Brake Disc/Pad Options

[JamesF]

Car is in for a service and the dealer has just told me the brake pads and discs need replacing front and rear. When this sort of replacement cost comes around I like to check whether I could be doing a bit better for my money. So I was wondering what options there are on the Alpina (basically 3.0l brake setup I think?) for discs and pads without changing the calipers. Can the Z4M disc/pad setup work without changing the calipers? Are there better non-dealer options I should pursue instead? Costing I've been given by the way for straight replacement is £344 front £318 rear fitted.
Thanks in advance

edit:- bought some time and did a bit of a search and there don't seem to be any obvious and easy switchovers. I was hoping maybe the M discs and pads would slot straight on but this doesn't seem to be the case. Costs don't seem too bad so I guess I'll probably just bite the bullet.

 

[tsuiesque]

Stoptech makes slotted, drilled or slotted&drilled direct replacement rotors for the Z4.

http://www.modbargains.com/product.aspx?pf_id=STECH_DRL-SLT_Z4_PR

As for brake pads, I recommend Axxis Deluxe...low dust and bite well. Lastly, if you want a better brake feel, throw in some steel lines.

 

[pvr]

Axxis, great pads for dust. Bit noisy though when cold.

 

[Kurts05Z4]

Axxis, great pads for dust. Bit noisy though when cold.

+1
Very happy with the Axxis pads. 4k miles on them so far.
Pedal feel and stopping power just like stock pads without all the blasted dust!

 

[Flycaster]

Can't go wrong with Axxis. Have them on my E46 for two years without any problems. And as for dust, essentially non-existant. Can't wait for the pads to go on my Z4.

 

[ACEZ4]

Carbotech pads (BobCats) worked great for me. http://www.ctbrakes.com/

 

[chad5k1]

I'm in the same boat with the same car! How strange.
At the moment I'm looking at ATE power disks (used before and they were good) from eurocarparts (for the crazy price of £32.40!)
And either the axxis ULT pads (had the delux before and didn't like) or the DS2500 which I know is a good pad, but just wonder if it's a bit hardcore for my needs (and expensive).
The other option I'm thinking about is upgrading to the 3.0si brakes. This is a 325x25 disk as opposed to 300x22.

It would involve changing the calipers, disks and pads, but the calipers are not expensive (http://www.rmeuropean.com/product-p/34116765882.htm $60 from here after a couple of minutes research).
The only thing I'm not sure about is what else is required to do the change if anything - possibly a new rear protection plate?
The parts on realoem look very similar.
As anyone done this upgrade?

EDIT: Scrap this, just looked at the alpina parts cat which suggests it already uses the 325mm disks! Looks like the man at the bmw parts disk was wrong!

 

[JamesF]

chad5ki is your car Alpina Blue? Love that colour.

I went for straight replacement in the end as I wanted it sorted there and then. Took a few miles to bed in, at first they were shocking and I almost crashed twice. But they're really good now (couple of good blats at the weekend). Car is really as tight as new after the oil service and the suspension realignment - its awesome! Probably better than when I first got it over 2 years ago. Wanted to upgrade to the M brake setup really but would have been ££££.

$60 sounds unbelievably cheap for calipers?!?

 

[chad5k1]

It is indeed Alpina blue. I love the colour too! In fact I love the car! Sometimes i wish for an LSD, but then I don't know how it would handle with one and it's a lot of money to find out. (£1400 fitted from birds i think)

I think the 3.0si set up is not worth it either. I have a feeling there is a catch with those calipers - possibly only available on exchange basis?
Anyway the RS that alpina used at the ring in testing was properly quick and only had upgraded pads in the braking department.
Think I'll get the ate powerdisks and axxis pads, along with the fluid change it is due I should notice a decent change.

 

[JamesF]

Are you SW london kind of area? I've seen a sterling grey and black one in the area but not spotted any Alpina Blue. There were no Alpina Blue cars for sale when I was looking but I was pretty set on sapphire black / dream red combination so was sold pretty much as soon as I saw mine up for sale.

 

[chad5k1]

I'm in the Thames Valley. I was pretty much sold on the alpina Blue too. But it was the only one I've ever seen hence when it came up I had no choice! Sterlin grey seems a popular choice as all the ones I've seen on the road have been that. However I look at others in black/black black/red and the other type of blue/black before I got this.