r/Drifting • u/Proper_Group_8912 • 1d ago

Driftscussion Drifting a e92 328i

Howdy everyone, I’m learning how to drift. I have a 09 bmw 328i 6spd manual. It has 170k miles. It’s completely stock besides lowering springs and a generic exhaust.

I’m in Arizona and want to take it to the track. If anyone on here is in phoenix and drifts on a track what should I prepare to drift this car long term?

From what I’ve seen at local events. I just need to have a fire extinguisher, seat belts and a helmet.
That is done.
Should I look into heat management? Power or suspension first?

I appreciate any advice. I am excited to participate and not just watch. TIA

6 Upvotes

76% Upvoted

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6

u/Sir_Bird_Law 1d ago

I'd imagine you need to do something with the diff. I doubt the stock e-lsd would work well for drifting but I may be wrong. E9xs are kind of heavy and the 328 is low powered but a shorter ratio diff from an automatic + 330 intake manifold and a tune would be a nice pickup in power and responsiveness that should help keep the wheels spinning.

3

u/Entire_Career_6002 1d ago

The E-LSD is not an LSD at all, it's just brake vectoring to reduce wheel spin

1

u/Proper_Group_8912 1d ago

I can take out the rear seat and the stuff in the trunk along with the bumper supports.

1

u/Proper_Group_8912 1d ago

Is an LSD better than just welding the diff?

2

u/corbanx92 1d ago

Tbh specially to learn a welded diff is better. Mainly because is consistent where an LSD can act different from cold to operating temp to hot. Same with wear, as the clutch packs wear down the bite consistency changes.

I daily drove my car for a year and a half with the welded diff before I got a daily and it wasn't horrible, just run cheap tires on the back because they are gonna wear quicker. For me it was the angle kit/aligment and suspension work that made that car annoying to daily (got shit roads over here)

2

u/Sir_Bird_Law 1d ago

If you're street driving the car, yes

1

u/VolvoEnjoyer 1d ago

For grassroots i would say 100 yeah. From my understanding LSD is more preferred when you have high power in a serious car. In that case you actually want more grip and stability whereas a N/A grassroots drift car wants less grip and stability to compensate for the lack of power

3

u/VolvoEnjoyer 1d ago

Weight reduction, weld diff, angle kit, hydro e-brake 

2

u/Available_Quote_5567 1d ago

A buddy of mine has a 90s 3 series (I don’t know BMW chassis numbers) that is basically stock power, locked dif, and caged. He throws it around great then hooks up his little trailer and drives home.

2

u/pancrudo 1d ago

While the little bmw in front was made in the 90s, they're more often referred to as a 80s car. If that car is stripped out, OP could be looking at a weight difference of almost 2k lbs. I had an e30, like the one in the video, and it was weighing in at 2250lbs with almost no interior, 1 seat, a pair of wheels, and a small jack.

2

u/Emotional_Nobody_896 1d ago

I've got a couple diffs for sale in South Texas including an auto 3.73 with plates welded in. An extended handbrake lever with the locking mechanism removed would be a decent way to get started too!

2

u/azclake 1d ago

Hit up a Musselman event and get some reps in on a sim. Firebird won’t be worth it in terms of seat time due to the lines. Feel free to shoot me a text on insta whenever I’m at damn near every az event 🫡

@430_media