How-to: Cheap brake upgrade

[cj10jeeper]

Don't know as I had the larger but all you need to finis play with real oem and see if handbrake brake parts inc drums are tha same across all except ///M models

[David-H]

Thinking of upgrading the front brakes on my 2003 3.0i roadster.

LK Spares (BMW breakers) say that they can supply me with 2 front calipers / carriers from an E46 330i for £120 (VAT included), plus 2 new 325mm vented rotors and a set of new pads for a further £120 (VAT included) described as a complete upgrade kit by the lad that I spoke to earlier on.

Questions:

a) Is it better to get the whole lot from them or just the calipers / carriers and buy the rotors & pads separately?
b) Is it a good deal at £120.00 for the calipers and £240.00 for the lot?
c) Is it everything I need for the upgrade (brake fluid was changed last year, so just a bit of bleeding req?)

I'm due to give him a ring back tomorrow.

[LukeMace]

Callipers, Carriers, Disks and Pads = Job done!
Good idea to change to braided hoses too whilst you are at it.
Nice and easy change too and simple to bleed after
Thanks for bringing this up again, I still gotta figure out the upgrade for the rears and this has reminded me!

[cj10jeeper]

Thinking of upgrading the front brakes on my 2003 3.0i roadster.

LK Spares (BMW breakers) say that they can supply me with 2 front calipers / carriers from an E46 330i for £120 (VAT included), plus 2 new 325mm vented rotors and a set of new pads for a further £120 (VAT included) described as a complete upgrade kit by the lad that I spoke to earlier on.

Questions:

a) Is it better to get the whole lot from them or just the calipers / carriers and buy the rotors & pads separately?
b) Is it a good deal at £120.00 for the calipers and £240.00 for the lot?
c) Is it everything I need for the upgrade (brake fluid was changed last year, so just a bit of bleeding req?)

I'm due to give him a ring back tomorrow.

Personally I'd go for the calipers and carriers and source your own discs and pads. It will cost more, but you'll get known quality.
You have no idea what crap quality they will supply, but the carriers and calipers are OEM.

[David-H]

OK - How do these look for discs / pads:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-3-Series- ... 43b318f1ce

http://www.venommotorsport.com/product_ ... gory=Brake

Come to ~ £200.00 instead of £120.00 and £320.00 for the upgrade.

[cj10jeeper]

I use greenstuff pads and they are great. Some prefer red for harder use.

Discs - non branded so can't comment. I always fit EBC or Brembo.
Try Europarts for good bale branded.

[David-H]

Are the components from a BMW E46 330d (calipers-caliper carrier and discs) the same as a 330i? (Spotted some on FleaBay )

[cj10jeeper]

Are the components from a BMW E46 330d (calipers-caliper carrier and discs) the same as a 330i? (Spotted some on FleaBay )

Yes

[David-H]

OK. Upgrade coming soon with calipers, carriers, OEM rotors from a 330d plus Redstuff pads and SEL braided clear brake hoses.

[LukeMace]

OK. Upgrade coming soon with calipers, carriers, OEM rotors from a 330d plus Redstuff pads and SEL braided clear brake hoses.

Good stuff! Keep us posted

[David-H]

Job now done. In the end followed earlier advice and went for E46 calipers & carriers with Brembo 325mm Grooved rotors (The OEM rotors from the E46 330 were too worn for my liking!) and RedStuff pads.

[pharmed]

Another one on my to do list !

[hopz121]

Hi Guys, Bringing up and old thread again.

Im trying to do this at present but have some questions.

1. What is the correct part numbers for the carriers needed? I understand the x3 carriers don't fit so would like to make sure i get the correct ones, part number would be great.

2. What brake pad wear sensor do i need on my 2003 z4? The same as the original part, the E46 330i Part or the Z4 3.0si part. All have different part numbers so i am unsure.

3. What pads are people using? Anyone using standard Texar/ Pagid pads? I would like to update but the cost seems nearly double!

4. What braided hoses do i need, Z4 3.0i, E46 330i or Z4 3.0si? or are all 3 the same?

Thanks

Ash

[hopz121]

BUMP

[Toe-side]

[quote="hopz121"]Hi Guys, Bringing up and old thread again.

Im trying to do this at present but have some questions.

1. What is the correct part numbers for the carriers needed? I understand the x3 carriers don't fit so would like to make sure i get the correct ones, part number would be great.
Try this site ........... http://www.realoem.com/bmw/partgrp.do?m ... spid=47797 you will get the part numbers. Best to source a complete carrier and caliper set from a breakers though?

2. What brake pad wear sensor do i need on my 2003 z4? The same as the original part, the E46 330i Part or the Z4 3.0si part. All have different part numbers so i am unsure.
.............Z4 3.0 site above will give part number if you need it.

3. What pads are people using? Anyone using standard Texar/ Pagid pads? I would like to update but the cost seems nearly double! Choose what you want to pay........... Generally the more you pay the better the pad but there is a balance if you are on a budget. Law of diminishing returns. I am running standard Mintex and have no probs with the brake fade. I am running drilled and grooved 325's front, standard drilled and grooved rear with Pagid pads

4. What braided hoses do i need, Z4 3.0i, E46 330i or Z4 3.0si? or are all 3 the same? .......................go for 3.0 litre or 3.0 litre Si