Boo solid rotors! [Archive]

midwestTI

02-04-2005, 10:35 PM

Ok, so from what I understand, BMW only started putting vented rotors on the 98 models......

In order to upgrade from dismal solid rotors, can i just transfer the calipers and rotors over to my '95 clean and easy?

if not, what other parts will be necessary, if this is possible?

Thanks guys, I love this site.

CirrusSR22

02-05-2005, 12:22 AM

Yep, cars made 4/98 and newer are vented. You'll also need new caliper carriers/brackets.

So you'll need (at least)

- new rotors
- new calipers
- new carriers

The outer brake hose stays the same.

If someone has a caliper that needs to be replaced, they ought to do this upgrade. Because.... the calipers on the solid rotors are VERY pricey, compared to the vented (rotor) caliper.

At BMP Design, the solid rotor 318ti calipers are more expensive than the E46 330i calipers!

bmw///m3///

02-05-2005, 01:37 AM

ive seen drilled rotors for $80, same as stock just drilled holes in them.

midwestTI

02-08-2005, 07:36 PM

Does the '98 have vented rotors at all four corners?

also, which is the best place to buy the whole package?
i would think the dealer would be the quickest, but i'm not sure what their markup is compared to websites.

if anyone knows of a good place to pick up these calipers and rotors, i would greatly appreciate it.

thanks,
jeff

ClubSport

02-08-2005, 08:08 PM

The 98s still have solids in the back. Your best bet is to look for some used 325i front calipers and carriers, then get some new 325i front rotors. Try posting a wanted ad at bimmerforums.com or look at one of those bmw recycling places online.

bimmer95

02-08-2005, 08:22 PM

schussey

02-09-2005, 03:17 AM

i'd say go vented instead of drilled

bimmer95- - i love your sig, car looks great. avus represent

-chris

bimmer95

02-09-2005, 03:31 AM

bimmer95- - i love your sig, car looks great. avus represent
Montreal actually... my M3 is Avus though :biggrin:

Tyler

02-09-2005, 04:39 AM

Did you just buy that ti Bimmer95?

bimmer95

02-09-2005, 04:56 AM

Yeah, just bought it... 6 1/2 years ago :blink:

Panzer_M

02-10-2005, 06:32 AM

Hey Bimmer95,

Nice to see you from BF.com

The UUC stuff is still working great.

AutoM3otives

02-13-2005, 01:32 PM

Or, even better, pickup E46 32X rotors, caliper brackets and calipers (E36 and E46 32X front calipers are all the same). The E46 front rotors are 14mm larger in diameter than the E36 ones and they're dirt cheap... even from BMW.

is it a guarantee that the e46 32x rotors work? just would like some confirmation on this as I will be doing this upgrade soon.

thanks.

bimmer95

02-13-2005, 05:50 PM

is it a guarantee that the e46 32x rotors work?
Of course. I wouldn't have recommended it otherwise.

midwestTI

02-14-2005, 08:55 PM

ok, so if i go with the E46 front calipers, carriers, and rotors, what can i do to upgrade the rears?

also, does anyone know which stainless steel lines to use with this combo?

thanks again guys, great info.

bimmer95

02-14-2005, 09:17 PM

The stock rear rotors are fine as most of the braking work is done by the front brakes. With the E46 32X front rotors you'll end up with the same front/rear combo as the stock Z3 3.0L, so there's no concerns about throwing off the bias. Stainless lines designed for the 318ti will work fine with the larger front rotors.

midwestTI

02-16-2005, 07:41 AM

1.9lz

03-12-2005, 02:53 PM

you might find this usefull in your upgrade, I did the same thing that your wanting to do and this link helped out a lot
http://www.houston-bmwcca.com/z3/Tech-Tips/Index.htm

GDB

03-12-2005, 05:07 PM

Is there any upgrade that can be done to the rear to swap in vented rotors from another model?

are any other models compatible?

and if i do go larger front and rear, would it be a good idea to upgrade to a larger brake cylinder?

thanks again.

For the rears, E46 32X rear brakes will work, they are vented. You'll need the brakets, rotors, and calipers (don't think there's anything else).