How-to: Cheap brake upgrade

Job now done. In the end followed earlier advice and went for E46 calipers & carriers with Brembo 325mm Grooved rotors (The OEM rotors from the E46 330 were too worn for my liking!) and RedStuff pads.

Brembo-discs.jpg
 
Hi Guys, Bringing up and old thread again.

Im trying to do this at present but have some questions.

1. What is the correct part numbers for the carriers needed? I understand the x3 carriers don't fit so would like to make sure i get the correct ones, part number would be great.

2. What brake pad wear sensor do i need on my 2003 z4? The same as the original part, the E46 330i Part or the Z4 3.0si part. All have different part numbers so i am unsure.

3. What pads are people using? Anyone using standard Texar/ Pagid pads? I would like to update but the cost seems nearly double!

4. What braided hoses do i need, Z4 3.0i, E46 330i or Z4 3.0si? or are all 3 the same?

Thanks

Ash
 
hopz121 said:
Hi Guys, Bringing up and old thread again.

Im trying to do this at present but have some questions.

1. What is the correct part numbers for the carriers needed? I understand the x3 carriers don't fit so would like to make sure i get the correct ones, part number would be great.
Try this site ........... http://www.realoem.com/bmw/partgrp.do?model=BT52&mospid=47797 you will get the part numbers. Best to source a complete carrier and caliper set from a breakers though?

2. What brake pad wear sensor do i need on my 2003 z4? The same as the original part, the E46 330i Part or the Z4 3.0si part. All have different part numbers so i am unsure.
.............Z4 3.0 site above will give part number if you need it.

3. What pads are people using? Anyone using standard Texar/ Pagid pads? I would like to update but the cost seems nearly double! Choose what you want to pay........... Generally the more you pay the better the pad but there is a balance if you are on a budget. Law of diminishing returns. I am running standard Mintex and have no probs with the brake fade. I am running drilled and grooved 325's front, standard drilled and grooved rear with Pagid pads

4. What braided hoses do i need, Z4 3.0i, E46 330i or Z4 3.0si? or are all 3 the same? .......................go for 3.0 litre or 3.0 litre Si
Click to expand...
 
Thanks for your help.

The site doesn't tell me which wear sensor I need though, do I get the original 3.0i one or an e46 330 one / z4 3.0si one as I'm using new callipers from those cars. Different part numbers so I'm
Guessing different connectors etc

To my knowledge no one has said so far.

Thanks

Ash
 
Have you tried your original sensors. I have my original sensors 3.0 connected to my ex 330 calipers and associated pads :thumbsup:
 
Thanks for the help guys, i will use my existing 3.0i sensor then :)

I am going to put uprated hoses on though i think.

Just need to find some callipers now.
 
Just to update, i have found some calipers and carriers which are on there way to me, i have got some front stainless hoses.

Im going to order some new disc's and pads, Brembo disc's and Textar E pads i think.

I am pretty good with hands on stuff but have never bleed car brakes before, is it easy enough to do? Is it worth buying a bleed kit or what do i need?

Any help would be great.

Thanks

Ash
 
hopz121 said:
I am pretty good with hands on stuff but have never bleed car brakes before, is it easy enough to do? Is it worth buying a bleed kit or what do i need?
Ash
Click to expand...

Hi mate, For a couple of pounds get a bleed kit off ebay, just the basic, pipe and bottle type like bellow.
brake_bleed_kit.jpg
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ONE-MAN-BRAKE-AND-CLUTCH-BLEEDING-KIT-UNIVERSAL-/171098068149?pt=UK_Hand_Tools_Equipment&hash=item27d63d54b5

No need for fancy expensive one's, basically you just need to pump the brakes a few times to get any air out. Its easy enough if you have someone there to pump while you adjust the bleed nipple, but i found this was a handy and cheap asset to the tool kit. Doubt ill use it again for 10 years but it simple and works a treat.
Hose goes over the end of the loosened bleed nipple, into the sealed bottle. Pump the brakes, which pushes out the air any any lost brake fluid collects in the bottle.
:thumbsup:
 
Thanks for the link mate, when bleeding the brakes do i need to just do the front two or do i need to do all 4 and the clutch at the same time?

I wont be changing any bits on the rear for a while.

Ash
 
Just each caliper. Fit both fronts then bleed each side. There should be no need to do the backs and the clutch is a separate system. Try and minimise the amount of fluid loss to reduce air that gets in the system. Check you tube for a video there must be one on there if you are still unsure.
 
Thanks for all of the help guys.

One final question to any of you who run EBC Redstuff pads, what part number did you go for?

As they list the E46 330 and the Z4 3.0si are completely different part numbers and i have found one cheaper than the other!

Anyone know the right one to use.

Ash
 
I fitted EBC DP31552C RedStuff pads with E46 330 calipers and Brembo grooved 325mm rotors and am very happy with the end result on my Z4R 3.0i :thumbsup:
 
Hello,
3.0i has got 300 mm disc. I would like to update it with Brembo calipers and rotor 325 mm. From which car I can take Those Brembo calipers for a rotor 325mm and make it p&p to 3.0i? Is there such an option?
 
I Don't think anyone has found a suitable brembo caliper yet, you will need to make up some sort of mounting bracket i would think, as the calpier wont just be a bolt on job.

Let us know if you find anything
 
+1
Never heard of a swop in conversion from another car.
If you could find a suitable diameter rotor and caliber set with correct rotor top hat, stud pattern, etc and then machine up a carrier then in theory I'm sure it could be done.

Won't be easy which is why custom kits cost so much..
 
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