[ZPD]

So I am fortunate to have 5 tracks within a 2-hour drive from me. I have hit 4 of the 5 since taking ownership of my M2. The 5th, Harris Hill, was low on the priority list, and I did have a track day scheduled but I had to miss it for work reasons. I intended to set some baseline numbers as I learn the car before I start dong major mods. So far the only performance-related things that I have done are:
* Nankang CR-s tires, 295 width
* Apex VS-5RS 19x10.5
* Millway camber plates
* Brake pads (G-Loc R12)
*Motul Brake Fluid

I do have a KW HAS suspension but I don't consider that a performance mod. Now that I have some baseline numbers I am going to do some power mods like exhaust, racechip, functional aero, and coilovers. I am excited to see how these mods and more time with the car improve my times.

My times so far:
Motorsports Ranch Cresson; (3.1): 2:33
Eagle's Canyon Raceway: 2:12
Circuit of the Americas: 2:34
G2- 2:30 (This is a new track and not loaded into any track apps so I may be off a few seconds here one way or the other)

A note about COTA- My DSC would not turn off (no idea why) so I would lose speed coming out of several of the corners as the M2 would trim power. I estimate that this cost me 3-4 seconds. Sub 2:30 is very possible with a stock power M2 which is amazing. Also, I got up to 152 mph per the GPS and 160 mph per my speedometer on the backstretch which was incredible. The GPS is likely more accurate since my tires are slightly smaller than stock. If I was able to deactivate the DSC I probably could have gotten more speed since I would have been able to exit turn 11 at a higher speed.

This car is an amazing track car. I have had a few instructors wanting to ride with me because they were curious about the M2. They all have commented how quick the M2 is and 2 of them (one owns a F80 and the other a F87c) have said that this is the fastest BMW they have been in. I am very impressed with the Nankang tires. I was able to do the carousel at COTA at 85-90 mph. In my previous track car with Nitto NT01's I was only able to do the carousel at ~80 mph. The M2 does get real "floaty" and light above 130 mph. Aero with downforce will be helpful here.

[ZPD]

I lost one of my magnetic numbers so I had to resort to the trusty blue tape!

Check out the front brakes when slowing down from 150+ mph

[oldbmwtech]

Originally Posted by ZPD

Reserved for pics when I get them.

Nice write up. I been to MSRH multiple times. You should try that track. Curious what your lap times would be. My track time there is 1:53 but like you still learning the car, M240i xDrive. I'm running the Yoko Advans. Nice tire for track as well as street. Will be at MSRH in Dec. Which organization do you run with? I use PCA and TDE. Mainly PCA, like them best less money and well organized. Be safe and keep the shiny side up.

[ZPD]

I definitely want to try out MSR Houston sometime.
I run with Apex, Edge Addicts, and Chin.

[Mrwatchdawg]

On a bone stock m2 I did 2:09 at ecr so there is definitely some improvement there that can be made.

[ZPD]

2:09 is a great time, especially for a bone stock car. The quickest lap of the 10 or so people I was talking with at lunch that day was 2:10 in a GT3. I need to work on my 8-9-10 sequence and my apex and turnout on turn 14. I could tell I was leaving some seconds on the table there. Hopefully, I will get my DSC issue sorted out before I go back.

[Charley135]

how faster do you think you are because of the KW HAS suspension ?

[abrandonment]

Are you based in Austin?

[ZPD]

Originally Posted by Charley135

how faster do you think you are because of the KW HAS suspension ?

zilch.
All the KW HAS does is lower the car. Other than lowering the center of gravity by an insignificant amount it does nothing for performance.

[ZPD]

Originally Posted by abrandonment

Are you based in Austin?

I live near Waco.

[abrandonment]

Nice. Shoot me a PM the next time you're south. Maybe my M2 will be in by then!

[kyrix1st]

Not to hijack the thread, but this is my dream Texan house:

https://www.thedrive.com/news/29328/...rheads-fantasy

[ZPD]

Originally Posted by kyrix1st

Not to hijack the thread, but this is my dream Texan house:

https://www.thedrive.com/news/29328/...rheads-fantasy

ya those houses are right next to the track. $450K is actually a steal. hmmmmmm........ Maybe, I will buy a second house.....

edit: Oh wait that article is over 4 years old. Probably worth a lot more now