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Went to the track evening at Donington Park last night (07/06). Was great fun having never driven Donny before but been a spectator at various BTCC and British Superbike events. There were a lot of different cars there including 2 Porsche GT3 RSs and a McLaren 600LT. I was doing the National circuit (without the hairpin). The track is great, I especially love the craner curves into old hairpin section, very challenging when the tail goes light over the crest.

In terms of my car, it performed fantastically. The new Brembo 4 pots at the front combined with the XP8 pads are perfect, great pedal feel and amazing braking performance. I was even able to out-brake some of the much lighter track oriented hatchbacks (Civic Type Rs and supercharged Minis) despite the additional weight!

I could tell at times I was overheating the tyres towards the end of each stint as it would get a little squirrely under braking and on exit of some of the sharper corners.

There was also a bit of brake judder as I was nearing the end of the evening. Since there was no steering wheel wobble, the rear pads and discs are still old and it very much felt like it was coming through the seat (from behind) I have deduced its the rear brakes not the new fronts. I was planning to replace the discs and pads (and refurb the calipers), but didn't have time before this track day.

Oh, and here are some pictures in the paddock and pitlane (track pictures to follow):

Cool

Few more photos on the actual track as promised:

Donnington is a great track - it sounds like you had a great evening there.

Finally got round to finishing the rear brake refurb including:

• New handbrake shoes and mechanism

• New brake discs (MTEC grooved)

• New calipers (badly painted red by yours truly)

• Refurbed carriers (again badly painted red)

• New EBC Yellowstuff brake pads

• 12mm spacers

Look at that pad/caliper colour clash!!

Also, handbrake shoe replacement and adjustment is a !

Great 3rd track day with the Z4 (2nd full day) at Bedford Autodrome and I'm pleased to say the car is holding up brilliantly to the continued "abuse"

The car is now at a pretty stable "stock-ish" build where it can be driven to various track days throughout the year, have a great time with no issues and then be driven home again.

I do of course have some things I want to change after this last one which include (not limited to):

• H&R ARBs (front and rear)

• Adjustable rear camber arms (need more rear camber)

• LSD (my poor wallet)

• Maybe coilovers (again my poor wallet)

Oh and here are some pics

Car looks great. I have my first track day at Donnington in November, so I have a list of jobs to do and this thread is great reading

I've got the same Mégane setup as you, but with genuine BMW E46 M3 discs (two piece but not floating). Really pleased with it - what did you do about brake hoses?

I also fitted a set of H+R ARBs earlier this year and highly recommend them. With both on max stiffness the car tended to understeer particularly in long fast corners. Much better with the front on the less stiff setting.

nfo wrote: ↑Sat Sep 11, 2021 10:32 pm I've got the same Mégane setup as you, but with genuine BMW E46 M3 discs (two piece but not floating). Really pleased with it - what did you do about brake hoses?

I also fitted a set of H+R ARBs earlier this year and highly recommend them. With both on max stiffness the car tended to understeer particularly in long fast corners. Much better with the front on the less stiff setting.

Interesting, I really need to get some genuine BMW E46 M3 discs next time, I think the MTEC ones have warped slightly. Where did you get yours from?

Brake hoses wise, I am using HEL braided hoses in black at the front and stock ones rear currently. I may swap the rears out for braided at some point, but its not on the top of my list to do.

Having never heard of Blyton Park until a couple of months ago when I was invited along by a mate with an MX5 I can safely say its a brilliant little technical track!

Its very clear when battling with his turbo charged NA MX5 that puts out around 230 bhp that the Z4 struggles with weight transfer in the tight chicanes but excels during the medium and high speed corners.

Had 1 spin the entire day on entry into Jochen as I carried too much speed and went wide onto the oil spill powder. Spun me round just onto the concrete run off by the chicane, no harm done

Unfortunately I mullered the front right tyre by lunchtime due to overheating, not enough front camber and running wide onto the concrete too often. Luckily my mate brought a jack and I was able to swap front left and right to carry on for the rest of the day.

Here are the obligatory pictures (and video from my mate's MX5: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knfsVBaMDPQ)

Nice to see a Z4 used properly! What coilovers and LSD are you considering?

iiNNeX wrote: ↑Tue Sep 14, 2021 3:08 am Nice to see a Z4 used properly! What coilovers and LSD are you considering?

Thanks bud!

LSD will likely be a Quaife if I can find someone who can fit it for less than £800 (what Birds have quoted me)! I don't have any experience with setting backlash so not keen on attempting it myself.

In terms of coilovers, I will probably hold off for a bit until I've got some H&R stiffer ARBs. I drive the car nearly daily and don't want to ruin the ride on the road completely. If I was going to get some it will likely be BC Racing as long as the ride height doesn't drop too much because I already nearly scrape coming off my drive (steep drive paired with cambered road).

Cool

As mentioned on the what have you done to your car today post I changed the DISA flap using the X8R kit. The pin holding the OEM one in was slightly raised and there was a little play in the flap too.
Peace of mind and all that.

Next up headlights and VANOS.

TheDan wrote: ↑Sun Sep 12, 2021 10:56 am

nfo wrote: ↑Sat Sep 11, 2021 10:32 pm I've got the same Mégane setup as you, but with genuine BMW E46 M3 discs (two piece but not floating). Really pleased with it - what did you do about brake hoses?

I also fitted a set of H+R ARBs earlier this year and highly recommend them. With both on max stiffness the car tended to understeer particularly in long fast corners. Much better with the front on the less stiff setting.

Interesting, I really need to get some genuine BMW E46 M3 discs next time, I think the MTEC ones have warped slightly. Where did you get yours from?

Brake hoses wise, I am using HEL braided hoses in black at the front and stock ones rear currently. I may swap the rears out for braided at some point, but its not on the top of my list to do.

I've got HEL braided lines on the rear, wasn't 100% sold on how they fitted and sealed (different to OEM) but haven't had any issues in several years.

I got the discs from Cotswold BMW via eBay.

I increased my front camber to around -3 degrees and I am no longer destroying tyre shoulders like that. I was at Thruxton on Friday and the wear on the fronts was very even.