Tracking your V-Performance Ride = Big $$$
- Thread starter jodakid69
- Start date
strohw
Seasoned Member
Did they give you a print out after they were finished with your alignment? The reason I ask is that the 4BW needs 2 adjustments to reach the full -2.4 to -2.5 chamber in the front. You need to adjust the top strut mount and rotate the steering knuckle. Each one is worth roughly -.5 chamber. That dealer invoice only shows the one adjustment.
JTugwell
Seasoned Member
Do you guys feel like you’re getting enough enjoyment from tracking the car to justify these costs? I’ve never taken my 4BW to the track, but always thought I would at some point. Wondering if the juice is worth the squeeze.
strohw
Seasoned Member
The numbers he posted aren't representative of novice to beginner group costs. You could go out this year 2 or 3 times at novice pace and change literally nothing in the car, just go to the track. It'll cost you nothing but the event fee plus gas/snacks/etc. And the wear on your tires/pads/rotors won't even be that noticeable.
I'd argue that they're not even representative of most track enthusiasts expenses. I can count on one hand, the amount of people I've met, that pay other people to do work on their cars for them. And they're tracking cars far, far, far more expensive than the 4BW.
The overwhelming majority of people that track their cars regularly are at least capable of doing basic maintenance and finding deals on consumables to keep costs low. This goes for track prepped car owners and street car owners that track their modern vehicle. On a brand new car with a warranty, the only labor expenses I would expect to pay are the mounting of tires and an alignment. Everything else, I can easily do in my garage for free.
Ungwei
Seasoned Member
I'm going to be doing a very short track experience in my 6 speed 4BW at lime rock 2 weeks from now involving 45 minutes autocross and 45 minutes on the road course doing lead follow, just to dip my toes into tracking my own car after doing v academy last year. Should I be getting an alignment from the dealership and do any other maintenance prep beyond a new oil change? I have the brake ducts installed already.
Tall Steve
Head Goat Herder
I do a track experience 5 days a week going down Central Expressway in Dallas......
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FrankRizzo
Seasoned Member
^ Likewise here too.
Muholland to Old Topanga to PCH and back to work 3x week!
On another note - someone please clue me in on these "brake ducts" for the 4BW. I did not know...
Muholland to Old Topanga to PCH and back to work 3x week!
On another note - someone please clue me in on these "brake ducts" for the 4BW. I did not know...
GoldGSF
Active Member
I hope you enjoy your time at lime rock park. Let us know how the 4BW fares throughout the day.
Matt27
Seasoned Member
Track Tapas? I did that in the spring. It's a great program!
You definitely don't need to do anything beyond oil.
PM me if you have any questions.
jodakid69
Seasoned Member
They said that they went the max and additional adjustments would require parts replacement -
jodakid69
Seasoned Member
Do you guys feel like you’re getting enough enjoyment from tracking the car to justify these costs? I’ve never taken my 4BW to the track, but always thought I would at some point. Wondering if the juice is worth the squeeze.
My advice would be to do a BMW Track Day and see if you get bit by the track bug. Did you go to SpringMountain for the Cadillac Driving School? Be careful though, because when the track bug bites it is going to be expensive.
I dropped about $30K in arrive and drive track sessions in 2022, including the notorious Nurburgring.
This year I am getting a lot more track time doing HPDE sessions in my CT4V-BW, but at local track not at high profile tracks that the driving school use - COTA, Laguna Seca, Road Atlanta, Nurburgring.
Head Hunter
Seasoned Member
I always thought DNT or GBH were better than 75/35 haha
Tall Steve
Head Goat Herder
Both of those road are like a super speedway! I travel down part of the PGBT in the morning and that's where I get my daily 100 in, lol.....
jodakid69
Seasoned Member
Check in your truck, lift the access panel. That is where I found mine. The dealer who performed the other work installed the front ducts for "free" since the wheels and other components were already being worked on. They only did the front ducts and said they could not install the rear ducts since the car would not be street-legal in PA with those parts installed.
Head Hunter
Seasoned Member
I looked in my trunk next to where the compressor, tow hook and gas funnel were located and found nothing but the brake protectors and the spring spacers. My dealer suggested I look below the cutout that contains the parts, but was unable to lift it as it's well secured. This led me to believe that they either forgot to include the parts at the dealership, or that they installed them inappropriately during the PDI they were told not to do. I have yet to climb underneath to verify either option at this point, but have told them to send me a full set either way.
FrankRizzo
Seasoned Member
Thanks for this!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I just checked and there is only the inflator.
Cooling ducts in the front would really help during track days. I dont care if if I have to buy them!
Any kinda pic that shows what they look like???
I just checked and there is only the inflator.
Cooling ducts in the front would really help during track days. I dont care if if I have to buy them!
Any kinda pic that shows what they look like???
FrankRizzo
Seasoned Member
Who did you tell to send you the parts??
Im in the same boat...
Im in the same boat...
JTugwell
Seasoned Member
I’m going to Spring Mountain next month, so we will see! There is a new track nearing completion about 10 mins from my house called Tampa Motor Enclave. Supposedly they will have a few 4BWs available for driving experiences and open for public track events occasionally. The temptation will be strong with something that close
travysh
Seasoned Member
Buy the parts yourself, then have the dealer install. You will get a better price than they will offer.
Maybe don't go to dealer at all. Brakes, fluids, these are all pretty basic maintenance items that any shop can take care of.
As I've learned, the general takeaway is - don't go to the dealer to do alignments.
A number of people have suggested buying the lifetime alignment service from Firestone Wheel Alignment Services | Firestone Complete Auto Care
It's significantly cheaper than even a single dealership alignment and, depending on the quality of your local shop..., better done as well.
One thing I'm toying with is taking my car to a Chevy dealership rather than Cadillac for any services I don't feel qualified to do myself. In the few times I've taken my car to the Cadillac dealership it's clear they are not accustomed to working on Blackwings, even stating that they were nervous to work on mine as they had messed up on others... So it's paying a premium and getting lower quality work done. Not great.
Maybe don't go to dealer at all. Brakes, fluids, these are all pretty basic maintenance items that any shop can take care of.
As I've learned, the general takeaway is - don't go to the dealer to do alignments.
A number of people have suggested buying the lifetime alignment service from Firestone Wheel Alignment Services | Firestone Complete Auto Care
It's significantly cheaper than even a single dealership alignment and, depending on the quality of your local shop..., better done as well.
One thing I'm toying with is taking my car to a Chevy dealership rather than Cadillac for any services I don't feel qualified to do myself. In the few times I've taken my car to the Cadillac dealership it's clear they are not accustomed to working on Blackwings, even stating that they were nervous to work on mine as they had messed up on others... So it's paying a premium and getting lower quality work done. Not great.
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