E46 M3: Which pads for trackday?

E46 M3: Which pads for trackday?

Author
Discussion

mpit

Original Poster:

373 posts

169 months

Friday 29th May 2015
quotequote all
As per the title - I've just picked up an M3 and 'm after some pads that'll see me through a few trackdays.

I had DS2500s in my Clio 182 and I found they would start to fade if pushed hard for a few laps in a row, so I'm guessing I want something far more substantial for something as weighty as an M3.

Any recommendations?


Paul_M3

2,356 posts

184 months

Friday 29th May 2015
quotequote all
Pagid RS29.

I tried a few cheaper ones in my M3 which was a false economy. The Pagids were by far the best and last longer.

mpit

Original Poster:

373 posts

169 months

Friday 29th May 2015
quotequote all
I keep hearing reports that the RS29s squeal like mad when hot, though.

The car is primarily a road car - I can't deal with ridiculous squealing again.

Paul_M3

2,356 posts

184 months

Friday 29th May 2015
quotequote all
They can do, yes. But it's a bit hit and miss.

With one set I chamfered the pads, put rubber anti-squeal shims on the back, and then Ceratec anti-squeal paste on it.

I think I just left those pads in all summer rather than keep changing them.

mpit

Original Poster:

373 posts

169 months

Friday 29th May 2015
quotequote all
They didn't squeal at all after that?

I did the same set of things chasing the squeal in my R26 Brembos, nothing I did would make it go away frown

How dusty are they? Is there an alternative that is a little less extreme?

I suppose one option would be to put pads in just for the track day, but I think that would be even more annoying, and I'd prefer the car felt the same all the time.

Did you upgrade the rear pads at the same time?

Paul_M3

2,356 posts

184 months

Friday 29th May 2015
quotequote all
It was a while ago now, being honest so don't take this as 100% true....

But from memory they'd be silent for a couple of weeks or so of normal driving. Then the odd little squeal. A decent hammering (from naughty speeds) would then quieten them up again.

I can't remember what I had in the rear, but it definitely wasn't RS29's. I think I used something that was more of a fast road pad in the rear. I think it may have been the less aggressive Performance Friction pads.

I've just put Pagid S pads (http://www.pagidracing.com/products/pagid-s/) in the rear of my Cayman, and even they are squealing slightly. (I need to take them back out and fit the anti-squeal shims)

W8PMC

3,345 posts

237 months

Saturday 30th May 2015
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Another vote for RS29's

Bradders901

225 posts

130 months

Sunday 31st May 2015
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I run RS29 on my track m3 - I wouldn't try another brand as they do the job for me (with better fluid and braided lines) but if it was my daily driver, I would have to swap them out for oem pads as they do squeal and I couldn't hack that when commuting.

Bradders901

225 posts

130 months

Sunday 31st May 2015
quotequote all
I run RS29 on my track m3 - I wouldn't try another brand as they do the job for me (with better fluid and braided lines) but if it was my daily driver, I would have to swap them out for oem pads as they do squeal and I couldn't hack that when commuting.

smicher1

20 posts

167 months

Sunday 31st May 2015
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Another vote for RS29's with upgraded fluid and braided hoses.

M3 CSL, road and track - superb!

foxsasha

1,416 posts

134 months

Sunday 31st May 2015
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Pagid RST3 fronts and RS29s on the back of my 330D. On a side note is it normal for M Sport suspension to be so crash and unrefined? The car was awful to drive when I bought it. Wouldn't have taken much for me to be convinced it was running on cut springs rather than factory fitted kit. It is a low mileage car so it's not like the shocks were excessively worn.

Fitted aftermarket coilovers soon after purchasing the car, it's so much nicer to drive now.

Are M3s of the same era fitted with the same setup?

Patrick Bateman

12,143 posts

173 months

Sunday 31st May 2015
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No, they're not.

Bikeracer1098

510 posts

187 months

Sunday 31st May 2015
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Standard M3 brakes are poor, best pads would be Pagid RS 29

However bin the original set up and fit a BBK.

There are numerous options on the marked depending on your budget.

I went for Brembo BMW Performance Calipers with OEM CSL discs on the front and Porsche 997/Boxster Calipers on the rear.

Hope that helps, for more advice get yourself onto www.m3cutters.co.uk

foxsasha

1,416 posts

134 months

Sunday 31st May 2015
quotequote all
Patrick Bateman said:
No, they're not.
Don't suppose you know what BMW did with the M Sports? Specifically E90. Was it just springs or shorter stiffer damped shock absorbers as well? How does the M3 set up differ?

hughcam

411 posts

164 months

Tuesday 2nd June 2015
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Bikeracer1098 said:
However bin the original set up and fit a BBK.

There are numerous options on the marked depending on your budget.
I dont agree with the above. As a standard car or lightly modified sticking on a bbk is a waste of money IMO for two reasons;

1. The m3 really isnt an ideal track car due to weighing 1600kgs. If your going to use it on track weight reduction would be far more beneficial than a bbk. or if using frequently buy a track focussed car.

2. Performance pads such as rs29 really are tear your neck off powerful one warm. All more pistons do is give better heat dissipation and modulation - great for a race/track car being which the m3 aint.

I would advise a pad and fluid swap then just get out and enjoy the car as bmw intended!