E36 M3 Brakes any good for the track?
Discussion
Hey guys,
Ive got a E36 M3 GT2 today that i plan on using for trackdays and the odd ring trip, the disc's look healthy and plenty of life in the pads but the brakes dont feel much good after a bit of a spirited drive if im honest.
If i was to go with a uprated pad (performanace friction maybe?) would they make much difference? or is my only option a uprated brake kit such as AP?
Ive got a E36 M3 GT2 today that i plan on using for trackdays and the odd ring trip, the disc's look healthy and plenty of life in the pads but the brakes dont feel much good after a bit of a spirited drive if im honest.
If i was to go with a uprated pad (performanace friction maybe?) would they make much difference? or is my only option a uprated brake kit such as AP?
[pedant mode]
It's not a GT2 it's a Evo Individual.
[/pedant mode]
Sorry, things like that annoy individuals like me who have nothing better to do on a Saturday night than to oggle over Ruth on the X Factor and get uber geeky over old BMWs
Anyway, Lovely car all the same. The answer to your question is yes. The standard brakes cope well, however you will need to make sure of the following and make some modifications:
Check that the discs have plenty of life in them. Any rust or pitting and they'll need replaced. If you do replace them, make sure you fit genuine BMW items. Avoid aftermarket rubish like black diamond etc like the plague.
Next, fit some decent braided hoses (ironically, Black Diamond make good ones), some decent race-spec dot 5.1 fluid and finally some proper pads. In my experience of track driving, there is no better pad out there than Pagid. Take your pic as to compound, but Pagid really are the dog's knackers. Expensive yes, but worth it I promise you. I fitted all the above to my Evo for a 'ring trip in April and the brakes lasted 25 laps without so much as even the slightest hint of fade. That's 320 odd miles of 8mpg driving and the brakes performed flawlessly.
HTH
It's not a GT2 it's a Evo Individual.
[/pedant mode]
Sorry, things like that annoy individuals like me who have nothing better to do on a Saturday night than to oggle over Ruth on the X Factor and get uber geeky over old BMWs
Anyway, Lovely car all the same. The answer to your question is yes. The standard brakes cope well, however you will need to make sure of the following and make some modifications:
Check that the discs have plenty of life in them. Any rust or pitting and they'll need replaced. If you do replace them, make sure you fit genuine BMW items. Avoid aftermarket rubish like black diamond etc like the plague.
Next, fit some decent braided hoses (ironically, Black Diamond make good ones), some decent race-spec dot 5.1 fluid and finally some proper pads. In my experience of track driving, there is no better pad out there than Pagid. Take your pic as to compound, but Pagid really are the dog's knackers. Expensive yes, but worth it I promise you. I fitted all the above to my Evo for a 'ring trip in April and the brakes lasted 25 laps without so much as even the slightest hint of fade. That's 320 odd miles of 8mpg driving and the brakes performed flawlessly.
HTH
andye30m3 said:
I've used my e36 m3 on the track and didn't find he brakes up to the job
Hoping to head over to the ring on the summer and want an ap racing or similar set up to make the trip worth while.
No need. See above. Unless you are racing, then the AP option is a waste of money. Trust me.Hoping to head over to the ring on the summer and want an ap racing or similar set up to make the trip worth while.
Thanks for the info, thats just the sort of info i was hoping for, i will start looking into pads now.
I drive hard on track and dont want the brakes wrecking my day.
Whats the score with the GT2 thing then? why does everyone call them a GT2 if its not?
I drive hard on track and dont want the brakes wrecking my day.
Whats the score with the GT2 thing then? why does everyone call them a GT2 if its not?
Edited by jamiep on Saturday 25th October 20:56
jamiep said:
Thanks for the info, thats just the sort of info i was hoping for, i will start looking into pads now.
I drive hard on track and dont want the brakes wrecking my day.
Whats the score with the GT2 thing then? why does everyone call them a GT2 if its not?
It is regarded as the follow on to the GT (hence 'GT2') which was only available in British Racing Green. It is in fact not much more than an Evo with different interior but like I said, a lovely car all the same. See here for more info http://www.m3gtregister.com/.I drive hard on track and dont want the brakes wrecking my day.
Whats the score with the GT2 thing then? why does everyone call them a GT2 if its not?
Edited by jamiep on Saturday 25th October 20:56
Also make sure all your brake lines etc are up to scratch and you wont go wrong with the set-up I highlighted above. A friend fitted an AP kit to his E39 M5 and wished he'd never bothered. That's not to say AP are crap, but you will do yourself very little favour by fitting a £2k set of AP's.
Edited by ASBO on Saturday 25th October 21:07
ASBO said:
andye30m3 said:
I've used my e36 m3 on the track and didn't find he brakes up to the job
Hoping to head over to the ring on the summer and want an ap racing or similar set up to make the trip worth while.
No need. See above. Unless you are racing, then the AP option is a waste of money. Trust me.Hoping to head over to the ring on the summer and want an ap racing or similar set up to make the trip worth while.
Standard OEM discs are absolutely fine, it really comes down to the pads you use.
I have Pagid RS29s all round, and they are brilliant for stopping the car, but terrible for day-to-day driving, because the rears rattle SO MUCH. I will fit OEM rear pads once I've done my next track day, but it's a shame really. Normal pads have the 3 clips that fit inside the piston, Pagids don't, hence why they rattle.
On track, the 2 biggest let-downs of the E36 are the brake and suspension, so if you can sort those out then you're on to a winner!
I have Pagid RS29s all round, and they are brilliant for stopping the car, but terrible for day-to-day driving, because the rears rattle SO MUCH. I will fit OEM rear pads once I've done my next track day, but it's a shame really. Normal pads have the 3 clips that fit inside the piston, Pagids don't, hence why they rattle.
On track, the 2 biggest let-downs of the E36 are the brake and suspension, so if you can sort those out then you're on to a winner!
If you're serious about it then i wouldn't look anywhere else than Intrax, have sold many a set for E36's and for the money nothing else will touch them, agree with the brakes as well to some extent, pads and fluid are the most important factor and will transform standard brakes but a standard set up will never compare to an AP set up with the same decent pads and fluid
Edited by taffyracer on Sunday 26th October 07:53
http://www.intraxracing.nl/?lang=EN
http://www.xlraceparts.com/intrax-1k2-1033-p.asp
I have the same kit on my e46 CSL and it is awesome.
http://www.xlraceparts.com/intrax-1k2-1033-p.asp
I have the same kit on my e46 CSL and it is awesome.
Fully agree with the other replies here. New BMW discs, some braided lines, decent fluid and Pagid pads will be fine.
I've got Pagid RS-29s on my E30 m3 and they are amazing. Never got them to fade on lots of nurburgring laps and they seem to be lasting really well too. They also work fine from cold. They can be quite squealy but all good track pads will be.
I've also fitted the Bimmerworld brass caliper bushings to help stiffen up the caliper and therefore brake pedal.
I've got Pagid RS-29s on my E30 m3 and they are amazing. Never got them to fade on lots of nurburgring laps and they seem to be lasting really well too. They also work fine from cold. They can be quite squealy but all good track pads will be.
I've also fitted the Bimmerworld brass caliper bushings to help stiffen up the caliper and therefore brake pedal.
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