[Boomer 2019]

Originally Posted by SexyRoger

Interesting. I really still would wait for the new M2 and see what that thing is about. I cannot get over the grills, and I cannot get over the poor brakes on the M car. Hope the M2 will fix this. Also funny posted by a 911 Turbo s owner.

I have bad news for you Roger. The new M2 uses the very same brakes as the M3 & M4. Also the same trans. & suspension. It's pretty much the same car in a very slightly smaller, and not nearly as good looking package.

[adc]

Originally Posted by SYT_Shadow

Hi, welcome to 2023. I watched a G80 with stock brakes plus track pads, stock suspension and no lightening or aero to 1:58.7 in VIR.

For those unfamiliar, it's a few seconds off IMSA qualifying time for the M4 GT4.

This was a good conversation topic back in the day and yet is completely irrelevant to the G8x generation cars the video shows.

Up to intermediate level, the stock brakes with appropriate pads/fluid were perfectly fine on the F8x generation as well.

The only problem with the G8x brakes is that they don’t fit over 18” wheels at the front, so your choice of track tires may be a bit limited.

[adc]

Originally Posted by Boomer 2019

I have bad news for you Roger. The new M2 uses the very same brakes as the M3 & M4. Also the same trans. & suspension. It's pretty much the same car in a very slightly smaller, and not nearly as good looking package.

Let’s leave the looks accolade for the G80/82 out of the conversation.

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by adc

Up to intermediate level, the stock brakes with appropriate pads/fluid were perfectly fine on the F8x generation as well.

The only problem with the G8x brakes is that they don’t fit over 18” wheels at the front, so your choice of track tires may be a bit limited.

And that you need a laptop to change the rear pads track side

[jmg]

Great video/article!

What they didn't mention was that to get 33° operating temp, you have to start at around 28° in the pits, then adjust after your warm up laps, depending on the track conditions.

I like that they talk about cool down laps–use the brakes as little as possible, cool the tires and brakes down before heading to the pit. I've had my wheel weights pop off from the heat, so I use aluminum tape to secure them for track days. It's more a courtesy to others so they don't get flying pieces of metal embedded on their new GT3s.

One thing that annoys me about "TRACK MODE". While it does disable the collision detection nannies, it does not disable it during hard braking. I've gone into hot corners and had my windows close by themselves when braking hard with a car in front of me. I've also had the windows close automatically when I've spun out. Ironically, at least in the US, we have to run windows down for easy extraction in case of an accident. The G8X just does away with that. If they would allow it, I would just run windows down and reduce the drag!

WISH LIST:

Permanently exposed rear tow hook - I had this on my factory Audi S4 25Quattro, which I didn't even track. Constantly removing the tow hook cover has made mine a little loose and I fear it will get worse.

Overall the G8X is a great "arrive and drive" track car. Brake pads, fluid, camber, and you are good for almost any HPDE. Competitive racing and time attack is another story.

Originally Posted by JSTDR1V

I love that they made like 4 videos that could have simply been 1 longer one.

Right? Likely following a algorithm that takes into account for shorter attention spans.

Originally Posted by SexyRoger

Interesting. I really still would wait for the new M2 and see what that thing is about. I cannot get over the grills, and I cannot get over the poor brakes on the M car.

Stock pads are optimized for the street–they are quiet and work well even in the cold. Since the majority of owners don't track, these are ideal. Track pads are designed for higher temperature operation, which means they are not that great in the cold. On the street, your brakes are cold 80% of the time, so track pads would be somewhat unsafe for the uninitiated. Once you reach higher temps, the chances of glazing the factory street pad are high.

I've tracked with factory pads and they are decent, but it takes brake management ie cool down laps, to keep pad temps from getting too high.

The F80 made swapping to track pads very easy. Wheels off, pop pins, and swap. I had it down to a leisurely 20-30 minute swap for all four corners with a single jack. I really hate how the current G8X calipers have to be removed to swap pads. A step backwards in this regard IMHO. My theory is that the additional caliper material helps keep brake temps down, and the G8X being heavier than the F80, so it might need it.

Originally Posted by SexyRoger

Hope the M2 will fix this.

Same brakes, similar weight (3800 vs 3900), same laws of physics. Swapping will be equally annoying.

Originally Posted by SexyRoger

Also funny posted by a 911 Turbo s owner.

CanAutM3 tracked his F82 M4CS quite a bit before he moved onto a 911!

Originally Posted by calbears

you get pretty decent negative camber from factory. We measured one at -1.7 front L/R fresh off the truck. But yes, will need to get camber plates for hard tracking

Corded my tires after 2 track days without camber plates. I'm running -3.2 in the fronts now. I ran -3.0 in my F80 M3 CS. The G8X seems to want more.

[jmg]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

And that you need a laptop to change the rear pads track side

Fortunately, you can do this on your phone with BimmerLink. Still a step backwards.

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by SexyRoger

Also funny posted by a 911 Turbo s owner.

I’ve owned multiple ///M cars over 20 years that I’ve all taken to the track quite regularly. If you look at my post count and rep points, you’ll see I’ve been a long time active member of the community, and I continue to be because I am still passionate about the brand, despite having recently jumped ship .

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by jmg

Fortunately, you can do this on your phone with BimmerLink. Still a step backwards.

Good to know there exists a less annoying solution

[m2michael23]

Originally Posted by jmg

Great video/article!

What they didn't mention was that to get 33° operating temp, you have to start at around 28° in the pits, then adjust after your warm up laps, depending on the track conditions.

I like that they talk about cool down laps–use the brakes as little as possible, cool the tires and brakes down before heading to the pit. I've had my wheel weights pop off from the heat, so I use aluminum tape to secure them for track days. It's more a courtesy to others so they don't get flying pieces of metal embedded on their new GT3s.

One thing that annoys me about "TRACK MODE". While it does disable the collision detection nannies, it does not disable it during hard braking. I've gone into hot corners and had my windows close by themselves when braking hard with a car in front of me. I've also had the windows close automatically when I've spun out. Ironically, at least in the US, we have to run windows down for easy extraction in case of an accident. The G8X just does away with that. If they would allow it, I would just run windows down and reduce the drag!

WISH LIST:

Permanently exposed rear tow hook - I had this on my factory Audi S4 25Quattro, which I didn't even track. Constantly removing the tow hook cover has made mine a little loose and I fear it will get worse.

Overall the G8X is a great "arrive and drive" track car. Brake pads, fluid, camber, and you are good for almost any HPDE. Competitive racing and time attack is another [...]

I freaking hate that ABS pull up window shit. I had to learn my way not to over brake and coast in some corners.

In fb G8x track car group, Paul found the fuse to disable that, But I’m too lazy to that. I also feel like If you trigger ABS before the corner, your are coming in too hot, these cars are very easy to understeer.

[jmg]

Originally Posted by m2michael23

I freaking hate that ABS pull up window shit. I had to learn my way not to over brake and coast in some corners.

In fb G8x track car group, Paul found the fuse to disable that, But I’m too lazy to that. I also feel like If you trigger ABS before the corner, your are coming in too hot, these cars are very easy to understeer.

I’m usually threshold braking but come to think of it, I proabably engaged ABS in some of those situations. Hopefully that fuse it to disengage the windows up part and not the ABS?!

[edwinm3]

that’s a heavy car to be running on oem brake fluid and pads, unless you’re very slow.

[Dirtbikerr450]

Originally Posted by adc

Up to intermediate level, the stock brakes with appropriate pads/fluid were perfectly fine on the F8x generation as well.

The only problem with the G8x brakes is that they don’t fit over 18” wheels at the front, so your choice of track tires may be a bit limited.

I mean the oem wheels on the base G8x are 18" front wheels

[DRKNEVL]

Why aren't the brake air vents permanently open? Is it to protect from debris during normal day to day driving?

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by DRKNEVL

Why aren't the brake air vents permanently open? Is it to protect from debris during normal day to day driving?

In the video they say it is mainly to deflect water.

[PLF69]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

Good to know there exists a less annoying solution

Even easier with a small 9V battery

PS: CanAutM3 I finally registered for a BMW Auto Club event (the first one)

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by PLF69

Even easier with a small 9V battery

PS: CanAutM3 I finally registered for a BMW Auto Club event (the first one)

Great! Looking forward to seeing you there (and the car )

[geko29]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

Good to know there exists a less annoying solution

Should be able to do it with a Scan tool also. I don't yet have my G80 (and my E90 obviously has a mechanical parking brake), but I've used my Foxwell NT530 to retract the EPB on my wife's Audi when I did her brakes last year. I assume it will be the same for BMW.

[jmg]

Originally Posted by edwinm3

that’s a heavy car to be running on oem brake fluid and pads, unless you’re very slow.

Cool down laps every 3 to 4 hot laps makes it manageable at Streets Of Willow. Faster tracks like VIR will require more management. The first thing we do is swap pads and get race fluid.

[jmg]

Originally Posted by DRKNEVL

Why aren't the brake air vents permanently open? Is it to protect from debris during normal day to day driving?

Water and debris to the rotors, and slight EPA rating bump.

If you are on track pads but drive on the street, you simply don't need them to be open. One might argue that you want them closed to keep as much heat on the track pads as possible on the street. Track pads usually aren't that great cold.

[LuvMyE92]

Originally Posted by edwinm3

that’s a heavy car to be running on oem brake fluid and pads, unless you’re very slow.

I can drive my car on OE fluids and pads, and I'm very slow.

No, wait, that's not right.

It really depends on the track too, and arguably how you drive. I can be very fast through most of VIR but I just don't try to beat the land speed record on the straights. Slowing down from 125 instead of 140 can be the difference between the pads surviving a session or not. And you don't learn a whole lot in those extra 15 MPH, nor for me anyway, do I get any enjoyment out of it other than bragging rights.

And there's always someone faster.

[Roth517]

Originally Posted by Slowlives

Pretty cool stuff. However, Correct me if I’m wrong, but I find it funny that they promote track use but then void vehicle warranty if the car is used on a track.

100% false. Track your car as much as you want. No warranty will be voided.

[Roth517]

Originally Posted by playswcars

How to: Void your warranty

Also wrong. See above post. Where do you guys get this stuff?