This year, I'll be building this E92 BMW M3 into the ultimate track day tyre test car!
At the time of purchase it was the cheapest E92 M3 on the market, costing just £13,600 (CAT D), with sub 50,000 miles on the clock. It's a well specified 2008 car, with EDC (electronic damper control), full leather and even digital tv, which almost makes it a shame to tear it apart. But in the name of tyre testing, it must be disassembled.
As part of the build process, the car needed a shakedown. Goodyear kindly offered to provide a set of the new Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport tyres, and a place at the Goodyear sponsored EVO track days at Bedford AutoDrome.
Fortunately, the shakedown of the car went as well as could be expected, with only the brakes (warped NSF disc) and powersteering being an issue, both known issues on e92 M3s and I've plans to sort both.
As the car ran relatively smoothly, it was also a great opportunity to test out the new Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport on track.
The F1 SuperSport is the most road focussed of the three new tyres from Goodyear, with the R and RS having far more track bias.
On the road the F1 SuperSport felt extremely similar to the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S it replaced, having broadly comparable levels of grip, comfort, steering feel and speed. This is good news for the new tyre, and will be tested properly in our full test in June.
On track, the new F1 SuperSport really impressed. The turn-in, grip and balance of the F1 SuperSport was incredible, and at points it felt more like a track tyre than a road tyre. Overheating resistance was excellent for a road tyre, with only the rear right starting to grumble shortly before I received the "no drifting" board, which probably had more to do with the driving style than the tyre itself! Wear was looked to be very low, with very little visible wear after three hard sessions.
While this has in no way been a full comparative review, I thought it was worth sharing in case anyone is wondering whether the F1 SuperSport can be used on track. The answer is yes, it certainly can, and with great results.
Head over to the YouTube channel and subscribe to keep up to date with the new M3 build project. The work starts in July, with each modification being properly tested and timed to see exactly how much faster it makes the car! The episode list will go something like:
Episode 1: Brakes
Episode 2: Suspension
Episode 3: Weight Reduction
Episode 4: Aero
Episode 5: Lighter wheels
Episode 6: Suspension tuning
And more!
Questions or suggestions? Feel free to comment below!
What happened to this project?
I moved to America, the car stayed in the UK. I have plans to get across and do this in August as I have all the parts, who knows if it will happen though!
Ah I see, well I'll keep my fingers crossed then! ;)
PS Even though you're in the US now, you can still spell tyre with a 'y' ;) (re 1(?) of your youtube videos).
Why the M3, if you don't mind me asking?
Was it a personal preference thing or is there a specific criteria that you looked for that makes a good tyre test car?
i.e. heavier or lighter? saloon over sports car? engine placement?
or did it just boil down to the fact that you are able to fit many different tyre sizes, relatively easily?
Tyre sizes was a big factory, but also I know the M3 platform, and it will make a good 6-8 part build series for Youtube.
The original plan was an Exige, but too limited in things you can do to improve it, and wheel sizes.
Weight reduction and suspension
For weight reduction get rid of all seats, fit 2 light weight front seats. Ditch air con. Move battery to boot if not already there. Fit lowest weight forged wheels with a slight increase in width.
Suspension and roll bars take advice from the experts for a setup that makes you feel comfortable driving it, ie pretty neutral and no "moments" if you over cook it. A suspension done that way will be slower in general but will let you get the most out of it due to increased confidence and allow for mistakes.
They are an amazing tyre. Usuable on track, yet wet grip even in the cold (tested at 2 degrees C) is great too. And surprisingly comfortable. So far wearing well also. And in my 18" size cheap too. Can't ask for more really.
The review of the Goodyear Supersport is of particular interest to Alfa Giulia QV owners as unlike Michelin PS4S tyres, Goodyear make tyres of the right size for the QV.
I'm conducting the full test next week!
Great!
Any update you can share?
Yes, 11.30am tomorrow (8th) on youtube and the website not far behind :)