Brake upgrade options for Z4M?
- Thread starter Rattler
- Start date
I experienced brake fade during my last trip to the track. I wore 3months pads all of the way down to null in one day. I did the math and I drove about 72 miles that day at track speeds 
, so this might actually be considered normal wear... don't know.
I put in some cheap pads so I can drive around until I figure out what (track pads) I want to replace them with. Question... Is there any downside to opening up the inlet in the bumper?
, so this might actually be considered normal wear... don't know.I put in some cheap pads so I can drive around until I figure out what (track pads) I want to replace them with. Question... Is there any downside to opening up the inlet in the bumper?
Liverpool
I'm not going that fast/hard at the 'Ring, as I'm not about laptime and want to enjoy myself. I tend to stick to 9 minute laps - and can still do this in heavy traffic or with a yellow flag or two, but have been known to put in quicker laps here & there when I'm chasing my mate in his GT-R33.NDalton said:I experienced brake fade during my last trip to the track. I wore 3months pads all of the way down to null in one day. I did the math and I drove about 72 miles that day at track speeds
I put in some cheap pads so I can drive around until I figure out what (track pads) I want to replace them with. Question... Is there any downside to opening up the inlet in the bumper?
My last (6th) set of front Bluestuff NDX pads lasted 3 days/40 laps, plus the hooning we do when the track is shut, plus the 3-4 months of general road driving before & after - so a total of about 12,000 miles. Standard front discs last about 40,000 miles.
This year I went onto the Orangestuff - similar price but wanted to try them out - and they seem to be lasting longer, and just got better and better the harder/later you brake. However, I don't think they're suitable for normal road use as they don't work very well from cold. Will have to wait to see what the disc wear rate is with these.
Still have a set of Alcon calipers to install though, and I've been waiting until my insurance repairs are completed before I do any further mods.
TomK said:
Thanks - for some reason I hadn't actually clocked that. I think it might have been the M135i/M Performance BBK upgrade confusing me (which does need a bespoke rear solution).
So Porsche 996/Boxster S front and rear calipers, plus brackets, looks like an option. According to RallyRoad, the fronts calipers need milling down 5mm; and the rears need front pads to sweep the disc properly. Still seems to be worthwhile, given how cheaply you can pick up the calipers.
The VagBremTechnic upgrade for the fronts looks tempting too, although it would be frustrating to end up with hot-swappable front pads, when the rears would still be a caliper off job.
That's not quite what they say. The standard fitment pads leave 5mm unswept; if that doesn't float your boat visually, you can use front pads for a different car - the 2000 2.7L Boxter instead. Don't order two sets of front 996 / Cayman S pads, they won't work for the rear. 
I've got the brackets (I'm impressed, they're high quality units with high quality mounting hardware) and calipers now. Just working on a machine shop to take 5mm out of the front calipers for me. I'm trying the install with Z4M brake lines - should work, but I might need to get some 90* adapters made up for the caliper end of the lines. The line hardware is the same between BMW and Porsche, anyway. This will be part of my winter project (project also includes Evolve airbox and Schrick 288/280* cams, installing headers, and manufacturing header-back exhaust), so I'll start a thread and post progress pics as I go.
I've got the brackets (I'm impressed, they're high quality units with high quality mounting hardware) and calipers now. Just working on a machine shop to take 5mm out of the front calipers for me. I'm trying the install with Z4M brake lines - should work, but I might need to get some 90* adapters made up for the caliper end of the lines. The line hardware is the same between BMW and Porsche, anyway. This will be part of my winter project (project also includes Evolve airbox and Schrick 288/280* cams, installing headers, and manufacturing header-back exhaust), so I'll start a thread and post progress pics as I go.
mattfwalters said:That's not quite what they say. The standard fitment pads leave 5mm unswept; if that doesn't float your boat visually, you can use front pads for a different car - the 2000 2.7L Boxter instead. Don't order two sets of front 996 / Cayman S pads, they won't work for the rear.
I've got the brackets (I'm impressed, they're high quality units with high quality mounting hardware) and calipers now. Just working on a machine shop to take 5mm out of the front calipers for me. I'm trying the install with Z4M brake lines - should work, but I might need to get some 90* adapters made up for the caliper end of the lines. The line hardware is the same between BMW and Porsche, anyway. This will be part of my winter project (project also includes Evolve airbox and Schrick 288/280* cams, installing headers, and manufacturing header-back exhaust), so I'll start a thread and post progress pics as I go.
Nice! Will be following with interest.
Dropped the front calipers off to have the mounting bosses machined per RallyRoad's instructions. Hawk HP-10 pads have arrived.
I'm awfully excited, to be honest.
I'm awfully excited, to be honest.