E46 330ci brake upgrade
- Thread starter Gotbadger
- Start date
I’ve upgraded to both the 300 and the 325mm front set up, the latter being the si discs and calipers
Visually they make a big difference filling the wheels out more especially with wheels like the 108s
Performance wise I can’t say I found much difference but then I wasn’t tracking the car
Visually they make a big difference filling the wheels out more especially with wheels like the 108s
Performance wise I can’t say I found much difference but then I wasn’t tracking the car
North West Surrey
You may well need calipers and carriers depending on your existing set up. Plus ideally protection plates. To do all this properly. Plates is hub off to change them. I’ve just been through all this on my Facelift 2.5 (N52). I think the 330 is the same brakes as the 3.0si Zed. 325 x 25mm. But check and compare setups on realoem.
The question of 'is it worth it?' Probably depends on if you think there are any weaknesses with the brakes you already have. Bigger discs won't really make the car stop any quicker - if that's your goal then would be more cost effective to buy better brake pads with more bite.
Bigger discs will dissipate heat more, so if you do track work, then yes, definitely worth it for sustained stopping power. On the road in everyday driving, probably not worth it.
Bigger discs do look better too, if that's important.
Bigger discs will dissipate heat more, so if you do track work, then yes, definitely worth it for sustained stopping power. On the road in everyday driving, probably not worth it.
Bigger discs do look better too, if that's important.
Having gone from that 2.5i to a 3.0si with bigger brakes I don't really notice much difference in them - albeit neither were running particularly good pads. The 3.0si was dire when I first got it, chucking a set of Mintex pads on the front made a good difference (went from "will it stop?" to "it stops kinda well".)
(The discs/pads on the 2.5i are on the cheaper end of the market, whole set was £90 from memory to get through MOT. Believe it or not they improved the braking though!)
(The discs/pads on the 2.5i are on the cheaper end of the market, whole set was £90 from memory to get through MOT. Believe it or not they improved the braking though!)
Not only feasible, but a relatively easy DIY job. The only difficulty you are likely to encounter is if you round out the grub screws that secure the discs. Then you are into a world of pain that might involve replacing the hubs too. The harder part, if upgrading to Si (325mm) spec, is locating caliper carriers at a good price. Unlike discs and calipers (I have a decent pair available
) , they are hard to come by.Regardless of whether they make a difference to braking performance, I do think it’s one of the few mods you can do that actually adds value to a Z4.
If it wets your appetite some pictures of mine before and after…
This is 286x22 - 325x25 3.0si. BMW drilled discs, calipers, carriers, plates, hubs etc etc. £££
This is 286x22 - 325x25 3.0si. BMW drilled discs, calipers, carriers, plates, hubs etc etc. £££
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3002 tii
Active member
Bigger discs do help with stopping as you have more leverage.
Z44Jon
Member
As a cheaper and easier alternative I have some brand new upgraded 300mm EBC discs and pads from a 3.0 available, I can throw in some used 3.0 caliper carriers ( the calipers are the same) so they fit straight on your 2.5i
