E36 M3 Brembo conversion
Discussion
Has anyone here ever done the conversion from the 728i or 840i and fitted the Brembo calipers onto their E36 M3? I have read a few reviews combining them with the E46 M3 discs but just wondered if someone could give me a bit more feedback to how they feel for trackdays etc. My standard brakes are starting to feel underpowered for the type of driving that im doing and although there are plenty of aftermarket brake kits they are also a rather expensive mod to be fitting. Thanks
M3Charlie said:
Has anyone here ever done the conversion from the 728i or 840i and fitted the Brembo calipers onto their E36 M3? I have read a few reviews combining them with the E46 M3 discs but just wondered if someone could give me a bit more feedback to how they feel for trackdays etc. My standard brakes are starting to feel underpowered for the type of driving that im doing and although there are plenty of aftermarket brake kits they are also a rather expensive mod to be fitting. Thanks
I'm currently looking into doing this to my M3 at the minute.From what i've herd, they do make a difference but most noticeable when there is a bit more weight in the car / under track conditions. Day-to-day driving you wouldn't really notice the difference.
Your biggest problem - and it is a big one - is finding a set of 840 calipers. They are like trying to find a set of Hens teeth.
My good mate Cactussed on here had done this conversion so i'll point him this way and get him to comment.
I'm about 8/10ths towards just buying a kit from these guys : http://www.hispecbrake.co.uk/
I've spoken to inkiboo on the phone and am catching up with him in person on Saturday. So, maybe if 3 of us turn up wanting kits we might be able to strike up a deal from them.
Can't really help ref the Brembos, have drive a couple of e36s with them but other than looks, not really felt the diference over standard set up & good pads.
I'm pondering selling a set of APs tho, almost as new, had no road use 1 short winter track day, fitted with Pagid yellows, with the AP supplied Weetabix crap DS2500s binned. Drop me a line if of interest.
I'm pondering selling a set of APs tho, almost as new, had no road use 1 short winter track day, fitted with Pagid yellows, with the AP supplied Weetabix crap DS2500s binned. Drop me a line if of interest.
iguana said:
Can't really help ref the Brembos, have drive a couple of e36s with them but other than looks, not really felt the diference over standard set up & good pads.
I'm pondering selling a set of APs tho, almost as new, had no road use 1 short winter track day, fitted with Pagid yellows, with the AP supplied Weetabix crap DS2500s binned. Drop me a line if of interest.
Of interest of those pictured?I'm pondering selling a set of APs tho, almost as new, had no road use 1 short winter track day, fitted with Pagid yellows, with the AP supplied Weetabix crap DS2500s binned. Drop me a line if of interest.
I fitted the 840 Brembos and e46 M3 discs to my old EVO.
First up, the conversino is straight bolt-on and fits under the OEM wheels, so that's a good thing. Its also relatively cost-effective, dependng on how much you can source the bits for.
As regards to performance, I never took the car on track however driving around town, the stock setup is probably slightly better as the pedal is a bit sharper. The larger calipers require a larger volume of fluid to be moved by the same master cylinder, so as a result the pedal feels marginally softer.
Where I did notice a significant difference was in situations such as carrying 2 or 3 passengers on the motorway, as the car was noticable better under brakes there (where the OEM setup always felt quite undersized).
My only real basis for comparison was an E46 which had a proper AP setup on it. Epic.
Overall, I'd say they're a worthwhile upgrade but not as good as the AP's, but there again they're nowhere near the price (albeit almost unobtainable)...
your other option is some 996 calipers and adaptors and from all accounts, these are better than the 840 option, with the caveat of being more fiddly to fit.
First up, the conversino is straight bolt-on and fits under the OEM wheels, so that's a good thing. Its also relatively cost-effective, dependng on how much you can source the bits for.
As regards to performance, I never took the car on track however driving around town, the stock setup is probably slightly better as the pedal is a bit sharper. The larger calipers require a larger volume of fluid to be moved by the same master cylinder, so as a result the pedal feels marginally softer.
Where I did notice a significant difference was in situations such as carrying 2 or 3 passengers on the motorway, as the car was noticable better under brakes there (where the OEM setup always felt quite undersized).
My only real basis for comparison was an E46 which had a proper AP setup on it. Epic.
Overall, I'd say they're a worthwhile upgrade but not as good as the AP's, but there again they're nowhere near the price (albeit almost unobtainable)...
your other option is some 996 calipers and adaptors and from all accounts, these are better than the 840 option, with the caveat of being more fiddly to fit.
Hi guys thanks for the replies. I'm on a bit of a budget and don't really want to spend more than £1000 which rules out most big brake kits. There are a fair few brembo calipers for sale on e-bay at the minute ranging from £140 to £300 for the pair. With a seal replacement kit and new discs and pads it fits with my budget. I think this seems the best route. The standard brakes on the road have been fine for the last 3 years but more track days as well as a few trips to the Ring each year require a bit more stopping power. I was just interested to know if you all thought they would be worth changing from standard
There is another alternative, which is the dogs danglies...
Mov'it adapters, 993Turbo Big reds, Mov'it hats, 993 Turbo 322 x 32 discs. If you are lucky with sourcing the Big Reds from the likes of Douglas Valley and the discs from Bert at Berlyn, you can fit under a grand. I can supply brackets and disc hats at a competitive price.
Another alternative is that I can suppply the bracket, which would also fit a 996 Carrera 2/4 front caliper and you should get an E46 M3 front disc. That set up is easily under a grand and only marginally worse than the Big Reds...
Mov'it adapters, 993Turbo Big reds, Mov'it hats, 993 Turbo 322 x 32 discs. If you are lucky with sourcing the Big Reds from the likes of Douglas Valley and the discs from Bert at Berlyn, you can fit under a grand. I can supply brackets and disc hats at a competitive price.
Another alternative is that I can suppply the bracket, which would also fit a 996 Carrera 2/4 front caliper and you should get an E46 M3 front disc. That set up is easily under a grand and only marginally worse than the Big Reds...
Don't bother.
Fit Pagid RS29 pads all round with standard M3 discs instead, along with braided lines and decent fluid.
All the brakes you'll need on the road, 90% of what you'd ever need on a trackday, and more than enough for the Ring.
I ran my M3 with RS29s on OEM discs and then RS29s on an AP BBK, and the difference wasn't massive. The biggest difference was going from OEM pads to RS29s.
Fit Pagid RS29 pads all round with standard M3 discs instead, along with braided lines and decent fluid.
All the brakes you'll need on the road, 90% of what you'd ever need on a trackday, and more than enough for the Ring.
I ran my M3 with RS29s on OEM discs and then RS29s on an AP BBK, and the difference wasn't massive. The biggest difference was going from OEM pads to RS29s.
Brackets for E36 & E46 can be obtained from here - http://rallyroad.net/catalog/3
Have had the Boxters S calipers on my E46 for over a year now and 20k miles later they are soooooo much better than the standard setup. Very happy indeed
Have had the Boxters S calipers on my E46 for over a year now and 20k miles later they are soooooo much better than the standard setup. Very happy indeed
My personal preference after having cars fitted with Brmbos (FRS Mk1) and AP Racing kit fitted to my 4wd Cossie the AP's out perform the Brembos in all aspects pedal feel and general stopping distance as and when things settle down with me I will be after an AP Racing Set Up for My M5
[quote=# Lord Lucan #]My personal preference after having cars fitted with Brmbos (FRS Mk1) and AP Racing kit fitted to my 4wd Cossie the AP's out perform the Brembos in all aspects pedal feel and general stopping distance as and when things settle down with me I will be after an AP Racing Set Up for My M5
[/quote]
You do realise Brembo and AP make a lot of different braking products for a lot of different applications?
To that end you are effectively comparing apples and oranges with your statement above. The only way you can compare the two companies products is by testing back to back a dedicated upgrade kit for a particular car. But alas it's never that easy for the average owner.
They both make cracking products and ultimately it comes down to price as to which people opt for. As a side the specific Brembo kit for the E46 M3 is more expensive when compared to the AP setup..
[/quote]
You do realise Brembo and AP make a lot of different braking products for a lot of different applications?
To that end you are effectively comparing apples and oranges with your statement above. The only way you can compare the two companies products is by testing back to back a dedicated upgrade kit for a particular car. But alas it's never that easy for the average owner.
They both make cracking products and ultimately it comes down to price as to which people opt for. As a side the specific Brembo kit for the E46 M3 is more expensive when compared to the AP setup..
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