Hi 2Addicts,
A momentous occasion has occurred. I've paid off my car!
A 2015 M235i 8-spd ZF RWD Model
Now to start planning modifications
Just kidding.
First it's time for attending more Autocross events and getting a real feel for the car.
I've been autocrossing the car on and off since I got it along with my CS-lite prepped S2000, but recently I moved to NYC and that is just not an environment I want to bring an S2000 into plus I would have to pay to park the 2nd car. So I'm likely going to sell the S2000 and "for fun" build an STU-lite M235i. I know its not going to win NATs when E9X Ms can mount 10.5" wheels and 285 tires, but I've seen very few M235i get prepped for STU. I've seen a few 135i get prepped as well and with both cars now being ~$20k cars I figure others maybe looking to mod up their M235i for Autocross so why not start a build thread about it.
I already have a bit of a start. Current Mods are:
- Vorshlag Camber Plates
- Alignment: 0 toe up front dialed to 2.4deg Camber for the Street/AX compromise. Just a little toe in at the back with 2.1deg Camber
- BootMod Stage1 93 tune
- CSF Intercooler
- Evolution Racewerks Charge Pipe
- 225/40/18 RE71RS 200tw tires on Stock Rims
For Next Year's Season going to looking at some upgrades. A lot of research still to do here. For this year I'm really trying to focus on the driving and figuring out what the car needs the most. The above is the order I'll likely make additional improvements to the car in. Ideally I'd do the upgrades all at once, but if not still something to be said for making tweaks gradually and seeing how that changes what the car needs tweaked to keep it balanced.
In approximate order:
- LSD - Probably M-Performance, but I may give Bimmerworld or DiffsOnline a call regarding that though
- Coilovers - maybe Ohlin Road and Track, seen good reviews on the F3X forums about them
- Hotchkiss Front Swaybar
- 17x9 or 18x9 Wheels - Going to be a bit tricky, shooting to get 255 square on the car
Anyway on with the Autocrosses!
Despite not being an M2 the car is quite fun to autocross and I recommend anyone take their M235i and give it a try. The short wheelbase and good torque delivery really make the car pretty nimble for a luxury barge and real fast in more open sections. With stock wheels it is an exercise in patience in the turns, but coming from an S2000 getting on the gas and launching it down the more open straight areas of the course feels amazing. The 200tw tires definitely help with grip levels given the open diff. Here's an event I did recently with Philadelphia SCCA.
I went in the first group so I didn't get much chance to observe other drivers' lines. Between the 1st Turn-around and the 2nd I saw some drivers take a slightly wider entry up the hill just scrapping one of the walls on their way up the hill. That line would have extended the straight a few tenths more. Comparing my 5th run to my 6th I found giving up just 1mph more speed really allowed the car to turn-in slightly earlier and begin the exit onto the straightaway up the hill toward the 2nd turn-around earlier. Definitely feel the car struggling a bit with inside tire grip due to the lot being a bit of an inverse bowl, but using 3rd gear keeps this mostly under control.