VENTED vs NON-VENTED ROTORS

[vix_98_318ti]

HEY ti-ers,
One question, what is the difference when they say "Vented rotors" vs. "Non-Vented"? Can either be installed or are they specific to certain cars? What is the main difference between each other and/or benefits (if any)?

thanks

[1996 328ti]

Fig 2 are vented. They provide for more cooling of the rotors.
Fig 1 are solid. I think all 4 cylinder [US] came that way unti 4/98. My guess they are solid for economical reasons.

They are not interchangable.
Brake pads are the same but the caliper is different to accommodate the thicker rotor.

[gooten1]

The solid ones probably weigh less. When they designed our cars, they didn't think people would be tracking them like the M cars, so they put cheap brakes on. They're fine for the everyday street, but if you track your car a lot, you should upgrade the brakes in some way. Vented brakes cool off faster than solid, so they're more efficient under lots of hard braking.

[vix_98_318ti]

That makes sense. Next time I remove my tires I will have to check out my rotors. Does that apply to both front/rear? Or only front are vented? If I am not mistaken, my 1998 ti - prod 11/97 HAS VENTED rotors in the front brakes. Almost every thread I've read so far has mentioned they did not implement vented rotors until after 4/98 prod (so basically 99 ti's), correct?

[1996 328ti]

Rear are solid. 11/97 would be solid unless the previous owner replaced them. I had a 11/97 build ti and it had solid front rotors.

[H3_2.1-ti]

That makes sense. Next time I remove my tires I will have to check out my rotors. Does that apply to both front/rear? Or only front are vented? If I am not mistaken, my 1998 ti - prod 11/97 HAS VENTED rotors in the front brakes. Almost every thread I've read so far has mentioned they did not implement vented rotors until after 4/98 prod (so basically 99 ti's), correct?

Correct. Until 03/98 front rotors were solid and as of 4/98 vented rotors were offered.

Cheers,

[hubrisin]

I've just replaced my old rotors with Brembo solid rotors. Simply, why if you're racing and need to cool down quickly, fine get the slotted, but for normal driving I'm keping it simple.

[pdxmotorhead]

The reason I'm going to replace them is the vented (Not slotted or drilled) are cheaper than the stock TI ones. The calipers are cheaper as well. I can fade my TI brakes in about 12 turns. The 3 series vented rotors and calipers fit on as a bolt on and they use the same pads. see http://www.emotors.ca/articles/article.aspx?id=77 as was posted in another thread.

Soon as the current pads wear out....

Dave

[cali-ti]

The reason I'm going to replace them is the vented (Not slotted or drilled) are cheaper than the stock TI ones. The calipers are cheaper as well. I can fade my TI brakes in about 12 turns. The 3 series vented rotors and calipers fit on as a bolt on and they use the same pads. see http://www.emotors.ca/articles/article.aspx?id=77 as was posted in another thread.

Soon as the current pads wear out....

Dave
'bout time you hook that upgrade up dave. after all, you have almost 80k on there ;)

[pdxmotorhead]

What can I say, its "my wifes" car. Funny thing is she is bugging me for the brake upgrade, says she wants it to stop like the 911 we sold 10 years ago....

These pads look like they are going to about make 06.....Maybe,,, Unless I start driving it more. My comute is 12 miles of hair pin corners...

Dave

[vix_98_318ti]

What would be required to upgrade from solid rotors to vented? Major upgrade and what is required for the upgrade? Labor time?

[1996 328ti]

It is not a major job and has been discussed elsewhere in this section.
You would need calipers, mounting brackets and rotors.
Then the decision is 325/328 rotors or 330 rotors.

[pdxmotorhead]

You only need calipers and rotors if you stay with E36 fronts.

You need the brackets if the rotor diameter changes...

At least thats what I'm finding so far....

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

It lists the sizes etc...

Dave

[cali-ti]

to go from non-vented to vented, you'll need calipers, carriers (which i believe are being called brackets here) and rotors. pads are the same (if you stay within the e36 family). if you go to e46 32x family, i believe the calipers are the same, but you'll need the different carriers (as the rotors are larger diameter). forget if the e46 330 brakes use different calipers (and carriers of course), i believe they do. you can make sure for all of these by matching part numbers up in the ETK (www.realoem.com/bmw).

[ClubSport]

You still need the different carriers (caliper brackets) going from non-vented to vented, because the thickness of the rotor almost doubles, nevermind the diameter.

[cali-ti]

You still need the different carriers (caliper brackets) going from non-vented to vented, because the thickness of the rotor almost doubles, nevermind the diameter.
yep, and they also change as the diameter changes (eg: between e36 32x and e46 32x i believe the rotor diameter changes, even though the caliper is the same, the carriers are not).

if you get a pair of any of them used, you SHOULD get both caliper and carrier (make sure you specify it when you order).