135i Calipers Fitted to Z4M

[Ed Doe]

Thanks.
Are the discs a direct replacement on the ZMR

E9X brake discs don't work on the Z4M - wrong offset - see this thread: viewtopic.php?t=144853&hilit=brakes+2023

These calipers do work with the OE Z4M Discs (which are identical to the E46 M3 CSL Discs).

[taz1966]

Thanks.
Are the discs a direct replacement on the ZMR

E9X brake discs don't work on the Z4M - wrong offset - see this thread: viewtopic.php?t=144853&hilit=brakes+2023

These calipers do work with the OE Z4M Discs (which are identical to the E46 M3 CSL Discs).

[Meds]

I've just had 2x E46 M3 CSL discs arrive. Whoop whoop.
Time to get those caliper brackets and hoses, then I'm ready for install.
Does anyone know the hose length required?

[GT Spec]

I've just had 2x E46 M3 CSL discs arrive. Whoop whoop.
Time to get those caliper brackets and hoses, then I'm ready for install.
Does anyone know the hose length required?

These are what I used from HEL Performance:

https://auto.helperformance.com/hel-fro ... series-e46

[Meds]

I've just had 2x E46 M3 CSL discs arrive. Whoop whoop.
Time to get those caliper brackets and hoses, then I'm ready for install.
Does anyone know the hose length required?

These are what I used from HEL Performance:

https://auto.helperformance.com/hel-fro ... series-e46

Brilliant, thanks for this.
I assume they fit the correct grommet/rubber sleeves to the cable?

[Ed Doe]

Hi Meds, sorry been a really busy weekend. Afraid I bought my kit with the hoses already attached back in the day, so I have no info on the hose length unfortunately. Seems like the above link from GT Spec should sort you out though

[Meds]

Thanks for the info, guys.
It's been a great help.
My only worry is the rubber grommets/mount guides are not installed on these, the pictures show just a clean cable, with no mounting furniture.
Is that a concern or am I over thinking this?

[Ed Doe]

Thanks for the info, guys.
It's been a great help.
My only worry is the rubber grommets/mount guides are not installed on these, the pictures show just a clean cable, with no mounting furniture.
Is that a concern or am I over thinking this?

You should be able to use your existing rubber grommets? I think they're split so you can get them off/on the hoses, if not a Stanley knife to split them and then pinch them back in the retaining clip and they won't come undone pretty certain that's how mine were

[Meds]

Thanks for the info, guys.
It's been a great help.
My only worry is the rubber grommets/mount guides are not installed on these, the pictures show just a clean cable, with no mounting furniture.
Is that a concern or am I over thinking this?

You should be able to use your existing rubber grommets? I think they're split so you can get them off/on the hoses, if not a Stanley knife to split them and then pinch them back in the retaining clip and they won't come undone pretty certain that's how mine were

That's a great idea..
I've just measured the hoses already attached to my calipers and they're 540mm, the same length as the oem 135 hoses, if I can reuse them then i dont need to worry aboutcutting them off..
Excellent.

[Ed Doe]

Nice one! Keep us posted with how the install goes,!

[Meds]

Nice one! Keep us posted with how the install goes,!

Hmmm... I've hit a snag...
The disc will not fit between pad gap. Bugger.
It fits between the caliper opening, but the pads (with pistons pushed far back as possible) close the opening by another 2mm or so.
The disc will not go..
My only way around this is to grind the pads down? (the pads are nearly new)

[Ed Doe]

Nice one! Keep us posted with how the install goes,!

Hmmm... I've hit a snag...
The disc will not fit between pad gap. Bugger.
It fits between the caliper opening, but the pads (with pistons pushed far back as possible) close the opening by another 2mm or so.
The disc will not go..
My only way around this is to grind the pads down? (the pads are nearly new)

Are you sure? I fitted new pads and had no issues with this?

You might find that as you push the top pistons down, the bottom two 'creep' back open?

If you open the pistons up as much as possible can you hold the pads apart with your fingers and wiggle the calipers onto the disc?

[Meds]

I've tried a few things to get the pads far enough apart..
With no luck.
Had the pads out and pushed all the pistons back in turn. The callipers are not attached to the brake lines yet, so not under any pressure.
I'm going to get the pads out and clean them down as they're still caked in black dust from my previous install. Then I can try again, with a cleaner set up.

[Meds]

OK.. if I really push, the caliper with pads go over the disc.. but with zero wriggle room.
It's like I need .5mm shaving off the pads.!
I've done this in the garage, off the car, I'm sure of I proceed with the actual install, they'll be rubbing away until the pads wear down.
How very odd.. and a real downer.
These brakes will be the end of me, I'm sure..

[Ed Doe]

OK.. if I really push, the caliper with pads go over the disc.. but with zero wriggle room.
It's like I need .5mm shaving off the pads.!
I've done this in the garage, off the car, I'm sure of I proceed with the actual install, they'll be rubbing away until the pads wear down.
How very odd.. and a real downer.
These brakes will be the end of me, I'm sure..

Does the disc rotate with the pads in?

Imo as long as the wheels are able to rotate relatively freely, chuck the pads on, chuck it all together and go for a drive. See how warm it all is after a short drive... Then go for a longer one and so on.

Id be prepared to bet the pistons will resettle after a bit of use and you'll have no drag.