my first autox

[Bill 84 318i]

Yeah, plus a Sparco bar won't fit.

Do control arms/m3 bushings, tie rods if you feel like it, and toss a 12mm rear swaybar (which are available cheap) in there since you're already up a class.

Early 318's are fun and tossable. They can compete with 325i's on any given course given a good driver.

[318driver]

sparco bar is already in the mail. got it on the group buy.

it wont fit???? I was told it would, guess youd know better tho hah.

Since it was my first time i was deffinatly taking it slow at first, but toward the end i was getting some decent times compared to some of the other 325i's and 318is's.

I gota look into the points system more to see what i can upgrade and what not. They gave me like 7 or 8 points for the suspension. and then another 3 points because of the euro weaves 1in taller .5 in wider.

bill, how come you say only a 12mm sway bar and not upgrade the front and the back to some sways from a m3. Will this bump me up in points too much?

[PeaveyBassist]

About the understeer problem... I usually have that same problem. I have someone who is more knoweldgable ride with me. The understeer is caused by turning TOO much trying to "overdrive" the front tires. Basically pushing them past their limits. Try going a little slower and turning the steering wheel less. It might end up making you faster. It made me a LOT faster. Have other more experienced people ride with you as well. I have only done 2 autox's and having that other person tell you what to do different really helps.

Will

[nando]

car looks good, except for those poor sidemakers :(

sounds like you started off right in autox, going slow and pushing it later. the first time you should try to just not get lost, you won't get any time at all if you miss half the course..

[Bill 84 318i]

No dice on the Sparco.

I noticed a decent difference when I put a 12mm rear bar on my stock car. But that was a LONG time ago.

I say fuck points, you shouldn't be trying to be competitive this early in your 'career or whatever'. Get the car feeling solid, then work on you.

[asubimmer]

i thought you had to put spacers under the sparco bar

[318driver]

hmmm, sparco doesnt fit huh?
its in the mail so i guess ill give it a try anyways.

hey bill do you still have your 318? In the NJ area at all anymore?
your right tho, screw the points system, im doing it all for fun and to try to improve my driving. Maybe some day along the line ill worry about competting.

I have to say, one of the faster cars on the track was an old gti rabbit, The thing was killing it on all the turns. Getting low 50s every time and keeping up with alot of the the cars with alot more motor work. I consider my 318 the same way, its nto the fastest but is one of the lightest and handles well. As i become a better driver ill deffinatly be able to keep of with alot of the guys out there.

i deffinatly was overdriving the front tires. A deffinate correction i need to make for next year, my front tires got eaten up real bad.

[318driver]

http://www.njbmwcca.org/util/get_file.php?file_id=70

heres the results if anyone cares. I finished first in my class

[Bill 84 318i]

Yeah...I'm sure the fusebox could be twisted or moved or something, but it's a teeny bit tougher to relocate the dizzy.

I still have the 318, but I'm rarely up in NJ - I mainly come up for holidays these days, and I usually take the Honda. If a meet or something happens to correspond with a weekend I'm coming up, I'll take the 318.

[PeaveyBassist]

I have no more input really. I just wanted to say that you have taken constructive criticism well. I'm glad you didnt get all shitty with me about the front tires thing. I dont know it all and I still have a lot to learn/improve on. I wont be caring about points either. :) Keep up on the autox's. If you arent already, I think youll be addicted.

Will

[318driver]

I have no more input really. I just wanted to say that you have taken constructive criticism well. I'm glad you didnt get all shitty with me about the front tires thing. I dont know it all and I still have a lot to learn/improve on. I wont be caring about points either. :) Keep up on the autox's. If you arent already, I think youll be addicted.

Will

oh, im addicted. When i came off of my 2nd run(1st run by myself) the guy that was operating the staging area(drove a sick sick 87 red porshe) said that i looked like i was having too much fun and had a huge smile on my face when i came off the track.

[PeaveyBassist]

I think its SOOO much fun. Even if I have a bad run :) And as for classes, I dont really worry about it. I think that I will make the car however I want to regardless of how many "points" it gives me or what class it puts me in. Being competitive is all fine and well until it takes all the fun out of it ;)

Will

[Sean]

Slow down to go fast. It's key. Numerous times I find myself going too hot into turns. Brake harder and stomp on it on the way out. You'll be AMAZED at how much time that shaves off. I've shaved off 2 seconds doing that before.

Plowing slows you down a lot more then just slowing down and accelerating on your own.

Good job out there! Keep it up! Autocrossing is a firggen blast!!! :D