F8X BMW: All you need to know to go fast with one ...

F8X vs. E46 vs. E9X vs. F3X

Why this explicit era of BMW? Let’s begin with the E46. These vehicles are roughly 20 years previous. “With the E46 elements, we’re seeing a whole lot of stuff go NLA,” says Phil. “The elements provide is golden on F-chassis vehicles.”

One era newer, and also you get the E9X and with it a V8. Actually good, certainly, nevertheless it’s not sooner than the F8X, says Phil.

“BMW has been upping the efficiency with each new era,” Phil says. “Sure, they get a little bit bit heavier, however, every little thing else, that F8X automotive does higher.”

After which there’s the up to date cousin to the F8X, the F3X. We felt that the F3X held a lot potential that now we have a 2015 BMW 435i as a undertaking automotive. The F8X, although, presents extra energy, a extra responsive DCT, a restricted slip with a stepper motor, larger brakes and wider fenders flares for larger tires.

“This all comes with a price ticket distinction,” Phil reminds us. “Count on to pay most likely double for an F8X, however relying on the instance it may find yourself being extra. The F3X is an wonderful automotive, nonetheless.”

What to Search for When Shopping for One

The F8X got here in a number of trim ranges: normal, Competitors, CS and the GTS.

“If you happen to’re one that desires to take it to the monitor and never modify it, possibly a CS or GTS is your possibility,” says Phil. “They’ll be a little bit extra money up entrance, however they’ll be a little bit extra succesful. Nevertheless, in the event you’re an individual who’s going to place a tune on a automotive, set up a greater suspension, match wider wheels and tires–you know, go the GTMore route–all that stuff from the CS and GTS isn’t going to matter.”

Sedan (M3) or coupe (M4)?

{Photograph} Courtesy BMW

“That might come down to non-public desire,” Phil says. “However a coupe goes to be about 50 kilos lighter than a sedan.”

Six-speed guide or a seven-speed DCT?

“If lap time is what you’re after, then the DCT is what you wish to do,” says Phil. “I used to be as soon as a stickler for a guide. However, after I first drove a automotive with a DCT, I used to be like, ‘Oh, I can’t shift that quick.’”

{Photograph} Courtesy BMW

Carbon ceramic brakes or iron ones?

“The lighter weight of ceramic brakes could be a profit,” Phil says. “However you’re locked right into a 19-inch wheel with that system. If it’s a must to do a substitute for that rotor, it’s like $3000 a nook. Having an iron disc is my desire and now we have cost-effective iron conversion kits, however you’re nonetheless locked into 19-inch wheels, which get you into dearer tires and extra value down the road.”

{Photograph} Courtesy BMW

So far as discovering a very good instance, you should definitely search for indicators of those vehicles being abused on monitor, as some have been. Being a particular automotive, although, many have been handled as weekend rides and garaged in any other case. Phil says, so long as they’ve been handled properly, the F8X is pretty dependable. Nevertheless, it isn’t immune from points.

“They’ve their typical BMW oil leaks,” says Phil. “These are valve cowl gasket, oil pan and oil filter housing. The opposite subject that’s widespread with this stuff is the crank hub subject. At larger energy ranges–usually vehicles which have been tuned–the crank hub can slip and mess with timing. Usually, the ECU catches it earlier than any piston-to-valve contact by going into limp mode. However it’s potential to have a catastrophic subject.

“There’s a answer for that,” Phil continues. “We put in a four-pin-end crank hub that’s safer in protecting the engine in time. The manufacturing facility system simply makes use of friction washers and torque on the entrance crank hub bolt, and that’s the one factor holding it collectively. If somebody has upgraded the crank hub, it’s most likely a very good signal they’ve taken excellent care of the automotive, as a result of it’s not the most affordable factor to get accomplished.”

Pictures Credit score: J.A. Ackley

And sure, the F8X additionally has points with plastic elements, like different BMWs.

“Cost pipes fail at instances due to elevated increase or due to a lot warmth, and warmth is tough on plastic,” Phil says. “Some individuals put aluminum cost pipes in to unravel that.”

Let’s Go Motorsport It

It doesn’t take a lot to get an F8X out on monitor or at an autocross. “Throw some brake pads on it, hit all of the fluids and go have some enjoyable,” Phil advises.

It doesn’t take a lot to enhance an F8X, both. Phil recommends changing these cost pipes with aluminum ones, for reliability functions, after which putting in camber plates.

“There isn’t any camber adjustability on the entrance from the manufacturing facility,” says Phil. “That’s a very good low-hanging fruit for extra efficiency.”

After that, the trail is evident as to what’s subsequent for Phil.

“Suspension is my first go-to, because it’s the muse,” says Phil. “I go away energy to later. One thing that surprises individuals is how a lot suspension impacts the braking. It advantages brake efficiency by not throwing all the burden across the automotive.”

What sort of suspension depends upon what you propose to make your F8X do.

{Photograph} Courtesy BimmerWorld

“If you happen to’re going to dual-purpose it, one thing like a one-way non-remote setup that may deal with decently excessive spring charges to assist the automotive could be an incredible package deal,” Phil says. “If you happen to’re going to do heavy monitor use, you are able to do one thing just like the GTMore suspension package deal, which not solely offers you the platform for higher suspension dealing with but additionally has some tweaks with it that permits you to match wider wheels and tires. It does have some compromises. You scale back your turning radius by a little bit bit. However James Clay drove that setup throughout One Lap of America and he was impressed with how properly it dealt with the highway. The GTMore with a high-rate spring and correct damper package deal rode smoother than a more moderen truck.”

Subsequent, sq. that wheel-and-tire setup.

“Sq. goes to get the steadiness of the automotive so that you get extra front-end grip,” says Phil. “A smaller tire up entrance will make it understeer and, with a BMW, we’re all the time in search of extra front-end grip.”

The excellent news, you may go wider simply with the F8X.

“The usual suspension can match a 295 tire up entrance,” Phil says. “If you wish to go the subsequent stage, corresponding to our GTMore-like package deal, then 315s match simply.”

Now’s the purpose you need to go for upgraded brakes. It gained’t solely assist you to cease higher, although.

“Our Alcon six-piston package deal is lighter,” says Phil. “We will additionally shed some weight with wheels and tires.”

Lastly, now you may contemplate energy. Bear in mind, the F8X comes with 420 to 480 horses from the manufacturing facility as is.

“They don’t want extra energy, however who doesn’t need extra?” Phil says. “It’s tremendous straightforward to show it up. There are many software program choices that add 100-plus horsepower straightforward, even on the inventory turbos.”

Pictures Credit score: Chris Tropea

Nevertheless, with extra horsepower comes drawbacks.

“If you improve horsepower, you’re going to extend warmth,” says Phil. “You could must improve cooling in the event you’re doing 20- to 30-minute runs. If you happen to’re doing autocross, you’ll most likely be okay. We needed to throw the entire PWR suite at GTMore. We additionally did larger turbos. We’re making 750 to 800 wheel horsepower in that automotive.”

Total, the BMW F8X is a superb platform to exit and do motorsport issues.

“Will probably be a compliant, enjoyable road automotive, and an superior monitor automotive,” Phil says. “It’s succesful out of the gates and it solely will get much more succesful.”