Good day all. New guy here and looking for track specific r53 data to complement my research on r53 reliability, modability and support. So far I like what Ive seen about the chassis but how good is it for track work.

However before getting into further detail, Id like to provide some background.

Been driving BMW's on racetracks for 10 years and am at 75+ lifetime track days with 50 or so of those days at Watkins Glen but I have driven/raced VIR, Road Atlanta, SPR, NJMP (lightning and T-Bolt), LRP and Mid-O.

The majority of my experience is in e36 M3s.

I am an active BMWCCA Club racer and Instructor and the current whip is a e36 M3 built to comply with BMW Club Race Prepared rules ( IP ). Its worth mentioning that my formative track forays were in a track prepped 1.9L Z3 and a e30 318is and I credit those 4 cylinder cars as being the foundation on which I built my driving and instruction skills on.

While my M3 is a potent race car capable of running 2:07s at the Glen and finishing in the top 5 at BMW club races, after 5 years developing the car and 3 seasons of club racing I think I am getting tired of the race grind, expense and living with a purpose built race car. Its starting to loose the fun factor.

That said, I am exploring simplifying my track activities by going back to my roots of HPDE's/open tracking/instructing and thinking of building a semi DD/track car that can tow a tire trailer / tool box.

That said, what can one expect going from a nearly perfectly balanced, aero equiped, RWD, 2650lb, 270HP race car to a modestly powered r53 with the basic track accoutrements such as suspension, tires and brakes.

I understand that there is no comparison between the two chassis but Im talking about basic vehicle dynamics.

Of the top of my head I expect more understeer, quick rotation on corner entry, ability to rotate the chassis mid corner using the throttle only, patience on uphill track sections. Chassis would use up more front tires than rear, being pulled out of corners rather than pushed, torque steer, etc.

Service and maintenance:
Having looked at the r53 chassis mechanicals, it looks like a pretty simple car with decent access to service, major components with some cool sub-assemblies. How durable are the mechanicals?

Consumables:
I would also (perhaps naively so) expect r53 to use less consumables and replacement thereof to be less expensive. Sooo smitten by 15" wheels and tires and am aware of limitations on brake system sizing and available market solutions.

Lastly, I can say that I have had one interesting experience with a r53 on track. It was a damn quick D-Mod car. During a race a Thunderbolt a few years ago the driver of the r53 overcooked T1 and smacked into my passenger side door at the apex at 65+ MPH. As a result I had to replace my door and had to have my rocker panel fixed (bent in over 1"). The r53 lost its drivers side mirror, broke a headlight and had to abandon a subsequent race due to a failing halfshaft (damaged by the contact). Tough little cars.

Any feedback is most welcome and appreciated.

 

I would pm Veggivet and s-driver to ask them what they think. They have been running r53 for three plus years by now.