M3 CS - what mods worth doing ?

[BAZ - fire]

I'm new to the BMW pistonheads, so forgive me if I'm asking an old question.

I have an M3 CS - What mods. are worth doing ? without spending big ££££
(Apart from selling it and buying a CSL !! for all you lucky CSL owners !)

I'm thinking of lowering suspension and perhaps a 'chip' upgrade.
Is the DMS chip any good ?

Thanks ~ Baz

[m3 paul]

I have fitted eibach pro kit springs. Gives a subtle but very neat drop. For a remap you could try emaps. Simon is very knowledgable and above all honest. You won't get big power gains bit it will give a much smoother and hence nicer power delivery.

[taffyracer]

Baz, the only thing worth doing is pads, fluid and hoses, the rest is fine as it is and you won't improve on it, lowering springs do nothing for the handling and destroy the ride, induction kits are a waste of money on their own and chips do little on a highly tuned M3 and the brakes only need fettling to bring out the best, all IMO of course

[m12_nathan]

Depends on your definition of a fortune I guess

[BAZ - fire]

Cheers for that.
It has confirmed that maybe it's not worth doing too much to the CS.
Just a few minor subtle things.

Thanks

[ian in lancs]

taffyracer said:

Baz, the only thing worth doing is pads, fluid and hoses, the rest is fine as it is and you won't improve on it, lowering springs do nothing for the handling and destroy the ride, induction kits are a waste of money on their own and chips do little on a highly tuned M3 and the brakes only need fettling to bring out the best, all IMO of course

ok i've got a z4m - what fluid (is that to raise boiling point?), which pads (other posts/threads didn't have consistent view on EBC for ex) and i guees you mean braided hoses to improve feel?

[m12_nathan]

Yes braided hoses.

Fluid - Castrol SRF or cheaper is AP Racing PRF600 (from memory)
Pads = pagid RS19 or RS29 (Pagid Yellows)

[taffyracer]

If you can stretch to SRF then yes it's the best, AP 660 is a close 2nd though and hoses with some Pagid RS29's really make a huge difference and complete the car, that is all i would do other than RTAB if it needs it and then some decent tyres, nothing else will improve on what's there significantly enough to warrant any addditional spend IMHO

[J.T.]

Interesting read. I too have just bought a CS and am planning some track days soon.

Over on MTorque there is a real fan club for upgrading to AP calipers/discs - I'm hearing here that the OEM is up to the job if you upgrade pads/fluid/hoses?

Next step is to find a spare set of rims and apply sticky rubber - should I stick with CSL styley 19s or can I fit 18s to give me more tyre choice?

Thanks folks, JT

[taffyracer]

18's will allow you to run all the slicks on offer, some nice 235/265 dunlops would work a treat, CS brakes are CSL I believe which are the same as the Z4M and I don't have any issues wiht standard stuff with RS29's and some AP fluid on track, AP's are very good though, personally I don't believe they are needed unless you are tracking alot

[dan101smith]

I'd definitely recommend starting with pads/fluid/hoses - I've just fitted Pagid Yellow RS29s to my car (admittedly not a CS) and it's made a HUGE improvement, with fluid and hoses to be done this weekend.

Do this first, see how you find it, and if you decide it still isn't enough stopping power, go for an AP setup.

[RatBoy M3CS]

M3CS post track day comments...

Well i tried tracking my CS a month back.. and can report that you shouldnt go near the track without changing the front brake pads, Pagids RS series are very popular but 165 quid a set, I have just put some Ferodo DS2500'S in mine which are half the price and some AP formula dot 5.1 fluid, its not too dear at 10 quid a litre.. and i will let you know how it goes after the next one.. Silverstone GP on March 1st..!

You will cook the front pads if you dont change them and get resin on the discs like i have, the result of this is horrible steering vibration when you hit the middle pedal on the fast straights, there are also some air restrictor plates in the front air ducts that i took out too, this gives them the best chance of staying cool... if this fails.. i'm going AP..

John Thorne at thorney motorsport in milton keynes was very helpful, and will be happy to put set of front AP's on your car for you for about 2 grand, I went to see him on Friday..!

[ejwillistyles]

I'm looking into getting a CS, you are answering all the track day related questions I had, much appreciated!!

Ed

Edited by ejwillistyles on Thursday 28th February 12:32

Edited by ejwillistyles on Thursday 28th February 12:33