Running report on the Z4MC

[Cheburator]

what conti's does the M run as standard?

Conti SportContact 2. Manure...

:roll:

ContiSportContact. The ORIGINAL ContiSportContact, not CSC 2, not CSC 3. The first generation Contis.

Before you all jump on the Contis and proclaim it as the worst tire ever made, just be aware that these Contis are specially formulated for BMW to be used on the E46 M3 and they're different from the typical first generation Contis you will run across.

Dude,

I know they were formulated for the ///M cars because they have the M3 compound stamp on them, in the same ways as the Bridgestone Potenza S-02s, which I used to run on my Porsche before it became a race car, had N1, N2 or N3. However, the M3 stamp don't make the ContiSport a good tyre at all. I still maintain that it is totally unsuited to the Z4MC and really spoils the fun of pushing it at anything over 8/10s...

 

[Andy]

Edited to add: The Edo GT2 RS is out on the Nordschelife right now:

whats that going through the barrier, an R8 ? Kinda looks Veyron-ish from that small view..

 

[chad5k1]

Well so far, I've found the CSC2 not too bad at all. It's certainly quite progressive in it's breakaway, this is one of the most important things I look for a in a tyre, makes it more enjoyable than outright grip alone.
Having said that I've only tried alpina's on a couple of different tyres, so don't know how different it would be with a different tyre. I'll maybe try the Toyo T1-R or the Falken 452 or perhaps the new Vredistein.

 

[The HACK]

Dude,

I know they were formulated for the ///M cars because they have the M3 compound stamp on them, in the same ways as the Bridgestone Potenza S-02s, which I used to run on my Porsche before it became a race car, had N1, N2 or N3. However, the M3 stamp don't make the ContiSport a good tyre at all. I still maintain that it is totally unsuited to the Z4MC and really spoils the fun of pushing it at anything over 8/10s...

The M3 specific formulation is much different than the regular ContiSportContact. My friend has an '05 E46 M3 that has the same tires, and we drove it at Willow Springs International Raceway, reputed to be one of the fastest tracks out west in the United States, and we were seeing 120+mph entering turn 8 consistently. That's almost R-comp territory, especially on a heavy pig like the E46 M3.

They're loud, they're obnoxious and they'll complain all the time about being pushed, but they're surprisingly well behaved at anything over 8/10th. I had a passenger ask me what sort of R-comp I was using at Willow Springs. I told him the OE ContiSportContact type. Another friend/passenger was shocked that it was Contis I was on given the speed I was carrying. Now, I don't know if that's more a function of a superb chassis making up for crappy tires, but I like them. Predictable as heck and let's you slide around a bit before reigning you in, what more can you ask for in a set of street tires from the factory?

I'll let you know how much I still like them after I wear through them and put on a set of Bridgestone RE-01Rs.

 

[mikedav]

Interesting thread this. Im reading alot about this strut brace....whats the cost and how big a difference does it make?

whats that going through the barrier, an R8 ? Kinda looks Veyron-ish from that small view..

Definitely an R8

 

[willdew]

willdew,

More than happy to give you a lap - but I should add, I have about 30 laps under my belt at the 'Ring, so am still off the full pace somewhat. I think Cherburator would probably come past me... twice... even on those sodding Conti's..

Hi,
You still coming to the 'ring this weekend? If so, see you in the car park. I'll be arriving Saturday evening, leaving on Tuesday and will be in my black 968 Sport.

 

[sixspeed]

Yup! I'll be there. At the 'Ring for Sat evening and Sunday all day. Then will be at Spa on Monday...

 

[mikedav]

Im goin to the 'Ring on the 20th if anyone is about

 

[Blacklines]

Very tempted to come over this weekend. 1st year I have not had a season ticket in 5 years and it hurts to buy laps at normal prices.

Plus I have a day with Prodrive at their track near Kenilworth on Monday.

Have fun and drive safe. Watch out for the UK nutters in Scoobies. There will be a lot from Crossroads coming over.

 

[sixspeed]

Come along! Worth it just for the Pistenklaus steaks! lol

 

[Caddyshk]

Yup! I'll be there. At the 'Ring for Sat evening and Sunday all day. Then will be at Spa on Monday...

Please get some in Car video at SPA - I'll likely never get out there with my Z4MC so I'll be living through your experience. I visited the track in 2006 - had the F1GP booked as part of a 10 day trip to Belgium :headbang: Went anyway. Drove straight to the track from Brussels after the all night flight - when we arrived there was a track day session on; couple of F430's, P-cars, Vantage etc. Looked like great fun... Oh well, maybe some day

 

[sixspeed]

Will do! With my harness bar going in tomorrow, I'll be able to get a really nice setup with my bullet-cam

 

[Caddyshk]

Will do! With my harness bar going in tomorrow, I'll be able to get a really nice setup with my bullet-cam

Can't wait! make sure you go full throttle through and up Eau Rouge

 

[inTgr8r]

Will do! With my harness bar going in tomorrow, I'll be able to get a really nice setup with my bullet-cam

Can't wait! make sure you go full throttle through and up Eau Rouge

+1.... that should be a kick ass vid

 

[sixspeed]

LOL - i'll try!

Harness bar and Schroth harnesses are now in! Looks great - and the company that did the bar said they have no problems making up more, so if anyone is interested in one, then it should be possible. Will put some pics up in my other thread tomorrow as it was too dark to get one by the time we were finished tonight...