Nordschleife visit, anyone been?

[parky69]

Hi everyone, as title, has anyone taken their masser to the greenhell? I'm going next month, hotel and ferry booked. Just wondering how the stock setup of brakes etc cope with the stresses. Don't know whether to upgrade my front pads. Everything is standard on my 4200, just been serviced and checked and seems ok. Any info much appreciated......thanks Dan

 

[mjheathcote]

Been twice, and never driven my own car on circuit, but been a passenger with friends that dare have a go!
The driving standard is appalling to be honest, I would only drive it on a closed track day, not a free (after paying at the gate) for all, 'tourist day'.
If I did drive it, I would not be pushing it to worry about brakes, the Armco is close, with no spin off areas to speak of, and VERY expensive if you bend it, and I don't mean the car (note no insurance for the car possible) you even have to pay for the time the circuit is closed now, as well as the cost to repair the damage to the Armco. You can buy insurance for this though, for the Armco repair/closure.
Saying all that, the atmosphere is pure petrol head heaven!

 

[parky69]

I've been trying to get over there for ages and thought i'd take the plunge. You're right about repairs and insurance though. I'll just have to drive carefully.......if possible and watch out for other drivers. I think a couple of laps to get used to the layout, but wont be pushing too hard and keep the traction on

 

[dickygrace]

I've been round a few times in various cars. I stuck a 911 in the gravel a few years back which was a bit of a hairy moment. I found that the best way was to not bother about your time, wang it some places and when there's traffic such as motorbikes and locals in MK1 Golfs flying past you, steady away. It's a great experience, so long as you don't wrap your Maserati. If you did a lap steadily, your pads will be fine, two or more it's probably best to take some tools and a spare set of pads. Go for it, a good day out

 

[BennyD]

It is certainly one any driver should have on his bucket list, but, As Dicky says, DO NOT time yourself. If you do you will get faster and faster for the first few laps, think you know the track, give it some and pile it in big style. Always keep to the right and watch your mirrors before you straight line corners or move across; locals appear from nowhere and if one hits you, you will know all about it. It's a great day out but it is fraught with danger; bikes, cars, coaches, lorries, they are all out to get you. Have fun!

 

[parky69]

Cheers guys, I promised myself no timed laps and basically go and enjoy without going for the land speed record. Although I would love to see the top speed in one of these things, but not on the ring

 

[BennyD]

Try a Ring taxi. They are fecking fast and not much passes them. Book on line; they are expensive at about €200 a lap but split between 3, not too bad.

FWIW, BMW lose money on every lap the taxis make. All major components, tyres, brake pads, discs and suspension are replaced on a very regular basis and none last more than 50 laps.

 

[mjheathcote]

Autobahn is fun getting there, and driving back. The unrestricted parts of course.
Infact very liberating, knowing that no blue lights are going to light up behind you!

 

[Gixerboy]

Hi there been their on bikes & cars took my 3200 & my QPGT Sport.

Excellent fun, but if you have never done a track day, may be worth getting a bit of practice first.
My cars were fine, you only normally do 1 lap at a time (13miles) so brakes will be fine as long ad you carry a but of corner speed & don't panic brake,
Suggest avoiding the carousel though as this upsets the MSP a little £ bigs the car down.
Oh & make sure it's in sport or the suspension will be too floaty on the crests .

Have fun

Dave

 

[Andyk]

I've been in a BMW CSL....Great experience....I would say just take it easy and see get to know as much of the track as possible......One thing that reall helped me was the Playstation and the GranTourismo game.....I drove the track on the game over and over again and although you don't get the ups and downs etc when I got there I actuall new what corner came next........

 

[parky69]

I always wanted to take my M3 there, but I think I would have been tempted to push it a bit too much. Must admit i'm a bit of racing game geek, I reckon I've done thousands of laps on Forza and GT5 at the ring As long as I bring it back in one piece and make it to Bruntingthorpe I'll be quite happy

 

[Andyk]

You will know the track then..It does help believe me....

 

[hukent]

You'll love it. just don't get carried away, and remember you have to drive it home, so look after your brakes and tyres, always allow them to cool before going out again, otherwise you'll destroy them.
Ask me how I know !!!!!

 

[parky69]

You'll love it. just don't get carried away, and remember you have to drive it home, so look after your brakes and tyres, always allow them to cool before going out again, otherwise you'll destroy them.
Ask me how I know !!!!!

Oh dear, that doesn't sound good. Did you manage to get your car home in one piece?

 

[hukent]

Oh dear, that doesn't sound good. Did you manage to get your car home in one piece?

Yes, no problem.

 

[Andyk]

Ah yes the breaks....All those corners are not kind to them..The CSL never had the best brakes as do most M cars......The fade was pretty bad.

 

[parky69]

Not wrong there Andy, I've got to say the brakes on the masser and the M3 leave a lot to be desired. We have a new mondeo at work and the brakes on that are a lot better. Any tips for improving them, apart from major spends?

 

[Andyk]

I really never understood what BMW have been playing at with the M breaks...Such great performance cars that just can not take loads of track work......The CSL was such a track weapon but after 15 mins the fade wasn't good...

 

[Danny]

Have fun, but be extremely careful. This guy was also careful, but still he managed to get into trouble...

[video]http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=demm-CUgJHY[/video]

 

[parky69]

Doh!!!. Not going fast enough Looks like it was wet and he went on the rumble strip..........I just hope its not raining when I get there.......