My M235i goes to the strip...

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So, I took the M235i to the local 1/8 mile drag strip last night. It was a "Test and Tune" night, so there was no real competition going on. For my first run I used the launch control feature; I spun the tires through the first three gears and ran a 10.09- roughly equivalent to a 15.74 second quarter. Meh. For the remainder of my runs I just put the car and transmission in Sport and just drove it out of the hole. I finally got my ET down to 8.59- or a 13.4 second quarter- not too bad. My reaction times were horrible as always- the result of only going to the strip one or two times per year.

I'm pretty sure that it was the fastest pure stock car running; most every other car had at least one or two mods. Traction was the limiting factor; with an engine that makes 332 lb ft of torque from 1400rpm to 4500rpm the car definitely needs a limited slip diff for both HPDEs and the strip. That said, it was still a lot of fun.
M235i%20OVD_zpscvj16g5b.jpg
 
Originally Posted By: turtlevette
We wanted a picture of you doing a Smokey burnout.


Give the people what they want.
 
Originally Posted By: turtlevette
We wanted a picture of you doing a Smokey burnout.


I might have a video later.
 
Originally Posted By: Rand
What tires are you running?


The OEM Michelin Pilot Super Sports- not the hot ticket for the strip...
 
My work sponsored the NHRDA (diesel) drag racing series, theres a diesel BMW sedan that shows up when he can, fun to see everyone's face when he beats a truck. Right around 500 horsepower when I asked him last, low to mid 12's iirc. Photo from Instagram posted by the_vroom_enthusiast
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: MCompact
Originally Posted By: Rand
What tires are you running?


The OEM Michelin Pilot Super Sports- not the hot ticket for the strip...


Nothing short of a drag slick is going to hook you solid, especially without some form of limited slip. I found my M5 launched reasonably well with the PSS's, definitely significantly better than the Goodyear Eagle RSA's that were on the Charger but they aren't drag tires for sure.

I think you'd find a huge difference with limited slip. Have you looked into the upgrade cost?
 
Originally Posted By: SpencerHSS
My work sponsored the NHRDA (diesel) drag racing series, theres a diesel BMW sedan that shows up when he can, fun to see everyone's face when he beats a truck. Right around 500 horsepower when I asked him last, low to mid 12's iirc. Photo from Instagram posted by the_vroom_enthusiast



Cool! Those diesels are torque monsters.
 
Originally Posted By: OVERKILL
Originally Posted By: MCompact
Originally Posted By: Rand
What tires are you running?


The OEM Michelin Pilot Super Sports- not the hot ticket for the strip...


Nothing short of a drag slick is going to hook you solid, especially without some form of limited slip. I found my M5 launched reasonably well with the PSS's, definitely significantly better than the Goodyear Eagle RSA's that were on the Charger but they aren't drag tires for sure.

I think you'd find a huge difference with limited slip. Have you looked into the upgrade cost?


Yep; around $2600 all in. It's especially aggravating considering that all the V8 ponycars(not to mention the BRZ, Civic Si, GTI, and Miata) get limited slips either standard or for a nominal cost.
mad.gif
 
Originally Posted By: MCompact
Originally Posted By: OVERKILL
Originally Posted By: MCompact
Originally Posted By: Rand
What tires are you running?


The OEM Michelin Pilot Super Sports- not the hot ticket for the strip...


Nothing short of a drag slick is going to hook you solid, especially without some form of limited slip. I found my M5 launched reasonably well with the PSS's, definitely significantly better than the Goodyear Eagle RSA's that were on the Charger but they aren't drag tires for sure.

I think you'd find a huge difference with limited slip. Have you looked into the upgrade cost?


Yep; around $2600 all in. It's especially aggravating considering that all the V8 ponycars(not to mention the BRZ, Civic Si, GTI, and Miata) get limited slips either standard or for a nominal cost.
mad.gif




Yeah I find it odd that the M235i didn't come with a limited slip. It should come on M-sport equipped cars also, but that would probably defy BMW bean counter logic.
 
Originally Posted By: jeepman3071

Yeah I find it odd that the M235i didn't come with a limited slip. It should come on M-sport equipped cars also, but that would probably defy BMW bean counter logic.


Back in 1995 I was able to order a limited slip on my 318ti for $500($795 adjusted for inflation). You can get an M Performance LSD installed at port but I bought my car as a CPO.
 
Awesome! I haven't seen many BMWs at my local strips. I bet with some good traction on a cool day you'd be in the low 13s or high 12s with that beast. My 2008 Mustang ran a 13.4 in the 1/4, and I know your BMW would smoke that time.

What width/type of tires are you running? I am surprised the M235 doesn't include a limited slip. Then again BMWs limited slips are probably pretty advanced and expensive. The one in my Mustang does its job, but at the same time I bet the electronic brake diff in your BMW would do much better in most situations maybe other than straight line.
 
Originally Posted By: MCompact
Originally Posted By: OVERKILL
Originally Posted By: MCompact
Originally Posted By: Rand
What tires are you running?


The OEM Michelin Pilot Super Sports- not the hot ticket for the strip...


Nothing short of a drag slick is going to hook you solid, especially without some form of limited slip. I found my M5 launched reasonably well with the PSS's, definitely significantly better than the Goodyear Eagle RSA's that were on the Charger but they aren't drag tires for sure.

I think you'd find a huge difference with limited slip. Have you looked into the upgrade cost?


Yep; around $2600 all in. It's especially aggravating considering that all the V8 ponycars(not to mention the BRZ, Civic Si, GTI, and Miata) get limited slips either standard or for a nominal cost.
mad.gif



Yeah, I found it mind boggling that my M5 came with it but my sister's 330i Performance didn't
crazy2.gif
 
In the short term you need better tyres, in a month or two a diff. For the strip.

More urgently than either of those two, big brakes are a must on absolutely everything. Safer and faster is a win/win
smile.gif
 
Originally Posted By: Olas
In the short term you need better tyres, in a month or two a diff. For the strip.

More urgently than either of those two, big brakes are a must on absolutely everything. Safer and faster is a win/win
smile.gif



The M235i comes with the M Sport brake package- four piston front calipers with 13.4" rotors and two piston rear calipers with 13.6" rotors.
 
How do you find the PSS compared to the 200TW autocross cheater tires? I got a ride in a Mustang GT last weekend at autocross, he had wide 235,245? 200TW stickies and it was pretty violent in 1st gear, and in braking, and that was on old pavement...
I'd think on a prepared track it could be power shifted into 2nd without alot of wheelspin?
 
Originally Posted By: IndyIan
How do you find the PSS compared to the 200TW autocross cheater tires? I got a ride in a Mustang GT last weekend at autocross, he had wide 235,245? 200TW stickies and it was pretty violent in 1st gear, and in braking, and that was on old pavement...
I'd think on a prepared track it could be power shifted into 2nd without alot of wheelspin?



I ran 200TW Dunlop Star Specs on the ti; I usually ran out of courage before I ran out of grip- but that was in a lighter car with a high-strung 1.8 liter engine that makes less than 1/2. the hp of the 2 Series. I also ran the MPSS on my Mazdaspeed 3 and they were decent on acceleration but they really excelled in braking and cornering.
 
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