[judec]

FYI ETA end of March (also see the AutoX sway bar test video @ http://www.hotchkis.net/s-18-hotchki...um-finish.aspx)

Latest BMW Sport Suspension Package Put to the Test at BMW CCA LA Autocross

Fontana, CA, Feb. 03, 2008 – The Hotchkis Sport Suspension BMW 335i driven by John Hotchkis finished second in class D at the opening round of the BMW CCA LA Autocross at California Speedway.

Traditionally this extremely competitive class is dominated by lightweight 6,8 or 12 cylinder BMW cars with generous engine modifications and running on R compound or slick racing tires. The Hotchkis BMW has a stock powerplant and street performance tires, but gets its competitive advantage from the company’s latest performance suspension package.

“We had serious competition but were confident in our balanced suspension package. This allowed me to put the power down early, brake efficiently and keep momentum up through the challenging course,” exclaimed driver John Hotchkis.

“We have been running the BMW 335i in local SCCA autocross events this winter to develop our suspension package and the car has had new prototype parts at each event. I couldn’t be happier with the end result, comfortable on the street and quick on the track,” said John.

The Hotchkis Sport Suspension package includes sport sway bars with adjustable end links, rear adjustable camber links and is complimented by a Bilstein PSS 10 coil over kit. Sport camber plates and more will be released soon.

[S4to335]

Hmmm...sounds like he wants competition...maybe I should get my sorry butt to an autocross.

BMW autocrosses arent usually that competitive...SCCA ones usually are..at least in NorCal..when we get 310 cars competing...and multiple national champs in their midst.

[Chowbow]

That's what I'm thinking... No way that a street tire car is going to put up any big numbers in the same class as guys running R compounds. The difference is huge, and I can't see any suspension mods making up for that.

I wonder how many cars were in that class for the podium finish? Maybe there were only a few cars...? I once came in first in my class... and only attended 2 events. I was the only person in that class, but that's besides the point!

[just4kickz]

the car's pretty sweet

[2e9x's]

There were 8 people in his class. His best time was 87.870. 1st place went to an e30 325is with a time of 87.051. 3rd place was all the way back at about 93.524 seconds. I think that Hotchkiss was running "street" tires insofar as they were DOT approved...but they were definitely auto-x oriented tires.

For comparison the 1st place time in the C class (stock 6, 8 and 12 cylinder cars) was 89.409 in a stock e90 330i on RFT's.

FTD went to a Corvette at 79.567!

(I ran the timing and scoring for this event...)

[GME92]

what front lip is that on the car?

[sg335]

when I blow up the picture, the tire side wall is too blury to see what they are. It looks like the front tread could be a Toyo R888 or a Nitto NT-01. Just a guess. Anyone have a better picture viewer? Or Hotchkis can chime in!

I am sure a lot of time went into these, unlike the mass produced units from H&R and Eibach. Interesting to note the PSS10's rather than the usual. Can't wait to hear about the camber plates. Where are the rear adjustable camber links utilized?

Great job for coming to market with another offering. However, they really need to attend a more competitive autocross and layout to see where their car or a modified E90 stacks up. Better yet, they need to get some lap times at a road course pre and post mods.

[S4to335]

Originally Posted by sg335

when I blow up the picture, the tire side wall is too blury to see what they are. It looks like the front tread could be a Toyo R888 or a Nitto NT-01. Just a guess. Anyone have a better picture viewer? Or Hotchkis can chime in!

I am sure a lot of time went into these, unlike the mass produced units from H&R and Eibach. Interesting to note the PSS10's rather than the usual. Can't wait to hear about the camber plates. Where are the rear adjustable camber links utilized?

Great job for coming to market with another offering. However, they really need to attend a more competitive autocross and layout to see where their car or a modified E90 stacks up. Better yet, they need to get some lap times at a road course pre and post mods.

What is this I hear Steve...selling the 335 and getting an M3?

[sg335]

Yea. That was the plan from the beginning. A short term solution until the four door M3 came out in 2009. Well I guess BMW suprised us all with an early introduction! Let's just hope the M3 does not overheat at constant high RPM.

[leftcoastman]

Guys, I am testing out a lower cost oil cooler setup. It'll be far cheaper than the Dinan setup and after a few track days, I'll let you know how it works out.

With the stock cooler, I'm hitting 290-295 with ease.

[leftcoastman]

Originally Posted by sg335

Yea. That was the plan from the beginning. A short term solution until the four door M3 came out in 2009. Well I guess BMW suprised us all with an early introduction! Let's just hope the M3 does not overheat at constant high RPM.

And let me know how it compares to your well sorted TCK equipped 335i!

[judec]

guys, U are pushing my nice lil threat OT!

OK, I assume the hotchkis car did not really excite U. I suppose this heavy beast is not really autox oriented and this is supposed to be an above average result for a 335i. Anyway, I am looking forward to hotchkis stuff and that ETA was supposed to be the main news, affecting my fellow tracking forum users.

[sambonator]

Originally Posted by leftcoastman

Guys, I am testing out a lower cost oil cooler setup. It'll be far cheaper than the Dinan setup and after a few track days, I'll let you know how it works out.

With the stock cooler, I'm hitting 290-295 with ease.

Who makes it? When will it be available? Is it an add-on to existing factory oil cooler, or replacement?

[2e9x's]

Originally Posted by judec

guys, U are pushing my nice lil threat OT!

OK, I assume the hotchkis car did not really excite U. I suppose this heavy beast is not really autox oriented and this is supposed to be an above average result for a 335i. Anyway, I am looking forward to hotchkis stuff and that ETA was supposed to be the main news, affecting my fellow tracking forum users.

Sorry about that...

In reality the 335i was a fine auto-x car! What would be a really killer auto-x car would be a 335xi! But that is a different thread.

I guess my problem with the Hotchkis press release is that it is misleading. I would expect a car with a full PSS10 suspension, sway bars, proper alignment due to camber plates, huge brakes AND sticky tires to be much faster. But in reality the time difference between his time and a stock car was only a little more than 1%. Now swap the tires from his car onto the car that took 1st place in C class and I almost guarantee you that he would have gotten a faster time than Hotchkis.

Keep in mind that on a track the suspension and brake setup would make a much bigger difference insofar as the same driver would go much faster in a car with those mods than he/she would in a car without. If you are going to auto-x the lesson I think is that you should save the money on the fancy suspension stuff and spend it on tires.

OR take the +/- $7,000 retail cost of the components on his car, buy an old Miata, tune it properly for auto-x and have change left over for tires and beer while still turning faster times.

[judec]

well, based on your info I guess Mr. Hotchkis isn't the best autox driver

but nevermind, I'm sure as soon as the sweet stuff gets released some of the tracking forum residents jump on it and give us some competent info about it.

regarding the "fancy suspension stuff" - I checked his video on the hotchkis site, it looks to me like there is quiet a bit of understeer on those tight curves, he was pretty much on the edge in some curves... what would it be in a stock car?

[2e9x's]

Originally Posted by judec

well, based on your info I guess Mr. Hotchkis isn't the best autox driver

but nevermind, I'm sure as soon as the sweet stuff gets released some of the tracking forum residents jump on it and give us some competent info about it.

regarding the "fancy suspension stuff" - I checked his video on the hotchkis site, it looks to me like there is quiet a bit of understeer on those tight curves, he was pretty much on the edge in some curves... what would it be in a stock car?

My car was really neutral and I was not THAT much slower (came in 2nd in the stock class). Again the time difference between my car and the Hotchkis car was tires plus my passenger. The car rotated beautifully and was perfectly balanced. I was really happy with it!!!!!

Here is my in car video from the same event

Sorry for the poor quality but because I was doing the timing for the entire event I had to run toward the end of the day so light was sketchy.

[S4to335]

Your problem is the passenger...you want good times...get rid of the 150-225 lb passenger.

[judec]

maybe the hotchkis guy was so slow because of the missing navigator onboard

[S4to335]

I am sure he is a fine driver....with or without passenger dead weight.

[leftcoastman]

Originally Posted by sambonator

Who makes it? When will it be available? Is it an add-on to existing factory oil cooler, or replacement?

Twenty Questions?

I'm sworn to secrecy until I test it out on track.

[sambonator]

Originally Posted by leftcoastman

Twenty Questions?

I'm sworn to secrecy until I test it out on track.

[2e9x's]

Originally Posted by S4to335

Your problem is the passenger...you want good times...get rid of the 150-225 lb passenger.

No doubt. What kept happening throughout the day is that I was all thrown off with practice runs because of working the timing gear. My timed runs were the first chance I had to run with an instructor.

This was my first auto-x with a car like the 335i. In 06 I ran an X3, in 05 a Mini and before that an e46 330i. I really wanted feedback since running a high hp rwd car with an open diff is very different from an awd low hp car or a fwd car. Thus at this event I was more concerned about the learning curve than the grading (aka timing) curve.

Oh and FWIW the instructor (Brian Moon - the guy who drives the maroon 2002) was also the course designer...