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Old 02-19-2010, 09:03 PM   #1
GoTiGo
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Default 328is or m3 front brake questions??

So, I decided that I'm planning to upgrade the brakes on my car. I'm at a standstill on whether to upgrade my front brakes to 328is ones, w/ brembo slotted rotors and Hawk HPS pads, and new stainless lines. Or just simply buy an M3 front brake conversion kit from bimmerworld w/ some options for a little over $1,000.

A third idea for my front brakes would be to buy everything needed for an M3 brake conversion individually(spindles, calipers, etc. and brembo slotted rotors).I already know i wanted go vented front rotors and solid rear.

I was wondering what would be a better buy(328is brakes, or M3 brakes), or if anybody has any of these brake setups, do you like it??

If I plan to upgrade my car in the near future(haven't decided which route to go).

Also what would be good rotors(slotted, drilled, or plain) to buy for the rear??? Thanks!

Last edited by GoTiGo; 02-19-2010 at 09:16 PM.
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Old 02-20-2010, 01:15 AM   #2
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Save your money.
325/328 brakes are more than adequate. And stick with OE rotors.
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Old 02-21-2010, 07:36 AM   #3
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Blank rotors, not "OE" rotors and a more aggressive pad with your SS lines will help with your "upgrade". If you have a pre 04/98 ti, you have solid rotors on all four corners, post 04/98 you have the same front brakes as a 325/8 already. The m3 setup can be bought completely for 300$ or less on bimmerforums.com. As far as performance, the m3 beats the other setups hands down. Installation is more involved, but is worth it in my opinion. Im currently running m3 fronts, ti rears, and bmw pads on all four corners. Also running 16" rims with winter tires.
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Old 02-21-2010, 08:32 AM   #4
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The E46 # series setup is bigger diameter than the E36 M3. Wonder how they would compare on a brake dyno.... Hmm. I think the M3 caliper is lighter than the E46 one just based on looks...

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Old 02-21-2010, 08:38 AM   #5
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M3 calipers have larger pistons thus slightly more pressure/torque per sq/in than a 330 setup. You also have less unsrung weight and directional cooled rotors. 330 blank oe are straight vaned.
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Old 02-21-2010, 09:15 AM   #6
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The straight vs directional debate is always there. I like straight because the rotors can be swapped around. The unsprung weight has to help handling a bit...

Cost wise I'd do the E46, if I was on track I'd likely go M3...

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Old 02-21-2010, 02:27 PM   #7
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But one needs to ask why replace a brake setup?
Do you need additional cooling?
Doing it for looks?
What motor do you have?
I still believe if you change things too much you are altering the brake bias.
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Old 02-21-2010, 03:06 PM   #8
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You can run a more aggressive pad in the rear if the bias becomes too far out of factory, though, factory isnt perfect.
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Old 02-21-2010, 03:20 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bluebimma View Post
You can run a more aggressive pad in the rear if the bias becomes too far out of factory, though, factory isnt perfect.
For my track pads I found I needed a less aggressive pad in the rear otherwise the rear had too much brake and the car would not track straight under moderate to hard braking.

When it comes to the street, all this talk is over the top as far as I am concerned.
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Old 02-21-2010, 03:45 PM   #10
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What are you doing with the car? Why do you think you need more aggressive brakes?

If you want a good performance upgrade for really cheap, find the most aggressive front track pads you can. They will eat through the front rotors quickly- but from Bimmerworld the ti front rotors are $20. So treat them as disposable- buy a half dozen and replace them as you wear them out.

It's dirt cheap, it will give you a very nice brake improvement, it could not be easier to install, and it adds not an ounce of unsprung weight. Everything else will add weight where you don't want it (trust me, M3 front brakes are much heavier). If you're autocrossing or occasionally tracking, it would be hard to find a better option. Granted it won't stroke your ego like M3 brakes or Brembo rotors- but you get to decide what's most important
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Old 02-22-2010, 12:01 AM   #11
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My car's build date is 3/96 so no vented front rotors for me. I have an M44 with an auto gearbox, I thinking of going with the 325/8 setup with nice slotted rotors in the front. I wanna upgrade my brakes because i want to strengthen them for better performance and for when i may throw some more power in it down the road(M/S52 swap or DASC) and don't know. I was also told if you want to "update" your car's performance, you should do it in the order of brakes, suspension, engine.
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Old 02-22-2010, 01:18 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GoTiGo View Post
I was also told if you want to "update" your car's performance, you should do it in the order of brakes, suspension, engine.
Close. First mod is to the driver.
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