Anyone done the E46 330i brake upgrade on their ti?

[Budget M3]

I've pretty much settled on the E36 325/328 upgrade to stay within the "Budget", but don't have to do the work for at least a month yet. In the meantime, I'd like to know if anyone here has done the E46 upgrade. What are the size of the E46 330i rotors compared to the E36 328's? I know they're more expensive, but are they worth the extra $$?? Where did you source your used E46 calipers?

TIA...

[1996 328ti]

I got my 325/328 calipers from Zionsville. I imagine they see E46 calipers too. I still think you are going way over budget.
You want E46 rotors and I don't think anyone is going to stop you. ;)

[Budget M3]

Understand it might be overkill, but...just looking for another data point before I make my purchase. I compared the rotor sizes between my ti's solid rotors and my '94 325i's vented rotors and found less than .5" difference. If I can get a little larger than that without having to spend a lot more $$$, I might consider it, but am looking for a first hand account of whether or not it was worth the bucks...

Anyone gone the E46 route?

[1996 328ti]

Just the fact that they are vented will make a huge difference. I experienced fading at the track with solid rotors. The track was a short circuit and there was little time for the brakes to cool. Never had fading issues with the 325/328 setup unless I waited too long between brake fluid changes.

[Panzer_M]

seen pics of the e46 job.

saw a e46 rotor compared to the Ti's OEM

well as they ladies say

Size Does Matter

Since I am going with a M50B25 I am going with 325/328 brakes.

[Budget M3]

Yeah...When all was said and done, I ended up going with the 325/328 setup, too. Sourcing the brackets for the E46 calipers proved to be too difficult/expensive. The calipers themselves are not much more expensive than the used E36 parts, but the bracket to mount them is the long pole unless you can find a wrecked 330i.

[J!m]

A used E36 M3 set up should not be too bad at this point. Most M3ers are going to HUGE brakes, when the stock ones are just fine with proper pads, lines and fluid... The ONLY advantage I can see to replacement on a M3 is less unsprung weight.

Keep eyes peeled for those maybe.

(note: it will require extensive parts replacement in the front to install, and you need M roadster/coupe` rear parts)

[KIRASIR]

http://www.maxbimmer.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=21588&highlight=brakes

Size DOES matter indeed. :D

BTW 330 front calipers cost 150US used and are NOT hard at all to find in the States.

[1996 328ti]

Size matters in heat dissipation. Once you are into your ABS or at the point of threshold braking, big brakes don't make you stop faster. Tires are probably the biggest factor in braking.

I have yet to have any braking issues with E36 vented front rotors. The only time I had brake fade was waiting too long to replace my fluid. And if it is just a matter of looks for the street, do whatever you want but realize, big brakes do not make you stop faster.

[Phil Marx]

I'm seldom lucky but somehow in my ignorance in purchasing my 318ti recently I ended up with a '98 built in April 1998, the month they switched to vented front rotors. Now I've driven a lot of BMWs over the 30 years I've owned and sold them but I can't remember a BMW that stopped appreciably better than this ti with the Hawk HPS pads I put on the front.

YMMV.

-Phil Marx

[rated///M]

Excuse my igonorance... will you have to swap spindles, and brackets for the 330 brakes? Or is this simply for the e36 M3 brakes?

[KIRASIR]

It's a direct bolt-on, all you need is the calipers and the carriers from the 330.

SL

Excuse my igonorance... will you have to swap spindles, and brackets for the 330 brakes? Or is this simply for the e36 M3 brakes?

[Silver00spike]

would brakes from the x3 fit? They're huge

[2ndBimmer]

X3 3.0 and 330i wear the same size rotors. 12.8 inches up front.

[RAiMA]

From a safety point of view, if it helps avoid or even minimise the damage in an accident, it's well worth the money.

[aceyx]

even though it's less than .5 inches difference, it's the overall mass of the rotor that's going to affect braking (more metal can absorb more heat), not to mention the venting (more than twice the surface area to disappate).

[Silver00spike]

So what parts exactly do I need? Just the rotor? No calipers or anything?

can I just attach stock 330 rotors, and use my old calipers with my axxis ultimate pads? Should I just do the front?

[ClubSport]

No, you'll need the 330 calipers and caliper brackets, and pads. Can't reuse any of your stuff up front.

[JPropane]

I've done it.

Additionally, your steering will be "much" heavier.

J Propane

[ClubSport]

Are we talking about the same thing?

Brakes, not engine.

I've done it.

Additionally, your steering will be "much" heavier.

J Propane

[JPropane]

Yes,

The brake upgrade will make your steering feel heavier (because your unsprung weight adds up).

[ClubSport]

I really don't think so. I've got 325i brakes, and the pair of front rotors weighed 25lbs, as opposed to the 20lbs for the old unvented pair. Assuming 330 brakes weigh 30lbs a pair, you're talking about 5lbs more per corner, when your strut, spindle, hub, wheel, tire etc already weighs over 70lbs per corner.

You might notice a difference in how your tire follows bumps in the road, because of the increased mass, but it can't make your steering feel heavier. It's just not physically possible.

[KIRASIR]

I completely agree. The steering feel stayed the same as before on my ti. I did not notice any difference at all.

My other ti with stock brakes on the other hand has an extemely heavy steering. I suspect that either the fluid, pump, or in the worth case the steering rack is on its way out.

SL


I really don't think so. I've got 325i brakes, and the pair of front rotors weighed 25lbs, as opposed to the 20lbs for the old unvented pair. Assuming 330 brakes weigh 30lbs a pair, you're talking about 5lbs more per corner, when your strut, spindle, hub, wheel, tire etc already weighs over 70lbs per corner.

You might notice a difference in how your tire follows bumps in the road, because of the increased mass, but it can't make your steering feel heavier. It's just not physically possible.

[Mtec97caliTi]

Granted the fact that I am Captain Overkill, but I just got used M3 complete take off knuckles/calipers/rotors. They weren't too bad (IMHO) at $275 shipped... I could have used the pads and rotors they came with, but I opted for some cross-drilled zimmermans and metalmaster pads. Well, thats my $.02 :D

I also did the E30 M3 forged aluminum control arms to offset the weight difference (and I figured the balljoints were a little tired after 7 years and 114k).

[Silver00spike]

what about zimmerman cross drilled rotors selling on ebay for the 330? They go for like $130 http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7925390800&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT

How much do calipers cost?

[clex2]

I just did the 325/328 caliper/rotor upgrade since my ti had a sticking caliper and wouldn't pass inpection that way. This also explains the poor gas mileage. I got a set of great condition, low mileage Z3 cailpers for $50 a piece at Zionsville. Rotors were $80, and pads $40 = $220. The swap was a piece of cake, 2.5 hours including putting SS lines in the front and flushing the system. Highly recommended.

[Silver00spike]

what about a set of 330 size Wilwood rotors with 330 calipers and Pagid pads?

[Storminmike]

My 318ti Sport has vented disks already, are these different to the 328 E36 Vented?

[KIRASIR]

Absolutely IDENTICAL. Consider yourself lucky. :)




My 318ti Sport has vented disks already, are these different to the 328 E36 Vented?

[Storminmike]

Absolutely IDENTICAL. Consider yourself lucky. :)

Ah then my wife must have been unlucky. She had a 318ti non-sport with solid rotors. Sold it now.

A lot of UK lads are changing to Zimmermans with Pagid fast road pads.

[Storminmike]

I really don't think so. I've got 325i brakes, and the pair of front rotors weighed 25lbs, as opposed to the 20lbs for the old unvented pair. Assuming 330 brakes weigh 30lbs a pair, you're talking about 5lbs more per corner, when your strut, spindle, hub, wheel, tire etc already weighs over 70lbs per corner.

You might notice a difference in how your tire follows bumps in the road, because of the increased mass, but it can't make your steering feel heavier. It's just not physically possible.

Disagree...if you spin a flywheel it will want to stay spinning in the same axis and resist attempts to turn it away. Give the flywheel some more mass and it'l resist more.

[KIRASIR]

BTW here is a small write up on brakes:

http://www.emotors.ca/articles/article.aspx?ID=77

SL

[ClubSport]

Disagree...if you spin a flywheel it will want to stay spinning in the same axis and resist attempts to turn it away. Give the flywheel some more mass and it'l resist more.

I'm familiar with the conservation of momentum. However, when you steer the wheels on your car you are not giving them much rotational speed at all about the kingpin axis, and the difference in mass, percentage-wise, is just not enough to notice.

[Silver00spike]

BTW here is a small write up on brakes:

http://www.emotors.ca/articles/article.aspx?ID=77

SL

thanks a lot. The part numbers are GREAT help

[maurolin]

I am about to install front M3 calipers, rotors and spindles with steel bradded lines...
Brembo slotted rotors and axis ultimate metallic compound 90
http://baybimmers.dtdns.net/Project%20332Ti1/m3%20calipers%20n%20lines.jpg

[chepas]

I'm planning to do the 325/328 brake upgrade as well. pardon my poor knowledge, but any e36/e46 325/328 (not M3) calipers will work?? or should i look for an specific year model for this upgrade?

Thanks

[maurolin]

welll ALL I know is that E36 M3 brakes (front) won't fit in ANY other E36, ti or Z unless the spindles are replaced with M ones/.

[Panzer_M]

Would e46 brakes clear a 16" rim??

[KIRASIR]

Unless the carriers are machined.

welll ALL I know is that E36 M3 brakes (front) won't fit in ANY other E36, ti or Z unless the spindles are replaced with M ones/.

[maurolin]

I finally finished my conversion... It was SOOOO easy... (after 2 times of doing it...)

http://baybimmers.dtdns.net/Project%20332Ti1/brakes.jpg
http://baybimmers.dtdns.net/Project%20332Ti1/brakes2.jpg
http://baybimmers.dtdns.net/Project%20332Ti1/brakes3.jpg

[maurolin]

changed spindles, rotors (brombo slotted) pads Axxix metal masters, Steel braded lines, Racing blue Dot5 brake fluid, new caliper spring clips and rebuilt kit. I Love the setup.. I just ordered the rear slotted rotors... they ROCK!(Stock brakes for the Ti on the rear)

[maurolin]

brake lines
http://baybimmers.dtdns.net/Project%20332Ti1/sway%20links%20and%20strut.jpg
http://baybimmers.dtdns.net/Project%20332Ti1/brakes%20on2.jpg