E46 M3 Modifications

[N10SVST]

Hi guys and gals! Been lurking here for awhile. Excellent website.
I had the privilege of participating in the club driving school in July 2004 and I'm hooked. I'm definitely signing up for this year's driving schools.

I'm by no means an expert driver but I found that the M3 plows a bit much and the brakes overheat and fade more easily than I expected (even in the cool rainy weather in July).

Do you guys or gals know of a reputable shop/garage with experience in installing coilovers, camber plates, sways and BBKs on e46 M3s. Your recommendations would be much appreciated.


Thanks.



Yuri

[Lee]

For such upgrades I would suggest PMI in ïle Perrot.

But I am pretty skeptical when you mention that your brakes were fading... in the rain. Maybe your brake pads are the cream of the crap.

As for an inherent understeer, I might suggest a different line on the track. Anyway our e46 M3 expert (yes, Andrei, that is you) has done several suspension and brake upgrades on his M3 and would be a good source of information.

[Andrei]

I found that the M3 plows a bit much

Slow down before entering the corner. Then give it some gas, don't coast. To make it rotate you can make a small sudden throttle lift, especially in a slow corner.



[QUOTE=N10SVST]
the brakes overheat and fade more easily than I expected (even in the cool rainy weather in July).

Shouldn't happen in the wet. In the dry the stock setup is adequate for a beginner. Fluid(Motul 600) +good pads (Hawk HT10 or Carbotech equivalent) would do well for a few schools on street tires.



Do you guys or gals know of a reputable shop/garage with experience in installing coilovers, camber plates, sways and BBKs on e46 M3s.

I have done my BBK in New Jersey at Zeckhausen (http://www.zeckhausen.com)
Dave Zeckhausen is the largest distributor of StopTech brakes in the States and does a good job installing them. As for installation of suspension bits I am still looking. I have a few leads but they are not BMW shops.

For a street oriented car Bilstein PSS9 is the better kit. For more track oriented setup (still useable on the street) Ground Control are the best. They also make full on race kits that are very good.

I do know about PMI here in Montreal but I have never dealt with them. I can't say anything good or bad about them as I don't know.

I plan on doing some of the mods myself just to learn about that stuff.

[Emre]

I had the privilege of participating in the club driving school in July 2004 and I'm hooked. I'm definitely signing up for this year's driving schools.Hi, Yuri. Glad you enjoyed the school. We have a lot in store for this summer.


I'm by no means an expert driver but I found that the M3 plows a bit much and the brakes overheat and fade more easily than I expected (even in the cool rainy weather in July).As others have said, some of the brake fade and understeer you're experiencing is probably due to technique. Novice drivers tend to turn in early and enter slower corners a little faster than they should: this will overheat the front tires and cause understeer.

As for brake fade, you need good, track-oriented pads. But again, most of the brake fade experienced by novice drivers is due to poor technique: most novices start braking too early and they "drag" the brakes. One the track, you should brake with maximum force for the shortest possible distance.


Do you guys or gals know of a reputable shop/garage with experience in installing coilovers, camber plates, sways and BBKs on e46 M3s. Your recommendations would be much appreciated.Unfortunately, there aren't any great shops in the Montreal area. I've had most of my car set-up done in the States. If you have the time (and money) to travel to the US, maybe you should consider stopping by Turner Motorsports or HMS Motorsports. They're not too far and they are REALY good at setting up E46 M3's. I've personally had terrific experiences with WIll Turner and can't recommend him highly enough.

Emre

[N10SVST]

Thanks for the replies guys. I really did enjoy the HPDE. I'm looking forward to participating in more HPDEs this summer.

I actually came across PMI on the net and I have spoken with one of them, Seb was his name. Very pleasant and helpful guy. I was wondering if any of you had 1st hand experience with them, but I guess not.

Dave Z. is well regarded in various BMW message boards as far a brakes are concerned but he doesn't do suspension mods and Jersey is a bit too far from me.

I may have to look at having the mods done by TMS. My location is equidistant to Montreal and Amesbury. There's just the added hassle of crossing the border. But oh well.

Thanks again guys for the tips. I hope to be a better driver by the end of this Summer. :)

[Lee]

Are you from Halifax? That is a long drive to Montreal. I was in Halifax a few months ago to pick-up an e30 Touring that arrived from Germany by boat. It was a pleasant drive along the Maine border.

Honestly, you do not need to go a either Turner or PMI to install your suspension. I am sure that there is a shop competent enough around Halifax. Even you can do it if you are handy.