liked the M X-cars or driven  :huh:

veeman

If a rich cat who doesn't give a shit about motorsports wants to
spend his hedge fund bonus on a badass car but also wants the increased space, imposing mass, and better sight lines of an SUV he's going to cross-shop Mercedes, BMW, among a few others.  He's going to see all these Mercedes SUVs in AMG guise and wonder why no M guise BMW SUVs.  He'll ask the salesman, Where are the "M" BMW SUVs? The salesman will explain that "M" is reserved for BMW models that are built with the racetrack in mind.  So the Fat Cat will decline to test drive any BMW high performance SUVs and plop down his 100,000 dollars or whatever at the next door Mercedes dealership who will be all
Too happy to sell him an AMG SUV. 

It's a small price to pay for BMW.  Annoy a few History and Heritage enthusiasts (for which this annoyance will hardly negatatively affect sales) and court a bunch of rich cats who would otherwise have AMG Mercedes SUVs in their driveways/parking garage space.

Laconian

#25
Just did the track day at Ridge Motorsport Park. Wonderful event. You could tell that this event was heavily subsidized by marketing budget, resulting in tremendous value for the dollar.

My favorite event was the follow-the-leader road race on the track with the M4. M4 was my favorite car of the lot. It felt as fast as the M3, but the seats offered better lateral support (GREAT shape), the AT programming was more responsive (IMO), and the car as a whole just seemed easier to drive smoothly. The M3 seemed a little oversteer-happy.

My time on the M2 autocross wasn't so hot, my best attempt ranked at #38 out of 110. I'm not used to paddle shifters and I noticed that the best times came from the folks that were using them heavily.

I was undefeated on the luxobarge drag race (X5M, M6, 760, X6M). Was praised for being "cool as a cucumber" with my braking approaches.

The dinner afterward was decent catered fare. Great branded swag too. I was looking for a hat to use in my Miata and the M hat swag fits the bill (har) nicely.

I will DEFINITELY do this next year. I think the best thing about this event is that it actually broke through some of my husband's mental blocks WRT motorsports. (The car accident in my NA Miata really messed up his confidence.) He was really psyched out about the event before it started, but he became a lot more comfortable after just 4 turns on the road course in the M4. He said the event was a total blast and he's open to doing more track days with me in the future. :rockon:
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Laconian

I added my thoughts on the M4. I liked it a lot.

M2 was sweet too but TBH I didn't get a lot of time to focus on the car. It was used for the autocross portion and all of my focus was on the cones, not the car. :lol:
Kia EV6 GT-Line / MX-5 RF 6MT

Laconian

It's a shame I couldn't spend more time in the 760. The V12 (wow, smooth torque) and the red brothel interior were very intriguing.
Kia EV6 GT-Line / MX-5 RF 6MT

MexicoCityM3

Great. I think maybe the M4 had the competition package and the M3 didn't? The difference that makes is very noticeable otherwise I've found M3 vs M4 almost identical. IMO the m3/4 with the competition pack is the best M car available today. Even slightly better than the M2.
Founder, BMW Car Club de México
http://bmwclub.org.mx
'05 M3 E46 6SPD Mystic Blue
'08 M5 E60 SMG  Space Grey
'11 1M E82 6SPD Sapphire Black
'16 GT4 (1/3rd Share lol)
'18 M3 CS
'16 X5 5.0i (Wife)
'14 MINI Cooper Countryman S Automatic (For Sale)