Coilovers vs BBK.....

[ptg70442]

Hello all!
Im finally starting the street/track build on my e92 m3, and first my first "mod" is a set of apex wheels (18x10 square setup) and now i'm looking at my next mod; either kw clubsport coilovers or the pfc z54 front bbk. Just looking for some insight as to which of the two mods you guys would do first and why (one mod will be done this summer, the other I will tackle this winter).
Thanks!

[roastbeef]

You'll be nursing the brakes because you'll be faster with coilovers.

With brakes, you'll be able to develop further as a driver because you remove the variable oem brakes. Tracking on oem suspension also forces you to be smooth to progress.

[s14_kev]

I'd do the coilovers first and do pads and fluid if possible before making the jump to BBK

[E4superfly]

I'd go bbk but probably essex ap racing bbk simply because of the amount of different brands of pads you can use.

[dparm]

Brakes, 100%. It will let you extract even more from the suspension you have. Plus it's a safety item.

Nice choice on the PFC, that kit is fucking amazing.

Your next mod should be coaching and driver development (including telemetry). Again, it will let you extract more from what you already have.

[Redd]

BBK for sure. Even on stock suspension you can cook the stock brakes as you improve.

[SAMM3Y]

Put your $4k towards a miata

[Montaver]

if your serious about tracking you will want camber plates, the cost of labour to install and align is similar to coilovers. Therefore if you plan coilovers anyway, it makes sense just to do it in one. You can be fast on stock suspension, but I found it very frustrating given how soft it is. Coilovers made the car feel significantly more enjoyable to drive.

The stock brakes with proper pads and fluid really are not bad at all. I'm currently running PFC-11 pads with SRF fluid on RE-71r tires and have not experienced any fade for 20 minute sessions. However it depends if you are running tracks that are hard on brakes or not. I will get a BBK at some point but it really isn't nescessary in the beginning.

I would just run the car stock with pads / fluid at first then decide what you feel needs improving, rather than thinking you need upgrades. It depends on your level of track experience as to how quickly you will out grow it.

[aus]

I'd check here for some used BBK.
I prefer to get new coilovers because you never know how much they've been used.
This is another option for coilovers. It's a revalved Ohlin R&T coilover. You can get stiffer springs too.

http://info.3dmmotorsport.com/bmw-e9...s-buyers-guide
.

[gmx]

I'd do both at the same time.

[elim11]

I think it depends on where you are at as a driver. A lot of people bash OEM brakes , but with race pads and proper brake fluid it is quite capable for a majority of people out there.

If you have maximized both the OEM brakes and suspension then I would go for brakes. I believe there is *some* cost savings in the long term associated with that. (or at least I keep trying myself that).

But before all that I would do camber plates like someokeentioned before

[slicer]

I would definitely choose coilovers first. The factory brakes with upgraded pads, lines and fluid will be sufficient for intermediate track use. The coilovers simply provide more driving enjoyment and will help you save your tires since you can add camber.

[leemik]

where do you spend more time? on the street or the track? coilovers are probably going to make your street driving less enjoyable if your roads are less than perfect. Brakes on the other hand will be a bonus for both.

[derbo]

Originally Posted by slicer

I would definitely choose coilovers first. The factory brakes with upgraded pads, lines and fluid will be sufficient for intermediate track use. The coilovers simply provide more driving enjoyment and will help you save your tires since you can add camber.

Thats the way I went!

[slicer]

Originally Posted by leemik

where do you spend more time? on the street or the track? coilovers are probably going to make your street driving less enjoyable if your roads are less than perfect. Brakes on the other hand will be a bonus for both.

I would argue the opposite. Brakes will have zero discernible difference on the street. A quality coilover will be adjustable and allow for comfort on the street.

[leemik]

Originally Posted by slicer

I would argue the opposite. Brakes will have zero discernible difference on the street. A quality coilover will be adjustable and allow for comfort on the street.

well then taking your argument.. a quality coilover will be adjustable and have zero discernible difference on the street.

[slicer]

Originally Posted by leemik

well then taking your argument.. a quality coilover will be adjustable and have zero discernible difference on the street.

The performance of a quality coilover will most certainly be discernible on street. You can dial it in to your desired setup. To me it's the single most impactful change you can make to the car. You could argue that a supercharger would be more impactful but I prefer improved handling over more power.

A BBK does nothing for stopping distance or braking performance on the street. You literally can't feel a shred of difference (assuming same pads and fluid). It provides fade resistance and more consistent performance when pushed to temperatures seen in a track environment.

[Bartledoo]

It probably depends on which tracks you will spend the most time, and the grip level you'll be running. With RS4 tires I'm fine with PFC08 pads on stock calipers/rotors and SRF fluid at my primary track. Haven't done a full hour session yet but I think they would be fine.

I went coilover first because I needed camber plates anyways, I wanted to learn on a vehicle that has somewhat consistent dynamics, a few events later I would want coilovers, and I knew I'd be doing this every week.

[jritt@essex]

Originally Posted by ptg70442

Hello all!
Im finally starting the street/track build on my e92 m3, and first my first "mod" is a set of apex wheels (18x10 square setup) and now i'm looking at my next mod; either kw clubsport coilovers or the pfc z54 front bbk. Just looking for some insight as to which of the two mods you guys would do first and why (one mod will be done this summer, the other I will tackle this winter).
Thanks!

If you do decide to go the brake kit route, be sure to check our Essex Designed AP Racing Radi-CAL Competition Brake Kits. They are the latest tech available at any price for the e9X chassis (or any chassis for that matter). The Radi-CAL calipers make all others look like relics from the past.

Our widest CP9668 front setup that uses 25mm thick pads fits behind Apex Arc 8's without a spacer. Apex's sales manager actually just installed our CP9668 kit on his personal car.

Tons of customer feedback on our kits on our blog.

Feel free to contact us at any time with questions.

[nycplumber]

Coilovers for sure. They make the biggest difference out of every 'go fast' mod I've done. Ohlins are light years ahead of the stock suspension and are still very comfortable. The difference in grip and being able to keep traction over uneven pavement is incredible.

[SYT_Shadow]

Originally Posted by ptg70442

Hello all!
Im finally starting the street/track build on my e92 m3, and first my first "mod" is a set of apex wheels (18x10 square setup) and now i'm looking at my next mod; either kw clubsport coilovers or the pfc z54 front bbk. Just looking for some insight as to which of the two mods you guys would do first and why (one mod will be done this summer, the other I will tackle this winter).
Thanks!

If you are tracking:

Get the PFC Z54, it's an incredible kit. I have two of them. And an AP RadiCal.

Soft suspension forces you to be smoother with your inputs and teaches skills which are needed if you will ever be fast.
Nursing the brakes however doesn't teach you anything. Being able to brake very late consistently is a big advantage, besides, using the 28mm thick pads is a big consumable cost difference the stock rotors.

[Richbot]

Some very fast racecars are "too soft" according to The Internet. Stiff springs don't necessarily make a car go faster or handle better - they certainly can help, but lower and stiffer is not an end in itself, you have to ask what you're trying to accomplish

BBK all the way for a car that's going to see a lot of track time, the savings in brake parts will pay for that coilover setup in a year

Also, no matter which you decide to buy first, spend the extra $200 and duct the front brakes properly

It comes down to this: Do you want to feel a bigger difference in the car, or get more consistent track time? If a) pick the coilovers, if b) do the brakes

Also, replacing perfectly good stock brake lines if you stick with the storck brakes is a great way to introduce air into the system and not much else. Just do pads and fluid if you stick to the stock system, the BBK youe ventually buy will come with new lines anyway

Also also, it's possible to ruin a car and want to sell it because it becomes too hardcore for street use. And by possible, I mean I see it happen to people all the time. If you're truly going to dual-duty this car, think carefully about how much spring you put on it. You might be better served doing a different damper setup altogether, with softer springs than most of the "BECAUSE RACECAR" full coilover kits come with, and get 99% of the performance

Also also also, consider adding a front bar instead of coilovers for your next suspension mod. Pairs nicely with a square setup and gives you some balance adjustability without the full-special of a coilover setup while you're learning the car.