E46 big brake kit, fit z4?

[Chiddy]

I'm looking for a big brake kit for my car, so searching google, then eBay, brought me to this...

http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/111148091926

A wilwood 4 pot kit, made for non-M e46 3 series.

Am I correct in saying this kit will bolt directly onto my Z (3.0i)?

Thanks for the help!

 

[Jembo]

I am assuming you've got a pre facelift with 300mm rotors.

Check out this thread http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=8399

Issue is if you upgrade the fronts too much they will unbalance the car under heavy braking. I went for the E46 330 upgrade to 325mm rotors mentioned in the above article... makes a BIG difference in that requires far less effort to stop... also worth using the search function, prefixing each word with '+' will make search more specific

Good luck

 

[Chiddy]

I have, yes, Upgraded the disks and pads when I got the car, but they still don't quite cut it, and I love the look of big stoppers behind the wheels!

"7) The Z4 share the same brakes as the E46, making a lot easier to find parts at the junkyard" tell's me that the brake kit I linked would fit?

After reading that thread I'd be inclined to go for 320mm rear upgrades from a 330i too, though saying that, I've had other cars with big brake kits fitted up front with no hassle or adverse affects.

 

[Jembo]

I have, yes, Upgraded the disks and pads when I got the car, but they still don't quite cut it, and I love the look of big stoppers behind the wheels!

"7) The Z4 share the same brakes as the E46, making a lot easier to find parts at the junkyard" tell's me that the brake kit I linked would fit?

After reading that thread I'd be inclined to go for 320mm rear upgrades from a 330i too, though saying that, I've had other cars with big brake kits fitted up front with no hassle or adverse affects.

In the dry or wet was just fine in the summer, though noticed when it was cold / on winters the front could ping the ABS a little bit early when used in anger. As for the rear discs, you'll find it's not an easy / straight swap

 

[ESP]

After reading that thread I'd be inclined to go for 320mm rear upgrades from a 330i too, though saying that, I've had other cars with big brake kits fitted up front with no hassle or adverse affects.

To my knowledge this doesnt work.
The 330i calipers DO bolt straight on, but the Hand/Parking brake is a different size and wont work.

If anyone does want some though i have a set of rear 330i disks, pads, calipers and carriers requiring a home.

 

[GuidoK]

e46 330i rear discs will never fit a z4. The z4 has a very deep hat on the discs, so the offset is completely different. The disc offset on the z4 is 21mm(!) deeper than the disc offset on the e46 330i.

I've adapted an x3 rear disc (320mm) to fit the z4 rear brake assembly (together with a bmw/brembo performance bbk caliper).
So including a new parking brake mechanism (that was the tricky part).
That disc fitted my need best.

http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=751080

 

[domsz4]

E46 330 brakes seem a bit like hens teeth on eBay u less you buy new but then they don't come with the slider things. Any ideas on where else to look?

Are the values of them on eBay at the mo about right?

 

[ben g]

What exactly do you need to upgrade the pre-facelift front brakes to 325mm ones from the 330?

Is it just calipers, carriers, discs and pads?

Or is there anything else needed?

 

[domsz4]

What exactly do you need to upgrade the pre-facelift front brakes to 325mm ones from the 330?

Is it just calipers, carriers, discs and pads?

Or is there anything else needed?

yes as far as i can see from the various posts.

 

[ben g]

Seems actually obtaining the calipers and carriers is the hardest part

Pads and discs can be bought anywhere.

 

[wilbo]

Seems actually obtaining the calipers and carriers is the hardest part

Pads and discs can be bought anywhere.

Ebay or breakers yards are probably the best bet. Was going to do this myself but just decided on braided lines and some decent discs / pads on the current set up.

 

[cj10jeeper]

E46 330 brakes seem a bit like hens teeth on eBay u less you buy new but then they don't come with the slider things. Any ideas on where else to look?

Are the values of them on eBay at the mo about right?

Easy - Search Ebay 'E46 330 breaking' and a whole line of examples will emerge. Then just get on the phone. Old fashioned, but that's how I got mine and if asked they will throw in the carriers for a few quid postage.

 

[Gordo-B]

Just wanted to add to post, I tried the rear brake conversion to the 330i and to be honest it will NOT work. Hat hight on disk is completely different. Not to mention spacing.
If anyone wants to give it a go I have callipers carriers with brand new disks and pads for sale.