E92 M3 AP Racing BBK Review (long)

STALKER · 10-22-2009, 10:24 PM

Very nice. Can you give us the specs on the Volks you are using.

dawgdog · 10-22-2009, 10:34 PM

Volks are TE 37s: 18"x9.5" et 28 all around with a 12mm spacer on the rear. They weigh 18.5#. Purchased them from TC Kline Racing.

STALKER · 10-22-2009, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dawgdog

Volks are TE 37s: 18"x9.5" et 28 all around with a 12mm spacer on the rear. They weigh 18.5#. Purchased them from TC Kline Racing.

Very nice. Im assuming the brakes clear with no issues? Did you have to use low profile weights?

doba_s · 10-22-2009, 10:46 PM

Very nice dawgdog ! Looks hot !

doba_s · 10-22-2009, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by STALKER

Very nice. Im assuming the brakes clear with no issues? Did you have to use low profile weights?

Those 18" Volk's can clear even Brembo's 380 kit ... This wheels and HRE ( special ordered) wheels are the only ones that can clear big Brembo's brakes ...

JAJ · 10-23-2009, 12:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by STALKER

Aren't european AP brakes different then the Stillen/AP kits we get in North American? The EU kits seem to be a bit more tricked out and are monoblocks.
I wonder if the catalogs spec the NA kits or the EU kits?

Chris from AP answered your question with regards street brakes from AP - virtually identical here and there.

The RACING brakes in the pictures of the GT2, GT4, and Z4M (and in the catalog) are full-race products and they're much lighter and built for forced-air cooling. They would be a royal pain on a street car because they're not intended for long periods between rebuilds - no dust shields or anything.

If you look at the AP Racing UK racing products webpages, you will find the calipers that are used on the BMW race cars. They are designed for pad changes from the top. AP does make monoblock racing calipers, but I'm guessing they're intended for those situations (like Le Mans) where the whole assembly of rotor, caliper and pads is changed as a unit. The brake hoses unplug with dry-break connectors and the brake assemblies can be changed almost as fast as changing a tire.

Dartanium · 10-23-2009, 02:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dawgdog

Volks are TE 37s: 18"x9.5" et 28 all around with a 12mm spacer on the rear. They weigh 18.5#. Purchased them from TC Kline Racing.

Is the rear spacer needed to clear the caliper or is it to maintain the proper geometry/track width? Thanks.

dawgdog · 10-23-2009, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dartanium

Is the rear spacer needed to clear the caliper or is it to maintain the proper geometry/track width? Thanks.

I had the spacers already for my 19" wheels and just put them on the rear for aesthetics. These wheels are built for big brakes.

dawgdog · 10-23-2009, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doba_s

Very nice dawgdog ! Looks hot !

Thanks doba. The cost of a BBK was a bitter pill to swallow, but I think the brakes are a clear performance upgrade that I will enjoy for quite some time.

FrenchBoy · 10-23-2009, 11:37 AM

Congrats Dawgdog. Car looks great. Can't wait to experience the AP Racing braking power first hand.

KM3 · 10-23-2009, 12:01 PM

Very cool, Dawgdog! Those look great and I know will perform extremely well.

dawgdog · 10-30-2009, 07:55 PM

After one week I can say that these brakes are great on the street. As JAJ said "no bad habits." I always felt that the stock brakes felt more like an on/off switch, while these have more modulation. Can't wait to get out on a track with this setup.

rzm3 · 11-14-2009, 12:55 PM

question: how much does the dust/heat shield have to be modified to fit the AP system?

JAJ · 11-14-2009, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rldzhao

question: how much does the dust/heat shield have to be modified to fit the AP system?

Front - no modification required. Instructions say to unbolt it and take it off but I left mine on and all has been well.

Rear - from the factory the rear backing plate has an opening for the existing caliper. It needs to be widened to accommodate the larger AP caliper. Essentially you cut a pie-shaped wedge on each side (upper and lower) of the existing opening to make the gap wider.

Unlike other kits, you do not have to cut off the ring of the backing plate to clear the new rotor. The inside faces of the AP rotors aligns with the inside face of the OEM rotor, so the backing plate doesn't need to be removed to make room.

dawgdog · 11-14-2009, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rldzhao

question: how much does the dust/heat shield have to be modified to fit the AP system?

I believe it was removed completely in the front and a portion cut out of the rear.

rzm3 · 11-14-2009, 09:32 PM

What about the brake pad sensor? Does that need to be modified?

STALKER · 11-14-2009, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rldzhao

What about the brake pad sensor? Does that need to be modified?

With some BBKs you lose that feature.
Not sure with the AP kit.

AP Racing - Chris_B · 01-15-2010, 12:19 PM

There have been questions regarding piston sizing for these systems. Not that it matters more than a customer's experience on the street and on the track, here they are:

Front: 38.1mm / 31.8mm / 27.0mm (for both 368mm and 378mm kits)

Rear: 31.8mm / 31.8mm

There are many, many manufacturers making pads for these calipers. In fact, I'm not aware of any major ones who aren't.

And there is currently no feature to include the pad wear sensor. Often, these will start to melt under higher temperatures and malfunction anyway. If the latest ones can handle more, it should probably be looked into for the future.

Chris

STALKER · 01-15-2010, 02:24 PM

Im ready to order, but Im totally on the fence between the AP Racing kit or Brembos.

AP Racing - Chris_B · 01-15-2010, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by STALKER

Im ready to order, but Im totally on the fence between the AP Racing kit or Brembos.

Both companies make great equipment (heck, they share the same ownership as well!). I prefer the strap drive setup for its many advantages, but you are free to choose as you like. Let me know if you have any specific questions and I'll do my best to answer them here.

Chris

STALKER · 01-15-2010, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AP Racing - Chris_B

Both companies make great equipment (heck, they share the same ownership as well!). I prefer the strap drive setup for its many advantages, but you are free to choose as you like. Let me know if you have any specific questions and I'll do my best to answer them here.

Chris

Would you happen to know which kit is lighter? Which has a stiffer caliper?
I do like the AP rotor better, but I seem to like the Brembo caliper a bit better.
Pedal feel is also a big concern with any aftermaket brake set up.

Jaypod · 01-15-2010, 03:06 PM

I would like to know this as well. I too am considering both kits and am in the same situation as Stalker needing to run OEM 18's for winter etc.

10-22-2009, 10:24 PM	#89
STALKER Brigadier General 169 Rep 3,831 Posts Drives: 997.2 GT3, Golf R Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Toronto, ON iTrader: (5)	Very nice. Can you give us the specs on the Volks you are using. __________________
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10-22-2009, 10:34 PM	#90
dawgdog Colonel 148 Rep 2,278 Posts Drives: 2015 M3, 2016 GT3 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Seattle, Wa. iTrader: (0)	Volks are TE 37s: 18"x9.5" et 28 all around with a 12mm spacer on the rear. They weigh 18.5#. Purchased them from TC Kline Racing. __________________ 2015 f80 M3, 2016 GT3
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10-22-2009, 10:46 PM	#92
doba_s Major General 405 Rep 6,107 Posts Drives: X7 l Cayenne l 997.2RS Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Danville iTrader: (26)	Very nice dawgdog ! Looks hot !
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10-23-2009, 11:37 AM	#98
FrenchBoy Lieutenant Colonel 234 Rep 1,508 Posts Drives: '16 F80 M3 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (0)	Congrats Dawgdog. Car looks great. Can't wait to experience the AP Racing braking power first hand. __________________ Current: 2016 F80 M3 6-Speed \| SO \| AB XT1 \| ZCP \| M Performance Suspension \| GC Camber Plates Previous: 2009 E90 M3
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10-23-2009, 12:01 PM	#99
KM3 Formerly K335i 17 Rep 215 Posts Drives: 2009 E92 M3 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Redmond, WA iTrader: (0)	Very cool, Dawgdog! Those look great and I know will perform extremely well. __________________ 2009 E92 M3 :: Jet Black :: Fox Red Extended :: Carbon Leather :: 6MT :: JRZ RS Suspension :: RD Sport Sways :: StopTech Trophy Brakes :: Cantrell Brake Cooling
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10-30-2009, 07:55 PM	#100
dawgdog Colonel 148 Rep 2,278 Posts Drives: 2015 M3, 2016 GT3 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Seattle, Wa. iTrader: (0)	After one week I can say that these brakes are great on the street. As JAJ said "no bad habits." I always felt that the stock brakes felt more like an on/off switch, while these have more modulation. Can't wait to get out on a track with this setup. __________________ 2015 f80 M3, 2016 GT3
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11-14-2009, 12:55 PM	#101
rzm3 Moderator 673 Rep 4,737 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: USA iTrader: (18)	question: how much does the dust/heat shield have to be modified to fit the AP system?
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11-14-2009, 09:32 PM	#104
rzm3 Moderator 673 Rep 4,737 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: USA iTrader: (18)	What about the brake pad sensor? Does that need to be modified?
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01-15-2010, 12:19 PM	#106
AP Racing - Chris_B Brake Maven 7 Rep 229 Posts Drives: E34 540i/6, others Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0)	There have been questions regarding piston sizing for these systems. Not that it matters more than a customer's experience on the street and on the track, here they are: Front: 38.1mm / 31.8mm / 27.0mm (for both 368mm and 378mm kits) Rear: 31.8mm / 31.8mm There are many, many manufacturers making pads for these calipers. In fact, I'm not aware of any major ones who aren't. And there is currently no feature to include the pad wear sensor. Often, these will start to melt under higher temperatures and malfunction anyway. If the latest ones can handle more, it should probably be looked into for the future. Chris
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01-15-2010, 02:24 PM	#107
STALKER Brigadier General 169 Rep 3,831 Posts Drives: 997.2 GT3, Golf R Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Toronto, ON iTrader: (5)	Im ready to order, but Im totally on the fence between the AP Racing kit or Brembos. __________________
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01-15-2010, 03:06 PM	#110
Jaypod Brigadier General 125 Rep 4,971 Posts Drives: Frozen M3, AM V8V, 991 GT3 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Toronto iTrader: (7)	I would like to know this as well. I too am considering both kits and am in the same situation as Stalker needing to run OEM 18's for winter etc.
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