Convertible cars...

[DeltaNu1142]

Not that there's any adjustments I can make to change this, but my car is a convertible. I know there are other guys that run convertibles, maybe not so many with soft tops. What, generally, are the rules regarding soft tops? I've read that some tracks/organizations simply ban verts from running. Some require top up; some require either 1) hard top installed or 2) top down.

[Dave-ROR]

Not that there's any adjustments I can make to change this, but my car is a convertible. I know there are other guys that run convertibles, maybe not so many with soft tops. What, generally, are the rules regarding soft tops? I've read that some tracks/organizations simply ban verts from running. Some require top up; some require either 1) hard top installed or 2) top down.

I've never known of an autocross group that has cared. Soft top cars can run, top up or down.

[Native]

According to our insurance:

Roll bars are REQUIRED in all purpose-built competition cars and any other open cockpit AUTOMOBILES using racing (non-D.O.T. approved) tires.

So unless you are running honest-to-goodness, non-DOT real live genuine racing tires, just come on out. 8)

[WAFlowers]

Don't forget a helmet. Or don't forget to snag one of our loaners.

That's the only rule that matters.

Other than check your oil!

[03M3]

There is another M3 vert around here... word is he's wicked fast

M3 cabs FTW!

PS - many clubs will let you run Drivers Ed events on track as well (even though a lot of them say "Roll-bar required"). Our factory protection system satisfies the requirements of all local groups I've checked... except BMWCCA .

Our car belongs on the track

[DeltaNu1142]

There is another M3 vert around here... word is he's wicked fast
M3 cabs FTW!
PS - many clubs will let you run Drivers Ed events on track as well (even though a lot of them say "Roll-bar required"). Our factory protection system satisfies the requirements of all local groups I've checked... except BMWCCA .
Our car belongs on the track

Yeah, I saw him at SPC... he's kinda fast, but I'm pretty sure that's all car. (a 'big hat, no cattle' sorta deal)

Good to know on the roll bar. I'd love to see what that thing looks like in the "extended" position... too bad we'd have to flip one to find out.

Hey Clint, do you add 400 - 500 mL before an event, and drain afterwards? I got that dreaded ticking in my 330 after SPC in October.

Class F Ragtop Mafia!

[03M3]

Haha! A little birdie told me you had joined the ///M ranks!

No - I don't add any oil. The S54 is so noisy as it is, I wouldn't notice a little extra tick

The dealer accidentally overfilled my oil during Inspection II . Operating temp reading on oil was +30* and fluctuated heavily. I would strongly recommend avoiding extra oil! Just follow the official "warm up, turn off, wait 1 minute, check level" method and you should be fine at regular fill. I've had mine out on the track with no issues

[DeltaNu1142]

Good deal... I'll need to get ahold of some 10w60 just in case. Yeah, I got this car maybe 5-6 weeks ago now, and it's definitely growing on me. I wasn't happy with what feels like a lack of torque at first, but if you lay into it the car REALLY barks back. Since we're in the "Car Set Up" forum...

little mods so far:
--custom adjustable clutch stop I made from a cut-down, flat-top bolt
--installed blacked-out grills just this morning (shave a little weight? )

Maybe this weekend I'm going to try to remove the clutch delay valve, I hear it improves shifting. I'd also like to put in a ZHP knob to give me a shorter shift, maybe. I'm all about cheap, effective, (and reversible) mods.

HEY, did you get inspection II done free under your maintenance program?!? How many miles did you end up with when you had it done?

[03M3]

Sounds like you've done your homework!

Where did you get your clutch stop bolt? I went searching for the recommended "elevator bolt" from Lowes, but they stopped carrying it. I haven't had the motivation to find an alternative...

ZHP knob - do it!! That was my first "mod" and I am very happy. If you are on the fence, you can check mine out. I went with the standard black leather 3 series boot as apposed to the alcantara M one (since I don't have any other alcantara in the car...)

Inspection II was covered under the 2yr extended maintenance plan I bought - it was at like 58k miles. I bought the plan at $1195 - its now $1895, which probably isn't worth it (unless you are going to take it to the dealer for everything). Indy shop Insp II is $1k, brakes $600ish(?). Unless you are worried about the clutch going before 100k miles, or will be driving 30k miles a year... it's pricey. I've done a lot (front brakes & Insp II) in the first 8 months, but probably won't get much of anything for the next 16 (rear brakes & 1 oil change?)

[DeltaNu1142]

I actually bought the 3/8" elevator bolt at ACE Hardware in the Keys... I was on vacation & thought it would give me something to do between fishing & snorkling Unfortunately, though, the elevator bolt was 2" & I didn't have tools with me. So when I got home, I cut 1/2" off of it & spun on a nut to lock it (although I'd like to find an actual lock nut with a nylon ring).

It made a HUGE difference when I first did it--best $2 I've ever spent. Now I don't notice it, but if I went back to the stock plastic one, I'm sure I'd hate it. IF YOU DO IT, let me know, I have 11 felt pads from a pack of 12 that I can give you to stick on top of it! The pad is between 1/8" and 1/4" thick & dampens the clutch stop just enough.

I'll do the ZHP knob & new boots eventually, but I'm sure I'll miss the lighted shifter. It doesn't help find gears, but it's damned cool. I just ordered smoked corners & silver bulbs for up front (no help at the track).

[03M3]

I've got a 12 pack of those pads too! ...its been sitting on my desk for 6 months

I remember that lighted knob was quite the novelty. I hadn't looked back until just the other night when I remembered how cool it was! 8) ...no regrets though - ZHP is worlds better!!

[DeltaNu1142]

Get ACE, then, you won't regret it. I tried Lowes & HD before I found one there. They didn't know what an elevator bolt was, though, they said they were used for hurricane shutters.

I wish I could change the name of this thread to "M3 junkies."

[WAFlowers]

Ace is the place ... for all the unusual hardware bits that you won't find at BLowes or Agent Orange.

[snookwheel]

Get ACE, ."

X2! Look for the old guys in the Tarpon Springs or Dunedin Ace Hdwr. They know their 'stuff.' Love that place!

[DeltaNu1142]

Dunedin Ace Hdwr. They know their 'stuff.'

+3! I go there all the time.

[DeltaNu1142]

I've got a 12 pack of those pads too! ...its been sitting on my desk for 6 months
I remember that lighted knob was quite the novelty. I hadn't looked back until just the other night when I remembered how cool it was! 8) ...no regrets though - ZHP is worlds better!!

Pulled the trigger on a ZHP knob & Alcantara shift & brake boots last night. I was wondering if it'd be easier to pull the shift knob off with the top down (standing up, one foot in the driver's footwell, one in the passenger footwell, looking like I'm trying to uproot a tree). I pulled the knob in my 330i & I punched myself in the face... I think I knocked myself unconscious for a few minutes.

[03M3]

I read "black eye" warnings before I did mine! I put it in gear and pulled from the back seat 8)

[Jack]

now i understand why the bmw guys are so beat up!

[aparke]

Josh, it's too bad you won't be there tomorrow...but since I know that you WILL make it out to Brooksville eventually, I think you'll really like it up there. Besides, you'll have more time to punch yourself in the other eye and whatnot before next event. Yellow_Colorz_PDT_22 (...the school in January?)

[DeltaNu1142]

Josh, it's too bad you won't be there tomorrow...but since I know that you WILL make it out to Brooksville eventually, I think you'll really like it up there. Besides, you'll have more time to punch yourself in the other eye and whatnot before next event. Yellow_Colorz_PDT_22 (...the school in January?)

Yeah, I had planned to go tomorrow but tried to register too late. Yeah, plenty of time for self-inflicted concussions before January.