Newbie with a 2003 2.5i E85!

breezyloco · Post by **breezyloco** » Mon Jan 11, 2021 7:07 am

Greetings all from California!

I just picked up a 2.5i E85 5-spd manual (2003) about two months ago. I've been lurking on these forums for a bit, have always found great advice, so I decided I should introduce myself since I'm sure I'll be spending more time on here. Bought it at 85k miles, and so far I've just done some exterior touch ups... Put on some red roundels, a red wind restrictor, red door sills, and a red Pioneer radio head unit (you get the theme here

).

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Will be taking it to the track for the first time next weekend. What do you guys normally do to prepare? I've just changed most of my fluids (engine oil, gear oil, bled the brakes, topped off coolant) but would appreciate any tips.

Cheers!

jabber · Post by **jabber** » Mon Jan 11, 2021 4:50 pm

Hi and welcome liking the wind deflector

re the track day check you brake pads for wear level before and be prepared to replace brake fluid and the pads after especially if you give it a real hammering.

Haggisman · Post by **Haggisman** » Mon Jan 11, 2021 9:12 pm

breezyloco wrote: ↑Mon Jan 11, 2021 7:07 am Greetings all from California!

I just picked up a 2.5i E85 5-spd manual (2003) about two months ago. I've been lurking on these forums for a bit, have always found great advice, so I decided I should introduce myself since I'm sure I'll be spending more time on here. Bought it at 85k miles, and so far I've just done some exterior touch ups... Put on some red roundels, a red wind restrictor, red door sills, and a red Pioneer radio head unit (you get the theme here ).

Screen Shot 2021-01-10 at 10.02.49 PM.png

Screen Shot 2021-01-10 at 10.01.46 PM.png

Will be taking it to the track for the first time next weekend. What do you guys normally do to prepare? I've just changed most of my fluids (engine oil, gear oil, bled the brakes, topped off coolant) but would appreciate any tips.

Cheers!

Welcome to the forum and Z ownership. Great fun at track days, if it is your first take it easy and find someone who has done it before and can give some practical advice.
I would replace brake fluid before you go with a higher temperature one such as motul or ate, helps maintain the pedal pressure, check your pads as well, standard ones can deteriorate quickly with the higher temps. If enthusiastic your road tyres can go ‘off’ after a few laps.
Don’t be put off by the above, be sensible and enjoy the day respecting the car and your own ability. Let us know how you get on.

Mr Tidy · Post by **Mr Tidy** » Mon Jan 11, 2021 9:46 pm

Hi and welcome to the forum.

Enjoy your track day.

SCOTTY L · Post by **SCOTTY L** » Tue Jan 12, 2021 6:50 am

Hello and welcome.

breezyloco · Post by **breezyloco** » Thu Jan 14, 2021 6:45 am

Haggisman wrote: ↑Mon Jan 11, 2021 9:12 pm
breezyloco wrote: ↑Mon Jan 11, 2021 7:07 am Greetings all from California!

I just picked up a 2.5i E85 5-spd manual (2003) about two months ago. I've been lurking on these forums for a bit, have always found great advice, so I decided I should introduce myself since I'm sure I'll be spending more time on here. Bought it at 85k miles, and so far I've just done some exterior touch ups... Put on some red roundels, a red wind restrictor, red door sills, and a red Pioneer radio head unit (you get the theme here ).

Screen Shot 2021-01-10 at 10.02.49 PM.png

Screen Shot 2021-01-10 at 10.01.46 PM.png

Will be taking it to the track for the first time next weekend. What do you guys normally do to prepare? I've just changed most of my fluids (engine oil, gear oil, bled the brakes, topped off coolant) but would appreciate any tips.

Cheers!
Welcome to the forum and Z ownership. Great fun at track days, if it is your first take it easy and find someone who has done it before and can give some practical advice.
I would replace brake fluid before you go with a higher temperature one such as motul or ate, helps maintain the pedal pressure, check your pads as well, standard ones can deteriorate quickly with the higher temps. If enthusiastic your road tyres can go ‘off’ after a few laps.
Don’t be put off by the above, be sensible and enjoy the day respecting the car and your own ability. Let us know how you get on.

Thanks for the tips! Will do

brillomaster · Post by **brillomaster** » Thu Jan 14, 2021 11:30 am

if its your first time on track, my advice would be keep your on track sessions short (10-15 mins max), and do a warm up lap and (more importantly) a decent cool down lap before you come in. If the brakes start to fade or the tyres start to slide, back off and come in. And when you do park up, don't put the handbrake/e-brake on, just leave it in gear if its likely to roll away.

take a tyre pressure gauge and a pump - on track driving in California the tyre pressures will go up by 8-10psi when they get hot, you'll want to knock them back down. and then at the end of the day once they cool down again you might need to reinflate slightly to get home.

oh and check the engine oil, coolant level and brake fluid level before you start the day, and then again at lunchtime.

Reamesy · Post by **Reamesy** » Thu Jan 14, 2021 11:59 am

Welcome to the forum.

Some good advice from others above.

Ole gits rule · Post by **Ole gits rule** » Thu Jan 14, 2021 12:21 pm

Hello and welcome to the forum

Z4-forum.com

Z4-forum.com