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

F8X vs. E46 vs. E9X vs. F3X

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 These automobiles are roughly 20 years outdated.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

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

“BMW has been upping the efficiency with each new technology,” Phil says. “Sure, they get a little bit bit heavier, however, all the pieces else, that F8X automobile 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 challenge automobile. The F8X, although, affords 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 might find yourself being extra. The F3X is an superb automobile, nonetheless.”

What to Search for When Shopping for One

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

“Should you’re one that needs to take it to the monitor and never modify it, perhaps a CS or GTS is your choice,” says Phil. “They’ll be a little bit more cash up entrance, however they’ll be a little bit extra succesful. Nonetheless, when you’re an individual who’s going to place a tune on a automobile, 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 private choice,” Phil says. “However a coupe goes to be about 50 kilos lighter than a sedan.”

Six-speed handbook or a seven-speed DCT?

“If lap time is what you’re after, then the DCT is what you need to do,” says Phil. “I used to be as soon as a stickler for a handbook. However, after I first drove a automobile 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 you need to do a substitute for that rotor, it’s like $3000 a nook. Having an iron disc is my choice 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 instance, be sure you search for indicators of those automobiles being abused on monitor, as some have been. Being a particular automobile, although, many have been handled as weekend rides and garaged in any other case. Phil says, so long as they’ve been handled nicely, the F8X is pretty dependable. Nonetheless, 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 difficulty that’s frequent with this stuff is the crank hub difficulty. At greater energy ranges–sometimes automobiles which were 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 doable to have a catastrophic difficulty.

“There’s a answer for that,” Phil continues. “We put in a four-pin-end crank hub that’s safer in conserving 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 signal they’ve taken excellent care of the automobile, as a result of it’s not the most cost effective factor to get accomplished.”

Pictures Credit score: J.A. Ackley

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

“Cost pipes fail at instances due to elevated increase or due to a lot warmth, and warmth is difficult 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 a camber adjustability on the entrance from the manufacturing facility,” says Phil. “That’s 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 inspiration,” 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 load across the automobile.”

What sort of suspension relies on what you propose to make your F8X do.

{Photograph} Courtesy BimmerWorld

“Should you’re going to dual-purpose it, one thing like a one-way non-remote setup that may deal with decently excessive spring charges to help the automobile can be an awesome bundle,” Phil says. “Should you’re going to do heavy monitor use, you are able to do one thing just like the GTMore suspension bundle, 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 nicely it dealt with the street. The GTMore with a high-rate spring and correct damper bundle rode smoother than a more recent truck.”

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

“Sq. goes to get the stability of the automobile 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 at all times 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 degree, equivalent to our GTMore-like bundle, then 315s match simply.”

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

“Our Alcon six-piston bundle is lighter,” says Phil. “We are able to 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 simple to show it up. There are many software program choices that add 100-plus horsepower simple, even on the inventory turbos.”

Pictures Credit score: Chris Tropea

Nonetheless, with extra horsepower comes drawbacks.

“Once you enhance horsepower, you’re going to extend warmth,” says Phil. “You could have to improve cooling when you’re doing 20- to 30-minute runs. Should you’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 automobile.”

General, the BMW F8X is a good platform to exit and do motorsport issues.

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