Discs & Pads....upgrade?

S

shabba

Member
Hi all,

Had a quyick search but couldn't find definitive answer....

I need new front discs & pads, what is my best option? I don't mind spending a little more than standard to get better performing brakes, they standard ones aren't too bad but as always , better is better.....

A friend said something about MCT? Ideally I'd want something that stops a bit better, less fade (although fluid might be cause of this) - however notnhing that is nosiey/squeals.
 
Have you considered the 330/3.0Si Z4 brake calliper/disc upgrade as mentioned on here?

Alternatively standard discs with some sportier pads (EBC Yellowstuff, Ferodo DS2500, Padid RS) and new brake fluid will do an interim job.
 
Not looking to spend loads, the car is not fast enough to warrant a whole new set up, I have just the 231bhp 3.0 Z.

May well just go with the standard discs and better pads then, assuming there is not a better disc option?
 
It's not usually the discs that are the weak point in BMW braking systems, it's usually the pads & calipers.

Good pads can be expensive (i.e. £300 for Pagid RS pads), and better calipers can cost a fortune (e.g. £600+ each from AP).

You can upgrade to EBC Ultimax slotted discs (others are available of course), but they're probably more expensive than OEM discs.

The E46 330 caliper upgrade can be done for quite reasonable money if you don't mind buying used calipers & carriers, or you can get new ones if you so wish. Don't know the costs involved as I've got an ///M and haven't investigated it any more than spotting a post on this very forum some while ago.

Alternatively, you can get a full 330mm 6-pot upgrade from K-Sport.
 
As per mmm suggestion the E46 330 (diesel or petrol) upgrade is the easiest and the way I and a few others have gone. Simple bolt on of carrier and caliper and if you need new disks and pads then there is very little incremental cost.

Look better, have more mechanical leverage as bigger disks and then you can go to better pads, disks fluid at the same time or a later stage.
 
Thanks guys, what price on the calipers (used)?

I know someone who works at BMW so parts for the discs/pads are good, also I know a mate with a garage so fitting stuff is also not an issue.
 
shabba said:
Thanks guys, what price on the calipers (used)?

I know someone who works at BMW so parts for the discs/pads are good, also I know a mate with a garage so fitting stuff is also not an issue.
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Call a few breakers. It's whatever they feel ont he day. I paid £50 for a pair inc cariers. Expect £100
 
(((("Call a few breakers. It's whatever they feel ont he day. I paid £50 for a pair inc cariers. Expect £100")))) MY AR5E!!!!
I paid £230 for both front and back calipers of ebay and when i got them the rear pistons was shot and they all needed new seals The stealer wanted £200 for new calipers each as they dont do pistons. I found a place that do, back pistons with full f/r seals £105 Discs and pads £300. Easy bleed kit £20 dot 4 fluid £10 So a cheap upgrade is in exsess of £665 CHEAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Dont go there!!!! :tumbleweed:
 
ColinP said:
MY AR5E!!!!
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As CJ10jeeper said, it depends on what mood the breaker is in on the day you ask, or on how lucky you are on ebay (looking on both the German as well as the British).

I've paid £50 for one caliper for an e34 M5 (4-pots) from a breaker and £20 for a repair kit in the past, but also paid £700 for a caliper when I needed one desperately and the only place with one was the dealer.
 
ColinP said:
(((("Call a few breakers. It's whatever they feel ont he day. I paid £50 for a pair inc cariers. Expect £100")))) MY AR5E!!!!
I paid £230 for both front and back calipers of ebay and when i got them the rear pistons was shot and they all needed new seals The stealer wanted £200 for new calipers each as they dont do pistons. I found a place that do, back pistons with full f/r seals £105 Discs and pads £300. Easy bleed kit £20 dot 4 fluid £10 So a cheap upgrade is in exsess of £665 CHEAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Dont go there!!!! :tumbleweed:
Click to expand...

Then you were unlucky.. I only did the front, called a good few dealers until I got what I wanted at the right price. I don't use Ebay sales just the contact for a breakers yard and the calipers and carriers have performed perfectly for months now.

The discs and pads cost next to nothing as the project is done at the same time as the existing discs needs replacing and cost about the same.
 
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