Freaky parts brakes

[S6Z4]

Looking to uprate the front brakes of my 2004 2.5 and not sure what kit would suit the car and not getting an easy answer with some saying e46 some e36 kits from freaky parts.
Has anyone fitted either of the kits to a non M car ?
Am I correct in thinking BMW utilised the E36 front end , E46 rear end on these great cars ? so maybe the E36 kit would be the correct one
TIA
Danny

 

[smorris_12]

The E36 was long gone when the Z4 was designed. The E85/6 is all based around E46 bits which has a lot of lot of cross compatibility to older platforms (disc sizes, mounting hole spacing, etc) which could throw up E36 compatibility but you'd be approaching it from the wrong starting point to think you want E36 bits.

The E90 will also have some crossover as it was in design at the same time.

The best bet is to dig thru RealOEM, looking up parts for a 3.0Si (it had the biggest brake setup) and then see what they were also used on.

 

[SqerrNipz]

Lots of really good brake info in this thread - https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=8399

A simple upgrade would be the 3.0i setup (300mm fronts, 294mm rears) or 3.0si had 325mm fronts.

I’m just in the process of refurbishing a set of E46 330i calipers for my 3.0i, same 325mm fronts as the 3.0si. The E46 330i carriers are a direct bolt-on and I believe the X3 of the same era had same calipers but the carriers are slightly different? E46 rears can be transferred too, but require some fettling as I understand.

I plan on refurbishing my old 3.0i brakes once replaced (have all new pistons, seals etc) and will post them up on here.

 

[S6Z4]

The E36 was long gone when the Z4 was designed. The E85/6 is all based around E46 bits which has a lot of lot of cross compatibility to older platforms (disc sizes, mounting hole spacing, etc) which could throw up E36 compatibility but you'd be approaching it from the wrong starting point to think you want E36 bits.

The E90 will also have some crossover as it was in design at the same time.

The best bet is to dig thru RealOEM, looking up parts for a 3.0Si (it had the biggest brake setup) and then see what they were also used on.

I stand corrected then I was sure I read the Z was an amalgamation in the suspension area from both the outgoing E36 & rears E46 . I’ll have a look on the oem site though great idea why do we always forget about that option
Was kinda hoping someone had already use FP brakes previously for clarification.

 

[S6Z4]

Lots of really good brake info in this thread - https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=8399

A simple upgrade would be the 3.0i setup (300mm fronts, 294mm rears) or 3.0si had 325mm fronts.

I’m just in the process of refurbishing a set of E46 330i calipers for my 3.0i, same 325mm fronts as the 3.0si. The E46 330i carriers are a direct bolt-on and I believe the X3 of the same era had same calipers but the carriers are slightly different? E46 rears can be transferred too, but require some fettling as I understand.

I plan on refurbishing my old 3.0i brakes once replaced (have all new pistons, seals etc) and will post them up on here.

I did go this route but was looking to go bigger still to fill the alloys , purely cosmetic rather than a performance upgrade. Also looking at swapping to a E46 M3 rear axle or maybe just the trailing arm assembly if it fits to allow me to install 996 rear calipers amd E9x M3 rear rotors . Again purely cosmetic over performance.
But nothing looks better than a filled alloy imo.

 

[SqerrNipz]

Lots of really good brake info in this thread - https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=8399

A simple upgrade would be the 3.0i setup (300mm fronts, 294mm rears) or 3.0si had 325mm fronts.

I’m just in the process of refurbishing a set of E46 330i calipers for my 3.0i, same 325mm fronts as the 3.0si. The E46 330i carriers are a direct bolt-on and I believe the X3 of the same era had same calipers but the carriers are slightly different? E46 rears can be transferred too, but require some fettling as I understand.

I plan on refurbishing my old 3.0i brakes once replaced (have all new pistons, seals etc) and will post them up on here.

I did go this route but was looking to go bigger still to fill the alloys , purely cosmetic rather than a performance upgrade. Also looking at swapping to a E46 M3 rear axle or maybe just the trailing arm assembly if it fits to allow me to install 996 rear calipers amd E9x M3 rear rotors . Again purely cosmetic over performance.
But nothing looks better than a filled alloy imo.

Ah okay, I get ya. I agree, nothing better than a nice open-spoke wheel with a huge caliper behind them!