AP Racing

[BlackPrince]

Evo said that the CSL is now in "ubiquitous" owner spec of intrax suspension, and that the wilt-prone brakes have mostly been upgraded to AP Racing. From personal experience on PH Classifieds, autotrader, and CSL Register everyday this doesn't seem to be the case.

I will be driving about 100mi/d down unpoliced B-roads, and perhaps doing one trip to the Nurburgring each year with no other trackdays.

I'd prefer to spend under £25k but I can stretch a bit beyond that if the AP upgrade is a "necessity".

I know that one shouldn't believe everything one reads but all I have to go on now are evo's words, which I'm sure are a bit of an exaggeration but I wanted to be sure before I plonked down my hard-earned

[outnumbered]

For that usage, APs and aftermarket suspension are certainly not a necessity (and make it theoretically impossible to have the BMW extended warranty, although some dealers have been known to turn a blind eye). EVO are exaggerating, if you look at the adverts, less than half the cars that come up have non-stock brakes or suspension.

The standard brakes are well up to normal B road driving, and the 'ring, especially for "hobby drivers" .

[danp]

BlackPrince said:

Evo said that the CSL is now in "ubiquitous" owner spec of intrax suspension, and that the wilt-prone brakes have mostly been upgraded to AP Racing. From personal experience on PH Classifieds, autotrader, and CSL Register everyday this doesn't seem to be the case.

I will be driving about 100mi/d down unpoliced B-roads, and perhaps doing one trip to the Nurburgring each year with no other trackdays.

I'd prefer to spend under £25k but I can stretch a bit beyond that if the AP upgrade is a "necessity".

I know that one shouldn't believe everything one reads but all I have to go on now are evo's words, which I'm sure are a bit of an exaggeration but I wanted to be sure before I plonked down my hard-earned

Guess it depends how hard you are going to drive down the B roads and at the Ring (tho' that is not considered to be hard on brakes) ;-)

If no track days are planned IMHO you'd probably be fine on OEM, with perhaps a pad/fluid/hose upgrade being a sensible and cheap option.

Ask over at cslregister.com - but beware most of them have the BBK (as do I, but reckon I'd be fine with the above!)

[darreni]

The STD CSL suspension is actually very good, as long as the dampers & springs etc have been replaced when required.

I doubt that you will cook the brakes in normal road use either.

If you intennd to track it often though, try cslregister , lots of ideas & information there & most are racers or trackday regulars.

[shim]

I'd guess about 1/3 have uprated brakes (but 95% of cars that are used for Trackdays) and maybe about 1/5 have some sort of aftermarket suspension.

If your car is road use and Ring I would stick with oEM suspension as it is specifically built for the Ring and up rate fluid and pads

That will be more than sufficient but the first time you take it to Spa or Silverstone ECG you will wish you had done the AP conversion

Edited by shim on Friday 8th July 08:33

[terryb]

I'd say that tyres will make more of a difference than anything when you get out on the Ring - Cups are the tyres of choice for track work - makes a massive improvement over more normal tyres. Helps if you can get some more camber on too which you can with adjustable camber plates - not expensive and easy to set-up.

[The Moose]

We did the AP Racing brakes which made a huge difference.

Then we did cup tyres - felt like cheating

[TOENHEEL]

I would say that most have been upgraded but when they come to sell put them back to standard. Seemed to be the case when I was looking for one. After driving my mates car around croft circuit Ap's and Supersprints are a must!!