[FOM E92]

Posted this in a local group on FB and got some good answers, but not a lot of feedback from other people who track their E9Xs. Wanted to poll a bit bigger board and see if anyone else is doing something similar.

Took my E92 328 to Sebring international raceway this past weekend for a full course DE with a club out of Oklahoma. Really great group of people that welcomed the 3 BMWs at the event (mine, an 06 M5, and a E46M) (this was a Mustang deal).

My car is as it was from the factory, save for Motul brake fluid, Carbotech pads, and a fresh .5 qt overfill of M1 oil (Potenza runflats too!)

By the end of day 1, I was really getting the car around pretty good, but I noticed that towards the end of the session, oil temps were starting to creep up towards 300*. When this would happen, the shifting got (even more) vague in DS, and the power fell off a bit, but no codes were generated. Day 2, I was driving the wheels off the thing and this was happening every session, but the temps dropped like a rock on the cooldown lap and all was well.

Questions:

• Is anyone else crazy like me and do this?
• I understand the E92 steptronic has a heat exchanger for the trans, but no oil cooler. I also understand the install of a fitted oil filter housing, an aftermarket cooler, and a few hours of labor is a viable option.
• Does anyone have experience with these mods on a E9x they track?
• Any other suggestions? {Besides get a real track car }
• Coilovers, tires, AA tune, and sway bars are going on before the next event.

I'll end with the disclaimer:

• Well aware a stock, steptronic E92 328i is not well suited for open track events. This is the only vehicle I have to play with right now, so it is what it is. I'll be buying another track car in 6-12 months.
• I have many laps at this track in everything from a Miata, to a 4000# turbocharged Pontiac GTO, to 3 generations of fully track prepped Corvettes (C4, C5, C6). Not a rookie by any means to this sport.

Thanks everyone!

-Ronnie

Here is the car in question

[CUTigers]

If you dont get the answers you want here in the general section, you may need to hit up a thread in the track section.

[FOM E92]

I just saw that..mods, would you mind moving this? Thanks!

[benzo23]

Track car or not im sure it was still fun as shit out there in the e92 even if it is stock. So besides the temps everything on the car help up well? Id love to get in on this sometime.

[Turb0Surge]

I've had similar problems on the track, but in my case my oil was heating up to the point where it would go into limp mode. My car is an '07 335i (no oil cooler).


Long story short the 335 wasn't too great of a track car anyway, I much prefer a manual. So except for the occasional track day at the local drag strip, I don't track my 335.

[ashmostro]

Since the only real problem I hear you reporting was thermal, I would just get an oil cooler fitted, plus a better trans heat exhanger and call it a day.

[FOM E92]

Originally Posted by benzo23

Track car or not im sure it was still fun as shit out there in the e92 even if it is stock. So besides the temps everything on the car help up well? Id love to get in on this sometime.

The car was remarkable, and embarrassed quite a few cars with a significant amount more power and tire I actually surprised myself with the amount of confidence I had in the runflats out on that track.

Originally Posted by Turb0Surge

I've had similar problems on the track, but in my case my oil was heating up to the point where it would go into limp mode. My car is an '07 335i (no oil cooler).


Long story short the 335 wasn't too great of a track car anyway, I much prefer a manual. So except for the occasional track day at the local drag strip, I don't track my 335.

I wanted NA for a reason My car never made it into limp mode, (at least no code) but certainly operated at reduced power/vague shifting towards the end.

Originally Posted by ashmostro

Since the only real problem I hear you reporting was thermal, I would just get an oil cooler fitted, plus a better trans heat exhanger and call it a day.

Agree. Has anyone had issues with anything else, like coolant temps? It was 90* out and mine were within normal for what I was doing.

[ashmostro]

I haven't heard as many problems with coolant. Personally if you're concerned about it I would just flush if you haven't recently, and add redline water wetter. Should be enough if you also do the other mods.

[FOM E92]

Already done

[ashmostro]

Oh, which carbotech pads did you run f/r?

[ashmostro]

Originally Posted by FOM E92

Already done

Good man

[FOM E92]

Originally Posted by ashmostro

Oh, which carbotech pads did you run f/r?

XP8.

[benzo23]

How did you get in with that group to be able to get out onto the track?

[ashmostro]

Originally Posted by FOM E92

XP8.

Thanks. I considered Ctech but have had good experience with Racingbrake so figured I'd give their entry level track pad a try first.

[Killerfish2012]

Originally Posted by FOM E92

Here is the car in question

Ronnie, your water pump is failing. Have it and your thermostat replaced stat. Trust me, I've seen this in person with a similarly tracked 328I.

[FOM E92]

Originally Posted by Killerfish2012

Ronnie, your water pump is failing. Have it and your thermostat replaced stat. Trust me, I've seen this in person with a similarly tracked 328I.

not good! Coolant temps seemed to be ok...but it wouldn't surprise me, I've been replacing parts left and right as of late.

[N54_Fan]

I would definitely recommend cooling mods with oil cooler being first followed by an AT transmission cooler for the Steptronic. (I have one of those too).

I realize you have a 328i and its not going to develop as much heat as a 335i but I still would recommend getting a dedicated track car. I know that is not what you want to hear and I did not want to hear that either since there is a large cost to buy one,...even an "cheap" track car like an old E36 M3 or Miata. I wish you luck in your endeavor. Truly I do! However, I will say this again. You will spend more money modding this car to be something it is not than if you just go out and get something you want it to be.

Think of all the costs,...2 piece rotors x4, 4 track tires (? +1 spare), race brake pads, track alignment, SS Brake lines, Oil cooler (or 2), tranny cooler, better radiator, better water pump and possibly radiator fan, suspension upgrades like bushings, coilovers, etc. Remember there are also unforseen costs where you will lose money by NOT having a dedicated track car when your car breaks down and you have paid for the HPDE 2 day weekend, trip, hotel, etc and you are watching your friends in their S2000, E36 M3, Miatas. Does it sound like I have been there?....YES. I know others have done it with their E9x. Over 1 year later I FINALLY got my 335i track worthy but WHEN stuff breaks it is also more expensive to fix than any of the other cars I mention.

I spent over $12K in mods for my 335i in parts and labor (for the things I could not do on my own) before my wife finally said "You need a dedicated track car". Miatas can be bought for $7K-$10K. A good E36 M3 can be bought for $9K-15K depending on car. Think about it... Just trying to save you the pain and money I went through.

Good luck in your decision.

N54_Fan

[ashmostro]

Agreed with all of the above. I'm frankly looking into this myself. Thinking c5 Z06...

[ixm3]

Fwiw, i had the exact same issues with my DD 328xi Msport while on track. Oil would overheat and the car would go in limp home mode. After about 1/2 lap, it would cool down enough to be normal again, only to to heat up again and go limp-home until cooling off.

If you are going to get a track car in 6-12months, I'm not sure why you would pour $$$ into c/o, AA tune, etc in your DD 328.

[FOM E92]

Originally Posted by N54_Fan

I would definitely recommend cooling mods with oil cooler being first followed by an AT transmission cooler for the Steptronic. (I have one of those too).

I realize you have a 328i and its not going to develop as much heat as a 335i but I still would recommend getting a dedicated track car. I know that is not what you want to hear and I did not want to hear that either since there is a large cost to buy one,...even an "cheap" track car like an old E36 M3 or Miata. I wish you luck in your endeavor. Truly I do! However, I will say this again. You will spend more money modding this car to be something it is not than if you just go out and get something you want it to be.

Think of all the costs,...2 piece rotors x4, 4 track tires (? +1 spare), race brake pads, track alignment, SS Brake lines, Oil cooler (or 2), tranny cooler, better radiator, better water pump and possibly radiator fan, suspension upgrades like bushings, coilovers, etc. Remember there are also unforseen costs where you will lose money by NOT having a dedicated track car when your car breaks down and you have paid for the HPDE 2 day weekend, trip, hotel, etc and you are watching your friends in their S2000, E36 M3, Miatas. Does it sound like I have been there?....YES. I know others have done it with their E9x. Over 1 year later I FINALLY got my 335i track worthy but WHEN stuff breaks it is also more expensive to fix than any of the other cars I mention.

I spent over $12K in mods for my 335i in parts and labor (for the things I could not do on my own) before my wife finally said "You need a dedicated track car". Miatas can be bought for $7K-$10K. A good E36 M3 can be bought for $9K-15K depending on car. Think about it... Just trying to save you the pain and money I went through.

Good luck in your decision.

N54_Fan

Much appreciated insight...but for clarity, I am not inexperienced with car builds or destitute, just recently divorced I've had several track cars, and I will have another when the dust settles and I find a great deal on a 997.2 GT3. I just can't leave well enough alone. Stock anything sucks.

Old (most recent) track car:

Originally Posted by ashmostro

Agreed with all of the above. I'm frankly looking into this myself. Thinking c5 Z06...

C5Z is a great choice. Upgrade the radiator and brakes for sure.

Originally Posted by ixm3

Fwiw, i had the exact same issues with my DD 328xi Msport while on track. Oil would overheat and the car would go in limp home mode. After about 1/2 lap, it would cool down enough to be normal again, only to to heat up again and go limp-home until cooling off.

If you are going to get a track car in 6-12months, I'm not sure why you would pour $$$ into c/o, AA tune, etc in your DD 328.

Stock sucks. I can't be bored, even in my DD. I'd like the shifting to be less vague, a bit more power, and for it to be just a bit more entertaining to drive.

Originally Posted by rheemix

I have tracked my 328xi 6MT for 3 years without any cooling mods. All I had were pads, brake fluids and R6's.

I now have a 335i that I have to be careful with temps, but 328xi always ran like a champ without any thermal issues. Oil temps did go up close to 300F here and there, but never caused power loss that I could feel. This includes 90+ degree days at Mid Ohio running 25 minute sessions while running 80% of the track with WOT.

I know AT vehicles run a little hotter because of ATF cooling, but from your descriptions, it doesn't sound like temps affected your day much, if any. I wouldn't spend any money on it until it actually becomes a problem. I'd save the money for the next track car.

They caused me concern, and with it being a DD, a little added margin of safety is never a bad thing.

[N54_Fan]

Originally Posted by FOM E92

Much appreciated insight...but for clarity, I am not inexperienced with car builds or destitute, just recently divorced I've had several track cars, and I will have another when the dust settles and I find a great deal on a 997.2 GT3. I just can't leave well enough alone. Stock anything sucks.

Old (most recent) track car:






C5Z is a great choice. Upgrade the radiator and brakes for sure.



Stock sucks. I can't be bored, even in my DD. I'd like the shifting to be less vague, a bit more power, and for it to be just a bit more entertaining to drive.



They caused me concern, and with it being a DD, a little added margin of safety is never a bad thing.

I agree stock sux. I bought a C5 Z06 for the track just 6 months ago and already spending money on race clutch and tranny... However, you must admit that the C6 you have/had is much more track car than this 328. I also agree the best all around track car is a 911 GT3 RS but I choose not to spend $150k+ on a track car. I think the best bang for the buck track car is either C5 Z06 or C6 Z06 depending on if you can live with less hp (C5) or more cost and somewhat less reliability on track (C6). Either way both cars are great track cars and you can mod the piss out of them for less than a 911 GT3 RS.

[AlpinWeiss]

I ran my 328xi at the Summit Point this weekend. Like rheemix I don't have any added cooling mods. I noticed on day 1 of the weekend, on the third set of runs I had some power loss I assume from the oil temps getting high. No other problems during the 7 set of runs I had throughout the weekend.

Tires will help alot. Do you have sport suspension?