Planned trip to the Nurburging!

As the thread says, I am going to the Nurburgring!

Now I have been twice before, but circumstances have not been right for me to actually get to drive on the Ring. That wil change in August!

I have the opportunity to go on a BMW Training Course - mostly based off the Ring ironically. Its to understand the testing process of the Test Engineers based at the Ring. I may have the opportunity to drive an M car on the track as part of the package - still a little sketchy on the details.

So course is booked, but the second part makes things a little harder (maybe challenging is a better word), I want to drive the e46 330i, I acquired last year, all the way to the 'Ring around a couple of laps and drive back with no problems. (I am based in the UK btw)

There are two points to this thread: 1) Document my trip and share experiences so other Fanatics can benefit if they decide to drive the ring. 2) The other so I make sure I complete the objective of completing all the work on the car and don't just fly instead!

There are a number of things that I have to do to ensure that there will be no problems during the trip. From a car point of view:

1) Sort out the suspension. Car has been lowered. Front Dampers and Springs are okay. Rear dampers are stock with shortened springs! So either all springs and dampers back to stock, or rear aftermarket springs and dampers. (I am still undecided at this point)

2) Front Control arms and Bushes. Car tramlines all over the place, generally following the camber of the road.

3) Water Pump Replacement - Car has 278 000 kms on the clock. Probably a good point to replace whatever was in there when I got it. Changed the Belt already, will change pulleys and Thermostat at the same time. Thermostat was bought previously just in case.

4) Gearbox - Suspect damaged Dual Mass Flywheel. May as well change Clutch at the same time. Also the Gear Lever sticks to the right - so fix that at the same time.

5) Fuel Filter - Last done about 65 000kms ago! So replacing this ASAP. Parts should arrive tomorrow.

6) Oil Service - might as well get fresh oil in there for the Road Trip.

7) Suspect Brake Discs to be warped. May need to skim discs. Warmping may be due to sticking Callipers.

There are a number of things to be done, but I am keen to get going and get this plan in motion.

There are other smaller niggly issues such as: Noisy Power Steering Pump - Flushing the Fluid in steps. Rough Idle at Cold Start - Think this may be a blocked Cat, perhaps a long road trip will burn this out.

From a Driver Point of view, I will be doing a few Track Days in the UK to get myself ready as well as assess the changes I make.

Here is some relevant info to the course.