My M3 Musings

"extraspecialbitter" (extraspecialbitter) 10/21/2016 at 11:59 • Filed to: WHY SO EXPENSIVE, M3 MUSINGS

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District 5!  Quack!  Quack!  Quack!

So... I’ve got mayyybe 1 more HPDE event left this year, and since I’ve started I’ve noticed a few things on my M3 that I need to take care of. And my wallet’s getting tired... Serves me right. (emo-sigh)

First, wear-and-tear items like brakes, rotors, and tires. I get the wobble when I brake so this will give me an excuse to replace the rotors. It’s a shame because my stock drilled rotors are nowhere near connecting the dots yet. I’ll save them for a rainy day, I guess.

Ultimately though, I’ll probably have to install some semblance of a slotted BBK if I’m going to continue on my rampage to reach Instructor status. That’s easily a few grand.

Tires, I’ll probably have to replace them around mid-season next year at this rate. That’s over a grand for Michelin PSS.

Which brings me to my next issue. I’m wondering if I should continue to go with the factory staggered wheels (245/40-18 front; 265/40-18 rear), or go with something like Apex’s square track wheels that’ll give me 18x10s (or so) all around. Anyone have any experience with that? I’ve heard the handling changes drastically when you do that.

Everything extra is pretty much a “when I hit the lottery” purchase...

You’ve made it through this post. Have a few pictures.

Kinja rotation

Her first outing!... Da hell you doin’ there, guy?

Out, but with a W - has found the answer > extraspecialbitter 10/21/2016 at 12:11

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For M3 specific comments on the square setup, you might be better off on one of the BMW forums? In general you’re going to have more oversteer, but the amount of stagger is rather limited on your current setup, so I doubt it’d change drastically.

I’ve read somewhere that for theoretically neutral handling (disregarding suspension geometry), you’d want to match stagger to weight distribution, so square for 50/50, and wider rear tires for mid-engined stuff. Sorta makes sense if you look at the basic physics behind it.
Base BMW 3 Series run a square setup as well, it’s only for the high-powered ones that they introduce stagger, I’m assuming to get some safe understeer at the limit.

E90M3 > extraspecialbitter 10/21/2016 at 12:13

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You replace a throttle position actuator yet?

MUSASHI66 > extraspecialbitter 10/21/2016 at 12:19

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Good problem to have... can’t you resurface the existing rotors? I am not sure if that can be done on drilled rotors or not.

unclevanos (Ovaltine Jenkins) > extraspecialbitter 10/21/2016 at 12:25

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Have no insight on tires, but nice m3 though.

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > extraspecialbitter 10/21/2016 at 12:41

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I still say I would DD when it’s not raining an Ariel Atom...

extraspecialbitter > Out, but with a W - has found the answer 10/21/2016 at 13:49

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Interesting, I didn’t even consider weight distribution, but I suppose that’s why the handling characteristics change. I’ll talk to my mechanic when I bring it in for inspection. Thanks!

extraspecialbitter > MUSASHI66 10/21/2016 at 13:51

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I don’t think I wanna even try. Rotors are 8 years old from the factory. Previous owner babied the hell out of it.

extraspecialbitter > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars 10/21/2016 at 13:51

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Helmet or no helmet?

extraspecialbitter > E90M3 10/21/2016 at 13:53

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Negative. Punch Knocking on wood.

extraspecialbitter > unclevanos (Ovaltine Jenkins) 10/21/2016 at 13:53

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Thanks!

E90M3 > extraspecialbitter 10/21/2016 at 13:57

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I’ve had the worst luck with mine, first one at 25k, second one at 36k.

extraspecialbitter > E90M3 10/21/2016 at 14:10

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Good god. I’m at 28k right now............

S65 > extraspecialbitter 10/21/2016 at 14:13

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Video needed

extraspecialbitter > S65 10/21/2016 at 14:20

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... I’ll need to add GoPro setup to list of things to buy.

E90M3 > extraspecialbitter 10/21/2016 at 14:20

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Yeah, apart from those, mine’s been good.

S65 > extraspecialbitter 10/21/2016 at 14:21

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Nice car, I’ve always wanted one as you can tell from my username.

extraspecialbitter > E90M3 10/21/2016 at 14:22

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Are you tracking yours?

E90M3 > extraspecialbitter 10/21/2016 at 14:25

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I haven’t. I had no time with work and now I don’t need to be spending money on it. Once I get another job, I’d like to track it at least once.

extraspecialbitter > E90M3 10/21/2016 at 14:30

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It’s definitely something else. Hope to see you out there sometime

extraspecialbitter > S65 10/21/2016 at 14:33

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Well, I can tell you that after a couple months of ownership you won’t be disappointed. It is a moneypit though.

I was sitting on a savings for something like this and I finally pulled the trigger after I found my unicorn.

Thanks!

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > extraspecialbitter 10/21/2016 at 16:34

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If you’re going to be tracking a lot, I’d definitely go with a square setup - for more neutral handling and the ability to rotate. I haven’t yet, but will eventually. I only get to the track a couple times a year - if you go a lot, a dedicated set with better, cheaper track-focused tires is probably smart.

My ‘08 sedan is about to roll 95k miles - no throttle actuator or rod bearing issues to speak of. Think I got a good one!

AM3R shamefully returns > extraspecialbitter 10/21/2016 at 17:14

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I recommend the apex wheels. Very fair price for them and the customer service is great. You should actually talk to the guys at apex about a good set up. Had a 1.5 hour long convo over a BMW forum with one of their reps about wheel fitment, and I wasn’t even buying a set of apex wheels! I was throwing a set of 219m’s onto my 335i. Very helpful.

Also, get a set of track tires. PSS aren’t great track tires. Might as well keep those for the street and extend their life.

extraspecialbitter > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 10/21/2016 at 20:43

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Wow that’s awesome. I guess it’s true then; the E9x issues are kinda hit or miss.

You’re with PCA, right? I’m thinking of joining them because them dudes got events all the damn time, it feels like.

extraspecialbitter > AM3R shamefully returns 10/21/2016 at 20:45

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You’re not talking about R compounds, right? Because everyone and their mothers have been telling me to hold off on them til I advance.

AM3R shamefully returns > extraspecialbitter 10/22/2016 at 00:45

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Doesn’t necessarily have to be r comps, not sure why people would tell you to hold off though. PSS overheat quickly on the track. Fantastic street tire though.  

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > extraspecialbitter 10/22/2016 at 11:21

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I’m not a PCA member, but I’ve done track events with them a couple times.