Track Day Prep

[cjsdad1]

Hi Guys

I am prepping my 96' 328i for my first track day. My car is well maintained( I am OCD )

What oil do you suggest using? I run off the shelf Castrol 10W-40 normally(The car is a garage queen and does not see winter)

Any advice, on anything I should do will be greatly apprciated.

Thanks

[vpilarry]

Fresh oil change, check all belts, hoses, brake pads, diff and trans levels, etc. But above all change your brake fluid if it hasn't been done in the last few months. Use a high quality DOT 4.

[TeamDFL]

Run your usual oil.

Windy City offers a cursory tech inspection, usually at a shop or dealership. I suggest you perform a more thorough inspection before showing up at tech to avoid tech day surprises and to catch the stuff that Windy City tech might miss.


Here is the NJBMWCCA tech form (PDF) from last year which covers basic safety and inspection requirements. We require participants to have tech performed before the event. We then spot check all cars the night before or the day of the school.

http://www.njbmwcca.org/util/get_file.php?file_id=293

Cut and paste from the above PDF, note the chassis specific items that are known weak spots:
___1. GENERAL: No excessive body or chassis corrosion. No loose or improperly secured parts or equipment.
___2. LIGHTING: All headlamps, stop lamps [including center-mounted] and hazard-flasher lamps must be working.
___3. WINDSHIELD WIPERS: Functional and in good condition.
___4. GLAZING: Secure and in good condition. No excessive cracks. Aftermarket tinting must be pre-approved by Chief of Tech.
___5. MIRRORS: Securely mounted. Must have an inside rear-view mirror AND a passenger-door mirror for instructor use.
___6. PEDALS: Securely mounted. No binding. Good foot pads. No excessive brake pedal travel. No interference w/mats or carpet.
___7. BELTS/HARNESSES: Securely mounted, sound condition. Three-point minimum. No deteriorated webbing. Installed per mfg. & BMWCCA Club Racing guidelines. EQUIVALENT BELTS/HARNESSES FOR FRONT SEATS.
___7A. STUDENT CARS WITH 4-POINT HARNESSES MUST RETAIN OE 3-POINT HARNESSES.
___8. BRAKE FLUID: Adequate level. Proper DOT type. BRAKE FLUID MUST BE LESS THAN SIX (6) MONTHS OLD.
___9. BATTERY: Securely mounted. No fluid leaks.
___10. DRIVE BELTS: Good condition. Properly tensioned and all fasteners properly torqued.
___11. ACCELERATOR PEDAL [& LINKAGE IF APPLICABLE]: Free return. No binding throughout full travel range.
___12. SEATS: Securely mounted. Good condition. EQUIVALENT PASS. SEAT REQUIRED FOR STUDENT VEHICLES.
___13. DRIVE AND HALF SHAFTS: No loose joints or cracked boots. Center bearing and trans. coupling in good condition.
___14. ENGINE, TRANS., SUBFRAME AND DIFFERENTIAL MOUNTS: Good condition. No excessive motion permitted.
___15. STEERING: No excessive play, clunking, or binding. Steering box mounts OK. Column lock: Steering functional w/ign. “OFF”.
___16. SUSPENSION: Mounting & pivot points in good condition. No excessive side-to-side height variation. Adequate damping.
___17. BRAKES: At least 1/2 lining thickness remaining. No cracks, abrasions, or corrosion on hoses and lines. Rotors and
drums within mfg. wear and runout tolerances. No master cyl. bleed-down w/steady pedal press. Equalization OK per road test.
___18. WHEEL BEARINGS: Properly adjusted [If applicable]. No excessive looseness. No roughness. No lube leakage.
___19. WHEELS: Proper offset. No cracked or bent rims. Lug nuts/bolts properly torqued. All lug nuts/bolts present.
___20. TIRES: DOT rated, treaded. No cracks, blisters, bubbles, or cord evident. Same size each axle. Adequate tread for wet track.
___21. LEAKS: No coolant, brake fluid, steering-fluid leaks. No excessive oil leaks. All fluid-reservoir caps in place and tight.
___22. FUEL, OIL AND COOLANT HOSES: Good condition. No cracks, swelling, abrasion, or other deterioration. Clamps tight.
___23. EXHAUST: Muffled, securely mounted, good condition. No missing, cracked or deteriorated hangers.
___24. BMW E30 M3: Retorque alternator belt adjusting-bar bolts.
___25. BMW E30 6-cyl: No contact between power-steering-pump pulley and lower-radiator hose.
___26. BMW E36 & E46: Chassis OK in areas of rear-subframe, rear-shock and trailing-arm mounting.
___27. BMW 2002: Front subframe anti-roll-bar-attachment tabs OK. LF engine-mount bracket reinforced or not cracked.
___28. BMW E36: I am aware of the power-steering-return-hose problem and have reviewed the NJ Chapter

[SunzOut]

Hi Guys

I am prepping my 96' 328i for my first track day. My car is well maintained( I am OCD )

What oil do you suggest using? I run off the shelf Castrol 10W-40 normally(The car is a garage queen and does not see winter)

Any advice, on anything I should do will be greatly apprciated.

Thanks

Contact Randy from Windy City BMW Club drivingschools@windycitybmw.com

[cjsdad1]

Thank you!!

[Emre]

Any advice, on anything I should do will be greatly apprciated.

I wrote these 10-12 years ago when I served as event organizer of the Quebec chapter of the BMW Club of Canada. It was in response to answering the same questions 50k times. I think they cover just about everything:

Getting Ready for your first BMW club advanced driving school

About advanced driving schools