How-to: Cheap brake upgrade

Darkangelv2 said:
kis said:
Darkangelv2 said:
You can use your existing carriers with either of the 325mm upgraded callipers.
Click to expand...

Thanks Darkangelv2. A lot of E36 owners sourcing the E46 330 brakes, common mod for them too. So makes sourcing parts a right pain. So if I can use my existing carriers I'm gonna hit up some X3 breakers! It seems far easier to get your hands on calipers than both calipers and carriers. No idea how that works... Will source parts and report back!
Click to expand...

Just a warning reference the X3 calipers (of which I have no experience). The OP made this note in his initial post.

PS3: sourcing the front brakes from an X3

The X3 has the same front calipers as the 330i (325mm vented); however the carrier has a different p/n so it might not be a perfect bolt on.
Click to expand...

Hi, thanks mate. From my research the calipers are exactly the same, it's just the carriers which are different. So I'll get the calipers and use my existing carriers. That's the plan at least. Should work out if it's as everything we've discussed?
 
Not sure if I've missed something here but you cannot use the existing 3.0 carriers for the larger 330 calipers. They won't be big enough.

I did the conversion from my stock 3.0 and need the matching set of carriers and calipers
 
cj10jeeper said:
Not sure if I've missed something here but you cannot use the existing 3.0 carriers for the larger 330 calipers. They won't be big enough.

I did the conversion from my stock 3.0 and need the matching set of carriers and calipers
Click to expand...

+1

My 330d calipers would physically fit onto the 3.0 brackets, but they would not allow the (bigger) disc to fit, as they 330d brackets are (obviously) around 12.5mm or extended from the mounting points compared to the 3.0 ones. They are different part no's on RealOEM, I checked as it was obv easier to find just calipers rather than those with carriers.

Mike
 
kis said:
Hi, thanks mate. From my research the calipers are exactly the same, it's just the carriers which are different. So I'll get the calipers and use my existing carriers. That's the plan at least. Should work out if it's as everything we've discussed?
Click to expand...


The calipers are different.

Mike
 
Use the real oem web site to confirm parts are the same and direct replacement. Different numbers = different parts :wink:

Ducklakeview and cj10jeeper are spot on. 325mm Carriers are different to the 300mm's :thumbsup:

Another source for the calipers I believe is the old MG ZT's which shared a number of BM parts.
Never purchased any however.
 
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MG-ZT-190-2-5v6-Rover-75-Vented-Front-Brake-Caliper-Carriers-Pair-/122183320594?hash=item1c72b18412:g:Ok0AAOSwh2xYAgiw

Difficult to say about the carriers being correct but they did run 325mm discs on the bigger output ZT's
 
Out of curiosity has anyone tried a set of the Rover calipers?

While they are the same casting I'd want to be sure they had the same piston size inside. Could be scary and out of balance if not.

Not a concern for me as I have the 330d fitted
 
Okay so I'm back! :roll:

I'm still trying to source these and possibly going down the route of X3 calipers and sourcing carriers separately.

I know you need to check part numbers as mentioned before, only I don't know how? I've looked at RealOEM and I know which part numbers I can use, so that's fine... Only there aren't part numbers stamped/engraved on the actual part are there?

It's fairly easy to see if the calipers are correct, they are normally stamped with 57/25 on the front (if they're not completely rusted!) so along with the description from the seller you know. But the carriers? How do you identify them? They're normally stamped up on the inside. I've seen a few with 443 and 505? Listing here shows an example.

Anyone know which number or numbers to look out for? (I'm thinking possibly different numbers for a 3.0si carrier and a 330 carrier which is why I say numbers).

Cheers guys! :)
 
For me I identified the models that shared the correct calipers and carriers and searched 'Breaking' and 'dismantling' of those models on the interweb. Searched a lot under 'E46' rather than 330
The carriers do have markings on them but you would not be able to see what the markings were fitted on a scrap car.

I made the judgement that if I found a car being dismantled that had those parts fitted as standard then........... 'bingo' :wink:
 
Just saw these
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-E46-330ci-Front-Calipers-Carriers-/262707532598?hash=item3d2a96d336:g:7TAAAOSwHMJYHy23 :o
 
Toe-side said:
Just saw these
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-E46-330ci-Front-Calipers-Carriers-/262707532598?hash=item3d2a96d336:g:7TAAAOSwHMJYHy23 :o
Click to expand...

Thanks! I had a quick look, already sold!! :headbang:
 
Toe-side said:
For me I identified the models that shared the correct calipers and carriers and searched 'Breaking' and 'dismantling' of those models on the interweb. Searched a lot under 'E46' rather than 330
The carriers do have markings on them but you would not be able to see what the markings were fitted on a scrap car.

I made the judgement that if I found a car being dismantled that had those parts fitted as standard then........... 'bingo' :wink:
Click to expand...

Thanks for the replies mate. I've done the same, a lot of the cars that come up, once I call up requesting the part they've already sold. It's apparently a very popular mod with the old 3 Series too, the e36. The odd occasion they do have them they're asking in excess of £100. It's been mentioned a few times that they can be had for around £60. So looking at that sort of figure £60-80 ish.
 
kis said:
Found a reasonable one! Link here. I'm going to see if he'll let it go for a bit cheaper tho! :D
Click to expand...

Why wouldn't you just buy them and before posting? If the calipers are trashed then you can use them as cores to trade in. If not then you have a bargain.
Someone is likely to see the post and just buy them
 
cj10jeeper said:
kis said:
Found a reasonable one! Link here. I'm going to see if he'll let it go for a bit cheaper tho! :D
Click to expand...

Why wouldn't you just buy them and before posting? If the calipers are trashed then you can use them as cores to trade in. If not then you have a bargain.
Someone is likely to see the post and just buy them
Click to expand...

Just bagged a set for £70 from a breaker I contacted over the weekend so all good! :D
Also, I know some people are like that. However I'd like to think that since this is a forum, of fellow enthusiasts, I'm among friends.
 
kis said:
cj10jeeper said:
kis said:
Found a reasonable one! Link here. I'm going to see if he'll let it go for a bit cheaper tho! :D
Click to expand...

Why wouldn't you just buy them and before posting? If the calipers are trashed then you can use them as cores to trade in. If not then you have a bargain.
Someone is likely to see the post and just buy them
Click to expand...

Just bagged a set for £70 from a breaker I contacted over the weekend so all good! :D
Also, I know some people are like that. However I'd like to think that since this is a forum, of fellow enthusiasts, I'm among friends.
Click to expand...

Brilliant that you have got a set :)
In terms of 'trust' I agree and in general you are right, however at any time there are up to 500 guests on the site. There are 200 now as I post this .., so it's a wide audience
 
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