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How-to: Cheap brake upgrade

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hopz121
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Re: How-to: Cheap brake upgrade

Post by hopz121 » Fri Jun 20, 2014 9:56 pm

Thanks for your help.

The site doesn't tell me which wear sensor I need though, do I get the original 3.0i one or an e46 330 one / z4 3.0si one as I'm using new callipers from those cars. Different part numbers so I'm
Guessing different connectors etc

To my knowledge no one has said so far.

Thanks

Ash
2004 BMW E46 M3 Coupe - Manual - Silver Grey
2017 BMW F31 318d M-Sport - Auto - Glacier Silver
2007 Porsche Cayman 2.7 - Manual - Arctic Silver
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Re: How-to: Cheap brake upgrade

Post by Toe-side » Fri Jun 20, 2014 10:16 pm

Have you tried your original sensors. I have my original sensors 3.0 connected to my ex 330 calipers and associated pads :thumbsup:
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Re: How-to: Cheap brake upgrade

Post by LukeMace » Fri Jun 20, 2014 11:10 pm

Toe-side wrote:Have you tried your original sensors. I have my original sensors 3.0 connected to my ex 330 calipers and associated pads :thumbsup:
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Re: How-to: Cheap brake upgrade

Post by David-H » Sat Jun 21, 2014 5:42 am

Toe-side wrote:Have you tried your original sensors. I have my original sensors 3.0 connected to my ex 330 calipers and associated pads :thumbsup:
Same here. :thumbsup:
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Re: How-to: Cheap brake upgrade

Post by cj10jeeper » Sat Jun 21, 2014 9:41 am

No need to touch the hoses or sensors unless you damage them or they otherwise need renewing.
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Re: How-to: Cheap brake upgrade

Post by hopz121 » Sat Jun 21, 2014 10:30 am

Thanks for the help guys, i will use my existing 3.0i sensor then :)

I am going to put uprated hoses on though i think.

Just need to find some callipers now.
2004 BMW E46 M3 Coupe - Manual - Silver Grey
2017 BMW F31 318d M-Sport - Auto - Glacier Silver
2007 Porsche Cayman 2.7 - Manual - Arctic Silver
2003 Renault Clio 172 Cup - Blue
2003 BMW E85 Z4 3.0i - Gone
2008 BMW E90 330i SE - Gone

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Re: How-to: Cheap brake upgrade

Post by hopz121 » Wed Jul 16, 2014 9:22 am

Just to update, i have found some calipers and carriers which are on there way to me, i have got some front stainless hoses.

Im going to order some new disc's and pads, Brembo disc's and Textar E pads i think.

I am pretty good with hands on stuff but have never bleed car brakes before, is it easy enough to do? Is it worth buying a bleed kit or what do i need?

Any help would be great.

Thanks

Ash
2004 BMW E46 M3 Coupe - Manual - Silver Grey
2017 BMW F31 318d M-Sport - Auto - Glacier Silver
2007 Porsche Cayman 2.7 - Manual - Arctic Silver
2003 Renault Clio 172 Cup - Blue
2003 BMW E85 Z4 3.0i - Gone
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Re: How-to: Cheap brake upgrade

Post by ESP » Wed Jul 16, 2014 10:08 am

hopz121 wrote:
I am pretty good with hands on stuff but have never bleed car brakes before, is it easy enough to do? Is it worth buying a bleed kit or what do i need?
Ash
Hi mate, For a couple of pounds get a bleed kit off ebay, just the basic, pipe and bottle type like bellow.
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http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ONE-MAN-BRAKE ... 27d63d54b5

No need for fancy expensive one's, basically you just need to pump the brakes a few times to get any air out. Its easy enough if you have someone there to pump while you adjust the bleed nipple, but i found this was a handy and cheap asset to the tool kit. Doubt ill use it again for 10 years but it simple and works a treat.
Hose goes over the end of the loosened bleed nipple, into the sealed bottle. Pump the brakes, which pushes out the air any any lost brake fluid collects in the bottle.
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hopz121
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Re: How-to: Cheap brake upgrade

Post by hopz121 » Wed Jul 16, 2014 11:25 am

Thanks for the link mate, when bleeding the brakes do i need to just do the front two or do i need to do all 4 and the clutch at the same time?

I wont be changing any bits on the rear for a while.

Ash
2004 BMW E46 M3 Coupe - Manual - Silver Grey
2017 BMW F31 318d M-Sport - Auto - Glacier Silver
2007 Porsche Cayman 2.7 - Manual - Arctic Silver
2003 Renault Clio 172 Cup - Blue
2003 BMW E85 Z4 3.0i - Gone
2008 BMW E90 330i SE - Gone

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Re: How-to: Cheap brake upgrade

Post by Toe-side » Wed Jul 16, 2014 11:31 am

Just each caliper. Fit both fronts then bleed each side. There should be no need to do the backs and the clutch is a separate system. Try and minimise the amount of fluid loss to reduce air that gets in the system. Check you tube for a video there must be one on there if you are still unsure.
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hopz121
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Re: How-to: Cheap brake upgrade

Post by hopz121 » Wed Jul 16, 2014 12:57 pm

Thanks for all of the help guys.

One final question to any of you who run EBC Redstuff pads, what part number did you go for?

As they list the E46 330 and the Z4 3.0si are completely different part numbers and i have found one cheaper than the other!

Anyone know the right one to use.

Ash
2004 BMW E46 M3 Coupe - Manual - Silver Grey
2017 BMW F31 318d M-Sport - Auto - Glacier Silver
2007 Porsche Cayman 2.7 - Manual - Arctic Silver
2003 Renault Clio 172 Cup - Blue
2003 BMW E85 Z4 3.0i - Gone
2008 BMW E90 330i SE - Gone

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Re: How-to: Cheap brake upgrade

Post by David-H » Wed Jul 16, 2014 1:22 pm

I fitted EBC DP31552C RedStuff pads with E46 330 calipers and Brembo grooved 325mm rotors and am very happy with the end result on my Z4R 3.0i :thumbsup:
Last edited by David-H on Tue Sep 15, 2015 1:51 pm, edited 1 time in total.
BMW Z4 3.0i auto ¦ Titanium Silver
107's : Drexler LSD
BMW M6 Gran Coupe ¦ Black Sapphire Metallic
DCT box with competition pack
Audi R8 4.2 Quattro¦ Grey metallic
6-speed manual :driving:

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Re: How-to: Cheap brake upgrade

Post by Panta Rhei » Tue Sep 15, 2015 12:02 pm

Hello,
3.0i has got 300 mm disc. I would like to update it with Brembo calipers and rotor 325 mm. From which car I can take Those Brembo calipers for a rotor 325mm and make it p&p to 3.0i? Is there such an option?

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hopz121
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Re: How-to: Cheap brake upgrade

Post by hopz121 » Tue Sep 15, 2015 12:54 pm

I Don't think anyone has found a suitable brembo caliper yet, you will need to make up some sort of mounting bracket i would think, as the calpier wont just be a bolt on job.

Let us know if you find anything
2004 BMW E46 M3 Coupe - Manual - Silver Grey
2017 BMW F31 318d M-Sport - Auto - Glacier Silver
2007 Porsche Cayman 2.7 - Manual - Arctic Silver
2003 Renault Clio 172 Cup - Blue
2003 BMW E85 Z4 3.0i - Gone
2008 BMW E90 330i SE - Gone

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Re: How-to: Cheap brake upgrade

Post by cj10jeeper » Tue Sep 15, 2015 1:11 pm

+1
Never heard of a swop in conversion from another car.
If you could find a suitable diameter rotor and caliber set with correct rotor top hat, stud pattern, etc and then machine up a carrier then in theory I'm sure it could be done.

Won't be easy which is why custom kits cost so much..
Jaguar F-Type 3.0 Supercharged V6 S, Stratus Grey, LSD, Active Exhaust, CF wheels, Performance brakes, Sports seats and mods ongoing
Gone but not forgotten Z4 3.0i SE Roadster ///M front, Red ///M leather seats, Aero sills

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