[YoKev]

So I just lemon-lawed a Boss 302(Chinese made transmission= total junk)
and can get a $12k discount on a M-Sport equipped 335D(but without the friggen paddle shifters, but that rant is for another thread).
I drove it on the same 270 degree onramp as I did when I test drove the Boss, and the D actually stayed flatter throughout. Up 'til this point the BMW's in the family have all belong to my wife(535-335iMsport), but this time I'm looking HARD at one. I need it to not embarrass us both at the track however, but being a '3', it's gotta have near 50/50 weight(alhough the diesel motor might put more weight up front..I gotta check that), appears that you can get 400bhp, and over 500ft-lbs/tq, so that just leaves some good coil-overs. Downside is the transmission, but I guess when you've got a car putting out that much torque, the manufacturer's gotta use whatever trans they have that'll hold it. And in this case the only one BMW has is the slushbox. I'm hoping soon someone will come up with a programmer that'll stiffen up the shifts in it. I've owned Duramax-equipped trucks for the past 7 years, and everybody and their brother has reprogrammers for both the motor AND trans out for those things. Hopefully it's just a matter of time for the 'D'.
Anyway...I wanna hear from anyone who's track-day'd their 335D. I wanna know how well it did, and if any probs crept up.
Thanx In aDVaNCe!

[dxb335d]

Tracked mine many times. Including the Nurburgring!! (few years ago now)

The car even with a standard open diff handled very well. I did have to disable all traction and stability control systems because it reigned in the car too much.

With a good driver behind the wheel the 335d with a tune can be a quick car. I'd overtaken numerous M3's Aston Martins and the like.

[maswastage]

Even in stock form the car will handle the track quite well. I recall an Evo magazine test where the D was only about a second slower than an m3 round their track, and was actually a hair quicker than a 335i. If you want it to rival you old Boss, you need a JBD to push the whp up to 320ish, and probably an LSD. You'll end up with a comfortable 4 door sedan that's nearly as fast as the boss and still gets over 40mpg on the highway.

[YoKev]

Thanks guys...I didn't even think about the dif.. The last two track cars I had were an Evo 10 and the Boss. Both of which had track-ready dif's..
What comes on the BMW?

[neovb]

Nothing, its an open differential. But there is electronic traction control and stability control which tries to simulate a limited slip differential by using the brakes.

[YoKev]

Both of which you obviously gotta kill for track use. Yikes...anybody know what the going rate for a Quaife is?

[dxb335d]

£1200 fitted in the UK.

[GlobalHobo]

Back in October I did my first track day up in Mt. Tremblant, Quebec with the Audi Club. Since it was my first track day I had some reservations, both about the car and how I would measure up as a driver. Although in the Green (newbie) group the 335d whopped ass on nearly every car in the group including S4s, M3s, you name it. Only thing that passed me was an Elise and a Z06. I was a bit of a novelty being the only diesel powered car there and did get some interesting looks at first. But I think many people's opinion of "Diesel Performance" was changed that weekend.

I could not be any happier with this car. For me it is the perfect blend of performance and economy. I will point out that I do have JBD installed at level 10 that has been on since the car had 600mi on it.

I can't wait for my next track day and intend to do many more next year.

[Ryebread]

Global, thx for your post.

[dd1981]

Originally Posted by maswastage

Even in stock form the car will handle the track quite well. I recall an Evo magazine test where the D was only about a second slower than an m3 round their track, and was actually a hair quicker than a 335i. If you want it to rival you old Boss, you need a JBD to push the whp up to 320ish, and probably an LSD. You'll end up with a comfortable 4 door sedan that's nearly as fast as the boss and still gets over 40mpg on the highway.

Hell yeah +1. 40+mpg with gobs of torque and power. Im all in.