[Chris13002]

I went to a Cars and Coffee this morning and met a BMW track instructor who gave me some interesting facts on our G87's and some of this may already be obvious.

-With BMW's extended warranty, technically you're not allowed to track the car - but he "insisted" that I try to bring it to a track anyways

-Any BMW's with iDrive 7 or above have a permanent tracking system for tunes being detected - these are ECU tunes of course. He said to avoid the JB4 tune unless I want to destroy my engine. Having the 7 years extended warranty, he said they are in talks with CarBahn (owners who bought Dinan) and trying to seal a deal with them to have their tunes be installed and still have the warranty coverage. We all know Dinan is expensive, but to keep a warranty, I may go this route.

-He talked about how the G87 was tuned specifically for a linear powerband. Sure with the MT6 it feels slow before 3.5k RPM, but it's set that way for a reason. On a track, you obviously want a higher RPM. He also said once I get on a track, to keep it in Sport, not Sports+ because + is too aggressive on the turbo which makes DSC kick in and ultimately lose power/track times (which also aligns with some of Jackie Dings PhD racing channel)

He also talked a lot of specific S58 motor differences (ex. 2 HPFP's) that you can probably Google quickly. Ultimately he talked me into joining the Summit track experience in September. They have a skidpad and track experience to really enjoy these cars. They usually do a German beer happy hour after the racing. Sure, it's nice having these BMW M cars, but we're not going to be able to push/learn them to the limits on street roads. He recommended to keep the car stock on the first track day experience, then start doing modifications to my liking.

[Albator_IIII]

The spirit of the "No Track Allowed" pertains to timed competitive track events. Track sorties focused on driver improvement w/o competitive elements should be fine.

Of course they will weasel themselves out of warranty whenever they can.

[Kevin_The_Clean1]

This is excellent inside info here. Hope you get a chance to talk with him ever more down the line and/or soon.

[T_U_D]

CarBahn is owned by Steve Dinan, the former founder/owner of Dinan. Steve sold Dinan when he joined Chip Ganassi racing. Steve left Ganassi a few years later and has publicly admitted that he greatly regrets selling the company that bears his surname which eventually led him to start CarBahn.

[fcman]

I’m confused about the warranty comment. Dinan tunes always voided the manufacturer warranty, but Dinan would replace that warranty with their own. Carbahn does the same, anything the BMW refuses to cover, Carbahn will cover (provided you pay the extra ~$1k for warranty replacement)

Are you suggesting BMW is considering allowing tunes to be covered under the factory warranty?

[Hendo741]

Thousands of people run a JB4 on the S58 and have had god results for what it is. For those that didn't want to unlock the DME via femto its been a decent alternative.

[Chris13002]

Originally Posted by fcman

I’m confused about the warranty comment. Dinan tunes always voided the manufacturer warranty, but Dinan would replace that warranty with their own. Carbahn does the same, anything the BMW refuses to cover, Carbahn will cover (provided you pay the extra ~$1k for warranty replacement)

Are you suggesting BMW is considering allowing tunes to be covered under the factory warranty?

Yes, this track instructor said that he/BMW is waiting to hear back from the owner of Carbahn and that they would consider allowing their tune (if professionally installed) to be covered under the factory/extended warranty (as I purchased the 7 year one).

[KindaSortaTerrible]

Gearing a road car for the track when 99 percent of owners will spend 99 percent of their time driving on roads seems…counterproductive? I dunno, I finally got to test drive an MT last week and it felt so boring on the road that I didn’t buy that day.

[T_U_D]

Originally Posted by Chris13002

Yes, this track instructor said that he/BMW is waiting to hear back from the owner of Carbahn and that they would consider allowing their tune (if professionally installed) to be covered under the factory/extended warranty (as I purchased the 7 year one).

Steve Dinan, performance tuning maestro, tells all - https://www.hagerty.com/media/people...uning-maestro/

Steve Dinan Is Back, With A BMW M8 Competition That Hauls Aspiration - https://www.autoweek.com/news/sports...8-competition/

CarBahn https://carbahn.com/

Edit, from post #4

Originally Posted by T_U_D

CarBahn is owned by Steve Dinan, the former founder/owner of Dinan. Steve sold Dinan when he joined Chip Ganassi racing. Steve left Ganassi a few years later and has publicly admitted that he greatly regrets selling the company that bears his surname which eventually led him to start CarBahn.

[Chris13002]

Originally Posted by KindaSortaTerrible

Gearing a road car for the track when 99 percent of owners will spend 99 percent of their time driving on roads seems…counterproductive? I dunno, I finally got to test drive an MT last week and it felt so boring on the road that I didn’t buy that day.

Did you push the MT6 to the higher RPMs? Sounds like you need to look at a M240i. It's not just the gearing, it's a lot more like wider wheels, bigger brakes, body designed for cooling. The powerband reminds me of the AP1 S2000 that got all the power in the higher RPM range. I recently took a ramp confidently at 60mph in my G87 that I would never consider in my 135i or S2000.

[Squidget]

Originally Posted by KindaSortaTerrible

Gearing a road car for the track when 99 percent of owners will spend 99 percent of their time driving on roads seems…counterproductive? I dunno, I finally got to test drive an MT last week and it felt so boring on the road that I didn’t buy that day.

It fits my lifestyle.

I occasionally autocross, and once in a blue moon I do track days. BUT I'm also not rich enough to justify having a totally separate car for those occasional events. So I need ONE car that can be my DD but also can be lightly tracked when the opportunity arises.

Also, sure, I won't do 155MPH on public roads, but there are still the occasional tight corners and empty on-ramps and farm roads. And driving a G87 in these places is a LOT more fun than, say, a Camry.

Almost every time I go out I find SOMETHING to do that makes me smile. That alone makes it better than a Camry or whatever. Totally worth it. IMO. YMMV.

[KindaSortaTerrible]

Originally Posted by Squidget

It fits my lifestyle.

I occasionally autocross, and once in a blue moon I do track days. BUT I'm also not rich enough to justify having a totally separate car for those occasional events. So I need ONE car that can be my DD but also can be lightly tracked when the opportunity arises.

Also, sure, I won't do 155MPH on public roads, but there are still the occasional tight corners and empty on-ramps and farm roads. And driving a G87 in these places is a LOT more fun than, say, a Camry.

Almost every time I go out I find SOMETHING to do that makes me smile. That alone makes it better than a Camry or whatever. Totally worth it. IMO. YMMV.

I guess in my case, I have a civic type r so I already have a car that’s very well behaved at low speeds but highly capable at high speeds and in the corners. I’m hoping my replacement car has more low end grunt and excitement which the m2 lacks IMO. Not to say it’s a bad car, because it definitely isn’t. But that is to say that I probably need to keep looking for that perfect fit.

[Squidget]

Originally Posted by KindaSortaTerrible

I guess in my case, I have a civic type r so I already have a car that’s very well behaved at low speeds but highly capable at high speeds and in the corners. I’m hoping my replacement car has more low end grunt and excitement which the m2 lacks IMO. Not to say it’s a bad car, because it definitely isn’t. But that is to say that I probably need to keep looking for that perfect fit.

Makes sense. I'd look at American Muscle, then. Vettes, Camaro SS 1LE, Challengers, Mustangs, etc. Lots of low end grunt with them, and some are cheaper than M2.

[fcman]

Originally Posted by KindaSortaTerrible

I guess in my case, I have a civic type r so I already have a car that’s very well behaved at low speeds but highly capable at high speeds and in the corners. I’m hoping my replacement car has more low end grunt and excitement which the m2 lacks IMO. Not to say it’s a bad car, because it definitely isn’t. But that is to say that I probably need to keep looking for that perfect fit.

Good luck, if you’re looking for a new car with 4 seats and some grunt under $100k you’ve got the M2/3/4, the Mustang and a couple Audis. I guess there’s the new C63 coming but reviews aren’t looking great yet.

I am replacing a C7 corvette and it’s slim pickings

[Squidget]

Originally Posted by fcman

Good luck, if you’re looking for a new car with 4 seats and some grunt under $100k you’ve got the M2/3/4, the Mustang and a couple Audis. I guess there’s the new C63 coming but reviews aren’t looking great yet.

I am replacing a C7 corvette and it’s slim pickings

And the 4 Blackwing.

[fcman]

Originally Posted by Squidget

And the 4 Blackwing.

Oh yeah forgot about that one lol

[AZG87]

Originally Posted by fcman

Good luck, if you’re looking for a new car with 4 seats and some grunt under $100k you’ve got the M2/3/4, the Mustang and a couple Audis. I guess there’s the new C63 coming but reviews aren’t looking great yet.

I am replacing a C7 corvette and it’s slim pickings

The Coyote in the modern Mustang sings at higher rpms but it actually does lack the low end as well unless you slap on a blower. Running a dedicated e85 tune helps as well. But if specifically looking for low end power then as suggested above more the maro / vette demo.

[kimchee411]

Originally Posted by KindaSortaTerrible

I guess in my case, I have a civic type r so I already have a car that’s very well behaved at low speeds but highly capable at high speeds and in the corners. I’m hoping my replacement car has more low end grunt and excitement which the m2 lacks IMO. Not to say it’s a bad car, because it definitely isn’t. But that is to say that I probably need to keep looking for that perfect fit.

Sounds like an F87 M2 is right up your alley.

Or a 1M. I recently rented one and it was so much fun. Totally get why it's often described as an angry little bulldog that constantly eggs you on. The steering feel is also sublime.

[cmgbk75]

Did you get the 7 year from that Center in California that sells it for a big discount?

[cmgbk75]

Originally Posted by KindaSortaTerrible

Gearing a road car for the track when 99 percent of owners will spend 99 percent of their time driving on roads seems…counterproductive? I dunno, I finally got to test drive an MT last week and it felt so boring on the road that I didn’t buy that day.

What a ridiculous statement. I have yet to push the car to its limits as I just got it back from the Break-in but it’s an absolute monster. I drive two Electric cars, including a Model 3 Performance and two motorcycles and it’s exhilarating. I do a balance of NYC city driving and upstate twisties and it’s more than enough for either. Yes, I haven’t taken it to the track but I will be visiting Lime Rock over the summer and can’t imagine being disappointed.

Not sure what you’re used to but I just can’t comprehend how people claim the 6MT is boring.

Your lost on not buying an available M2. Happy for the next guy/gal who snagged it up.

[cmgbk75]

Originally Posted by KindaSortaTerrible

I guess in my case, I have a civic type r so I already have a car that’s very well behaved at low speeds but highly capable at high speeds and in the corners. I’m hoping my replacement car has more low end grunt and excitement which the m2 lacks IMO. Not to say it’s a bad car, because it definitely isn’t. But that is to say that I probably need to keep looking for that perfect fit.

Bye Felicia. Trade in your Civic.

[Squidget]

Originally Posted by fcman

Oh yeah forgot about that one lol

Everyone does because no one ever thinks about Caddys. But the Blackwings are a blast to drive.