'08 MS3 = track monster. Plus center cap question...

[Mifunego]

Hey all. I used to do a fair bit of autocrossing and track days back in my single, Audi-owning life. But kids came along and put that stuff on hold. I sold the Audi and the garage full of go-fast parts too. So our compromise for my replacement after a few years was the MS3; take the kids to day care during the week, and race on the weekend right? I haven't been back to the track in 4 years, so my skills were pretty weak by now, and I had no idea what the 'speed would do. So I did some minor mods (CP-e nano, test pipe, dogbone motor mount) and swapped in a set of HP+ pads and Superblue fluid. And hit the track with an instructor for a couple days.

Holy shnikies.

I could not believe how well this car ran the track. And I mean ran the track. Of course, the biggest variable is the nut behind the wheel, but I know I ain't THAT good. And I doubt everyone else was THAT bad. This car takes its track time seriously, and is pretty forgiving of my outta shape driving cred. I don't have video for proof, so I won't bother you with the arms-length list of cars and drivers that we just ate up over the two days, but suffice it to say that I couldn't afford any of 'em... By 2 or 3 times the price of the lowly 'speed. As some of you may know, there is a special feeling when you pass (over and over) cars on a race track that should, on paper, eat the Mazda for lunch. I highly doubt every one of those drivers was that bad, and like I said, I'm not much of a driver myself. Yeah, it could have been a combo of a lot of things. But by the third time you put a Cayman S (etc.) soundly in your rearview, and then lose him, you gotta start wondering just what kind of slayer they put together over in Hiroshima. Bottom line? If you get the opportunity to run at a track, especially with an instructor, just do it. By the way, I ran on the stock Bridgestones. Nothing to write home about, but entirely predictable, and they really talk to you. Just listen, and you'll know how close to the edge you are, traction-wise.

Oh yeah, the center caps. As I have been out of this scene for a while, I missed some of the little details. Like, make sure to remove your center caps before you hit the track. So they were removed for me. Not by the techs, but by Mother Nature (or Father Physics? whatever). Amazingly, I found two in the paddock, someone else found one and returned it to me, and the last one was laying on a table in the tech garage. Go figure. So I go to pop them back in, and they just fall right out. No click, no nothing. So I'm wondering, was there a wire ring that held them in place, or is it just a cap with some plastic hooks to keep it in place? I wouldn't mind putting them back in, as that rusty open center area just isn't all that cool looking. I'd prefer not to buy a new set if I didn't have to. Thanks.

[predapio]

Good story, would've been better with vids of you waving "goodbye" to the Cayman...lol

Next time.

[CTSpd6]

Sounds like you had a blast. I need to get out for a track day. What track were you running on?

[fastdreams]

Exactly what I love about this car.

It's so easy to drive at the limit, and it's limits are quite high for a FWD 3000+lb car.

In the novice and intermediate run groups at the track you will experience that phenomena of chewing up and spitting out high-end sports cars and sedans.

As you get back into the more advanced / solo run groups you'll find the drivers of the high end cars have gotten better (steeper learning curve in most sports cars compared to the MS3) and it gets even more fun because you can still give them fits with the MS3.

[skawt01]

ditto...where be the track?

[Mifunego]

Originally Posted by skawt01 ditto...where be the track?

BHF

[Ziggo]

Have you tried putting them back in after the wheels cooled off?

Congrats on the track time, I enjoy the hell out of mine on the track

[Mifunego]

So... no ideas about the center cap?

[kyoo]

What audi did you have before? The ms3 should be on par performance wise with *most* of the audis that existed up until a few years back honestly, despite its fwd.

[fastdreams]

Originally Posted by kyoo What audi did you have before? The ms3 should be on par performance wise with *most* of the audis that existed up until a few years back honestly, despite its fwd.

I have found mine (which is mildly modded) on a short twisty track to be on a par with the RS4, at least for lap times.

On the faster horsepower tracks it's close, but the high revving V8 has the advantage and pulls harder in the triple digits.

[MATT DAMOND]

They don't have a metal ring, just clips to secure them. They prob overheated and deformed a little. Check your dealer or ebay for replacements, they're not expensive.

I cannot wait to track my MS6 again, I've had to put it off the past few weeks, since I've been waiting for parts to come in, that I'll be testing.

[kyoo]

Originally Posted by fastdreams I have found mine (which is mildly modded) on a short twisty track to be on a par with the RS4, at least for lap times. On the faster horsepower tracks it's close, but the high revving V8 has the advantage and pulls harder in the triple digits.

how mildly modded? that's a bit surprising (impressive) to me

[fastdreams]

Originally Posted by kyoo how mildly modded? that's a bit surprising (impressive) to me

Tune, cheap coilovers, downpipe, intake, FMIC.

On 235/45-17 street tires on this track I run in the 1.33-1.32, and it's about the same for the two RS4's I've run with there. I run a 1.29-1.30 with Nitto NT01 in 255/40-17.
I ran a 1.33-1.34 with less mods, it's just more consistent in the heat now with the FMIC.

I don't think I'm a better driver than these two, they are both highly skilled. The recent run in with an RS4 at this track, the car had a few mods and wider street tires. Still ran a 1.33. The driver of this RS4 then hopped into his Viper ACR with huge hoosiers and ran a 1.22.

This is at Harris Hill Road, a fun track near San Marcos Texas. It's mostly a handling track but power is still useful in a lot of places. 1.30 time range is getting fast for a street car. The really good guys in well prepped and well driven track oriented street cars run in the mid to high 1.20's. My MS3 needs some suspension setup work to get much faster with me driving.

I haven't been to Texas World Speedway in a while, it's a great fun track but favors horsepower and aero a bit more.

Keep in mind the RS4 is nearly 4000 pounds. It is also the previous generation Audi chassis (B7) where there is a lot of weight in front of the front axle. At 6-7/10's pace, the RS4 is amazing and has incredibly high limits. But push it to 9-8/10's and well...it's weight and front heaviness become obstacles.

The B8 S4 should be interesting. Wish I had the money for that.

[Elder_MMHS]

The OEM center caps use plastic clips with a metal wire loop of some sort to support them.

I have a set of Kazera KZ-V wheels for lapping. During a session last season, the center caps on my front wheels fell off as I backed my car into my paddock spot. When I swapped my rear tires to the front for a more recent lapping day the centre caps fell off on those as well on my way back.

I'm guessing they deformed due to heat like yours, but those wheels don't have the wire loop like the OEM ones do.

[ms3077]

Cool story but the MS3 is most certainly not a slayer of Porsche Cayman S's. The Cayman S is right up there with the E92 M3 and 911 (non turbo).

I'm not doubting your story just making sure your not under the illusion that an MS3 is somehow superior to a Porsche Cayman S or even a base Cayman for that matter.

Often times people buy great cars but don't know how to drive them. The MS3 great for the price but no where near Porsche Cayman territory.

[Speedaway]

Originally Posted by ms3077 Cool story but the MS3 is most certainly not a slayer of Porsche Cayman S's. The Cayman S is right up there with the E92 M3 and 911 (non turbo). I'm not doubting your story just making sure your not under the illusion that an MS3 is somehow superior to a Porsche Cayman S or even a base Cayman for that matter. Often times people buy great cars but don't know how to drive them. The MS3 great for the price but no where near Porsche Cayman territory.

I agree with you, from what i read the cayman is right there with the 911 atmo.

Probably just mean that the cayman driver was really bad....

[Amazon]

Originally Posted by ms3077 Cool story but the MS3 is most certainly not a slayer of Porsche Cayman S's. The Cayman S is right up there with the E92 M3 and 911 (non turbo). I'm not doubting your story just making sure your not under the illusion that an MS3 is somehow superior to a Porsche Cayman S or even a base Cayman for that matter. Often times people buy great cars but don't know how to drive them. The MS3 great for the price but no where near Porsche Cayman territory.

Is there a revival or something going on?

[Teethkikr]

Here comes the hate.. I thought this fag was gone...

[phillyb]

with all the shit he tried to throw kevin's way, i'm kind of surprised he was let back here.

[super_pablo_]

lol....


what yo talkin bout man?.. my ms3 is damn near cayman s territory fool!... dont know about yours!

[Speedaway]

Originally Posted by super_pablo_ lol.... what yo talkin bout man?.. my ms3 is damn near cayman s territory fool!... dont know about yours!

All depends on the mod you got for sure, look at the op mods he doesnt have much done yet.

I know that i probably wont be able to be even close from a Cayman.

[ms3077]

Originally Posted by phillyb with all the shit he tried to throw kevin's way, i'm kind of surprised he was let back here.

Yeah with all the LIES and BULLSHIT you threw Kevin's way it's amazing I'm back right.


Kevin isn't an idiot. He now understands what was going on when I was banned.

You're a perfect example.

[phillyb]

Originally Posted by ms3077 Yeah with all the LIES and BULLSHIT you threw Kevin's way it's amazing I'm back right. Kevin isn't an idiot. He now understands what was going on when I was banned. You're a perfect example.

i was warned not to talk to you while you were back, so i'll ignore the bait and watch you dig another grave for yourself.
welcome back

[ms3077]

Originally Posted by Teethkikr Here comes the hate.. I thought this fag was gone...

The hate? No it's this thing called Reality.

The Porsche Cayman's mid engine drivetrain configuration is actually superior to the 911's full diaper when it comes to handling. Porsche keeps the Cayman neutered so that it doesn't Hurt 911 sales.

Just look up the lap times the Cayman S post. For example; Laguna Seca: 1:43.00 (MS3: 1:50.xx) Same as the E92 M3. The Ring: 8:06 ( MS3: 8:39.00) which is just 1 sec behind E92 M3's 8:05.

The Cayman S is consistently right there with the M3 and base 911's as I pointed out earlier. You would have to do an awful lot of modifying to get an MS3 at a similar level.

No ones raining on the OP's parade or even doubting his experience.

[ms3077]

Originally Posted by phillyb i was warned not to talk to you while you were back, so i'll ignore the bait and watch you dig another grave for yourself. welcome back

Ignore the bait?
Dig my own grave?

Yeah okay buddy.

[fastdreams]

If you haven't spent time driving your car at a racetrack then you are a benchracer and your opinion does not carry much weight. That bs magazine stuff has little to do with reality.

The Cayman S is hard to drive, as are many badass sports cars. I've passed many a nicer car on the track...its not the car its the driver. The ms3 is stupid easy to drive fast.

Alternatively, I've been passed like I'm sitting still by a spec boxster - not much power but if well driven can be very fast. miatas, mcoupes, vettes etc. It's the driver mostly, the tires, and the suspension setup.

Obviously, it also depends on the track. A place like the ring takes a lot of power and a lot of balls. A basic tuned ms3 with decent suspension and better tires would rape the 8 minute mark easily. I mean come on, a 3200 lb car with dinky ass 215 tires?! Fucking lame. That's me bench racing, but I'd bet I'm right

[digitaljedi]

Originally Posted by fastdreams If you haven't spent time driving your car at a racetrack then you are a benchracer and your opinion does not carry much weight. That bs magazine stuff has little to do with reality. The Cayman S is hard to drive, as are many badass sports cars. I've passed many a nicer car on the track...its not the car its the driver. The ms3 is stupid easy to drive fast. Alternatively, I've been passed like I'm sitting still by a spec boxster - not much power but if well driven can be very fast. miatas, mcoupes, vettes etc. It's the driver mostly, the tires, and the suspension setup. Obviously, it also depends on the track. A place like the ring takes a lot of power and a lot of balls. A basic tuned ms3 with decent suspension and better tires would rape the 8 minute mark easily. I mean come on, a 3200 lb car with dinky ass 215 tires?! Fucking lame. That's me bench racing, but I'd bet I'm right

you are 100 percent right, and you and I and anyone else who actually road race (the number that do on this board is scary low, why the fuck did you buy this car to drag race?, it's a mazda, its a road race car)

It's 100percent about tires and suspension. I am guessing the cayman s rocks what, 255 or 265 wide tires stock, that are a ton grippier than our tires. and it has a very advanced suspension, our car is a grocery getter. put 235 sticky tires, a real suspension (koni yellows with good springs) and good pads, and for sure you'd be in the low 8 minute range on the ring.

And I don't think the ring was empty when the ms3 ran, and was when the cayman s ran.

Same goes for laguna seca, not a particularly high speed track ( i ran there 2.5 years ago)

driver skill matters alot, but you are in classes for a reason, because you suck as much as that guy. my first day in hddp my instructor said i would be wasting his and my time at level 1 and 2, got bumped to 4 by day two.

I bought this car with the intention of making it my stripped down track car once I retried the 240, but it's not reliable enough when you start making power, unlike my 240, which never ever ever breaks. but the ms3 with even my set up (225's, cai, tp, koni yellows, cobb springs, hawk pads, fmic- everything else in my sig was taken off long ago) is a fucking track beast. on real tires, id have no fear running against a cayman s, and thats only like 2k in mods, and the way the car should have come stock.

keep it up op, and anyone else who has never road coursed, try it once and you are hooked forever, take that adrenaline rush you get for 13 seconds on the drag strip and drag it across 10 minutes at a time.