[Vintage]

Dexos2 Motul X-Clean 5W-40 on Amazon!

You have made a wise choice. I have come from the P world (GT4) and a 2016 ACR-E, yet, I am absolutely with this SS 1LE on track. Yes, it is a little heavy but really quite magical to hustle around a track! Hustle the muscle I always say. I was with Speed Ventures just a few weeks ago at COTA. The 1LE is a fast and capable track car by any standard. Let us hear back from you after you track it as I would love to know what you think.

[hlyshft]

Congrats and great post as the others have said.

I'm like you but leaning more towards the NC club with hard top for a second track toy and weekend top down cruiser. It's great that the prices have come down into the 14-16k ish range for a nice example. I also had the opportunity to ride in a soft top NC club at the last track event I took the 1le to. I was very surprised at how well it could hold the line in the corners. Yes, lacking on the straights, but it was a total blast just being a passenger. So it's back on the future car list, ha.

I've been running the Valvoline 5w40 mst without issues. Temps still very stable after two full days of track abuse. The Motul looks good as well, so you probably can't go wrong either way.

Great choice on going with the 1le.

[high_climber]

Great write-up and congrats on the new car!! I'm actually in the process of trading in my 2016 Club/brembos Miata for a 1LE. It's a very fun car but the wind noise and cramped seating are intolerable. Also, the power and sound of the V8 combined with all the electronic features are just too cool to pass up compared to my little Mazda "kart".

[R3ctivision]

Thanks for the warm welcome, all!

Originally Posted by glamcem

congrats, it sounds like the track minds think the same (considered/owned same cars before I pulled the trigger on the 1LE). It's just great for track use and with tons of potential for the money for sure.

Make sure you read the stickies and "Issues/Warranty" section for TSBs and common fixes (like the wiring harness and front driver side clunks threads that I posted in there) enjoy the new car

Thanks for the pointers, glamcem!

Originally Posted by NBR IPD

Damper setting on the 135i seems off; it shouldn't do that over bumps. I haven't had that happen driving 135i's over bumps on Angeles Crest or Forest Hwy's. It was either the stock dampers worn out or the aftermarket ones turned up to 11 that didn't handle the bumps very well. It's not the subframe since that is bolted to the body and doesn't move.

I did play around with damper settings quite a bit. Certainly I did not have them properly dialed in. But there was this elastic sensation with the rear axle when accelerating over bumps, almost like it got left behind and then snapped back into place. That would normally upset the car and trigger traction control. I thought it was a common issue that the RSFBs on the 135i are too soft, especially when worn out?

Originally Posted by NBR IPD

I'm not of a fan of the 991.1 S or GT3 on track. Can really feel the weight wanting to come around (nervous feeling) on the S if not braking completely in a straight line; not so much a problem on the GT3 because of the in-phase rear steer feature. But the GT3 doesn't have enough bump or rebound stroke to handle undulations (can get sketchy easily on a bumpy surface such as Nurburgring).

I know what you mean, with the rear end rotating under braking. But if you don't trail brake a bit, the car will push on corner entry. It seems to require a fine balance to get it right. I do enjoy the driving dynamics of the 911! Haven't driven the GT3 so can't comment on it.

Originally Posted by NBR IPD

Anyway, congratulations on the new purchase. The MR dampers by BWI with GM's tuning does quite well over bumpy winding roads and on circuit courses during track days. And the e-Diff, chassis setting, and tires make the car incredibly balanced front to rear for phasing and cornering power. Slides are smooth and progressive at either axle and it responds to weight transfer quite well to get the car to do what you want. I find this 1LE chassis setting quite ideal for everyday, spirited winding roads, and track driving. Enjoy!

Thanks NBR IPD! Looking forward to my first track event. So far I love the car!

Originally Posted by Tomiboy

Welcome and GREAT first post.

https://www.carid.com/motul-usa/x-cl...pn-102051.html

Thanks for welcome and the link!

Originally Posted by hvysoul

So your the one!...I was a day late buying that car...I test drove it the night before you got it...
had to go to palmdale for mine...in silver

Sorry that happened =( I am glad you ended up getting what you wanted!

Originally Posted by Hipoporay

Great post. Thanks for sharing your experience and future plans.
I'm coming off M3 (E90) and can only attest for the Camaro being more of E46 clone than E9x in terms of nimbleness in street driving. Can't wait to get mine and compare to the bimmer on a track!

Interesting perspective. I haven't driven E90 but to me the E46 was a much smaller car. The better visibility also made it easy to place.

Originally Posted by WhyUMad1LE

Congrats.

I agree about the ND Miata, a lot of people don't take it seriously but it's about as fun as you can get on public roads. However, the 1LE has a relatively greater breadth of ability while still being very engaging to drive.

The E9X generation BMW was a departure from E36/E46 gen cars in terms of road isolation and luxury "feel". They did this deliberately to increase overall sales and had the 1-series come in to fill the vacated spot.

Thanks! I still have a soft spot for the Miata. Would like to own one someday.

Originally Posted by Timbo-1LE

You live Lompoc?

Lived in Orcutt for two years, miss that area of CA...

Nope, LA, although moving to the SF bay area in a couple of months. I went to Lompoc to get this car. These 1LEs are hard to find! AND I got a few grand off sticker.

Originally Posted by SS 1LE

Congrats, good choice buying the fastest color too...

Thanks, your car looks great!

Originally Posted by Vintage

Dexos2 Motul X-Clean 5W-40 on Amazon!

You have made a wise choice. I have come from the P world (GT4) and a 2016 ACR-E, yet, I am absolutely with this SS 1LE on track. Yes, it is a little heavy but really quite magical to hustle around a track! Hustle the muscle I always say. I was with Speed Ventures just a few weeks ago at COTA. The 1LE is a fast and capable track car by any standard. Let us hear back from you after you track it as I would love to know what you think.

Wow, that is quite a comparison. Now I'm even more excited to try it out!

Originally Posted by hlyshft

Congrats and great post as the others have said.

I'm like you but leaning more towards the NC club with hard top for a second track toy and weekend top down cruiser.

I've been running the Valvoline 5w40 mst without issues. Temps still very stable after two full days of track abuse. The Motul looks good as well, so you probably can't go wrong either way.

Great choice on going with the 1le.

Thank you!

Originally Posted by high_climber

Great write-up and congrats on the new car!! I'm actually in the process of trading in my 2016 Club/brembos Miata for a 1LE. It's a very fun car but the wind noise and cramped seating are intolerable. Also, the power and sound of the V8 combined with all the electronic features are just too cool to pass up compared to my little Mazda "kart".

Yeah, I can see the seating being an issue as well. I didn't spend enough time in the car to tell on that point. Although the 1LE Recaros are amazing at holding you in. The only downside is their feeble reclining capability. It will be interesting to hear your thoughts after you've made the switch. In an ideal world, I'd own both a 1LE and an ND :P

[wjones14]

Congrats on the 1LE! That's exactly the car I've been trying to get - Summit White with the black bowties front and rear - sweet!

I'm also coming from a BMW. The M235i. There's some anguish in the decision to switch to a 1LE, as the BMW does have a lot going for it. I test drove two different 2SS cars already, and sat in a 1LE. I'd be giving up these things if I sell the M235i and get a 1LE:

-- Visibility (always the #1 gripe, right?)
-- Interior quality - Nothing wrong with the Camaro interior, but the BMW is nicer inside, no two ways about it.
-- Tech - the BMW has navigation, front and rear parking sensors, hard drive for storing music, BMW apps such as the Laptimer, auto wipers and lights, etc.
-- Small size - the 1LE is 14" longer, 5" wider, and 150 lbs heavier than the M235i

On the other hand, the 1LE has that LT1 engine, and that alone is worth the other trade-offs. And of course the 1LE has that attitude.

I'm 95% sure that I'll be selling my BMW and moving into a 1LE, but I do keep questioning whether it's the right decision or not.

[R3ctivision]

Originally Posted by wjones14

Congrats on the 1LE! That's exactly the car I've been trying to get - Summit White with the black bowties front and rear - sweet!

I'm also coming from a BMW. The M235i. There's some anguish in the decision to switch to a 1LE, as the BMW does have a lot going for it. I test drove two different 2SS cars already, and sat in a 1LE. I'd be giving up these things if I sell the M235i and get a 1LE:

-- Visibility (always the #1 gripe, right?)
-- Interior quality - Nothing wrong with the Camaro interior, but the BMW is nicer inside, no two ways about it.
-- Tech - the BMW has navigation, front and rear parking sensors, hard drive for storing music, BMW apps such as the Laptimer, auto wipers and lights, etc.
-- Small size - the 1LE is 14" longer, 5" wider, and 150 lbs heavier than the M235i

On the other hand, the 1LE has that LT1 engine, and that alone is worth the other trade-offs. And of course the 1LE has that attitude.

I'm 95% sure that I'll be selling my BMW and moving into a 1LE, but I do keep questioning whether it's the right decision or not.

I haven't driven the M235i, but I had no regrets switching from a 135i. Yes, the visibility is bad but I have gotten used to it. It makes city maneuvering harder but on a back road, not a problem! I do prefer small cars, all else considered, but there are many "else" to consider with the 1LE!

For what it's worth, get the Performance Data Recorder on the 1LE and you'll have that fancy feature as well. As for nav, use the built-in CarPlay or Android Auto. Don't need rear parking sensors, you have a backup camera which works well. Front parking sensors would definitely be nice in this car though. And there is a USB slot for music as well.

[Ryephile]

Congrats to the OP. That's quite a diverse list of candidates. There are a handful of Miata owners here (I'm one of them), and a bunch of BMW converts. I think what's surprising everyone is the 1LE is the real deal in an era where all the German brands are going soft around the middle.

As a massively modified NA Miata owner, my biggest beef with the ND Miata is it drives basically like a stock NA Miata. It doesn't push the envelope at all. Buying a brand new car with the driving dynamics of a car from 1990, IMO, is not progress. Just buy an NA and save the leftover $20k for something else.

Anyway, enjoy the Camaro!