Breaking distance
- Thread starter peddy
- Start date
i suspect they won't make much difference in normal road driving, you're still on the same dimensions and the same calipers (i.e. braking 'strength') - they may 'feel' a little sharper though. Changing from old to new pads and/or discs will have a bigger effect. For track driving where you may overheat the standard brakes then there will be a different in longevity of the brakes, but you'll need to change the fluid for a higher temperature product to get the full effect.
If you want to improve you braking distance fit E46 330 (diesel or petrol) carriers and cailpers.
Straight bolt on and fit if you have 18" rims and then you can fit the larger 325mm rotors. Then you see real braking improvement for a small outlay.
Did it on mine and the difference was night and day for about £100 for a pair or second hand calipers. Had to change the discs and pads anyway, so hardly any extra there.
Do a search as there are detailed write ups of it.
Straight bolt on and fit if you have 18" rims and then you can fit the larger 325mm rotors. Then you see real braking improvement for a small outlay.
Did it on mine and the difference was night and day for about £100 for a pair or second hand calipers. Had to change the discs and pads anyway, so hardly any extra there.
Do a search as there are detailed write ups of it.
peddy said:
Yes - standard 3.0i is 300 mm fronts
cj10jeeper said:
Does that 25mm make such a big difference? Did you only change the front or did you do the rears too? Mine's just had a service II and been advised my front pads are non-oem and had the sensors disabled, and they're almost down to metal?! The rear discs are quite corroded too, so need new pads and discs rear and new pads up front, so might aswell do the whole lot
Just checked on ebay and 330 calipers are over £100 per caliper!
Might have to look a bit more...
Paul
Well the answer is yes, yes, yes.
Think not only of the % radius increase but also the E46 calipers are mich bigger so combine greater leverage with more pad area. Of course uprated discs and better pads can only have helped.
I of course replaced the rear too, but the same size as they never uprated tose on the facelift so they match OEM size Front and rear for balance. EBC's take the sensors correctly, but some people remove them
Here's the project write up that Zeta tre researched and I followed:
http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=8399&hilit=330+caliper
Obviously not looking hard enough for calipers :wink: :
Remanufactured here for £45
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BMW-330-SERIE....c0.m14&_trkparms=65:1|66:2|39:1|293:1|294:50
I simply searched over a few days then called various breakers until I got what I wanted. They threw in the carriers for nothing.
Think not only of the % radius increase but also the E46 calipers are mich bigger so combine greater leverage with more pad area. Of course uprated discs and better pads can only have helped.
I of course replaced the rear too, but the same size as they never uprated tose on the facelift so they match OEM size Front and rear for balance. EBC's take the sensors correctly, but some people remove them
Here's the project write up that Zeta tre researched and I followed:
http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=8399&hilit=330+caliper
Obviously not looking hard enough for calipers :wink: :
Remanufactured here for £45
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BMW-330-SERIE....c0.m14&_trkparms=65:1|66:2|39:1|293:1|294:50
I simply searched over a few days then called various breakers until I got what I wanted. They threw in the carriers for nothing.
Best to go with larger/stronger calipers if you really want an improvement.
From what I've heard, putting high performance/track pads in a street car may actually result in poorer braking performance on the street. High performance pads work really well under track conditions where they prevent brake fade when really hot. On the street they can't get up to their proper operating tempuratures so they may not grip as well in an emergency stop while commuting.
Before making any changes, make sure that your DOT 4 brake fluid has been recently changed. It should be changed at least every two years. Some do it every year. Fresh fluid can improve braking feel and performance at a minimal cost.
Bill
From what I've heard, putting high performance/track pads in a street car may actually result in poorer braking performance on the street. High performance pads work really well under track conditions where they prevent brake fade when really hot. On the street they can't get up to their proper operating tempuratures so they may not grip as well in an emergency stop while commuting.
Before making any changes, make sure that your DOT 4 brake fluid has been recently changed. It should be changed at least every two years. Some do it every year. Fresh fluid can improve braking feel and performance at a minimal cost.
Bill