New Calliper required :(

T

T1berious

Member
Good morning,

A trip to the dealer to get an oil service has ended up in replaced rear springs (one broken - but car now rides muchhhh better now fixed) and the pants news that a front calliper is indeed buggered. The Quote was pretty Eye watering to

I just wanted to ask is there any decent options to go after market on Brakes? and how would different brakes to stock affect DSC etc?

Just thought I'd ask here before giving the dealer the nod to order parts etc.

Cheers for any info!

T1b
 
What is wrong with the front caliper, on dealer's opinion?
Supposing that the vent is not broken, has the dealer at least tried a repair kit p/n 34111157037, which costs about Euro 25 + labor?
 
This is listed on ebay but I'd double check part numbers etc. I'd be avoiding a dealer if at all possible.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-E46-M3-Z4-M-3-2-E85-E86-FRONT-BRAKE-CALIPER-34112282617-34112282618-/390452951157?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item5ae8cf3875
 
I currently have the same problem.

How much did they quote. I think they said £440 fitted, but they haven't looked at mine yet! Mine is going in on Wednesday but I have sticking brake, so assume caliper!

Did they say they could get the part easily??

Do you have a warranty of any kind? I'm hoping mine will be covered under the AUC warranty!
 
Hi,

It's a sticking calliper and no, they didn't offer a repair option. to be fair though, I'd rather replace a part like a brake if it needs doing, the Mrs drives the car to and a failure with her behind the wheel due to a bit of penny pinching doesn't even bear thinking about.

Yup, I got quoted 440 + VAT (I think)

Cheers,

T1b
 
T1berious said:
Hi,

It's a sticking calliper and no, they didn't offer a repair option. to be fair though, I'd rather replace a part like a brake if it needs doing, the Mrs drives the car to and a failure with her behind the wheel due to a bit of penny pinching doesn't even bear thinking about.

Yup, I got quoted 440 + VAT (I think)

Cheers,

T1b
Click to expand...
:bow: a true gentlemen
 
T1berious said:
Hi,

It's a sticking calliper and no, they didn't offer a repair option. to be fair though, I'd rather replace a part like a brake if it needs doing, the Mrs drives the car to and a failure with her behind the wheel due to a bit of penny pinching doesn't even bear thinking about.

Yup, I got quoted 440 + VAT (I think)

Cheers,

T1b
Click to expand...

Ouch, I didn't realise that was + Vat!!

Do you have a warranty or was it not covered?

It seems a fairly common problem unfortunately! How many miles were on your car out of interest?
 
johnnyb said:
This is listed on ebay but I'd double check part numbers etc. I'd be avoiding a dealer if at all possible.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-E46-M3-Z4-M-3-2-E85-E86-FRONT-BRAKE-CALIPER-34112282617-34112282618-/390452951157?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item5ae8cf3875
Click to expand...

Part numbers are correct :thumbsup:
 
T1berious said:
Hi,

It's a sticking calliper and no, they didn't offer a repair option. to be fair though, I'd rather replace a part like a brake if it needs doing, the Mrs drives the car to and a failure with her behind the wheel due to a bit of penny pinching doesn't even bear thinking about.

Yup, I got quoted 440 + VAT (I think)

Cheers,

T1b
Click to expand...

I know it's not recommended by most on here but I also had a sticking calliper but I went to a local Indy who stripped and cleaned it for £50 that was 18 months ago and it's been fine since. They even offered to check and fix it for free after 6 months but it wasn't needed.

Cheers
 
I really believe that it's a waste of money to replace a sticking caliper, without first attempting to fix it using an original repair kit.
It's like one would replace the engine because of a leaking crankshaft rear oil seal...

Overhauling a caliper is simple and safe - as long as it's done properly. Actually, a reasonable skilled shade tree mechanic can do it at home.
It's quite seldom for a caliper to be so damaged that it must be replaced.
As I mentioned in my previous post above, BMW is selling a repair kit for the Z4M calipers - this alone suggests that overhauling is a common procedure.

Important question to all those who had caliper issues: did you replace the brake fluid on a regular basis? That's once a year (ideally), or at least every other year (worst case).
 
RobertRO said:
I really believe that it's a waste of money to replace a sticking caliper, without first attempting to fix it using an original repair kit.
It's like one would replace the engine because of a leaking crankshaft rear oil seal...

Overhauling a caliper is simple and safe - as long as it's done properly. Actually, a reasonable skilled shade tree mechanic can do it at home.
It's quite seldom for a caliper to be so damaged that it must be replaced.
As I mentioned in my previous post above, BMW is selling a repair kit for the Z4M calipers - this alone suggests that overhauling is a common procedure.

Important question to all those who had caliper issues: did you replace the brake fluid on a regular basis? That's once a year (ideally), or at least every other year (worst case).
Click to expand...

I'm very interested to learn why brake fluid replacement would stop a sticking caliper, would you kindly explain, though must admit I ask for my brake fluid to be changed at every service given the amount of heat I sometimes put into the brakes
 
Jembo said:
I'm very interested to learn why brake fluid replacement would stop a sticking caliper, would you kindly explain, though must admit I ask for my brake fluid to be changed at every service given the amount of heat I sometimes put into the brakes
Click to expand...

Brake fluid replacement will not fix a sticking caliper. If it's already sticking, it needs an overhaul.
But replacing the brake fluid once a year will keep a good caliper healthy. And the brake pump. And the clutch master and slave cylinders.
Note that besides corrosion from water-contaminated brake fluid, a caliper may be damaged in other ways - for example: a torn dust boot, or a broken vent valve.

If you ever get the chance to see the color and contamination of brake fluid being purged out of a caliper not flushed for at least 3-4 years in a row, it will become obvious why flushing the brake fluid once a year is very good practice, and why not flushing may lead to a sticking caliper.

Here are two Web links you may want to read:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brake_fluid (mostly "Service and maintenance" section)
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/auto-parts/brakes/brake-tests/is-brake-flushing-necessary.htm
Of course, the Internet may provide you with even better sources.
 
Interesting reading...

In answer to some q's

No warranty left.
65k miles (I got it at 48k).

I think it also goes on someones appetite for risk or "perceived" risk.

My appetite for risk is silly low due to me not being the cars only driver, I'm not a mechanic so I have to (to an extent) trust my dealer.

To be fair, the dealer has never led me wrong so far and we've been using them years.

Here's the other thing, when it comes to selling it, someone seeing a book full of main dealer receipts and stamps will have a warm fluffy glow regarding the maintenance of the car.

You don't buy a car like this without your eyes open and I budget 1.5k p/a to run it (minus fuel).

IMHO unless you know brakes like the back of your hand (which I don't) and am the sole driver (which I'm not), play it safe.

Besides, it's a 338 bhp car, the person who might be trying to haul up the anchors at suddenly halting traffic on a motorway might not be me......

and that gents, is why its getting a new calliper regardless of cost :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom