Brake information

M

Machine monkey

Lifer
 In the shire Oxfordshire
So i am soon to be putting different brakes on the front of my car.

My wife's best friend has a 2.0l z4 and would my brakes from my 3.0l be a straight swap? Discs and calipers or would there be other bits needed?
 
^in that guide there are some errors. Not regarding to (front) brake size concerning this topic, but regarding to rear brake swaps. They suggest a combination that won't work....(they clearly didn't have hands on experience with that, otherwise they would know.)

So it's not thàt brilliant ;)
I havent read the complete topic to in further pages that might be addressed (if someone tries :lol: ), but the info in the TS is at least not correct
 
Not sure what to make of all that. I did skim read it but its only the front discs i will be swapping.
She is a bit skint and her brakes are on there last legs. I was just going to swap my old set up for hers. As mine have only done about 3k miles. so she will have 286mm disc and mine are 300mm will the carriers be different or the calipers? If its the calipers win win. If its the carriers not sure if i can be bothered to find her a set and change them.....
 
Surely you can get a new set of discs and pads all round for less than £150?
As for sizes it's clear I know diddly :lol:
 
GuidoK said:
^in that guide there are some errors. Not regarding to (front) brake size concerning this topic, but regarding to rear brake swaps. They suggest a combination that won't work....(they clearly didn't have hands on experience with that, otherwise they would know.)

So it's not thàt brilliant ;)
I havent read the complete topic to in further pages that might be addressed (if someone tries :lol: ), but the info in the TS is at least not correct
Click to expand...

Hi Guido, which rears should I avoid? I was using that guide to help me search for replacements.
 
The problem with the rears is the Handbrake hub's.
I did quite a lot of checking with other BMW models but could not identify an "off the shelf" swap with another model.
Without modifications (quite involved) I believe the 294 vented is the largest rotor with matching calipers and carriers on a "standard" setup.
If you have the Si 2.5 you probably already have them?
 
Yes, not only the hand brake, but also the offset of the disc, for both a 330i rotor and an X3 rotor.
The 330i discs have a smaller hat depth, and the x3 has a larger hat depth due to a lip on the inside.
Apart from the larger inner hat diameter (185mm compared to 160mm stock), where the parking brake shoes sit.

Fitting a 330i rear axle (minus the diff, but using the 330i diff output flanges) is possible, but the z4 has a bigger track width, so extra wheel spacers are needed.
You can't just fit 330i trailing arm to fit the brake shoes (larger diameter, so different location on the brake shoe lock bracket etc), because the wheel bearing is a different size, to fit a different size (diameter) drive shaft, etc etc)
So there are lots of possibilities, but all require extensive fabrication or parts/labour.

I use an adapted X3 rear disc (320x22 compared to 294x19 stock) with with adapted brake shoes and various bits from 1,3 and 5 series (all adapted too) to get everything to work and line up. I use the 135i performance calipers on the rear and they ideally line up to a 320mm disc.

Only suitable if you're used to build&fabricate things (welding, lathe/machining etc)
 
Yes. That's a lot of work well done for working that through.

I just went for the 325 front rotors calipers and carriers and took the easy option :roll:

The boxster brakes are pretty awsome so no real need to mod :thumbsup:
 
Toe-side said:
The problem with the rears is the Handbrake hub's.
I did quite a lot of checking with other BMW models but could not identify an "off the shelf" swap with another model.
Without modifications (quite involved) I believe the 294 vented is the largest rotor with matching calipers and carriers on a "standard" setup.
If you have the Si 2.5 you probably already have them?
Click to expand...

Yes I do have the 294 vented already. However, I thought I'd be 'clever' and source some cheap replacements off a cheaper model so that I could refurb and paint them fully without taking mine off the road.

Are you saying not all 294 calipers fit the same?
 
No they should be the same.
The real OEM site is great to check where parts are used on different BM models. Not sure if you have used it?
Identify the parts from parts drawings and then it will tell you where that part is used on any other BMW models. Very handy for sourcing second hand parts!
http://www.realoem.com/
 
sorry to hi-jack your thread Matt, but could anybody tell me if i can upgrade anything on my rear brake set up, ive got a 2008 2.0??

currently got the 330 front caliper set up ready to paint and refurb then order some new 325mm discs. im worried with much bigger fronts, the rears will look really crap, anything i can do easily to try and improve this?

thanks.
 
JINGLE said:
sorry to hi-jack your thread Matt, but could anybody tell me if i can upgrade anything on my rear brake set up, ive got a 2008 2.0??

currently got the 330 front caliper set up ready to paint and refurb then order some new 325mm discs. im worried with much bigger fronts, the rears will look really crap, anything i can do easily to try and improve this?

thanks.
Click to expand...

Have a look at the thread above :? it includes a link and information about the limits to upgrading the rear brakes. :wink:
 
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