Best Brake upgrade?

DrakeZZ

Member
 SO Cal
Stomped the track Sunday at Willow and I see that the stock brakes fade quickly.

What is the best brake/rotor/pad upgrade to the Z4.


2004 Z4 3.0i
 
If you post which year and model you have it will probably generate comment.

Some models have an easy OEM retrofit of bigger disks. Other it's aftermarket pads and discs
 
The best way you could easily try to combat fade is to blead them through with new oil, brake fluid deteriorates over time and becomes less tolerant to heat build up.
I would also try to modify your braking technique to reduce fade and get the most from the system you have before spending more serious dosh on big discs and posh calipers.
You could try them few things first for not very much outlay and see if it solves your issue, if not then start looking at other things.
 
Better fluid and a more track orientate pad are cheapish and easy things to do, braided lines and a master cyclinder stopper may also be handy at improving pedal feel and firmness.

Likewise more tracktime will help you find your lines and may result in less heavy braking :D
 
My own experience.
Changed the standard brake fluid for Motul RBF 600, discs to EBC Ultimax Slotted Rotors and pads to EBC Redstuff (plus going up one size for the front discs to have the same size as any 3.0i). Works for me.
 
Adam D said:
Better fluid and a more track orientate pad are cheapish and easy things to do, braided lines and a master cyclinder stopper may also be handy at improving pedal feel and firmness.

Likewise more tracktime will help you find your lines and may result in less heavy braking :D


But closing up on faster cars by late braking is fun and scares them silly.
 
DrakeZZ said:
But closing up on faster cars by late braking is fun and scares them silly.

And also gives you less time to correct for your/their errors when you brake - which can mean you go ploughing into the back of them, or off the black stuff trying to avoid an accident.

Seen it plenty of times as a motorsport marshal, and they were all racing drivers.
 
Late braking into the rear of other cars seems a bit hairy, especially as you complain of brake fade.

OK so after editting your model into the original post I can tell you that you can upgrade to the larger front rotors of an E46 330 petrol or diesel from 300mm standard to 325mm. You need only the carriers and calipers from the donor car and they are a straight bolt on. If you do plan on changing pads and or rotors then this would be a cheap and easy upgrade at the same time. (I have 18" rims so check it out if you have 17")

This thread has all the details:
http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=8399&hilit=brake+upgrade
 
OK so after editting your model into the original post I can tell you that you can upgrade to the larger front rotors of an E46 330 petrol or diesel from 300mm standard to 325mm. You need only the carriers and calipers from the donor car and they are a straight bolt on. If you do plan on changing pads and or rotors then this would be a cheap and easy upgrade at the same time. (I have 18" rims so check it out if you have 17")

Would the brakes from the csl (or z4 m) fit an '07 2.5si do you think? or is that a totally different fitment to the 330's?

Cal
 
52 CAL said:
OK so after editting your model into the original post I can tell you that you can upgrade to the larger front rotors of an E46 330 petrol or diesel from 300mm standard to 325mm. You need only the carriers and calipers from the donor car and they are a straight bolt on. If you do plan on changing pads and or rotors then this would be a cheap and easy upgrade at the same time. (I have 18" rims so check it out if you have 17")

Would the brakes from the csl (or z4 m) fit an '07 2.5si do you think? or is that a totally different fitment to the 330's?

Cal

I can't imagine for one moment any part of the csl or Z4M brake set up would fit onto a 2.5 - totally different. The 2.5si already has the larger brakes as fitted to the 3.0i, while the prefacelift 2.5 had smaller set up.
IMHO You'll need to research aftermarket big brake kits.
 
Yeah like they said (I think I did too out on the track) the mobul rtf 600 worked great, steel braided lines helped with pedal feel, and the ULT's when new are awesome. That was their 3rd or 4th track event and I think they are kaput. I'll probably next go with EBC Reds and keep a full track compound pad for the track (well after getting the larger diameter rotors either via the cheap brake upgrade or BBK).
 
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