I am close to trading my 97' M3/4 for a EVO. I normally due a couple of track days a year and am concerned the evo won't be as bullet proof as my M3. Anyone had a few track sessions in thier EVO and how did it fair after?

 

ive heard the evo is as good of a track car as it is a rally car. Its got a nice oil cooler down next to the intercooler and everything.

 

I've used it for several track days last year. No problems at all. Before you even buy anything, I would go get an alignment.

 

what do u mean? An alignment for the track? Cuz my wheel doesnt turn to any side when i let go... Plz explain?

 

Yes, The car can out slamon a M3,S4 and 911.

 

Elaborate........... because it was bad from the factory?

 

I used my Evo at 4 track weekends last year, including two BMWCCA driving schools. No mechanical problems at all.

As with any car, you have to prepare the brakes properly. The stock pads worked fine for me, but with the mitsu brake air guides and the rotor dust shield partially cut away.

BTW, I passed a lot of M3's at these events!

 

From the factory most Evo's Camber and Toe are all messed up. If you want your Advans to last, and get the best possible handling, you will need to get your car aligned. There are a bunch of threads on this.

 

What he means is that lots of Evo's came from the factory with non-spec alignment (rear toe especially). Take it to a shop and have them perform an alignment check (and adjustment). My advice is to change the front camber, it'll help reduce power-on understeer. As far as the Evo being a good track car, I'd say it's easily as much fun as an E36 (97) M3 and better than an E46 (2001) M3.

Just make sure you've got enough air in your tires and you should be good.

 

That's good to hear!

 

There a a number of threads discussing alignments for the track. With the stock suspension, max the front negative camber, set the rear camber to about -0.5 degrees, and have zero toe back and rear.

The factory alignment has too much negative camber at the rear and too little at the front. This gives some mild understeer and too much tire rollover. With the above settings the handling is pretty neutral.

 

Thanks TSI. I am familiar with all of those adjustments-

 

You think mitsu will do an alignment check for me? Or do u think i should even have them do it? I could probably get them to throw it in for free. Is that a good move?

 

The back AND the rear?

 

I'm obviously fixated on rear ends!!!

When I bought my Evo, I made it a stipulation-of-sale that the dealership would align it to my specs. They agreed without a blink - pretty easy on their part.