Best compromise street camber setting for E9X M3

[jbraslins]

What do you think is the best compromise camber setting for E9X M3 on the street? Let's not worry about tire model specifics, but poll a general rule of thumb number.

What setting gives you good amount of performance yet does not decrease tire lifespan too much? Higher numbers assume you have camber plates.

Thank you.

[jbraslins]

Need more votes

[pbonsalb]

I think I went 1.6 front and 1.9 rear (pulled front pins for adjustability and H&R Sport lowering springs) for my latest set of $1200 tires (with disposal, mounting and balancing and alignment). Toe was a fraction in. I'll try more negative next time if people are getting good tire life with more.

[Transfer]

I've been on -2.5 in the front for about 6 months (4500 miles) and as far as the handling, I wouldn't go back to anything more positive. I'll be inspecting my tire wear next month but I doubt I'll be able to tell a difference yet. Rear is -2.0 and I do track some. Pulled pins -1.6 max camber just wasn't near good enough. I've even thought about going to -2.8 but my track tire wear seems pretty even right now.

[Porschefile]

There is no "best setting." It comes down to how much tire sacrifice you're willing to put up with for better handling (track performance, presumably). I like -2.0 to -2.5. It eats the front insides quicker than anywhere else, but it handles well and doesn't kill the outsides at the track too bad.

[jbraslins]

Originally Posted by Porschefile

There is no "best setting." It comes down to how much tire sacrifice you're willing to put up with for better handling (track performance, presumably). I like -2.0 to -2.5. It eats the front insides quicker than anywhere else, but it handles well and doesn't kill the outsides at the track too bad.

I realize that. Probably should have named the poll something like "your compromise setting". Thanks for the input and voting.

[CanAutM3]

The poll is sort of difficult to answer as front and rear camber may/most likely will differ. So I assumed front camber for the poll.

-2.5 front was the sweet spot for me with -1.8 in the rear. The increased camber up front made a huge difference in steering feel on the street without too much adverse impact on tire wear.

I have since increased to -2.8 front to optimize my track tire wear, but I do sacrifice street wear in the process (eat up the inside on the street tires). Compromises, compromises

[jbraslins]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

The poll is sort of difficult to answer as front and rear camber may/most likely will differ. So I assumed front camber for the poll.

I did mean front, but I also, possibly incorrectly, assumed that since rear typically has less camber than front, it degrades on the inside less too.

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

-2.5 front was the sweet spot for me with -1.8 in the rear. The increased camber up front made a huge difference in steering feel on the street without too much adverse impact on tire wear.

I have since increased to -2.8 front to optimize my track tire wear, but I do sacrifice street wear in the process (eat up the inside on the street tires). Compromises, compromises

Thanks for input.

[Porschefile]

I run -1.8 to -2.0 rear as well, forgot to add rear camber. Zero front toe, and 1/16 in rear. slightly higher rear camber is for slicks. I never have rears outlive the fronts with -2.0+ and track use.

[jbraslins]

Originally Posted by Porschefile

I run -1.8 to -2.0 rear as well, forgot to add rear camber. Zero front toe, and 1/16 in rear. slightly higher rear camber is for slicks. I never have rears outlive the fronts with -2.0+ and track use.

I've had numerous people tell me in person as well as read on forums that zero toe is not a good thing. Slight toe-in or toe-out is needed. Even if as little as 1/16th. How come you're running zero toe up front.

[Porschefile]

Originally Posted by jbraslins

I've had numerous people tell me in person as well as read on forums that zero toe is not a good thing. Slight toe-in or toe-out is needed. Even if as little as 1/16th. How come you're running zero toe up front.

toe out in front is best for track (turn in is awesome). toe in on street is ideal (makes the car less twitchy and makes tire wear much better). A lot of folks split the difference and run zero to compromise. It works well.

Bimmerworld recommended zero, as did my local race shop, and it works well.

[jbraslins]

2 degrees seems to be getting most votes so far. anyone else chime in?

[Longboarder]

I voted -2 but I run -2.3 fronts (using camber plates on stock ZCP suspension) and -1.8 rears and just averaged them. I would go for more neg camber in front if I tracked the car more often.

[VictorH]

I've run -2.5 up front for the past 20,000 miles and really don't see any excess inside tire wear. Running -1.5 to -1.8 in back with no issues.

[1MOREMOD]

I ran -2.5 front and -1.9 rear on my e90. Was a good compromise for street tire on the track. Would have liked more but thought it was as much as I wanted for street wear. Now run -3.5 front on my e46.

[Sleeper519]

Ditto. Run -2.6 F and -2.0 R with no abnormal wear so far on PSS street.

[M3SQRD]

I'd run -2.7 F and -1.9 R camber for a dual-purpose setup.

[radiantm3]

Originally Posted by Porschefile

There is no "best setting." It comes down to how much tire sacrifice you're willing to put up with for better handling (track performance, presumably). I like -2.0 to -2.5. It eats the front insides quicker than anywhere else, but it handles well and doesn't kill the outsides at the track too bad.

It also depends on where you live and what roads you drive on daily. I have a friend who lives in the mountains and his commute is 90% winding roads. He had to get camber plates for his 335D because the outside of his tires were getting worn really fast just from a daily commute to work.

[C-M2]

Running -2.0F -1.8R no abnormal wear.

[Porschefile]

Originally Posted by radiantm3

It also depends on where you live and what roads you drive on daily. I have a friend who lives in the mountains and his commute is 90% winding roads. He had to get camber plates for his 335D because the outside of his tires were getting worn really fast just from a daily commute to work.

That's awesome! I will add that I did notice excessive inside wear at -2.7 and zero toe FWIW, OP. Probably 6-8 track days and a few thousand miles killed some AD08s on the inside.

[jbraslins]

Thanks everyone for voting!

I guess i'll re-align my DD for -2.0. I am running -3.0 right now since my visit to VIR week ago. Was leaning towards -2.0 anyways.

[CSanto]

Originally Posted by radiantm3

It also depends on where you live and what roads you drive on daily. I have a friend who lives in the mountains and his commute is 90% winding roads. He had to get camber plates for his 335D because the outside of his tires were getting worn really fast just from a daily commute to work.

Thats the most awesome thing I've ever heard. I'm doing something wrong! lol