E92 M3 AP Racing BBK Review (long)

[STALKER]

Originally Posted by Lemans_Blue_M

That would be a very smart move.

I suspect 18x9.5 +25 front & rear (square setup + 10mm spacers) ?

Or possibly a 18x9.5 +25 front and 18x10 +20 rear?

Advan RS 18x9.5 +25 front and 18x10 +20 rear would be perfect for me.
Want to run 265/35 front and 285/35 rear.
Don't want to run spacers either.
They should clear the BBK.

[Jaypod]

Originally Posted by STALKER

Advan RS 18x9.5 +25 front and 18x10 +20 rear would be perfect for me.
Want to run 265/35 front and 285/35 rear.
Don't want to run spacers either.
They should clear the BBK.

I was thinking of running 18x10 with 275/35 on all 4 corners so they could be rotated.

I think I heard the Advans offer more clearance than the OEM's so clearing the AP's shouldnt be a problem (dont take my word though). I am not sure if they clear a 380MM kit, but wouldnt be surprised if they did.

[Lemans_Blue_M]

Originally Posted by STALKER

Advan RS 18x9.5 +25 front and 18x10 +20 rear would be perfect for me.
Want to run 265/35 front and 285/35 rear.
Don't want to run spacers either.
They should clear the BBK.

Those track tires sizes are good, but I would actually suggest that you consider upsizing the fronts to a bigger 275/35/18. (and and I'll tell you why...)

The E9x M3 is a bigger and heavier (3600lb) car. If you run a front tire that size it will not yield the same performance you experienced in the E46 M3.

A 265/35/18 tire is a little too small (25.3"), has a shorter sidewall, and a narrower section width. This combination will result in less front grip in the corners on the track.

I would suggest that you consider upsizing to a 275/35/18 tire instead, since that size is nearly identical to the stock 18" tire OD, and you'll have wider tires upfront (that have the necessary sidewall height) to improve your grip and cornering performance.

Just my .02...

[Lemans_Blue_M]

Originally Posted by Jaypod

I was thinking of running 18x10 with 275/35 on all 4 corners so they could be rotated.

I think I heard the Advans offer more clearance than the OEM's so clearing the AP's shouldnt be a problem (dont take my word though). I am not sure if they clear a 380MM kit, but wouldnt be surprised if they did.

The 18" Advan RS wheels do indeed clear a 380mm BBK's from both Brembo & Stop Tech.

So the slightly smaller AP Racing BBK will be no sweat.

[Jaypod]

Originally Posted by Lemans_Blue_M

The 18" Advan RS wheels do indeed clear a 380mm BBK's from both Brembo & Stop Tech.

So the slightly smaller AP Racing BBK will be no sweat.

Thanks Lemans! I knew you would be able to clarify!

Based on your recommendation to Stalker to run the 275/35 on the front, for a staggered setup would you suggest bumping the rear to a 295 to maintain similar handling characteristics in relation to the OEM setup?

[STALKER]

Originally Posted by Lemans_Blue_M

Those track tires sizes are good, but I would actually suggest that you consider upsizing the fronts to a bigger 275/35/18. (and and I'll tell you why...)

The E9x M3 is a bigger and heavier (3600lb) car. If you run a front tire that size it will not yield the same performance you experienced in the E46 M3.

A 265/35/18 tire is a little too small (25.3"), has a shorter sidewall, and a narrower section width. This combination will result in less front grip in the corners on the track.

I would suggest that you consider upsizing to a 275/35/18 tire instead, since that size is nearly identical to the stock 18" tire OD, and you'll have wider tires upfront (that have the necessary sidewall height) to improve your grip and cornering performance.

Just my .02...

Will it fit with et25, Motons and -2 camber?
I def want a bit more rubber out back, the e9X does not understeer as badly as the e46 M3 did. 275/35 front and 285/35 out back would be nice.

[Lemans_Blue_M]

Originally Posted by Jaypod

Thanks Lemans! I knew you would be able to clarify!

Based on your recommendation to Stalker to run the 275/35 on the front, for a staggered setup would you suggest bumping the rear to a 295 to maintain similar handling characteristics in relation to the OEM setup?

A 295/35/18 tire is pretty big for any 18x10 wheel, but for a track setup...YES that would work.

I would recommend that tire size only if you add a little more negative camber in the rear with the 18x10 +20 Advan RS though.

A 18x10 +25 offset rear wheel is actually tailor made for a 295/35/18 tire.

A 18x10 +20 offset rear wheel is a little too aggressive for a 295/35/18 tire IMO.

You might be able to increase the negative camber enough for it to fit, but even then...it will be very close to the outer fender.

[Lemans_Blue_M]

Originally Posted by STALKER

Will it fit with et25, Motons and -2 camber?
I def want a bit more rubber out back, the e9X does not understeer as badly as the e46 M3 did. 275/35 front and 285/35 out back would be nice.

YES, that front wheel/tire setup with a -2 degrees of negative camber will be just about ideal. (no rubbing issues)

[Jaypod]

Originally Posted by Lemans_Blue_M

A 295/35/18 tire is pretty big for any 18x10 wheel, but for a track setup...YES that would work.

I would recommend that tire size only if you add a little more negative camber in the rear with the 18x10 +20 Advan RS though.

A 18x10 +25 offset rear wheel is actually tailor made for a 295/35/18 tire.

A 18x10 +20 offset rear wheel is a little too aggressive for a 295/35/18 tire IMO.

You might be able to increase the negative camber enough for it to fit, but even then...it will be very close to the outer fender.

Thanks for the info Lemans!

[JAJ]

Originally Posted by Lemans_Blue_M

Stalker,

I'm curious why you didn't completely remove the factory brake shields, when our cars have such poor factory cooling passages to help reduce heat build up during track sessions? (which was a pre-requisite for you in the purchase of this BBK)

By retaining the factory brake dust shields, it actually hinders the rotors ability to shed heat (on the inside rotor surface) since they act as a barrier that restricts airflow to the swept area of the rotor surface.

Not saying the AP Racing BBK can't overcome this liability, but retaining these shields certainly doesn't do it any favors (too help aid the cooling process)...

Just trying to understand the rationalization of keeping them vs. removing them entirely?

Also,

Do you have any plans to run, brake ducts, hoses, and backing plates to your new front BBK in the near future? (i.e. the GT4 setup)

I do my own mechanical work on the suspension and brakes, so I'm happy to test combinations that might not be easy for others.

Knowing that taking the front backing plates off would be easy if the brakes were too hot, I left them on when I installed my BBK. Then I measured the rotor temps with an IR thermometer at the first track day. Temps were good so I didn't bother to remove the backing plates.

AP also gives you a cross-check on the temperatures. They put thermal paint on the rotors at the factory. Mine changed color exactly to the colors you want to see when the brakes are heating up properly. The red "overheat" paint is still red - it changes to white if they get too hot.

[mastek]

Originally Posted by Lemans_Blue_M

Those track tires sizes are good, but I would actually suggest that you consider upsizing the fronts to a bigger 275/35/18. (and and I'll tell you why...)

The E9x M3 is a bigger and heavier (3600lb) car. If you run a front tire that size it will not yield the same performance you experienced in the E46 M3.

A 265/35/18 tire is a little too small (25.3"), has a shorter sidewall, and a narrower section width. This combination will result in less front grip in the corners on the track.

I would suggest that you consider upsizing to a 275/35/18 tire instead, since that size is nearly identical to the stock 18" tire OD, and you'll have wider tires upfront (that have the necessary sidewall height) to improve your grip and cornering performance.

Just my .02...

i run 265/35/18 up front and 285/30/18 rears (BFG R1) ..... and @ 8/10ths on the track the handling was surprisingly neutral and void of any understeer (I was shocked, actually)

and believe me ... i am the 1st to squeeze wider tires @ the front of track cars to try & dial- out understeer .... as I was expecting a ton of it in my 3900 lbs (w me & Fuel) pig.

[aus]

STALKER, how much brake fluid did it take for the install?

[STALKER]

Originally Posted by aus

STALKER, how much brake fluid did it take for the install?

I bought 3 bottles, each is 500ml.
You could get away with two, but it might be close.

[Jaypod]

Originally Posted by STALKER

I bought 3 bottles, each is 500ml.
You could get away with two, but it might be close.

What did the kit ship with? 2 500ml bottles? Also, how come you decided not to just run with what it came with first and switch over after?

[STALKER]

Originally Posted by Jaypod

What did the kit ship with? 2 500ml bottles? Also, how come you decided not to just run with what it came with first and switch over after?

Kit didn't come with anything.
I was going to actually try the AP Racing PRF, but my local shop only had 2 bottles, and I was already using RBF600. Didn't want to take the chance of needing that third bottle for the flush, especially since I was already using RBF 600 on the car.
I got the day off last minute, so I did not have time to order brake fluid in advance.
Im gonna use SRF next time I think though.

[Jaypod]

Originally Posted by STALKER

Kit didn't come with anything.
I was going to actually try the AP Racing PRF, but my local shop only had 2 bottles, and I was already using RBF600. Didn't want to take the chance of needing that third bottle for the flush, especially since I was already using RBF 600 on the car.
I got the day off last minute, so I did not have time to order brake fluid in advance.
Im gonna use SRF next time I think though.

Thanks - I could have swore a quote I got mentioned included fluid, just not sure what. I will have to check my PM's.

You cant go wrong with the RBF600 - I was thinking about just getting the SRF and being done with it. It needs to warm up here so it will force me to just order the kit!

[STALKER]

Originally Posted by Jaypod

Thanks - I could have swore a quote I got mentioned included fluid, just not sure what. I will have to check my PM's.

You cant go wrong with the RBF600 - I was thinking about just getting the SRF and being done with it. It needs to warm up here so it will force me to just order the kit!

RBF is good stuff, never had any issues with it.
So far no noise from the kit/pads either, which is good. I did my best to bed them in properly so far.

[lucid]

Originally Posted by mastek

i run 265/35/18 up front and 285/30/18 rears (BFG R1) ..... and @ 8/10ths on the track the handling was surprisingly neutral and void of any understeer (I was shocked, actually)

+1

I ran the exact setup as you do. There is no need for a square setup on this car IMO. If the goal is to stuff the widest possible rubber in both the front and the rear, then I'd go with 275/295 and the stagger would be maintained by definition.

[jml]

Originally Posted by lucid

+1

I ran the exact setup as you do. There is no need for a square setup on this car IMO. If the goal is to stuff the widest possible rubber in both the front and the rear, then I'd go with 275/295 and the stagger would be maintained by definition.

A square setup gets an extra day out of your tires (via rotation). But I might exchange that for 295s in the rear, it really needs a little more traction out back.

[lucid]

Originally Posted by jml

A square setup gets an extra day out of your tires (via rotation). But I might exchange that for 295s in the rear, it really needs a little more traction out back.

Looking at the wear on my R1s, I don't know that I would have gained much by rotation, but maybe that's just me...

[Dascamel]

Originally Posted by lucid

Looking at the wear on my R1s, I don't know that I would have gained much by rotation, but maybe that's just me...

How much camber did you run Lucid?

[Jaypod]

Originally Posted by STALKER

RBF is good stuff, never had any issues with it.
So far no noise from the kit/pads either, which is good. I did my best to bed them in properly so far.

That's good to know - sounds like you are doing a good job of bedding them.

Originally Posted by lucid

Looking at the wear on my R1s, I don't know that I would have gained much by rotation, but maybe that's just me...

Yeah, probably just you.... I agree with you though, square set up is probably not required. I guess depending your your driving style there may be not advantage of rotating the tires. A square set up may actually cause the rear wheels to wear much sooner being able to rotate the back end easier.