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(Relatively) Low cost Big Brake Kit (BBK) for the non 35i E89s

  • Thread starter Thread starter Anonymous
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john-e89 said:
Pbondar said:
john-e89 said:
Those square blocks at each end of the caliper, they’re held on with two Allen bolts. They counter act any vibration that may be caused. I have seen them run without them but wouldn’t be able to find it again... :roll:

Very easy to take off and back on.
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Ahhhhh...very interesting ..I didn’t realise / perceive that they were possibly removable,,,

I’ll ponder that before doing something...if they went to the trouble of doing that for those reasons I’d be reticent to do a mod without further research..thank you..
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I can’t for the life of me remember where I read about them. I’m pretty sure they’re a kind of sonic vibration block, I know that’s noise but the two are related from what I can remember in this instance. It was an interesting article. If I find it I’ll ping you.
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Always wondered about the shape of the calipers as I thought those parts ruined the look of them.
 
john-e89 said:
Pbondar said:
john-e89 said:
Those square blocks at each end of the caliper, they’re held on with two Allen bolts. They counter act any vibration that may be caused. I have seen them run without them but wouldn’t be able to find it again... :roll:

Very easy to take off and back on.
Click to expand...


Ahhhhh...very interesting ..I didn’t realise / perceive that they were possibly removable,,,

I’ll ponder that before doing something...if they went to the trouble of doing that for those reasons I’d be reticent to do a mod without further research..thank you..
Click to expand...

I can’t for the life of me remember where I read about them. I’m pretty sure they’re a kind of sonic vibration block, I know that’s noise but the two are related from what I can remember in this instance. It was an interesting article. If I find it I’ll ping you.
Click to expand...

Thank you...if you find it that would be good :thumbsup:
 
Nictrix said:
john-e89 said:
Pbondar said:
Ahhhhh...very interesting ..I didn’t realise / perceive that they were possibly removable,,,

I’ll ponder that before doing something...if they went to the trouble of doing that for those reasons I’d be reticent to do a mod without further research..thank you..
Click to expand...

I can’t for the life of me remember where I read about them. I’m pretty sure they’re a kind of sonic vibration block, I know that’s noise but the two are related from what I can remember in this instance. It was an interesting article. If I find it I’ll ping you.
Click to expand...

Always wondered about the shape of the calipers as I thought those parts ruined the look of them.
Click to expand...

Yes it’s not a style I like but the fact it just bolts on , it’s cheap relatively and works very well overrode this issues..

I’ll have a look into this..
 
Pbondar said:
Nictrix said:
john-e89 said:
I can’t for the life of me remember where I read about them. I’m pretty sure they’re a kind of sonic vibration block, I know that’s noise but the two are related from what I can remember in this instance. It was an interesting article. If I find it I’ll ping you.
Click to expand...

Always wondered about the shape of the calipers as I thought those parts ruined the look of them.
Click to expand...

Yes it’s not a style I like but the fact it just bolts on , it’s cheap relatively and works very well overrode this issues..

I’ll have a look into this..
Click to expand...

Simple test and see, try it, it won’t harm anything, all you’ll get is a vibration like warped discs. :thumbsup:
 
john-e89 said:
Pbondar said:
Nictrix said:
Always wondered about the shape of the calipers as I thought those parts ruined the look of them.
Click to expand...

Yes it’s not a style I like but the fact it just bolts on , it’s cheap relatively and works very well overrode this issues..

I’ll have a look into this..
Click to expand...

Simple test and see, try it, it won’t harm anything, all you’ll get is a vibration like warped discs. :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

:thumbsup:

I'll look at it when I get ready to change wheels/tyres this winter..
 
Pbondar said:
john-e89 said:
Pbondar said:
Yes it’s not a style I like but the fact it just bolts on , it’s cheap relatively and works very well overrode this issues..

I’ll have a look into this..
Click to expand...

Simple test and see, try it, it won’t harm anything, all you’ll get is a vibration like warped discs. :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

:thumbsup:

I'll look at it when I get ready to change wheels/tyres this winter..
Click to expand...

If it doesn’t bother you then keep them on, they’re there for a reason but I was always intrigued to see how much difference they really make in everyday use as I’ve 100% seen them on a car without them. Good upgrade, might be cheap-ish but they’re a solid good caliper tried and tested.
 
john-e89 said:
Pbondar said:
john-e89 said:
Simple test and see, try it, it won’t harm anything, all you’ll get is a vibration like warped discs. :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

:thumbsup:

I'll look at it when I get ready to change wheels/tyres this winter..
Click to expand...

If it doesn’t bother you then keep them on, they’re there for a reason but I was always intrigued to see how much difference they really make in everyday use as I’ve 100% seen them on a car without them. Good upgrade, might be cheap-ish but they’re a solid good caliper tried and tested.
Click to expand...

I was a bit underwhelmed initially, but once the pads had bedded in they then really performed extremely well...

There is a slight almost grab as they bite but it does mean you get on to speed reduction sooner than later and its a very linear fade resistant effect.. although they are quirky with the 'knobs' on I've got used to them..most E89 brakes are less pretty than them anyway..

I spent quite a bit buying 2nd used rear 35is calipers / refurbishing them and new discs etc so the price was a 'bargain' I thought..

Its going to be a quiet winter so I'll see what I can find on the internet about those blocks!
 
Pbondar said:
john-e89 said:
Pbondar said:
:thumbsup:

I'll look at it when I get ready to change wheels/tyres this winter..
Click to expand...

If it doesn’t bother you then keep them on, they’re there for a reason but I was always intrigued to see how much difference they really make in everyday use as I’ve 100% seen them on a car without them. Good upgrade, might be cheap-ish but they’re a solid good caliper tried and tested.
Click to expand...

I was a bit underwhelmed initially, but once the pads had bedded in they then really performed extremely well...

There is a slight almost grab as they bite but it does mean you get on to speed reduction sooner than later and its a very linear fade resistant effect.. although they are quirky with the 'knobs' on I've got used to them..most E89 brakes are less pretty than them anyway..

I spent quite a bit buying 2nd used rear 35is calipers / refurbishing them and new discs etc so the price was a 'bargain' I thought..

Its going to be a quiet winter so I'll see what I can find on the internet about those blocks!
Click to expand...

The M135i 4 pot calipers on my 35i are very very good, better than the stock 35i/s items, due to the increased pad area and pistons on each side so I imagine your 6 pots will be even better once really bedded in.
 
john-e89 said:
Pbondar said:
john-e89 said:
If it doesn’t bother you then keep them on, they’re there for a reason but I was always intrigued to see how much difference they really make in everyday use as I’ve 100% seen them on a car without them. Good upgrade, might be cheap-ish but they’re a solid good caliper tried and tested.
Click to expand...

I was a bit underwhelmed initially, but once the pads had bedded in they then really performed extremely well...

There is a slight almost grab as they bite but it does mean you get on to speed reduction sooner than later and its a very linear fade resistant effect.. although they are quirky with the 'knobs' on I've got used to them..most E89 brakes are less pretty than them anyway..

I spent quite a bit buying 2nd used rear 35is calipers / refurbishing them and new discs etc so the price was a 'bargain' I thought..

Its going to be a quiet winter so I'll see what I can find on the internet about those blocks!
Click to expand...

The M135i 4 pot calipers on my 35i are very very good, better than the stock 35i/s items, due to the increased pad area and pistons on each side so I imagine your 6 pots will be even better once really bedded in.
Click to expand...

Yes discussed it with Player1..I went down this route as I have my obession with 17" winter wheels / tyres and his mod only works on 18" + wheels I think..

With the extra confidence of all my handling / powertrain mods and the extra speed its now definitely moved from a nice to have to really required..interesting to note that even with the much bigger 35i calipers on the front you notice the difference! :thumbsup:
 
Just wanted to update those desperate to know so that we can close off this matter..

I ended up making my own mistake of buying some US spec 35i rear brake calipers, then expensively refurbished only to discover US spec 35i have the same rear discs as all other smaller models...

So..2nd attempt..bought 3 parts (one new, two breakers) to build a set of 35is spec rear calipers..

Loving (and expensively) re-furbished by Bigg Red..back today..

Being mated with some lovely vented and drilled OE quality Zimmerman rear discs 324 by 20 vs 300 by 20

So next week being fitted to complete the BBK odessy..

Don't think 24mm extra disc and a revised rear caliper is going to make a world of difference but..we'll see
 

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The final part of the PB journey to brake caliper enlightment has today happened..fitted finally the 35is rear calipers re-furbed by BiggRed in BMW gold to match the BBK on the front..finishing touches were the Zimmerman drilled n vented discs (even though I decry drilled discs!)..suffice to say braking a tad stronger now than the old 20i front and rear combo..fills the wheels nicely..much nicer in gold than my rather tacky attempt in yellow!
 

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That looks a sweet brake set up.Those wheel studs would have me apprehensive when coming to change a wheel if they had been for a while or tightened by a wrench monkey.
 
maxman said:
That looks a sweet brake set up.Those wheel studs would have me apprehensive when coming to change a wheel if they had been for a while or tightened by a wrench monkey.
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They come with a driver, since they are in high tensile steel as is the driver they mate well...unlike locking nuts.. :thumbsup:

Being paranoid I torque my own nuts... 🤣

My tires don’t seem to last long so I can’t see these being issues..look good and you don’t get the drivers scuffing the inside barrels of the bolt tunnels.. :thumbsup:
 
mr.tourette said:
A very nice upgrade all round :thumbsup: Those front calipers look fantastic :thumbsup:
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Yes great find...they’re no longer being made so stocks are limited :tumbleweed: :driving:
 
Hi Peter, a quite marvellous thread here… I have been directed to it having a) recently joined the forums and b) expressed my desire to upgrade my 23i standard fittings. I’ve enquired this morning about the …738 front kit for the 330i. I’ve also read (elsewhere) that the F22 kit (2014+) in red, orange or yellow, would fit (370mm x 30mm disc) but comes front and rear (clearly rear is a waste reading yours, and others, comments) and a reflectively large price.

Your final solution looks great. As does Boltz. So now I need to add some gold to by black 23i. Welcome any final thoughts, challenges, options and availability routes.
 
jenniferlouise said:
Hi Peter, a quite marvellous thread here… I have been directed to it having a) recently joined the forums and b) expressed my desire to upgrade my 23i standard fittings. I’ve enquired this morning about the …738 front kit for the 330i. I’ve also read (elsewhere) that the F22 kit (2014+) in red, orange or yellow, would fit (370mm x 30mm disc) but comes front and rear (clearly rear is a waste reading yours, and others, comments) and a reflectively large price.

Your final solution looks great. As does Boltz. So now I need to add some gold to by black 23i. Welcome any final thoughts, challenges, options and availability routes.
Click to expand...

So with the benefit of time / usage / perspective I removing very happy with my set up.

Some people don’t like the resonance dampers on the front BBK but you can unbolt the ‘blobs’ if they offend you.

I fitted the European 35i / 35is rear brake caliper (US only fitted it to the 35is) with some nice drilled discs (for cosmetic reasons) to balance up the front.

IMHO the bigger rear brakes would be purely a cosmetic add on as with a heavier nose biased engine you will have more weight transfer limiting how much the rear brakes can do on hard stops.

I did the s/w parameter change ‘performance brakes’ in the DCS which reduced the tendency for the front to snatch and lock up..

So probably the best balance of ease of fit / performance improvement/ cost / compatibility with existing DCS software … :thumbsup:
 
I did the s/w parameter change ‘performance brakes’ in the DCS which reduced the tendency for the front to snatch and lock up..

So probably the best balance of ease of fit / performance improvement/ cost / compatibility with existing DCS software … :thumbsup:
[/quote]

Thanks Peter, that’s really encouraging. I’m waiting on a supply price for OEM part …738 BBK from Cotswolds and will try Sopers too.

I’ve no idea how to change the parameters in the DCS so May need to seek some advice. TBH have yet to decide whether I’m going to do the fit (with appropriate technical help) or book it in locally.

Tend to agree on the rear. Will probably take a similar view of replacing with drilled and vented new discs and have the existing callipers (or a salvaged replacement set) painted to match.

This has been so helpful already, and we only joined yesterday!! :thumbsup: A
 
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