Brakes upon an E46 330i
Discussion
Now then.
I have a 2002 E46 330i estate.
The brakes are getting near needing replacement so I thought I'd start giving it some thought.
Looking at the kits for big brakes from Brembo/AP/StopTech/etc. they seem to be £2500-ish which is 50% of the car's value which seems excessive for my needs.
Is there any 'parts bin' upgrade that is worth doing (eg. M3 brakes)?
I have a 2002 E46 330i estate.
The brakes are getting near needing replacement so I thought I'd start giving it some thought.
Looking at the kits for big brakes from Brembo/AP/StopTech/etc. they seem to be £2500-ish which is 50% of the car's value which seems excessive for my needs.
Is there any 'parts bin' upgrade that is worth doing (eg. M3 brakes)?
What are your needs?
I recently replaced all 4 discs and all pads on my 330i Touring. As it's not a trackday car, it's not worth much and I've never needed more braking capability than the OEM stoppers provided, it seemed reasonable to look at options on the grounds of possible economies.
I bought 2 axles worth of these: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BMW-330-E46-MINTEX-FRONT-BRA...
Less than £200 all-in. Stopping power at least as good as before, possibly better.
There isn't any rust proofing on the centre bell section though which is a bit disappointing TBH so, for aesthetic reasons, I'll probably be getting jiggy with the Hammerite soon.
If you want more stopping power, accepted wisdom is that the route offering the biggest bang for the buck is to go with standard discs/calipers and then Pagid pads, uprated fluid and braided lines rather than taking out a mortgage for an AP or Brembo BBK...
Although this is PH so I doubt there's a single soul here who wouldn't prefer that option if money was no object.
If your discs do need replacing, the middleground option might be the Pagid Pads, fluid, braided lines and a set of these:
http://www.ebcbrakesdirect.com/car/image.asp?g=1&a...
I recently replaced all 4 discs and all pads on my 330i Touring. As it's not a trackday car, it's not worth much and I've never needed more braking capability than the OEM stoppers provided, it seemed reasonable to look at options on the grounds of possible economies.
I bought 2 axles worth of these: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BMW-330-E46-MINTEX-FRONT-BRA...
Less than £200 all-in. Stopping power at least as good as before, possibly better.
There isn't any rust proofing on the centre bell section though which is a bit disappointing TBH so, for aesthetic reasons, I'll probably be getting jiggy with the Hammerite soon.
If you want more stopping power, accepted wisdom is that the route offering the biggest bang for the buck is to go with standard discs/calipers and then Pagid pads, uprated fluid and braided lines rather than taking out a mortgage for an AP or Brembo BBK...
Although this is PH so I doubt there's a single soul here who wouldn't prefer that option if money was no object.
If your discs do need replacing, the middleground option might be the Pagid Pads, fluid, braided lines and a set of these:
http://www.ebcbrakesdirect.com/car/image.asp?g=1&a...
DaveR said:
What are your needs?
I recently replaced all 4 discs and all pads on my 330i Touring. As it's not a trackday car, it's not worth much and I've never needed more braking capability than the OEM stoppers provided, it seemed reasonable to look at options on the grounds of possible economies.
My needs are pretty much as you describe here, I'm sure OEM replacements will be perfectly serviceable but, as always, one shouldn't make one's purchase before walking the full length of the counter.I recently replaced all 4 discs and all pads on my 330i Touring. As it's not a trackday car, it's not worth much and I've never needed more braking capability than the OEM stoppers provided, it seemed reasonable to look at options on the grounds of possible economies.
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