MR7 BUILDS- BMW G80 M3: Track Edition
Turning a G80 M3 into a dedicated track weapon might sound like trying to turn a Swiss Army knife into a scalpel — unnecessary, maybe even a little misguided. After all, this is a nearly 4,000-pound luxury sedan with heated seats, adaptive cruise control, and more leather than a steakhouse booth.
But that’s exactly what makes this project interesting.
We wanted to find out just how far you can push BMW’s latest M3 while keeping it legal for the street and livable for the daily grind. Not a stripped-out trailer queen. Not a race car with a license plate. A proper dual-purpose machine: sharp on track, civil on the commute.
Let’s be clear — if your goal is to dominate time attack, there are better starting points than a four-door family cruiser. But for the growing number of owners who want to explore performance driving without giving up creature comforts, this is the car they already have. And we think it can surprise people.
So we’ve taken a deep dive into the platform. We’re testing tire compounds. Monitoring how quickly consumables like pads and rotors degrade under real track stress. Experimenting with weight reduction that doesn’t *entirely* ruin the street experience. And perhaps most importantly, we’re curating a build using what we believe are the best aftermarket parts currently available for the G80 chassis — no fluff, no gimmicks, just performance where it counts.
This isn’t about bragging rights. It’s about building something that works — and sharing the data that proves it. Think of it as a rolling R&D lab, and a real-world reference for owners chasing more from their M3.
We’ll be posting lap times, telemetry, and on-board footage as development continues. This is just the beginning.
Every component on this car has been chosen with purpose — not just to go fast, but to go fast reliably, lap after lap, without turning the car into a compromise on the street. From suspension and brakes to wheels, tires, aero, and light-weighting strategies, we’ve focused on proven performance backed by real-world results.
Below, you’ll find a full breakdown of the parts we’ve sourced so far. Each one has earned its spot on the build, and we’ll be updating this list as the project evolves.
Click through for details, suppliers, and why we chose each piece (NOTE THAT LIST WILL BE UPDATED AS WE OBTAIN NEW PARTS, AND LAP TIMES/DATA WILL BE ADDED IN ONCE TESTING BEGINS):
Suspension & Handling
SPL- Rear Traction Links for BMW F8X / G8X ($449.00):
FOR F8X & G8X M2 / M3 / M4 - increases stability and response by eliminating bushing deflection under hard acceleration and braking and help to reduce wheel hop on hard launches. Length adjustable links that allow fine tuning of rear bumpsteer and anti squat characteristics. Designed for use in high performance street and race vehicles.
SPL- BMW G8X Front Lower Control Arms M3/M4 ($849.00):
provides roll center, camber, and track width adjustment, and allow for full articulation with the proper ball joint angle. The main arm is slotted to allow the use of pinch bolts, and the rotating clamps on SPL Parts' exclusive Double Adjuster lock down camber and track width settings. No more jam nuts!! Long gone are the days of fumbling with multiple wrenches to tighten jam nuts in place while trying to keep your bearings oriented correctly. The lower control arms come with a ride height sensor bracket to maintain factory ride height sensor location, regardless of length of the arm to keep finicky BMW chassis electronics happy.
SPL- BMW G8X Rear Upper Arms ($899.00):
https://www.splparts.com/products/bmw-g8x-rear-upper-arms.html?searchid=0&search_query=Rua+g8x
maintains proper rear camber and reduce tire wear on the street and track. The stock BMW setup has an aggressive camber curve through bump travel, which is very apparent on lowered cars. Excess negative camber causes premature tire wear on the inside edge, and reduced traction on acceleration while too little camber will limit rear grip while cornering. These Rear Upper Arms provide a wide adjustment range for precise rear camber alignment that is easily optimized for street or track driving while eliminating bushing deflection with smooth articulating Teflon lined rod ends in place of the soft factory rubber bushings. This kit replaces the factory links commonly referred to as the rear wishbone and rear guide links.
SPL- BMW G8X Front Tension Rods ($699.00):
https://www.splparts.com/products/bmw-g8x-front-tension-rods.html?searchid=0&search_query=Tr+g8x+
FOR G8X M2 / M3 / M4 - provides a wide range of front caster adjustment, allowing precise alignment for optimal turn-in response and to compensate for variances between left and right caster. Low-friction, smooth articulating FK Spherical Bearings eliminate the stock mushy rubber bushing to provide a more responsive steering feel. Anti dive geometry can also be tuned with the use of SPL stainless steel spacers.
SPL- Eccentric Camber Lockout Kit for BMW F8X / G8X ($99.00):
FOR F8X & G8X M2 / M3 / M4 - The stock eccentric bolts provided by BMW for small camber adjustments tend to slip under high cornering loads, causing changes to the rear alignment. SPL Parts Eccentric Camber Lockout (ELC) kit eliminate the stock eccentric bolts in the camber arm to keep your rear alignment where you set it. You must have adjustable control arms (RUA F8X) in order to adjust camber after eliminating the stock eccentric bolts. SPL lockout plates are CNC machined from 6061-T6 Aluminum and supplied with zinc plated grade 10.9 bolts and lock nuts for absolutely zero-slip. This kit includes washers and bolts for both camber arms.
SPL- Rear Swaybar Endlinks for BMW F8X / G8X ($249.00):
FOR F8X & G8X M2 / M3 / M4 - These feature massive Teflon lined FK 1/2" Bearings to provide the highest load capacity for use with stiffer aftermarket sway bars. Custom heat treated Chromoly High Misalignment studs connect to the sway bar and offer extreme articulation capability (65°) to prevent the endlink from binding when used with different adjustment holes on aftermarket sway bars. These endlinks are length adjustable to eliminate preload on the sway bars, which can result from uneven settling of springs or uneven suspension heights from corner weighting. Black Anodized 6061-T6 aluminum turnbuckles work in conjunction with the left and right hand threaded rod ends for simple and precise adjustment. Perfect for street or race applications.
SPL- BMW E8M/E9M/G2X/G42/G8X Front Swaybar Endlinks ($249.00):
FOR E8M, E9M, G2X, G42, G8X M2 / M3 / M4 - Feature massive PTFE-lined FK 1/2" bearings to provide the highest load capacity for use with stiffer aftermarket sway bars. Custom heat treated Chromoly High Misalignment Studs connect to the sway bar and offer extreme articulation capability (65°) to prevent the endlink from binding when used with different adjustment holes on aftermarket sway bars. SPL endlinks are length adjustable to eliminate preload on the sway bars, which can result from uneven settling of springs or uneven suspension heights from corner weighting. Black Anodized 6061-T6 Aluminum Turnbuckles work in conjunction with the left and right hand threaded rod ends for simple and precise adjustment. These endlinks are perfect for street or race applications.
***Please note that if you have changed your OEM shocks with aftermarket shocks or coilovers, the mounting location may have moved. Please check the distance between the swaybar and the shock mount, and confirm that it is between 12.9" and 14.4". If it does not fall within this range, call or email SPL with the distance required to find you the proper part. SPL cannot confirm fitment with aftermarket shocks and coilovers***
SPL- BMW F8X Rear Toe Links + Eccentric Lockout ($499.00):
FOR F8X & G8X M2 / M3 / M4 - increase stability and response by eliminating bushing deflection while providing an increased range of rear toe adjustment, necessary for lowered cars or for performance alignments. Even small changes to ride height and camber will affect toe settings and the wide range of adjustment allows you to maximize grip on a track car and extend tire life on a street car. The factory rear toe arms utilize an eccentric bolt and washer for adjustment and lack the precision and range that SPL Parts Rear Toe Links offer. Black Anodized and gun drilled 2024 Aluminum main links along with SPL 360 degree Rotating Clamp design allow for quick and precise adjustment.
SPL- Bumpsteer Adjustable Tie Rod Ends BMW G2X / G8X / G42 ($439.00):
FOR G2X, G42, & G8X M3 / M4 - SPL Tie Rod Ends for the BMW G8X, G2X, and G42 allows for bumpsteer adjustment by allowing the tie rod end pivot to be relocated with the use of spacers. On lowered cars, this results in less dynamic toe change (aka bumpsteer) as the suspension compresses (bump) during cornering and over rough roads, resulting in more predictable handling, less tire shoulder wear, and better stability over rough roads and track curbing.
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NITRON- Nitron Coilover Suspension kit for 2021+ BMW G8x M2, M3 & M4 (R3 Three-Way Coilover Rear, True Type $7,285.00):
3-Way independent damping adjustment. By incorporating our class leading large diameter piston and ultra-strong piston rod, the R3 system demonstrates outstanding levels of performance, damping control and adjustment. Piggyback or remotely mounted reservoir allows quick and simple independent adjustment of rebound and fast and slow compression damping. The large range of adjustment and quality of feedback allows the experienced driver to fully exploit the full potential of their car. The R3 is a proven race winner and lap record holder across a wide spectrum of international motorsport formulas.
NOTE: WE HAVE RWD, SEPARATE LISTING THROUGH PHD FOR AWD / xDRIVE
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Wheel Setup & Tires
SOUL FORGED WHEELS- IMS1 - 13 ($3995.00):
https://soulforgedwheels.com/products/ims1-13
Track fitment suspension modifications required. (Custom Sizing and offsets available)
Set includes 2 19x11ET22 front (5x112), and 2 19x11ET22 rear made from forged aluminum, designed for both track & street use. Our SOUL wheels are 23.34lb/wheel versus the OEM front being 26.7lbs (19x9.5ET20) and OEM rear 27.9lbs (20x10.5ET20). So to simplify, we went wider on both front & rear, yet still managed to lose 16lbs in total. Our wheels are stronger, have knurling to prevent tire slippage on track, and have pockets in the spokes that contribute to those overall weight savings. The IMS-13 BMW wheels were a joint idea between me, Michael, & Soul's design team, as we were on the hunt for the brightest possible silver wheels we could find ("chrome-like" were the words we used). We decided to create something custom for our specific application and are utterly stoked with how brilliant the polished powdercoat finish on them looks.
NANKANG MOTORSPORT- SPORTNEX CR-S Tire V2 ($448.00/tire for our size):
We are running a squared set of 305/30ZR19 CR-S tires, which are a 200 tread. I have only ever run their AR-1 tires on my E92 M3, which are essentially a "double" R comp 100 tread tire, but as most tests are conducted on 200trd, we will primarily be using these. These have an incredible ability to rapidly get up to temps while not overheating or getting greasy, last for a rather extended amount of time, and are a cheaper alternative to a Michelin PS Cup 2 ($563.99 per tire). I'll add in the AR-1 link as well because I would highly recommend either tire for track use.
NANKANG MOTORSPORT- AR-1 Tire V2 ($412.79/tire for our size):
We will be running a squared set of 305/30ZR19 AR-1 tires at certain points. The AR-1 is great for an endurance driving setting and/or frequent track days. Be mindful of road noise if you plan on driving these on the street- I would personally recommend only using them on a track for that reason. These are a 100 tread tire versus the 200 tread of the CR-S. We may alternate due to time attack class restrictions, but for now that is TBD.
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Brakes
GIRODISC- BMW G8X M2, M3, M4 380mm Front Rotors
https://girodisc.com/bmw-g8x-m3-m4-front-rotors/
FOR CARS WITHOUT CARBON CERAMICS
The rotor rings are machined from a proprietary casting made of high-carbon iron formulated to GiroDisc’s specifications. This superior metallurgy results in a rotor that holds up better, and the 72 curved vanes act as a centrifugal pump pulling air in through the hub to effectively cool the rotors under hard use. The 2-piece design means a reusable hat which can be attached to new rings (part number D1-282) when they need to be replaced.
PFC- PFC 331/332 Front & Rear Racing Brake Pads - G87 M2, G80 M3, G82/G83 M4 ($824.00 - other options avail IE front only, rear only):
FOR CARS WITHOUT CARBON CERAMICS
This pad has been specifically engineered around BMW ABS systems where the torque slightly tapers back as temperature rises. Development focused on modulation and release to achieve superior braking, which is critical with an ABS car. Brake balance is shifted slightly rearward, but with fading torque at increased temperatures, this allows a driver to carry more speed to apex of a corner, and usually results in better trail braking and corner speed due to happier tires. These characteristics also benefit non-ABS cars where an eye on tire wear at peak braking will help extend tire life.
BIMMERWORLD- G8X M2/M3/M4 BimmerWorld V3 Stainless Steel Brake Line Set (Front & Rear) ($119.99):
https://www.bimmerworld.com/G80-G82-Front-Rear-Stainless-Steel-Brake-Line-Set.html
As in any performance application, replacing squishy rubber parts with a performance piece will increase response and feel - brakes are no different. Stock rubber brake hoses expand under pressure, requiring increased fluid volume and greater pedal travel for the desired stopping force. What is often misinterpreted as brake fade or fluid boiling can be the brake lines expanding under pressure. BimmerWorld Teflon/Braided Stainless Steel Brake Lines reduce this dramatically and greatly improve pedal feel.
Motul- DOT 4 RBF 660 Brake Fluid (500ml) ($27.29):
This high performance brake fluid is perfect for the most demanding high performance applications. It is used for all types of hydraulic actuated brake and clutch systems requiring a non-silicone synthetic fluid. It has been specially formulated to resist ultra high temperatures generated by racing or other types of extreme operating conditions.
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SAFETY
WALKER PRO MOTORSPORT: WPM G80 M3 Clubsport Half Cage ($2,745.00)
https://walkerpromotorsport.com/products/bmw-g80-m3-roll-bar
We decided on WPM because of their wonderful fabrication and care that they put into building cages for their clients. You are able to select from any prismatic powdercoating finish, and our cage turnaround time as they told us was 30 days (subject to change and based on their workload). They have been so ready to help us with any questions or requests, and communication is punctual every time. HIGHLY recommend getting a cage from them.
TILLETT- Tillett C1 Seat ($2,237.00 for XL - EDGES OFF 44CM, CARBON FIBER):
Offers side impact head support, has a lower driving position, and is "sculpted" to the driver's body. The C1 is ultra rigid but under impact envelops and decelerates the occupant in a controlled and limited way to avoid injury. This safely keeps the competitor in the intended position within the cockpit. The rigidity is vital for stopping the harness and Hans device from becoming loose during an accident. Another benefit is that the uncovered version is ideal in harsh environments.
TILLETT- Tillett B6 Screamer Seat ($1,839.00 for XL - EDGES OFF 43CM, CARBON FIBER):
This model is one of the most compact, lightweight yet comfortable FIA homologated seats on the market. The ability of this seat can be used without covering and the carefully sculptured shape means that you can achieve a lower driving position than the competition. It’s perfectly contoured shape gives excellent support, whilst at the same time leaving the shoulders free to help steer the car unhindered.
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Body & Aero
SUVNEER- G8X M3 / M4 OE+ Aluminum Hood ($1,300.00)
https://www.suvneermotorsports.com/shop/g8x-m3-m4-oe-aluminum-hood/
Lightweight, high quality upgrade from OEM with identical fitment- no modifications required for install. Improves airflow, downforce, and cooling.
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Thanks so much for reading through. We are ecstatic to begin this project after a year 1/2 of organizing logistics and partners. Stay tuned in on our Instagram pages, @raeroberts & @michaelmccarthyracing, for updates to our setup and be on the lookout for our upcoming YouTube videos transforming the car and beginning testing. We will be adding loads more as we go along, but this is a great starting point!