11-05-2014, 04:46 PM | #1 |
Second Lieutenant
73
Rep 201
Posts |
The wait is over, now the fun begins.
I just took delivery of my M235i this past Monday November 3, 2014. Getting this car was not planned, in fact the last 20 months or so have been a whirlwind re-introduction to track days and the joy of motorsport. I have only owned 5 cars my entire life. My first car was a 1994 Toyota MR2. At 19 I was ecstatic to have what I considered an incredible sports car. I was also incredibly stupid. I drove way too fast, I poured every dime I earned from serving in the Navy into the car instead of saving, and just basically was a hoonigan. I had considered joining the SCCA back then and learning how to really drive the thing, but then the worst thing imaginable happened...it was stolen. I was devastated. Never recovered the car and I swore off cars. Over the next 16 years I owned a 1985 Dodge Aries and a 2002 Hyundai Elantra. They were nothing to me but tools to get from here to there. 2012 rolls around, kids are big, things are going well so I decide to get a nice car. At this time I had no thought of tracking, but deep down that need for speed was still there. I have always preferred agile cars, power was secondary to handling for me. Since I still had not rediscovered my love of cars I concentrated on finding a car that would last, provide some luxury, but still be relatively small and economical and seat 5. I settled on what many in my position do: the "Sport Sedan", specifically I chose a Mercedes Benz C350. I loved it. Had about 300 horsepower, sat 5 and I got 24.5 miles to the gallon. That was November 2012
I blame my neighbor Mark for everything that has happened since. One day we are both washing our cars. He has an older BMW 328i. He comes over and says "Hows that thing drive?" We go for a test drive have a little fun and start chatting. After what seems like hours I am just smiling ear to ear, I had forgotten how much fun cars were. More importantly I forgotten much enjoying them WITH someone was. He then suggested I come with him and a couple of his buddies to Roebling Road in Savanna, GA. That was the nail in the coffin. I was once again hooked on cars. I enjoyed the Benz, it was no track monster, but it was quick and I had a ton of fun. But the urge is to get better and better as a driver and to do that you have to progress. I started planning how to improve the Benz. Then the unthinkable happened AGAIN (not stolen), but crashed. Rear ended at a red light by some jerk. Car totaled. Thankfully no one was hurt. This time though instead of swearing off cars I took it as an opportunity to get a better car for the track and to become a better driver. Order went in and three months or so later here we are. The fun begins. My goal is not to build a complete track animal, but the car is definitely not a daily driver. My plans below: Theme: Carbon Fiber and Black Current Mods and set up 2015 Black Sapphire Metallic Exterior Black Sensatec Interior M Performance Exhaust M Performance Spoiler M Performance Front Spoiler and Diffuser M Performance Limited Slip Differential M Performance Alcantara and Carbon Fiber Interior M Performance Steering Wheel The Plan: Track it stock -> heading up to RR this weekend. Couple of auto crosses, basically get a good feel for the car first. Xpel full frontal clear protective wrap. KW DDC Plug N Play Coilovers. I want the suspension to be better, but not lose functionality of stock EDC mode selector. Wheels & Tires. Leaning toward BBC CHR, but still open. Lightweight and strength more important than looks. Have looked at MORR and others. Will be tracked often. Tires will depend on final size and fitment of wheels, but will use a streetable track tire like Pilot Sport Cups or similar. BBK. Undecided which one. Brembo, M Performance (which is Brembo) Still can't understand the huge price differential here. I use Torque RT700 Brake Fluid. Air Intake & filter. Hopefully DINAN has a set up by the time I get to this, if not will look at AFE and others. Intercooler and Charge pipe. Will research to see if an oil cooler is needed. DINANTRONICS Performance Tuner Stage 1 Stay tuned to : My You Tube Channel I will give updates and pictures along the way. Arrival pics here |
11-05-2014, 06:45 PM | #3 |
Colonel
701
Rep 2,337
Posts |
Sounds like an awesome build. Do post pics and tell us what you think as it comes along. But don't buy BBC wheels. I don't think television broadcast companies make good wheels...
|
Appreciate
0
|
11-05-2014, 09:12 PM | #5 | |
Second Lieutenant
73
Rep 201
Posts |
Quote:
__________________
2015 6M Black Sapphire Metallic | MPE w/Carbon Tips | Digital MP Steering Wheel | Carbon Interior | StopTech Slotted Rotors | Pagid RSL1 Race Pads | KW Clubsport Coilovers | DINAN Stage 2 and Carbon air intake | Clutch Masters Lightweight Performance Clutch and Flywheel | Hotchkis Anti-Roll Bars | Enkei RS05RR 18" Racing Wheels
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
11-05-2014, 09:14 PM | #6 | |
Second Lieutenant
73
Rep 201
Posts |
Quote:
__________________
2015 6M Black Sapphire Metallic | MPE w/Carbon Tips | Digital MP Steering Wheel | Carbon Interior | StopTech Slotted Rotors | Pagid RSL1 Race Pads | KW Clubsport Coilovers | DINAN Stage 2 and Carbon air intake | Clutch Masters Lightweight Performance Clutch and Flywheel | Hotchkis Anti-Roll Bars | Enkei RS05RR 18" Racing Wheels
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
11-07-2014, 05:08 PM | #9 |
General
2038
Rep 25,989
Posts |
Awesome, looking forward to seeing where this build goes!
__________________
VMR|Wheels | 714.442.7916 |
sales@velocitymotoring.com | www.velocitymotoring.com | facebook | flickr | Instagram |
Appreciate
0
|
11-07-2014, 10:56 PM | #10 |
Second Lieutenant
73
Rep 201
Posts |
Any good build begins with baselining and testing. So of course I'm hitting the track. Here are some photos before getting started. Hopefully they are better quality than the iPhone pics from the dealership. Once I get a feel for the car I will update how each mod changes it.
|
Appreciate
0
|
11-10-2014, 08:52 PM | #11 |
Second Lieutenant
73
Rep 201
Posts |
Baseline.
UPDATE: OK got a feel for the car. First Run <- very long video, first run feeling the car out. This was my 5th weekend event. I make no claims to being a great driver, I just go out and have fun. My only frame of reference is my 4 previous events in my totaled C350. The M235i is fast! I was getting 10 mile an hour faster on the straights. Car took a set and cornered much better than the C350. Overall all input delivered quicker responses. I was not really surprised the bimmer handled itself better on the track, the Benz is a luxury sport sedan...luxury first, sport second. The M235i is performance forst luxury added after. One thing in the C350s favor though was braking. The benz STOPPED. All my instructors over 4 events in that car commented on how well it stopped even on stock pads. The m235i had good breaks, but not great. The back end would wag on hard breaking and it was unsettling.
So I am moving brakes up the list in priority, they will be first after the protective wrap. http://youtu.be/yBY2aH1xIXs Last edited by ketema; 11-22-2014 at 06:56 PM.. Reason: you tube link not showing correctly |
Appreciate
1
|
11-11-2014, 06:42 PM | #13 |
Joint Chiefs of Staff
24182
Rep 190,777
Posts |
Congrats!
__________________
Check out our current sale by clicking on this link!
https://x-ph.com/sale/ Phone number 702-494-9435 |
Appreciate
0
|
11-22-2014, 06:50 PM | #14 |
Second Lieutenant
73
Rep 201
Posts |
Update: Just placed order for my track wheels:
Front: Enkei RS05-RR 18x8.5 35mm Offset Rear: Enkei RS05-RR 18x9 50mm Offset Also upgrading Brake Pads, Rotors, brake lines, and fluid. Keeping stock calipers for now. Wheels are on back order so it will be a while before they show. Will post install pics once they arrive. Thinking of trying the Hankook Ventus R-S3 on my next track day. |
Appreciate
0
|
11-22-2014, 08:30 PM | #15 |
***** noob
1369
Rep 10,479
Posts
Drives: 325xi>M235i>428GCx Mspor
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Boston
|
Wow those rims look good...cant wait to see pics
__________________
2006 325xi (Sold)
2014 M235I (Current) 2015 428xi Gran Coupe (STB) |
Appreciate
0
|
11-24-2014, 07:09 AM | #17 |
10816
Rep 27,599
Posts |
congrats!
__________________
BEFORE YOU BUY YOUR NEXT BMW, EMAIL OUR GUY KOTE FIRST! Kote M Sales:Kotem@bmwofcamarillo.com Cell:805-368-9101 vipfinance@bmwofcamarillo.com for warranties! |
Appreciate
0
|
11-26-2014, 08:35 PM | #19 | |
Second Lieutenant
73
Rep 201
Posts |
Quote:
__________________
2015 6M Black Sapphire Metallic | MPE w/Carbon Tips | Digital MP Steering Wheel | Carbon Interior | StopTech Slotted Rotors | Pagid RSL1 Race Pads | KW Clubsport Coilovers | DINAN Stage 2 and Carbon air intake | Clutch Masters Lightweight Performance Clutch and Flywheel | Hotchkis Anti-Roll Bars | Enkei RS05RR 18" Racing Wheels
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
11-26-2014, 11:20 PM | #20 |
Captain
150
Rep 659
Posts |
Love this build and those wheels are awesome. Was going to order them but due to the wait time ended up ordering some CH-Rs instead. This below thread should give you a good idea of how well they will fit.
http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=931469
__________________
F97 X3M
F80 M3 (Sold) E90 M3 (Sold) EB M235i (Sold) E92 M3 (Sold) |
Appreciate
0
|
11-27-2014, 10:20 AM | #21 |
Second Lieutenant
73
Rep 201
Posts |
Hey thanks for this post. Will forward to guys I am working with. I have also ordered KW DDC and we actually are going to fit the suspension first, keeping stock wheels but upgrading rotors, pads, brake lines and fluid. I want to dial out the forward dive under heavy breaking first. We also are going to get the Hotchkis sway bars for this car first in December. Once I test that out The wheels should have arrived by then. Will keep the post updated
__________________
2015 6M Black Sapphire Metallic | MPE w/Carbon Tips | Digital MP Steering Wheel | Carbon Interior | StopTech Slotted Rotors | Pagid RSL1 Race Pads | KW Clubsport Coilovers | DINAN Stage 2 and Carbon air intake | Clutch Masters Lightweight Performance Clutch and Flywheel | Hotchkis Anti-Roll Bars | Enkei RS05RR 18" Racing Wheels
|
Appreciate
0
|
11-27-2014, 10:43 AM | #22 | |
Colonel
2241
Rep 2,370
Posts |
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
Post Reply |
Bookmarks |
Tags |
build thread, m235i |
|
|