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      02-22-2020, 04:42 PM   #1
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Has anyone tracked their G05 yet?

I am signed up for a driving school / HPDE (not my first) at Laguna Seca next weekend and wondering which of my imperfect vehicles to take: a 2014 320i or a 2019 X5 50i. Both have M Sport packages and summer tires. The 320i has a BMS Stage 1 tuner which should take it to 225 hp but is otherwise stock. The X5 is totally stock but has a lot more factory capability - 456 hp V8, M Sport brakes, M Sport differential, Integral Active Steering, Adaptive M Suspension, Active Roll Stabilization. Of course it's still an SUV that weighs a ton more than the 320i (2943 lbs vs. 5240 lbs).

The advice I've gotten so far is that Laguna Seca might be too much for an X series since it has three major braking zones and I may want to save the heavier car for events later in the year at Thunderhill or Buttonwillow. Just wondering if anyone here has personal experience putting their G05 through its paces.
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      02-22-2020, 09:57 PM   #2
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Not sure the relevancy of mentioning HP /tune etc but maybe I'm missing something. If you've been on track before then you know HP might be the least important thing to worry about lol.

Regardless of which car you take, I would change brake fluid at a minimum. Another option would be to rent a spec Miata or something more prepped and beat on someone else's car. Either way have fun.
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      02-22-2020, 10:01 PM   #3
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I would never put my X5 on Laguna, the feedback you heard is right. That track is way to much for a 50i let alone X series. Maybe the X3 M Comp but that is pushing it.
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      02-22-2020, 10:40 PM   #4
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3 Series it is!
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      02-22-2020, 11:55 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr. Maboomba View Post
I am signed up for a driving school / HPDE (not my first) at Laguna Seca next weekend and wondering which of my imperfect vehicles to take: a 2014 320i or a 2019 X5 50i. Both have M Sport packages and summer tires. The 320i has a BMS Stage 1 tuner which should take it to 225 hp but is otherwise stock. The X5 is totally stock but has a lot more factory capability - 456 hp V8, M Sport brakes, M Sport differential, Integral Active Steering, Adaptive M Suspension, Active Roll Stabilization. Of course it's still an SUV that weighs a ton more than the 320i (2943 lbs vs. 5240 lbs).

The advice I've gotten so far is that Laguna Seca might be too much for an X series since it has three major braking zones and I may want to save the heavier car for events later in the year at Thunderhill or Buttonwillow. Just wondering if anyone here has personal experience putting their G05 through its paces.
Some local tracks out here won't even let you run any SUVs. I wouldn't track an x5 , but I guess it's theoretically possible.

If you have a 3 series sedan, use that one. Or swap it for a rental with insurance. Or get an m5 or m8 comp. but I wouldn't take an x3 or any x5 on the track personally.
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      02-23-2020, 12:43 AM   #6
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Bay Area BMWCCA allows X series and Cayennes.
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      02-23-2020, 01:19 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr. Maboomba View Post
Bay Area BMWCCA allows X series and Cayennes.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr. Maboomba View Post
Bay Area BMWCCA allows X series and Cayennes.

just because you can doesn't always mean you should. I think you're begging for a roll over, or at the very least brake burn out from trying to stop a 2 ton SUV before taking a 60 degree turn at a 30° incline around a 2 mile track.

most cars without premium or ceramic brakes won't last a full lap at full speed, let alone a full race. but maybe if it's a club event for joy, it might be a bit less intense.

I haven't been to track since my 3 year old was born, so maybe things have changed with SUV brakes and rollovers.
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      02-23-2020, 01:22 AM   #8
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I'd also probably put a bigger cold air intake and a cat back exhaust on your track car. also maybe tinker with the suspension or lowering springs to improve handling.
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      02-23-2020, 02:48 AM   #9
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If these vehicles can't be tracked then all this M equipment is just a great way to take money from people with too much money.
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      02-23-2020, 06:38 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr. Maboomba View Post
If these vehicles can't be tracked then all this M equipment is just a great way to take money from people with too much money.
My guess is that is true. There is a reason the BMWCCA (at least my chapter) doesn't allow the X-series in its autocross events.
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      02-23-2020, 10:49 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr. Maboomba View Post
If these vehicles can't be tracked then all this M equipment is just a great way to take money from people with too much money.
i always thought it was kind of ridiculous to have that much power and tech in a SUV to make it as car like as possible, except for the fact that its not and will never be, and most people who aren't pros would tip it over if they tried to drive like a pro. and even then, you're still not beating any comparable sedan around any track...
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      02-23-2020, 11:45 AM   #12
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Track advice

Most tracks/events don't allow SUV's. I have been told that is mostly because of the curb weight - if there was a collision, your X5 would destroy a smaller and lighter 911 or M2.

I also don't think the X5 would be my vehicle of choice on the corkscrew, although they do run it around the 'ring!
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      02-23-2020, 05:26 PM   #13
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You can track any car - just have to drive within its limits or be prepared to pay for consumables.
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      02-23-2020, 07:32 PM   #14
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Having tracked my 2016 X5 50i a few times, you definitely should do it but maybe not Laguna Seca. I had DHP on my X5 which really helped with body roll but the elevation changes into turns at LS might make for an interesting day.
Be prepared to get new brake pads afterwards. I went through 3 sets of rotors before 50k. That was when they replaced everything, unlike now.
Have fun and enjoy!
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      02-26-2020, 02:10 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Thewolfbmw View Post
Having tracked my 2016 X5 50i a few times, you definitely should do it but maybe not Laguna Seca. I had DHP on my X5 which really helped with body roll but the elevation changes into turns at LS might make for an interesting day.
Be prepared to get new brake pads afterwards. I went through 3 sets of rotors before 50k. That was when they replaced everything, unlike now.
Have fun and enjoy!
It's super helpful to hear from someone who's done it. I'll take my 3 Series to Laguna Seca and take the X5 to Buttonwillow or Thunderhill. My goal for 2020 is to singlehandedly keep the brake pad industry running.
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      02-26-2020, 10:57 AM   #16
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I'm a HPDE instructor with NASA and taking a X vehicle on track is not an issue with us. As a matter of fact we had a F15 X5M at Watkins Glen last year. While not exactly the same thing, doing the on-track drills at Performance Center Delivery proved the G05 40i is surprisingly capable.

With that said, I'd rather have a 2,943lb vehicle with summer tires and a low center of gravity any day of the week, even if it has a fraction of the HP.
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Last edited by gofast182; 02-26-2020 at 12:40 PM..
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      02-26-2020, 04:51 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr. Maboomba View Post
My goal for 2020 is to singlehandedly keep the brake pad industry running.
Hahahaha, if you've got brake pads taken care of I'll keep the rubber industry busy!

Quote:
Originally Posted by gofast182 View Post
I'm a HPDE instructor with NASA and taking a X vehicle on track is not an issue with us. As a matter of fact we had a F15 X5M at Watkins Glen last year. While not exactly the same thing, doing the on-track drills at Performance Center Delivery proved the G05 40i is surprisingly capable.

With that said, I'd rather have a 2,943lb vehicle with summer tires and a low center of gravity any day of the week, even if it has a fraction of the HP.
I'm heading to the performance center in 2 weeks for a few days and hope they have an X5M or M50i to play with! I'll bring my dragy...
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      02-26-2020, 05:58 PM   #18
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Do it, it'll be a laugh!

Just take it easy, tyres and brakes won't last long without some sympathy.
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