motor

crasherror · 01-30-2004, 01:54 AM

Hello everybody,

I have a question regarding brake wear during a track day. I have a 1998 BMW 318ti with about 40k miles on it. It is in superb running condition, every thing works as well as the first day I bought it. I am interested in taking my car to a track day event. I have been to several but this is the first time out in a BMW and was wondering the best way to conserve my brakes? Does any one have any experiences with BMW brakes? Are they good, bad, ok? Also I will not be driving at full force in an effort to conserve brakes? Any information is welcomed.

Thanks in advanced

McLarenF1God · 01-30-2004, 02:10 AM

I guess I'm not one to explain this but someone will don't worry. My question is what type of track day event are you going to attend? What track? Set up a camera in your car that would be fantastic.

graywolf624 · 01-30-2004, 02:12 AM

with BMW brakes? Are they good, bad, ok? Also I will not be driving at full force in an effort to conserve brakes?

Depends very much on the pads you are using.

crasherror · 01-30-2004, 02:17 AM

Stock pads, never changed them.

crasherror · 01-30-2004, 02:22 AM

The track is 1.7 miles.

nchs09 · 01-30-2004, 02:24 AM

that is alot of starightaways, ull need alot of breaks due to high speeds. watch out for fading, and when it starts fading, slow down and dont stop right away so ur rotos dont warp. go to the bmw's shp and get ur fluids checked, change ur break fluid, check ur tires, and u should be good to go. bmw breaks are fine. they arent as good as porsche's but decent.

cho_888 · 01-30-2004, 03:37 AM

ok the rule with this sort of thing is, that if you are a normal driver the brake is a good car will be working well at your limit before they reach theirs.

Remember that after racinig never put your handbrake on!!!!!! leave it off and us something like a tire to hold your car in place because if you put it on the callipers gets stuck to teh disk because of the heat.

scubywrxr · 01-30-2004, 05:27 AM

If u are going to do a track day in ur car its highly recommended to service ur braking and cooling systems before and after (most road car brakes can survive if u are gentle on them) some important tips :-
Allow at least 2 laps for warm up and cool down of all systems on the vehicle.
Dont stand on the brakes after u come into the pits after ur laps - will result in u welding the pads to the disks!
Dont apply the handbrake in the pits for the same reason.
Reduce speed once fade becomes pronounced.
Its a very good idea to carry spare brake pads with u with the appropriate tools to change em - u will be surprised how fast u can eat through em at high speed!

Its nigh impossible to warp brake disks as most people describe - check this web site for further info on this myth :

http://www.stoptech.com/whitepapers/...otors_myth.htm

graywolf624 · 01-30-2004, 12:10 PM

Your prolly going to want to change your pads before the event then if they have 40k on them. They probably are worn pretty decently.

graywolf624 · 01-30-2004, 12:17 PM

Your prolly going to want to change your pads before the event then if they have 40k on them. They probably are worn pretty decently.

coombsie66 · 01-30-2004, 10:22 PM

Beemer brakes r regarded as beeing good. from the 3 my family have owned, i can say that i agree wiv that, they have only been driven hard tho, not tracked. I dont know how they will resist fade, im guessing on standard road pads u'll get a couple or 3 hard laps b4 they start to go off, but it all depends on ur pads, fluid, discs etc etc. Just b aware of the fading, and a spongey pedel feel and dont go leaning on them too hard when they feel like they r goin off, or u'll end up in the arse of another car, or in a gravel trap (or nice fat tyre barrier if ur unlucky!!)!
Gud luck.