Last SCCA Auto-X plus Eurofest

[thehammer69]

http://www.scsportscar.com/images/flyers/euro.png


This Sunday the 21st at the BMW plant in Greer, SC will be the LAST official Auto-X for the year.

Also, coinciding with this weekends event is Eurofest. I don't know much about Eurofest but I do know that Saturday the 20th, an Auto-X course will be set up, and at the cost of $30 (which goes to the red cross), the general public will get to drive three runs on the course in a BMW Z4 convertible.

So, if you have been wanting to try Auto-X but don't have a car, or have some issue with using your car, the Saturday deal would be a perfect chance to see if you like it.

Hammer

[Mike]

Ooooh! Me likey! ...and it takes place between shifts for me. I'll try to be there...

[thehammer69]

Ooooh! Me likey! ...and it takes place between shifts for me. I'll try to be there...

Both days?

Hammer

[Mike]

Parts of both days. I get off at 6AM Saturday and Sunday, and start at 6PM each day :crap:

[SUM650]

Boy I wished that I didn't have plans to be out of town already. I would certainly be there. Since you mention the BMW I have thinking about one of these a lot lately.

2008 BMW 335i Coupe - Specs



Two: The 335's sport-suspension package provides an outstanding compromise between creamy ride and athletic response.

Three: The Alpine heights magnified the benefits of boost, but we're certain this new engine will win friends at any altitude. BMW forecasts 0-to-60-mph times of 5.3 seconds for the 335i. Judging by our Tirol touring, we thought this was conservative, a premonition that was vindicated when a 335i showed up at Hogback HQ as this issue was going to bed — just time enough for some formal test data: 0 to 60 in 4.9 seconds and the quarter-mile in 13.6 at 105 mph. Those results are almost excactly the same as the numbers posted by the last M3 we tested [C/D, May 2003]. Wow. 'Nuff said.

3-SERIES COUPE
Vehicle type: front-engine, rear- or 4-wheel-drive, 4-passenger, 2-door coupe
Base price: $35,995-$41,295
Engines: DOHC 24-valve 3.0-liter inline-6, 230 hp, 200 lb-ft; twin-turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 24-valve 3.0-liter inline-6, 300 hp, 300 lb-ft

Transmissions: 6-speed automatic with manumatic shifting, 6-speed manual
Wheelbase: 108.7 in
Length/width/height: 180.3/70.2/54.1-54.2 in
Curb weight: 3400-3600 lb
C/D test results (335i):
Zero to 60 mph: 4.9 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 12.1 sec
Street start, 5-60 mph: 5.6 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 13.6 sec @ 105 mph
Top speed (governor limited): 144 mph
Braking, 70-0 mph: 160 ft
Projected fuel economy (C/D est):
EPA city driving: 20-21 mpg
EPA highway driving: 29-30 mpg


TECH HIGHLIGHT: TWIN-TURBO SIX

0610_bmw_335i_motor.jpgBMW’s first U.S.-market gasoline turbo, a 3.0-liter blown six-cylinder, has two small IHI turbochargers that each pressurize three cylinders with a maximum of about nine psi of boost. Direct fuel injection, a first for a BMW gasoline turbo engine, helps to cool the intake charge and allows a high 10.5:1 compression ratio. The block is made from aluminum, not magnesium and aluminum as used in BMW’s naturally aspirated straight-sixes. Horsepower is 300 at 5600 rpm, and the peak torque of 300 pound-feet arrives at just 1400 rpm and hangs on until 5000 revs. We’ve driven the 335i, and if there’s any turbo lag, it’s infinitesimal.

[thehammer69]

Barry...In my personal opinion, I would hesitate on getting a 335. I've seen the issues associated with it's engine oil's fuel dilution posted at bobistheoilguy.com . It appears that BMW hasn't figured out the direct injection on the motor.

And another reason why I would hesitate...the new style BMW's seem to have lost their "character". The body styling doesn't stand out...it basically looks like every other japanese offering out there. Plus the unique BMW layout of the cockpit has become like most other cars. Even diehard BMW enthusiasts are becoming unhappy with BMW

Hammer

[Nash]

I really like the looks of the 335ci. Just my opinion, though.

[SUM650]

Barry...In my personal opinion, I would hesitate on getting a 335. I've seen the issues associated with it's engine oil's fuel dilution posted at bobistheoilguy.com . It appears that BMW hasn't figured out the direct injection on the motor.

And another reason why I would hesitate...the new style BMW's seem to have lost their "character". The body styling doesn't stand out...it basically looks like every other japanese offering out there. Plus the unique BMW layout of the cockpit has become like most other cars. Even diehard BMW enthusiasts are becoming unhappy with BMW

Hammer

This is exactly the kind of input that I wanted DJ. Like Nash I absolutely love the exterior and interior of the 335ci. In the mid size sport coupes right now I just see this car as heads above anything else on the market. I liked the G35 coupe until I drove one. I was very disappointed.

The G37 has really raised the bar now, but every comparison article I have read still puts the bimmer out front. Like most first year revolutionary cars I have heard about some of the 335 problems. I hope they will solve most of them in the 2008 models.

[thehammer69]

I really like the looks of the 335ci. Just my opinion, though.

Which is the exact kind of input that I want.

Was my input not what you wanted?

Hammer

[thehammer69]

Ok...Let me just say, anybody who didn't go to Eurofest and the SCCA Autocross this past weekend missed out on a great motorsports experience. Turns out there was more than a "Arrive and Drive" autocross in BMW Z4's on Saturday. There was also 5 different driving events over at the BMW performance center.

For those who don't know, the BMW performance center is the facility that BMW-NA uses for testing NA BMW cars. They have various track configurations and driving pads there. Normally during the week, if you drive by, you can see BMW's being tested by BMW workers. Well, for Eurofest, BMW set up 5 test events for anybody willing to pay the small charitable fee to drive. They had a small bean shaped course with a slalom with BMW 650's...a larger oval shaped course with a chicane and small slalom on one end with 507hp BMW M5's...a wet/dry circuit with some kind of coupe (didn't see the model number)...a wet "rat race" in Z4's on a big pad...and some kind of course for the X series SUV's. I showed up kind of late and only did the two with the 650's and the M5. The 650's were cool, but the 5 minute session in the M5 rocked. It's hard to believe a "sedan" could track so well. I had a blast in it.

I then went to the "arrive and drive" autocross over at the manufacturing facility. Since it was a walk up event, there was no opportunity to walk the course like a normal AX event. My first run was crap because I did not know the course. My second run was pretty good where I placed 28th out of 250+ participants. I then commenced my 3rd run where I planned to "smoke" the course....yeah right...I carried so much speed into a strong left hander that I plowed right off course and took out a row of cones. Oh well, if there was any more time, i would have maybe bought another 3 run set and seen if I could get close to the top finisher but registration had closed by then.

The next day was the actual SCCA Auto-X. I took first in my class...I was 4.5 seconds ahead of 2nd place. I placed 16th overall out of 190 competitors. The course was one of the best AX courses I have ever driven on. I do wish I had installed my front larger Addco sway bar. It maybe would have gotten me a top ten finish as my fastest one had me loose in the back and i think it would have balanced the car out and got me there.

So anyway, the season is officially over and I have officially nailed down the Super Stock championship for 2007. We do still have non-championship events during the "off season'. A new one will be at the new Hard Rock theme park being built in Myrtle beach on Dec 1-2. There are high hopes for this new venue as the lots to be used are huge and will make for some great driving.

Well anyway, I guess that is it for now, I'll just leave with some pics from this weekends AX.

Hammer

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c313/djmoody69/BMW%20Auto-X%20OCT-2007/IMG_1812.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c313/djmoody69/BMW%20Auto-X%20OCT-2007/IMG_1811.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c313/djmoody69/BMW%20Auto-X%20OCT-2007/IMG_1810.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c313/djmoody69/BMW%20Auto-X%20OCT-2007/IMG_1814.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c313/djmoody69/BMW%20Auto-X%20OCT-2007/IMG_1813.jpg

[Mike]

Couldn't make because of Daytona, and then work. Bummer...

Still, congrats on the 1st place finish :wtg:

[Nash]

Nice job, way to represent!

[Chris]

congrats ....

[Nash]

We all should go to Myrtle Beach for the next one, that is, if any of you have cars for an Auto X course.

[SUM650]

I sure hate that I missed this one.

[Nash]

Yeah, the M5 ride would have been pretty cool.