M3 GTS Suspension Upgrades

rzm3 · 05-12-2010, 08:10 PM

Trying to put together a list of suspension and brake improvements on the GTS. Please contribute if you find out more.

Front Suspension

Dual-adjustable (compression and rebound, individually) dampers by KW (http://www.insideline.com/bmw/m3/201...rst-drive.html)
Height-adjustable spring collars (set at -16mm/0.63" vs. M3)
Linear race springs (what rate??)
Camber- and caster-adjustable top mounts

Rear Suspension

Dual-adjustable (compression and rebound, individually) dampers
Height-adjustable spring collars (set at -12mm/0.47" vs. M3)
Linear race springs (800lb/in)
Solid sub-frame mounts

Front Brakes by Brembo

6-piston fixed caliper
378 x 32, vented and perforated
Steel-braided brake lines

Rear Brakes by Brembo

4-piston fixed caliper
380 x 28, vented and perforated
Steel-braided brake lines

aus · 05-12-2010, 11:06 PM

The brakes aren't AP? That 378 sounds like an AP size.

We need LMB to come back!!!

STALKER · 05-12-2010, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aus

The brakes aren't AP? That 378 sounds like an AP size.

We need LMB to come back!!!

The brakes on the GT4 are AP.

rzm3 · 05-12-2010, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aus

The brakes aren't AP? That 378 sounds like an AP size.

We need LMB to come back!!!

Based on pictures and various sources, I am quite sure it is by Brembo.

mastek · 05-12-2010, 11:35 PM

The rear rotor is bigger then the front??

Wow -- I thought it was well established and documented that the GTS (or was it the GT4) had AP Racing and Ohlins

GewoW · 05-12-2010, 11:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rldzhao

Based on pictures and various sources, I am quite sure it is by Brembo.

x32 and x28 are brembo widths!

x36 and x26 are the AP kits

rzm3 · 05-12-2010, 11:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mastek

The rear rotor is bigger then the front??

Wow -- I thought it was well established and documented that the GTS (or was it the GT4) had AP Racing and Ohlins

GT4 has AP and Ohlins. Not GTS.

mastek · 05-13-2010, 12:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rldzhao

GT4 has AP and Ohlins. Not GTS.

Ahh -- got it

ZCP
GTS
GT4

Hard to keep track sometimes

aajami · 05-13-2010, 12:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mastek

Ahh -- got it

ZCP
GTS
GT4

Hard to keep track sometimes

Don't forget the GT2

Alekshop · 05-13-2010, 12:50 AM

interesting choice on brakes ...

aus · 05-13-2010, 01:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mastek

Ahh -- got it

ZCP
GTS
GT4

Hard to keep track sometimes

Agreed. Why would BMW use AP for the race car and brembo for the street car when AP also has a street kit. ZCP is just a half assed effort.

rzm3 · 05-13-2010, 12:50 PM

More info added... Brembo is confirmed... Coil over appears to be by KW...

stevehifi · 05-13-2010, 04:28 PM

Coilover suspension is made by Sachs, not KW.

BMW269 · 05-13-2010, 05:32 PM

BMW M3 GT4: AP Racing, Öhlins, Akrapovic
BMW M3 GTS: Brembo, Sachs, Arvin Meritor
BMW Performance: Brembo, KW, John Cooper

Where did you get the M3 GTS brochure?

aus · 05-13-2010, 06:00 PM

So it's not a true coil over like in the GT4.
It just seems like BMW paid 3 different groups of engineers money to improve the car.

rzm3 · 05-13-2010, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevehifi

Coilover suspension is made by Sachs, not KW.

Don't just give claims... support them...

rzm3 · 05-13-2010, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aus

So it's not a true coil over like in the GT4.
It just seems like BMW paid 3 different groups of engineers money to improve the car.

The front is a true coil over, the rear is not (unlike the GT4).

The GT4 is a race car, with different performance requirements, maintenance schedules, and homolongation rules.

The AP brakes are racing parts and need to be rebuilt probably annually due to the lack of dust boots. The same goes for the Ohlins dampers.

The Brembo GT brakes are built to road-legal requirements and can withstand all types of weather conditions, be it snow, ice, or rain. They need to be salt tested to simulate driving in winter. They require minimum maintenance as you would expect on your single pot sliders. And probably never need to be rebuilt within the life of the car.

As described in the press release, the GTS is meant as a track car and/or club racer, far from a professional level race car.

BMW269 · 05-14-2010, 05:12 AM

Hey, it really seams the M3 GTS suspension is not made by Sachs but by KW. Sachs springs are blue, KW are yellow.

Looks like M just went aftermarket, Akrapovic, Brembo, KW, BBS, what poves they are very good brands. BMW M just worked on the engine, gear boxe and lightening.

Also the Sachs coilovers are only available for 1 Series and 3 Series E46 and E9x, but not for M3 E46 or E9x.

Here pics of Sachs.

stevehifi · 05-14-2010, 11:06 AM

Read under Chassis/Brakes/Aerodynamics: section, the suspension is made by sachs. Just because the springs are yellow doesn't mean its KW.

http://www.machtschnell.com/2009/11/...dream-is-over/

STALKER · 05-14-2010, 11:54 AM

Look like KW Clupsports to me.

STALKER · 05-14-2010, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Levi

Hey, it really seams the M3 GTS suspension is not made by Sachs but by KW. Sachs springs are blue, KW are yellow.

Looks like M just went aftermarket, Akrapovic, Brembo, KW, BBS, what poves they are very good brands. BMW M just worked on the engine, gear boxe and lightening.

Also the Sachs coilovers are only available for 1 Series and 3 Series E46 and E9x, but not for M3 E46 or E9x.

Here pics of Sachs.

The Sachs kit in North America for the M3 is sold under ACS.
Seems like the Sachs/ACS kit for the M3 comes with yellow springs also like KW does.

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthr...=schnitzer+acs

rzm3 · 05-14-2010, 05:53 PM

Don't get so hung up on the spring color... it's only one of the clues...

Take a look at the Sachs/ACS kit. It is definitely not what is used on the GTS because:

Look at the shape of the sway bar connector on the strut
Look at where the rear shock damping adjuster is...
The ACS rear shocks are mounted 'up-side-down', the GTS's obviously aren't
The GTS have 2-way adjustable shocks (rebound compression independent, like KW CS and Moton SS), the Sachs are 1-way

05-12-2010, 08:10 PM	#1
rzm3 Moderator 673 Rep 4,737 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: USA iTrader: (18)	M3 GTS Suspension Upgrades Trying to put together a list of suspension and brake improvements on the GTS. Please contribute if you find out more. Front Suspension Dual-adjustable (compression and rebound, individually) dampers by KW (http://www.insideline.com/bmw/m3/201...rst-drive.html) Height-adjustable spring collars (set at -16mm/0.63" vs. M3) Linear race springs (what rate??) Camber- and caster-adjustable top mounts Rear Suspension Dual-adjustable (compression and rebound, individually) dampers Height-adjustable spring collars (set at -12mm/0.47" vs. M3) Linear race springs (800lb/in) Solid sub-frame mounts Front Brakes by Brembo 6-piston fixed caliper 378 x 32, vented and perforated Steel-braided brake lines Rear Brakes by Brembo 4-piston fixed caliper 380 x 28, vented and perforated Steel-braided brake lines Attached Images
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05-12-2010, 11:06 PM	#2
aus Major General 890 Rep 9,032 Posts Drives: Odysse Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Seal Beach, CA iTrader: (10)	The brakes aren't AP? That 378 sounds like an AP size. We need LMB to come back!!! __________________ Let me get this straight... You are swapping out parts designed by some of the top engineers in the world because some guys sponsored by a company told you it's "better??" But when you ask the same guy about tracking, "oh no, I have a kid now" or "I just detailed my car." or "i just got new tires."
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05-12-2010, 11:35 PM	#5
mastek e36s54, e70x5d 151 Rep 1,723 Posts Drives: slow Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (15)	The rear rotor is bigger then the front?? Wow -- I thought it was well established and documented that the GTS (or was it the GT4) had AP Racing and Ohlins Last edited by mastek; 05-12-2010 at 11:54 PM..
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05-13-2010, 12:50 AM	#10
Alekshop 436 Rep 2,373 Posts Drives: E30 M3 l E46 M3 l GT4 l 991 RS Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (8)	interesting choice on brakes ...
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05-13-2010, 12:50 PM	#12
rzm3 Moderator 673 Rep 4,737 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: USA iTrader: (18)	More info added... Brembo is confirmed... Coil over appears to be by KW...
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05-13-2010, 04:28 PM	#13
stevehifi Captain 527 Rep 855 Posts Drives: 17 F80 M3 ZCP Join Date: May 2008 Location: Irvine,CA iTrader: (5)	Coilover suspension is made by Sachs, not KW.
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05-13-2010, 05:32 PM	#14
BMW269 Brigadier General 435 Rep 3,888 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Germany iTrader: (0)	BMW M3 GT4: AP Racing, Öhlins, Akrapovic BMW M3 GTS: Brembo, Sachs, Arvin Meritor BMW Performance: Brembo, KW, John Cooper Where did you get the M3 GTS brochure?
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05-13-2010, 06:00 PM	#15
aus Major General 890 Rep 9,032 Posts Drives: Odysse Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Seal Beach, CA iTrader: (10)	So it's not a true coil over like in the GT4. It just seems like BMW paid 3 different groups of engineers money to improve the car. __________________ Let me get this straight... You are swapping out parts designed by some of the top engineers in the world because some guys sponsored by a company told you it's "better??" But when you ask the same guy about tracking, "oh no, I have a kid now" or "I just detailed my car." or "i just got new tires."
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-14-2010, 05:12 AM	#18
BMW269 Brigadier General 435 Rep 3,888 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Germany iTrader: (0)	Hey, it really seams the M3 GTS suspension is not made by Sachs but by KW. Sachs springs are blue, KW are yellow. Looks like M just went aftermarket, Akrapovic, Brembo, KW, BBS, what poves they are very good brands. BMW M just worked on the engine, gear boxe and lightening. Also the Sachs coilovers are only available for 1 Series and 3 Series E46 and E9x, but not for M3 E46 or E9x. Here pics of Sachs. Attached Images
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-14-2010, 11:06 AM	#19
stevehifi Captain 527 Rep 855 Posts Drives: 17 F80 M3 ZCP Join Date: May 2008 Location: Irvine,CA iTrader: (5)	Read under Chassis/Brakes/Aerodynamics: section, the suspension is made by sachs. Just because the springs are yellow doesn't mean its KW. http://www.machtschnell.com/2009/11/...dream-is-over/
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05-14-2010, 11:54 AM	#20
STALKER Brigadier General 169 Rep 3,831 Posts Drives: 997.2 GT3, Golf R Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Toronto, ON iTrader: (5)	Look like KW Clupsports to me. __________________
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05-14-2010, 05:53 PM	#22
rzm3 Moderator 673 Rep 4,737 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: USA iTrader: (18)	Don't get so hung up on the spring color... it's only one of the clues... Take a look at the Sachs/ACS kit. It is definitely not what is used on the GTS because: Look at the shape of the sway bar connector on the strut Look at where the rear shock damping adjuster is... The ACS rear shocks are mounted 'up-side-down', the GTS's obviously aren't The GTS have 2-way adjustable shocks (rebound compression independent, like KW CS and Moton SS), the Sachs are 1-way
	Appreciate 0 Quote