Bernooo's E92 M3 Clubsport Build

[derbo]

Can't wait to see more progress! Loving it so far berns

[berns]

Wanted to see what my best SUR4G lap looked like from the KW day at Buttonwillow last month. This was the morning session before I threw on the used A052's and ran the 55.1. Comparatively, the Nexen's definitely have grip, but the sidewalls feel a bit soft and mushy. Turn-in is less immediate, and weight transfer is felt way more in transitions. With a little bit more patience, though, you can still be fast on these tires, and for the price, they're a bargain.
If all out speed is what you're after, obviously there are stronger contenders in the 200tw segment. I still have yet to try the AR1's, upcoming CR1's and the Falken 660's, but the Nexen's are a great low-risk lapping tire and they last forever.

Here'e the lap:

Still waiting on the cage to show up from Pinnacle Motorsport -- really looking forward to installing that along with the shifter, pass seat and harnesses soon. Not actually sure when I'll go back to the track with the newborn, but I'm feeling optimistic I can sneak out for a day in January!

[Rochen_00]

I love this thread, I'm hooked!

[SoCalRPM]

Fun build to follow. Great write up

[Kelse92]

berns you mention the long life of the Next and while I'm not too familiar with the Next I am with RS4's. How would you compare those two tires? They seem pretty comparable on wear rate and speed, or would the RS4 be a hair slower?

[fsmtnbiker]

On track I think the SUR4G is faster than the RS4. I didn't love how they felt but the times were right there with (or faster) than RE71s when I ran them back to back.

[//steve\\]

^ I've always heard they are nearly the same tire and it would take a fairly advanced level driver to find the differences.

[berns]

Originally Posted by Kelse92

berns you mention the long life of the Next and while I'm not too familiar with the Next I am with RS4's. How would you compare those two tires? They seem pretty comparable on wear rate and speed, or would the RS4 be a hair slower?

I haven't driven on RS4's, but for sure, the SUR4G's are quicker and have garnered a much stronger reputation since their release.

The Nexen's hold up, are quick, and they're affordable. Easy to drive on the limit and past it, but do take some driver adjustments to get acquainted (re: soft-ish sidewall).

The only tires I'd consider in the "street" tire segment are these:

Nexen SUR4G
Yoko A052
Falken RT660
Nankang CR1
Bridgestone RE71R

[Kelse92]

I've driven on all the others except the new Nankang so interesting you put the Nexens in line with the others. Of course not the fastest tire, but for a good value I was thinking of grabbing a set of them or 660's in the big sizes now that those are out. Nice to have a good 200tw set on standby for lapping or lead-follow instructing. Thanks for the feedback!

[berns]

Originally Posted by Kelse92

I've driven on all the others except the new Nankang so interesting you put the Nexens in line with the others. Of course not the fastest tire, but for a good value I was thinking of grabbing a set of them or 660's in the big sizes now that those are out. Nice to have a good 200tw set on standby for lapping or lead-follow instructing. Thanks for the feedback!

Not sure why, but a lot of people discounted the Nexen's before even trying them. I've always been an advocate, and have always set quick times on them. They are a solid tire.

I just ordered a set of RT660's in 285/30/18 and I'm going to stick with Falken for the 2021 season. I'll try them 285 square on 10.5" wheels and maybe 275/315 staggered on 18x10/18x11. I've got data from the SUR4G's and A052's, so it'll be interesting to see how they compare.

I'll have my first impressions of them after my next track day on 1/29.

[m3heaven]

Originally Posted by berns

Not sure why, but a lot of people discounted the Nexen's before even trying them. I've always been an advocate, and have always set quick times on them. They are a solid tire.

I just ordered a set of RT660's in 285/30/18 and I'm going to stick with Falken for the 2021 season. I'll try them 285 square on 10.5" wheels and maybe 275/315 staggered on 18x10/18x11. I've got data from the SUR4G's and A052's, so it'll be interesting to see how they compare.

I'll have my first impressions of them after my next track day on 1/29.

You recommend 285/30/18 over 275/35/18 on a 10.5?

[berns]

Originally Posted by m3heaven

You recommend 285/30/18 over 275/35/18 on a 10.5?

Depends on the tire, I guess, but generally, a 275 is a bit narrow for a 10.5" wheel. I also really like how the car feels with a 30 sidewall, as much as I don't love how it looks. Definitely has a gearing improvement.

[slcook54]

Originally Posted by berns

Update time!


I swapped StopTech SR32 pads up front and SR33 pads out back, and fitted a set of Titan7 T-S7 wheels with 1-trackday-old Yokohama Advan A052's. It's a square setup with 18x10.5 +25 and 295/30 all around. 3mm spacer up front for peace of mind and 5mm out back for style points. Fitment is killer and I'm in love with this setup!

berns Any rubbing with this setup? I want to run 275/35/18 on these wheels with Falken 660's

[e36clubracer]

Originally Posted by slcook54

berns Any rubbing with this setup? I want to run 275/35/18 on these wheels with Falken 660's

I have the RT660's in 275/35/18 square on apex 18x10.5s with et22 so very similar to the Titans. Its very tight up front, I rubbed slightly on the fender liner but it clearanced itself pretty quickly. The 660s run a bit wide for their size.

[slcook54]

Originally Posted by e36clubracer

I have the RT660's in 275/35/18 square on apex 18x10.5s with et22 so very similar to the Titans. Its very tight up front, I rubbed slightly on the fender liner but it clearanced itself pretty quickly. The 660s run a bit wide for their size.

Yep, I saw your thread. Very helpful. Any spacers?

[macdude357]

Originally Posted by e36clubracer

I have the RT660's in 275/35/18 square on apex 18x10.5s with et22 so very similar to the Titans. Its very tight up front, I rubbed slightly on the fender liner but it clearanced itself pretty quickly. The 660s run a bit wide for their size.

The reviews on the TireRack site are complaining of splicing with the new RT660. Assuming you didn't have that issue.

[fsmtnbiker]

Originally Posted by macdude357

The reviews on the TireRack site are complaining of splicing with the new RT660. Assuming you didn't have that issue.

I've heard this as well. My 285/30-18 RT660s have had no tread splice issues at all.

[vma1788]

I now have 3 events (4-6 sessions each day) on my RT660s and they look like they will do 2-3 more before they have no tread left. Now, to see how they will do as they wear. It would awesome if they are like NT01 and have consistent grip down to the cords but we will see.

[Kelse92]

Originally Posted by macdude357

The reviews on the TireRack site are complaining of splicing with the new RT660. Assuming you didn't have that issue.

Not the same weight car or sizes but the 17” spec size 660 we had on the BRZ wore very evenly.

[e36clubracer]

Originally Posted by slcook54

Yep, I saw your thread. Very helpful. Any spacers?

No spacers for me. I haven't gotten on track yet so I cannot comment on tread splicing.

[berns]

Still waiting on my cage from Pinnacle Motorsport, but some other parts have been sitting here and I figured I'd get a bulk of the work done now so I'm not slammed the day before the track day, as usual...

Went back down to European Auto Source and worked on the car with Steve and Brennan. By worked, I mean I took the wheels off, unboxed and photographed the parts and possibly removed the belly pan. Dad life!

I was excited to see the new StopTech ST40R Nickel kit. I went with ST40R front and rear because I'm confident they'll get the job done for me, especially since the 12 year old ST40 kit that came on the car was doing great. With my driving style being more time attack, I really don't see the need for the added heat dissipation benefits of running the ST60 up front, plus, the ST40 caliper with 355mm rotor is 10lbs lighter overall.

For pads, I'm going to keep running a mix of StopTech SR33 and SR32, front & rear. Really like this combo. Fluid is Motul 660 because I didn't have any Castrol SRF on hand.

Now, onto the photos...















With the brakes done, we moved onto the CAE shifter. I didn't buy the adjustable DSSR and ended up using the factory selector rod from an E46 non-M 6 speed. It's a bit longer than our stock rod and worked perfectly. Install wasn't too bad. Definitely going to clean up the console.

Driving is completely changed with the CAE. I'm really in awe of how fun it is driving manual with this motor and trans combo. The AKG 95A trans mounts are going to take some adjusting to... Lots of NVH, as expected, but hopefully it chills out a bit and maybe "settles." If not, I might try the Rev Shift 80A mounts.



Car is really coming along!

My new tires also showed up. 285/30/18 Falken RT660. I compared them to the 275/35 SUR4G's -- looking wide!

These will be fitted to a set of Titan7 TS-7's.

[Exclusivs]

Looking good