E9x M3 LAP TIMES (Road Course)

[BigTee]

Originally Posted by PAM3Guy

Nice! Curious - what EDC setting do you run on track? Stiffest? DSC off, or MDM?

Thank you. Car def has 14's in it at Lightning and 30's in it at Thunderbolt, as is. I picked it up a few months ago and am in Love, even in stock form.

EDC is set to full stiff, DSC is OFF. I do not use MDM. I don't think my car has it as I don't have idrive...? I prefer DSC full off anyway.

I haven't tried EDC in soft or normal at the track, but when I have at autocross, it usually induces more understeer. I might try normal at Thunderbolt as I was getting loose in turn 2, 5, and 11.

[PAM3Guy]

Originally Posted by BigTee

Thank you. Car def has 14's in it at Lightning and 30's in it at Thunderbolt, as is. I picked it up a few months ago and am in Love, even in stock form.

EDC is set to full stiff, DSC is OFF. I do not use MDM. I don't think my car has it as I don't have idrive...? I prefer DSC full off anyway.

I haven't tried EDC in soft or normal at the track, but when I have at autocross, it usually induces more understeer. I might try normal at Thunderbolt as I was getting loose in turn 2, 5, and 11.

Gotcha, thanks. And yeah, it's just such a great car on track. I've only got a handful of days in this car on track, but so far 2 at Thunder and 1 at Lightning, and I've run both in "Normal" with MDM on as my confidence builds. Definitely a bit of understeer though I haven't really made any move to change that as I'm running stagger on my track tires so feel like there's a limit on that anyway. But want to try the Track setting next season. Season is done now, but looking forward to getting back there next spring/summer!

[BigTee]

Originally Posted by PAM3Guy

Gotcha, thanks. And yeah, it's just such a great car on track. I've only got a handful of days in this car on track, but so far 2 at Thunder and 1 at Lightning, and I've run both in "Normal" with MDM on as my confidence builds. Definitely a bit of understeer though I haven't really made any move to change that as I'm running stagger on my track tires so feel like there's a limit on that anyway. But want to try the Track setting next season. Season is done now, but looking forward to getting back there next spring/summer!

Yes, would like that!

I too ran a staggered setup this year, 255/275, but still had bits of oversteer on track and at autocross. I think its more my driving style vs the car. The 255's would overheat after 2-3 laps anyway so whatever.

Next set of wheels will certainly be square as I want to rotate. I corded the driver front in 2.5 track days. I might look for 1 used 255 as the other 3 tires still have meat on them and I'd hate to just toss them.

[PAM3Guy]

Originally Posted by BigTee

Yes, would like that!

I too ran a staggered setup this year, 255/275, but still had bits of oversteer on track and at autocross. I think its more my driving style vs the car. The 255's would overheat after 2-3 laps anyway so whatever.

Next set of wheels will certainly be square as I want to rotate. I corded the driver front in 2.5 track days. I might look for 1 used 255 as the other 3 tires still have meat on them and I'd hate to just toss them.

Wow! Corded after 2.5 days. You are definitely wheeling it hard, though I guess those RE71’s are also a bit softer. I’m running Hankook RS4’s and they are wearing like iron so far, though I’m also not nearly as fast. Only had enough courage for a 1:21 at Lightning and low 1:40’s at Thunder so far LOL.

[BigTee]

Originally Posted by PAM3Guy

Wow! Corded after 2.5 days. You are definitely wheeling it hard, though I guess those RE71’s are also a bit softer. I’m running Hankook RS4’s and they are wearing like iron so far, though I’m also not nearly as fast. Only had enough courage for a 1:21 at Lightning and low 1:40’s at Thunder so far LOL.

RS4 do wear like iron, but also heat cycle out just as fast as the current crop of 200tw tires. So, they may have tread left, but their useful life has expired. Don't be surprised if you drop SECONDS with a new set. Its a shame you can't really get more than a single season out of a set of tires, regardless of how much meat is left.

I forgot to mention that my tires also had 9 local autocross events on them. That's about 54 autocross runs and I didn't rotate at all this year. My front left is what corded and the other tires still have at least 1 or more days left in them. For track specifically, and with rotation, I can see getting 5 or 6 full days out of a set of RE71RS's. (with square setup)

[PAM3Guy]

Originally Posted by BigTee

RS4 do wear like iron, but also heat cycle out just as fast as the current crop of 200tw tires. So, they may have tread left, but their useful life has expired. Don't be surprised if you drop SECONDS with a new set. Its a shame you can't really get more than a single season out of a set of tires, regardless of how much meat is left.

I forgot to mention that my tires also had 9 local autocross events on them. That's about 54 autocross runs and I didn't rotate at all this year. My front left is what corded and the other tires still have at least 1 or more days left in them. For track specifically, and with rotation, I can see getting 5 or 6 full days out of a set of RE71RS's. (with square setup)

Yeah, that's a good point about heat cycling. This is my first track season with 200tw, so it's new to me, though in reality I won't likely do more than 5-6 events a season anyway. And w/the stagger (I'm running 265/35-18 and 285/35-18 on 18x9.5 and 18x10.5 SM-10's) I can only rotate side to side.

[crowtrobot]

Originally Posted by BigTee

2008 e92 M3 manual
2008 e92 M3 manual
Track/course: NJMP Thunderbolt
Best Lap Time: 1:31.3
Brakes: stock rotors
Pads: hawk DTC60
Tires: Bridgestone RE71RS 255/35/19 & 275/35/19 on Stock Size Apex SM-10
Suspension: stock EDC
Other mods: stock

Sorry for the crappy quality audio.

Nice laps! I was at the same event Sat/Sun, also in the :31s on some Dunlop Direzza ZIIIs. Dunno how I missed you.

Testing out some RE71RS this weekend at Tbolt to see if they're worth the hype and $$$.

[BigTee]

Originally Posted by crowtrobot

Nice laps! I was at the same event Sat/Sun, also in the :31s on some Dunlop Direzza ZIIIs. Dunno how I missed you.

Testing out some RE71RS this weekend at Tbolt to see if they're worth the hype and $$$.

That's a great lap! Were you in the white group? I was in black so didn't get to mingle with you at all. However, a few of the other drivers approached me thinking I was you. (that you were fast)


Not sure what your suspension/tire setup is, but all else being equal, you should drop a lot of time with RE71rs. I'm trying to go back to T-bolt on the 9th, but locating a set of front tires is proving difficult. (not buying new this late in the year)

[derbo]

E90 6MT

Track/Course: Sonoma Raceway
Best Lap Time: 1:50.17
Brake Pads: DS3.12 front AP 9660 calipers, stock rear calipers
Tires (Size & Model): 275/35/18 RE71RS
Suspension: MCS 2WNR 448/784
Other Mods: AFE intake, Evolve Xpipe, Supersprint F1 Race exhaust, Alpine Stage 2 tune


Definitely more on the table but stoked as I came in to the day with 1:50.9 as the target path.

[crowtrobot]

Originally Posted by BigTee

That's a great lap! Were you in the white group? I was in black so didn't get to mingle with you at all. However, a few of the other drivers approached me thinking I was you. (that you were fast)


Not sure what your suspension/tire setup is, but all else being equal, you should drop a lot of time with RE71rs. I'm trying to go back to T-bolt on the 9th, but locating a set of front tires is proving difficult. (not buying new this late in the year)

Yeah, was originally registered in black, but the event organizers were asking if people would switch, so I dropped down.

Happy to report the RE71RS were worth the money! PB is down into the 1:30.x's now, but there's definitely more to be had. Feels like the whole performance envelope has shifted, so I need to trust the tires more and carry more speed in 4 and 11.

Hopefully see you out there next season!

[berns]

2008 E92 M3 6MT
2750lbs with half a tank + driver

Track/Course: Buttonwillow CW13 GTA Finals 2025
Lap Time: 1:47.89
Brake Pads: AP 9668/9449 with DS3.12
Tires (Size & Model): 285/30/18 Goodyear Supercar 3R square on 18x11 APEX VS-5RS
Suspension: SUB2-spec Nitron R3 / SPL Kinematics, full cage
Aero: Zebulon 6" front splitter with Swan Neck hinge-mounted 330mm rear wing
Other Mods: 402whp 8600rpm with custom Epic tune

This was a warm-up lap before a heavily impeded push lap that never came to be. We'll have to go back for that 1:46!

[okusa]

2011 E90 M3
Track/course: Chuckwalla Valley Raceway CW
Best Lap Time: 1:48.238 (transponder)
Brakes: AP Racing - Front: Essex 9668 Radi-CAL. Rear: Essex 9449 Radi-CAL
Pads: Ferrodo DS3.12 front/Cobalt Friction XR2 rear
Tires: Michelin S7M
Suspension: JRZ 3-way remote
Other mods: ESS625, car is gutted with full roll cage, Zebulon 71" wing, Zebulon front splitter, Track Spec Hood Vents, Akrapovic X-Pipe, custom titanium exhaust, do88 DCT cooler, RD Sport front sway bar, Recaro Pro Racer halo seat, Slon-Workshop DCT oil pan, DSC-off, carbon doors, carbon blank headlight delete

[berns]

1:45.71 @ Buttonwillow CW13
2008 E92 M3, 6 speed
2730lbs + driver
113,000 mile original motor with bolt ons
Yokohama A005 slicks 280/650/18
Zebulon aero
SUB2 Nitron R3's

[chicagob5]

Originally Posted by berns

https://youtu.be/GeTvauV7tTU?si=Td8DdL6JQMFhbhXE

Congrats buddy! Well deserved!

[Eric335]

This was recorded back on October 18th, 2025. My 3rd HPDE event in this car - still learning lots. I have no sense if this time is decent for the Poconos Mega Course - I couldn't find it posted elsewhere in this thread (altho the search function is awful). Thanks all!

2012 E92 M3
Track/course: Poconos Raceway Mega Course Counterclockwise
Best Lap Time: 2:45
Brakes: Girodisc front rotor, stock rear rotor
Pads: Hawk DTC-60s all around
Tires: Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2
Suspension: stock EDC
Other mods: full Akrapovic Evolution exhaust, Macht Schnell stage 2 intake, BPM Stage 2 tune

[Eric335]

2012 E92 M3
Track/course: NJMP Lightning
Best Lap Time: 1:17.84
Brakes: Girodisc front rotor, stock rear rotor
Pads: Hawk DTC-60s all around
Tires: Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 (completely cooked)
Suspension: stock EDC suspension
Other mods: full Akrapovic Evolution exhaust, Macht Schnell stage 2 intake, BPM Stage 2 tune

Commentary: My line was not perfect and I should really expand my usage of track limits. Lots of low hanging fruit to pick up some seconds (any idea what a target near-stock-ish E9X M3 time is at Lightning?). Wanted to put the vid out there for critiques - all welcome and I know a lot to work on. Side note: my tires were very much at the end of their life and creating a lot of distrust with my breaking distances / shimmying under heavy braking (have had ~17-18 HPDE heat cycles + 9k regular daily miles + tread down to wear bars). Taking recs on tires before my next HPDE (Watkins Glen in April)!

[BigTee]

Originally Posted by Eric335

This was recorded back on October 18th, 2025. My 3rd HPDE event in this car - still learning lots. I have no sense if this time is decent for the Poconos Mega Course - I couldn't find it posted elsewhere in this thread (altho the search function is awful). Thanks all!

2012 E92 M3
Track/course: Poconos Raceway Mega Course Counterclockwise
Best Lap Time: 2:45
Brakes: Girodisc front rotor, stock rear rotor
Pads: Hawk DTC-60s all around
Tires: Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2
Suspension: stock EDC
Other mods: full Akrapovic Evolution exhaust, Macht Schnell stage 2 intake, BPM Stage 2 tune

That’s a long lap! lol I might be heading there on 5/2 with HOD. Thanks for the lap video to study.

[BigTee]

Originally Posted by Eric335

2012 E92 M3
Track/course: NJMP Lightning
Best Lap Time: 1:17.84
Brakes: Girodisc front rotor, stock rear rotor
Pads: Hawk DTC-60s all around
Tires: Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 (completely cooked)
Suspension: stock EDC suspension
Other mods: full Akrapovic Evolution exhaust, Macht Schnell stage 2 intake, BPM Stage 2 tune

Commentary: My line was not perfect and I should really expand my usage of track limits. Lots of low hanging fruit to pick up some seconds (any idea what a target near-stock-ish E9X M3 time is at Lightning?). Wanted to put the vid out there for critiques - all welcome and I know a lot to work on. Side note: my tires were very much at the end of their life and creating a lot of distrust with my breaking distances / shimmying under heavy braking (have had ~17-18 HPDE heat cycles + 9k regular daily miles + tread down to wear bars). Taking recs on tires before my next HPDE (Watkins Glen in April)!

I ran a 15.3 in my stock car with tires. As you said, you’re not taking advantage of the whole width of the track, turns 2 thru 4 especially. Hit the curbs and carry more speed. It also looked like you were still braking/slowing into the apex of 7. Lastly, don’t be afraid to power out earlier out of the bowl. You should be able to throttle out at the apex curbs. Otherwise, nice driving!

[tdott]

First post in this thread:

DCT E92 M3 (CF Roof)
Track/course: Sebring
Best Lap Time: 2:25.4
Brakes: F8X Iron Brakes, DTC70 pads, OEM F8x Rotors (F+R)
Tires: Bridgestone RE71rs 275/35/18 (18x10.5 square)
Suspension: H&R Coilovers - Custom Valved by FCM Motorsports, Vorshlag Camber plates, Monoball front control arms.
Other mods: Full weight (3650 lbs with driver), Recaro Sportsters, Do88 Cooling, Becker Headers, Eisenmann Race, AlpineMSS 93 tune.

DCT E92 M3 (CF Roof)
Track/course: Homestead Miami Speedway (Road Course)
Best Lap Time:
1:38.61 (Official TT result - no video )
1:39.17 - Video below

Brakes: F8X Iron Brakes, DTC70 pads, OEM F8x Rotors (F+R)
Tires: Bridgestone RE71rs 275/35/18 (18x10.5 square)
Suspension: H&R Coilovers - Custom Valved by FCM Motorsports, Vorshlag Camber plates, Monoball front control arms.
Other mods: Full weight (3650 lbs with driver), Recaro Sportsters, Do88 Cooling, Becker Headers, Eisenmann Race, AlpineMSS 93 tune.

[PAM3Guy]

First thread post for me too.

2012 DCT ZCP E92 M3 (Sunroof car)
Track/course: NJMP Thunderbolt
Best Lap Time: 1:35.4
Brakes: Stock calipers and rotors, PFC08 pads, RL600 fluid, stainless lines
Tires: Hankook RS4, R:285/35/18 on 18x10.5 / F:265/35-18 on 18x9.5
Suspension: Stock ZCP w/EDC on "Normal", Vorshlag Camber plates, Solid rear SF bushings
Other mods: do88 DCT cooler, MPE v2 exhaust

First time for me on racing pads, and 3rd time on 200tw tires. The increased braking and grip confidence help me shave more than 7 seconds off my time from last year (which was on PS4S and Stoptech sport pads), though surprised this was my fastest lap of the day with a pass into T1, and with an instructor in the car with me (in later solo sessions I got back to a 1:35.6). Clearly leaving some time out there still but happy with the progress.
I am, though, now starting to notice how much MDM is slowing me down on some corner exits with throttle cut, at T5 and T11 most of all. I think it could be costing me 0.5-0.8 sec per lap, though I haven't had the confidence to fully disable it yet. Might give it a go in a later session on the next dry track day.

[former 240 s14]

Originally Posted by PAM3Guy

First thread post for me too.
I am, though, now starting to notice how much MDM is slowing me down on some corner exits with throttle cut, at T5 and T11 most of all. I think it could be costing me 0.5-0.8 sec per lap, though I haven't had the confidence to fully disable it yet. Might give it a go in a later session on the next dry track day.

Good work. You will be pleasantly surprised to see how much happier the car will be when you turn everything off. NJMP (both courses) are great places to play with running all nannies off as its low in elevation change and banked sections of the track.

Rubin

[PAM3Guy]

Originally Posted by former 240 s14

Good work. You will be pleasantly surprised to see how much happier the car will be when you turn everything off. NJMP (both courses) are great places to play with running all nannies off as its low in elevation change and banked sections of the track.

Rubin

Thanks! For sure - I was contemplating it in my last session, but chickened out. I feel like my skills, hands and confidence are getting to the point, at least at NJMP, where I could handle it now.