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Brakes - Again

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Weston Matt

Member
Cotswolds
Morning All,

I'm looking to upgrade my brakes ready for a track day in November. So I've done a lot of reading on here about pads and fluid being the main things to get right, but I thought as I'm doing that I may as well upgrade a bit more.

I have read that the M performance callipers from F series cars will fit on the front with 325mm discs, but what about the rears. looking the M performance rears I'm not sure if they will fit and the discs I've seen are 345mm for them.

I've also looked that the Megane Brembos from K System

Am I better just doing the fronts?

Thanks
 
I don't know much about fitting the M performance calipers from an F series car, but surely it will require additional adapter brackets as most modern performance calipers are axially mounted to the knuckle?

I personally went for the Megane 3 RS Brembos as they weren't too pricey, came with everything I need and have quite a common pad shape (Megane, Lancer EVO, Alfa 159). They do everything I need them to and have yet to fade them at 3 track days I've done since fitting them.

In terms of fronts vs front + rear, I was told that the rear does barely 20% of the braking during track days on the Z4 and so I didn't upgrade them and bought refurbed calipers (sprayed red) and put yellowstuffs in them. The car is pretty stable slamming the brakes on in a straight line, but the rear end does tend to step out if you are trail braking or braking hard on entry into a turn.

Hope this helps :)
 
Oh and I forgot to mention, if you go for the Brembos I'd advise asking for the brackets which fit the 325x28 discs instead of 325x25 discs as there are more options with the former for 2 piece / floating discs.
 
Thanks Dan - all very useful info

I have been looking at the Megane Brembos more and will probably go for those.

I saw a you tube vid of a guy putting 440 callipers on his e46 330i - bolt straight on. which is why I thought of that route.

I saw you needed a 12mm spacer on yours to clear, so will need to factor that in too
 
TheDan said:
You're absolutely right!

I've just looked on realoem and they use standard mounts. Sorry!

Also remembered that Jakg did this to his Z4 here (F30 calipers): https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=47&t=1755842&i=40. But I also remember reading a thread a while ago saying that he had to shave down the pads to stop them fouling the rotor hat (see here: https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=118810).
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To be fair Dan you are half-correct in that the older 135i Brembo/M Performance 6-pot calipers do require an adapter as they are designed to bolt axially. I had these fitted to my 3.0si along with CSL discs - the only issue I found is that with the Style 224 (M Wheels) they fouled the spokes so I had to fit 10mm spacers to accommodate the calipers. This was no big issue, but just something to be aware of if the OP was to go this route - sounds like similar would be required with the M135i 4-pots anyway!
 
Yes, the F20 M135i or i8 calipers will bolt straight on the front. If you want to run 345mm discs, and *BIG* wheel spacers.

I've yet to find a nice, easy bolt-on option for the rears, but the car doesn't really need them. I do plan to see if E88 rear calipers will bolt on at some point (+6mm larger rear discs).

Z4M rear axle swap is another option.
 
About to order from K system and wondered if I’ll get hit with any customs charge? Anyone ordered since brexit?
Thanks
 
Weston Matt said:
About to order from K system and wondered if I’ll get hit with any customs charge? Anyone ordered since brexit?
Thanks
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Yes I had actually forgotten about this until you mentioned it. I was hit with £60.05 of import fees. :cry:

You'll have to factor this into your costs as I think it is caused by additional admin due to brexit. I don't know if there is a way around it, maybe buying it from their ebay page instead?
 
Weston Matt said:
Thanks Dan. As long as I’m not paying vat on top of the €759 that’s ok
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Nope, I didn't have to. I just paid the €649 or whatever it was using Monzo so I didn't get any non-sterling transaction fees.

Out of curiosity, which ones are you going for? Megane/Clio, pads/no pads, 25/28mm thickness?
 
I went with the Megane 25mm and wish I'd got the 28mm as there are far more aftermarket options available (including 2 piece discs).

My pads are Carbotech XP8 which I ordered direct from CT. They were not cheap though at £215 for a front set! :headbang:
 
Looking at the description on the website site it says;

The kit is designed to work with 2 types of standard BMW brake discs:

1) 325 x 28 M3 E46 brake discs

or:

2) 325 x 25 330ci/330d E46 brake discs with 1.5mm spacers between the bracket and the car knuckle

The kit contains:

K-SYSTEM.pro caliper brackets with optional 1.5mm spacers
brand new, genuine red Brembo calipers with pad pins
brake pads to choose: Ferodo DS Performance/Ferodo DS2500/Ferodo DS3000/Ferodo DS UNO or NO brake pads
all necessary bolts
Fitment:

BMW E36 all version except M-Power
BWM E46 all version except M-Power
BMW Z3 all version except M-Power
BMW Z4 all version except M-Power

So i thought I could get either 25mm or 28mm thick discs?
 
I assume so too based on that description, but I didn't receive any 1.5mm spacers so if I want to swap I'll have to find some washers. Its probably what I'll do when I next replace the discs to be honest.
 
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