04-19-2021, 05:54 PM | #1 |
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Maintenance checklist before first AutoX
Hi all, complete noob here who's looking to try AX for the first time after owning this car for a little over 2 years. I have a '15 RWD that is my daily driver, car is completely stock except for wheels and tires. I am running Apex FL-5 (18x8.5 ET35) wheels with a broken-in but otherwise barely used set of PS4S.
So far my current plan before the first event is new pads (what do people think of EBC Redstuff for DD + occasional autoX? I want street usability with a little more bite and reduced dust compared to OEM), brake fluid, and oil. I am not looking to modify the car for serious competition and lap times, just want to get any preventative maintenance out of the way first. Is there anything else you would do before starting events? Car is only 37,xxx miles and primarily daily driven with a fair amount of spirited weekend drives, but 0 autoX/track miles so far. Again I'm a complete novice (first ever autoX/track in any car, not just this one) and just want to make sure I'm taking good care of the car. TIA |
04-20-2021, 12:29 PM | #2 |
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IMHO, if your car is in good mechanical shape the only thing you need to check is your tire pressure (stock will be fine). If the current pads are good, no point in changing them for your first AX.
Best thing you can do is get there early and walk the course with some experienced folks. Not getting lost in the “sea of cones” is usually the biggest challenge for AX newbies. Compared to track events, AX is not very demanding on the car. At least not at the beginning! I am no AX wizard, but my stock M235i is still plenty fun! Thanks to Covid, I’ve only done one AX in this car, though I did quite a few previously in a Porsche 996. |
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04-20-2021, 05:31 PM | #3 | ||
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The better the instruction, the sooner you'll absorb the basics and move on to the really fun parts. I used the Evolution Performance Driving School; they had national champions for instructors, so it was fast-paced and a lot of fun. I have no idea if they're still doing schools, though, but as popular as autocross is some outfit's bound to be offering that level of instruction.
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2017 M240i: 23.8K, 28.9 mpg, MT, Sunroof Delete, 3,432#, EB, Leather, Driving Assistance Package, Heated Front Seats | Sold: E12 530i, E24 M635CSi, E39 520i, E30 325is, E36 M3 (2)
TC Kline Coilovers; H&R Front Bar; Wavetrac; Al Subframe Bushings; 18X9/9½ ARC-8s; 255/35-18 PS4S (4); Dinan Elite V2 & CAI; MPerf Orange BBK; Schroth Quick Fit Pro; GTechniq Crystal Serum Ultra Ceramic; Suntek PPF Last edited by dradernh; 04-20-2021 at 05:38 PM.. |
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daneagles7.00 |
05-03-2021, 12:19 PM | #4 |
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Get there early and walk the track.
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05-27-2021, 05:59 PM | #5 |
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I'd recommend making sure your wheel lugs are properly tightened (105 lbs-ft), tires are properly inflated, the battery is properly secured, and the car itself is very clean with few to no 'loose items' in the glove box and center console, etc.
If you're planning on using a GoPro or similar, I'd make sure that its charged up the day before, your memory card is emptied with lots of room, and you've installed whatever mounting device you prefer. Other essentials are sunscreen, water, and snacks. I'd also recommend a roll of contrasting color painters tape for adding numbers and classing info to the car if needed. Other nice-to-haves are a tire pressure gauge and an air pump to keep your tires at an ideal inflation level, a laser pyrometer to check tire temperatures, and a squirt bottle full of water to spray your tires down between runs if they get too hot. Beyond that, show up early so you can get your car and helmet inspected if need be, and make it known that you're looking for veteran autox'ers to walk the course with you and (if you're comfortable doing so and its allowable because we are still in a pandemic) asking experienced drivers if they'll allow you to ride with them on one of their runs, or inviting them to ride with you on your runs. And most importantly, have fun. Its your first time out. You'll be way slower than the veterans, you'll hit cones, miss turns, whatever. Don't beat yourself up over it. You'll get better.
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17x9 APEX Arc8-R, 255/40/17 RE71RS, Vorshlag Plates, Swift Spec-R Springs, m-Performance Bumpstops, Dinan ShockWare, Paragon 2-piece rotors, Carbon lip, custom 3" alumalite splitter, GTS wing, FTP Intake and Charge pipe, BootMod3 Stage 1 OTS
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05-27-2021, 06:18 PM | #6 | |
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Re: hitting cones - used to be, some drivers of nice street cars would paste painters tape all over the parts of their cars that they thought might contact cones so that they didn't have to clean the marks left by the cones off later. No idea if that's still a thing or not, or if non-marking cones are in use now.
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2017 M240i: 23.8K, 28.9 mpg, MT, Sunroof Delete, 3,432#, EB, Leather, Driving Assistance Package, Heated Front Seats | Sold: E12 530i, E24 M635CSi, E39 520i, E30 325is, E36 M3 (2)
TC Kline Coilovers; H&R Front Bar; Wavetrac; Al Subframe Bushings; 18X9/9½ ARC-8s; 255/35-18 PS4S (4); Dinan Elite V2 & CAI; MPerf Orange BBK; Schroth Quick Fit Pro; GTechniq Crystal Serum Ultra Ceramic; Suntek PPF |
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