E46 330 brake swap done

[Dredder]

Thought I'd share my new brake setup for everyone.

Front:
2001 E46 330i 15K calipers & carriers
New E46 330 Rotors
New pagid brake pads
New Brake sensor
New guide bolt

Rear:
318ti oem rotors
New pagid brake pads
New brake sensors
New guide bolt

Miscellaneous:
Anti squeaks paste
Racing Blue brake fluid

Total cost $354
http://www.318ti.org/gallery/data/500/medium/frontbig.jpg


http://www.318ti.org/gallery/data/500/medium/rearbig.jpg

http://www.318ti.org/gallery/data/500/medium/rear.jpg

http://www.318ti.org/gallery/data/500/medium/front1.jpg

[marcus2116]

sick how do u like them

[Dredder]

stops me like im hitting the wall.

[1996 328ti]

Are the pads larger than E36 pads?
Will 15" wheels still fit?

I think the improved stopping is attributed to new rotors and pads, not necessarily the upgrade. Brands of tires and type pf pads make the difference.

[stormos]

picking up my newly silver powdercoated 325 calipers in the morning, then comes the fun part... rebuilding :(

[AlaskaBlue]

Are the pads larger than E36 pads?
Will 15" wheels still fit?

I think the improved stopping is attributed to new rotors and pads, not necessarily the upgrade. Brands of tires and type pf pads make the difference.

On my car the 15'' alloys weren't even close to fitting.
It does stop like hitting a brick wall it seems.

[1996 328ti]

On my car the 15'' alloys weren't even close to fitting.
It does stop like hitting a brick wall it seems.
Then I guess I'll wait a little longer. I liked the idea of more mass to dissipate heat but still need snow tires. I don't want to buy new wheels just yet.

You guys with stock 4-bangers, do you really think it's wise to have that additional unsprung weight?

[Blackie]

Looks awesome!!! I got my fronts replaced with 330 also. Where do get yours so cheap? The 330 fronts will need at least 17" rims to clear them. I also got a pair of E46 32X calipers (the buyer told me it was 330, but it wasnt, so I am assuming is for E46 32X) and a pair of 330 carriers spray painted red if anyone needs them.

The 330 fronts upgrade is awesome!!! Definitely a recommended upgrade.

[AlaskaBlue]

Then I guess I'll wait a little longer. I liked the idea of more mass to dissipate heat but still need snow tires. I don't want to buy new wheels just yet.

You guys with stock 4-bangers, do you really think it's wise to have that additional unsprung weight?

Do you mean stock engine? If so, I am not too worried about losing a little acceleration and gaining some extra rotating mass for the much better brakes. I can lose weight and gain power in other areas. My engine isn't stock, and my suspension is very far from stock.

I would still say it is worth it. Especially if you have the solid front rotors, like I did.

[CirrusSR22]

Dredder, for the front brake pads sensor did you use a 318ti one? Or did you have to use a 330i sensor? I assume a 318ti one so the electrical plug is correct.

[L84THSKY]

My new ATE slotted/vented rotors and Axxis Ultimate pads stop on a dime. I hope they will hold up with the supercharger. The most I wanna do is add stainless steel lines and better brake fluid.

Like you, I need to keep my 15" wheels for winter, so bigger brakes are not an option.



Then I guess I'll wait a little longer. I liked the idea of more mass to dissipate heat but still need snow tires. I don't want to buy new wheels just yet.

You guys with stock 4-bangers, do you really think it's wise to have that additional unsprung weight?

[marcus2116]

will 16s fit

[Dredder]

Dredder, for the front brake pads sensor did you use a 318ti one? Or did you have to use a 330i sensor? I assume a 318ti one so the electrical plug is correct.
The sensors were from the 318ti.
My prior setup was with E36 32X front slotted rotors and pads. The difference is like night and day. The rotors were painted with 1500 degrees ceramic paint. After hours of driving and braking the only part hot to touch is my rotors. I can hold my hands over the caliper without getting burned.

will 16s fit Requires you have 17"

The most I wanna do is add stainless steel lines and better brake fluid.Most likely when I replace my stock flywheel clutch to Light flywheel and clutch combo, I will replace the clutch line and brake line to stainless steel. I saw I few places that sells them or I can just have them fabricated for probably around $100 for the entire setup, brakes and clutch line.

[Mendi3]

{snipped excessive quote}

Nice upgrade. I did mine as follows:

Front: M3 E46 Front Calipers (5K miles) and carriers.
New Brembo M3 E46 crossed drilled rotors.
New Mintex CTech brake pads.
New brake sensors.

Rear: New E36 (318ti) Brembo crossed drilled rotors
New Mintex CTech brake pads.
New brake sensors.

Ate brake fluid (Super Blue Racing)

Check it out!

[Dredder]

I wanted to have the slotted with cross drilled but i didnt think spending on the rotors were worth it. So i ended up getting just the OEM E46 rotors

Check it out!I like the way yours turn out. What type of paint did you use. Is that just caliper paint?


I love the performance how these E46 setup peforms. Beats buying a brembo big brake setup worth $1k+


next upgrade worth mentioning:
Ceramic coating Valve cover (currently being performed)

Ligth flywheel/clutch combo (funds limited $450 so far for supply)

[Dredder]

Check it out

shot of cylinder head cover with garbage bag while awaiting for valve cover to get prepped and ready for install. Garbage bag is for safety precaution while the head is naked. I dont want foreign debries to get into my combustion chamber or inside the engine
http://www.318ti.org/gallery/data/500/medium/IMG_0428.jpg

[Mendi3]

I wanted to have the slotted with cross drilled but i didnt think spending on the rotors were worth it. So i ended up getting just the OEM E46 rotors

I like the way yours turn out. What type of paint did you use. Is that just caliper paint?


I love the performance how these E46 setup peforms. Beats buying a brembo big brake setup worth $1k+


next upgrade worth mentioning:
Ceramic coating Valve cover (currently being performed)

Ligth flywheel/clutch combo (funds limited $450 so far for supply)

I had mine powder coated. They turned out nice. Yes you are right; I think I spend less than a $1K with stainless steel brake lines. The performance is absolutely incredible.

How much for the ceramic coat for the valve cover? I had mine powder coated as well. It turned out nice as well.

Light flywheel/clutch combo is totally worth it. You will not be disappointed.

[Dredder]

probably around $15 bucks

[Mendi3]

probably around $15 bucks

Wow, that's not bad at all. Share some pictures when you get it done.

[Blackie]

That's hot! Is the E46 M calipers and carriers a direct bolt-on? Will a 17" wheel work with these also?

Thanks!

{snipped excessive quote}

Nice upgrade. I did mine as follows:

Front: M3 E46 Front Calipers (5K miles) and carriers.
New Brembo M3 E46 crossed drilled rotors.
New Mintex CTech brake pads.
New brake sensors.

Rear: New E36 (318ti) Brembo crossed drilled rotors
New Mintex CTech brake pads.
New brake sensors.

Ate brake fluid (Super Blue Racing)

Check it out!

[Mendi3]

That's hot! Is the E46 M calipers and carriers a direct bolt-on? Will a 17" wheel work with these also?

Thanks!

Thanks. Yes they are a direct bolt-on. Not sure if a 17" wheel will work. I'm running 18".

[Dredder]

I didnt know E46 M3 were a direct bolton. I thought it requires the spindle upgrade just like the E36 M3.

[KIRASIR]

The calipers in the pictures look like regular e46 330 calipers. e46 M3 ones have a distinctive ///M sign.


I didnt know E46 M3 were a direct bolton. I thought it requires the spindle upgrade just like the E36 M3.

[Mendi3]

I didnt know E46 M3 were a direct bolton. I thought it requires the spindle upgrade just like the E36 M3.

OK, I checked with my mechanic and initially I wanted to have the M3 front brakes installed. However, yes you do need to upgrade the spindles as well in order to be able to do the M3 upgrade. My mechanic was not able to find the spindles so he went for the E46 330 upgrade.

The E46 330 is a direct bolt on but you have to have the carriers as well.
Sorry for the confusion.

[Mendi3]

OK. so here is the situation. I did the brake upgrade about 1,500 miles ago. At first the brakes were a little mushy so I waited for the brake pads and rotors to settle. I have done the brake bleeding a couple of times already and the mushiness went away. However I noticed that the brake pedal travels a bit more than I think it should. If I pump it once the brake pedal goes up right away.

What do you guys think? My suspicion is that I need to change the master cylinder. If I do, would an E46 330 master cylinder fit? Or should I go with an E36 325/328 master cylinder?

[CirrusSR22]

OK. so here is the situation. I did the brake upgrade about 1,500 miles ago. At first the brakes were a little mushy so I waited for the brake pads and rotors to settle. I have done the brake bleeding a couple of times already and the mushiness went away. However I noticed that the brake pedal travels a bit more than I think it should. If I pump it once the brake pedal goes up right away.

What do you guys think? My suspicion is that I need to change the master cylinder. If I do, would an E46 330 master cylinder fit? Or should I go with an E36 325/328 master cylinder?

It's my understanding that the 330 front brake calipers use a larger diameter piston vs. "normal" e36s'. So, the 330 brakes screw with the hydraulic ratios (or whatever you call it) thus requiring more pedal travel.

[Mendi3]

It's my understanding that the 330 front brake calipers use a larger diameter piston vs. "normal" e36s'. So, the 330 brakes screw with the hydraulic ratios (or whatever you call it) thus requiring more pedal travel.

It makes sense. So I assume that changing the master cylinder to an e46 master cylinder, it could solve the problem.

Has anyone else experienced this problem?

[AlaskaBlue]

I have the 330 brake upgrade and my pedal has been as firm or more firm than before I got the upgrade. Good luck with the fix.

[cali-ti]

I have the 330 brake upgrade and my pedal has been as firm or more firm than before I got the upgrade. Good luck with the fix.
did you stick with stock brake lines or switch to stainless?

[Mendi3]

I have the 330 brake upgrade and my pedal has been as firm or more firm than before I got the upgrade. Good luck with the fix.

This is the way should be. I'm almost positive my master cylinder is going bad. Thanks.

[Mendi3]

Does anyone know if the e46(330i) master cylinder fits our car?

[Mendi3]

The E46 master cylinder can be adapted but is not a direct bolt on application. The best way to do it is to upgrade to the E36 M3 master cylinder.

I'm getting the parts Friday and I will be getting the upgrade done over the weekend.

[xturtle]

Front:
E46 330 Front Calipers and carriers.
New E46 330 OZ 325mm rotors.
New Jurid Jas brake pads.

Rear:
New E36 (318ti) OZ rotors
New Jurid Jas brake pads.

Sparco stainless steel brake lines
BMW brake fluid