brake and bushes

S

smallblackdog

Member
 Aberdeen
Been looking at doing a brake and handling upgrade. Am I right in thinking these calipers/discs would be suitable to bring my 54 plate 3.0 roadster (I realise the carriers are missing but I’m still trying to track them down - my local stealer wanted £120 EACH!) up to 325mm?

Shopping list
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http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BRAKE-CALIPER-FRONT-LEFT-BMW-E46-330-330CI-330I-330CDI-/370466947797?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item56418d02d5#ht_2672wt_996

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BRAKE-CALIPER-FRONT-RIGHT-BMW-E46-330-330CI-330I-330CDI-/370466949066?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item56418d07ca#ht_2672wt_996

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BMW-330-X3-BRAKE-PADS-EBC-YELLOW-STUFF-DP41552R-SENSOR-/300486152965?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item45f65ed305#ht_1436wt_905

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BMW-330-05-10-EBC-TURBO-GROOVE-REAR-BRAKE-DISCS-VENTED-/300433976442?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item45f342ac7a

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BMW-330-05-10-EBC-TURBO-GROOVE-FRONT-BRAKE-DISCS-VENTE-/120578630528?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item1c130be380

http://www.powerflex.co.uk/products/Z4+(E85)-1203/1.html
 
For the disks you need to spec them for the Z4 - not sure if the fronts work for both, but even though the calipers are the same the hubs are difference on the rears and the disks not compatible.

Have a look on http://www.ebcbrakeshop.co.uk - you can spec the right brakes.

I'd be inclined to buy the disks and pads from a "poper" online retailer - the prices on eBay don't seem that much cheaper, if any, and you should be able to get a deal discount.

Also have a look at http://www.motorsportworld.co.uk.

The other thing I would consider, for the front calipers... have a look at Pagid, a little over £105 each and brand new. Although not sure if this includes the carriers. Ref the Pagid calipers have a look at:
Price of OEM Front Calipers
 
You may want to think about noise of the turbo grooved. I run ultimax which should be near silent and even they drone unti well bedded. I'd expect turbo grooved to be really noisy
 
cheers for the info pawn, I'll have a look at pagids. I'll also look at 'proper' online retailers :)

so... 3 series calipers, carriers and pads but z4m or facelift z4 3.0si discs?

I've read a lot of conflicting views on ultimax/tg discs and noise so now I've no idea what to believe. Any ideas as to the difference in stopping power between the TG and ultimax? . I do drive the car everyday for work (so I guess if the TGs never quietened down it would be a bit of a nuisance) but she gets to visit spa-francorchamps and the nordschleife pretty much every year - can't beat good brakes!

Do either of you two have an uprated anti roll bar? My bushes are knackered so was thinking about replacing just them, or the whole ARB for something a little thicker.
 
Just spec up 3.0si disks - the M is different again.

I doubt there would be any difference in stopping power from the same sized disks, certainly not day to day. You may notice it when they get very hot. I like the Ultimax, I think. I have a slight issue that I am running them with Green Stuff pads which, while others like them, I really don't (I followed EBCs bedding in instructions) - that is likely to be driving style, but I got on better with the dusty OEM pads. I know that it's the pads and not the disks as the pads needed cleaning / have been cleaned up and are now a lot better again.

This is all sounding quite familiar... I just recently fitted Powerflex poly bushes on mine. When my car was in having the pads sorted (above) I called up for a price to fit new anti-roll bars, was after H&R. They told me to save my money and try the Powerflex bushes first - this is just on the front - the roll bars would be too stiff for day to day use. I was cynical but figured as they were doing themselves out of a couple hours extra work, I'd give it a go. Love the feel of the new bushes. The difference is a lot more than I expected. The ride is a little firmer again, but not crashy, and the steering feels a little firmer too. I don't think it's a placebo as I got in expecting the worst. Here's a useful thread on the bushes - others have found the difference less pronounced:
Poly Bushes fitted on front arms....NICE!
BTW, the OEM bushes that came off my car were around 1 year old, so it wasn't that they were on their last legs.
 
I've run ultimax on the z for a while and updated to e46 330 spec. Never failed to stop and way better than oem. If EBC claim the ultra is quieter, then be sure turbo is noisier...

Replaced bushes but not arb
 
This is a sad thing to admit, but all other things being equal... I think the Ultimax look really cool... after seeing CJ's I knew what I wanted :oops:

That and the E46 330 / 3.0si spec fills the rims nicely as well.
 
PawnSacrifice said:
This is a sad thing to admit, but all other things being equal... I think the Ultimax look really cool... after seeing CJ's I knew what I wanted :oops:

That and the E46 330 / 3.0si spec fills the rims nicely as well.
Click to expand...

Like them so much I did the same on the X5 last weekend :)
 
agreed the ultimax look best. contemplating the turbo grooves was the first time I thought I'd choose performance over looks!

Cheers for all the advice. I'm going with stock ARB and powerflex all over. Pagid calipers with carriers from a breaker. EBC yellow stuff pads and ultimax discs with goodridge braided hoses.
 
cj10jeeper said:
Why yellow stuff pads? That a race pad.
Click to expand...
They aren't an all out race pad and can be used for street i.e they will bite from cold unlike true race or track pads.

That said, Id still go for redstuff as they are a fast road and occasional track pad. I had them on my 3.0i and found them pretty good, certainly less dusty than OE but not massively improved stopping power.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
playalistic said:
cj10jeeper said:
Why yellow stuff pads? That a race pad.
Click to expand...
They aren't an all out race pad and can be used for street i.e they will bite from cold unlike true race or track pads.

That said, Id still go for redstuff as they are a fast road and occasional track pad. I had them on my 3.0i and found them pretty good, certainly less dusty than OE but not massively improved stopping power.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...


I always worry when companies describe it as a Full race pad, but can be used on street with good cold bite. Sounds too good to be true. :thumbsup:
 
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