Brake upgrade.

[t-tony]

Looking to upgrade the front brakes (first) on my 2003 3.0i Z4. Can anyone offer some advice on what size brakes I can get to fit my car please? I can get re-con callipers at trade but still need to source the carriers to mount bigger callipers onto bigger discs.

Tony.

 

[GazHyde]

Not sure if the 3.0Si brakes are bigger, but I'd start there in realoem and see which other BMWs they are fitted too. If they aren't bigger, then just better discs and pads will do you fine.

 

[Althulas]

What about starting cheap with EBC yellow or red stuff pads, replace rubber hoses with some braided items and go the next dot up on the brake fluid.

 

[t-tony]

Cheers Gaz, as far as I have discovered the Si discs are 20mm OD bigger ( 10mm around the outside) so if that's the best I may stick with my original size and go drilled and grooved with some better pads as you suggest. Work in progress, a job for the dark weekends of winter.

Tony.

 

[t-tony]

What about starting cheap with EBC yellow or red stuff pads, replace rubber hoses with some braided items and go the next dot up on the brake fluid.

Already on Dot 4 fluid from when I painted the callipers and changed the fluid last Feb Mark. Braided hoses are on the list too, thanks.

Tony.

 

[Althulas]

Not so ohfey with the Z4 and your spec but this link of any use http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=87602

 

[ppavuk]

Shame i've refurbished stock brakes just 6k miles before! I must have upgraded them first!

 

[t-tony]

Trying to locate some s/h front callipers from an E46 330d locally to keep costs down if possible. Also had a look at these braided hoses on eBay.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/282230283288?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

They look good and are made in England. Reasonable price, and come with a lifetime warranty too. Full set 2 front and 4 rear.

Tony.

ps. Looking like doing just the fronts for now, callipers, drilled/grooved discs and braided hoses. Luckily I have some blue calliper paint left over from February's efforts.

 

[t-tony]

UPDATE,
Set of stainless braided hoses ordered, not too sure about calliper and disc size upgrade.

Would the brakes I'm removing make a sensible upgrade to anyone with a 2.0, 2.2 Z3 or even a 2.98? The discs are in very good condition (no juddering) the pads were only new in Feb. this year and the callipers were stripped to bare metal and painted (blue). This would help me go the bigger size route if I can offset some of the expense.
The discs currently on my car are 300mm. dia.

Tony.

 

[Grumps]

UPDATE,
Set of stainless braided hoses ordered, not too sure about calliper and disc size upgrade.

Would the brakes I'm removing make a sensible upgrade to anyone with a 2.0, 2.2 Z3 or even a 2.98? The discs are in very good condition (no juddering) the pads were only new in Feb. this year and the callipers were stripped to bare metal and painted (blue). This would help me go the bigger size route if I can offset some of the expense.
The discs currently on my car are 300mm. dia.

Tony.

Don't I need front calipers @t-tony??

 

[g8jka]

All you need to do the 300mm upgrade is the brake carriers and 300mm discs, the calipers and pads are still the same so its a straight forward procedure. New/rebuilt calipers and brake pads are a bonus if you are doing the swap though but if you change the calipers then you need to bleed the brake system.

 

[t-tony]

Don't I need front calipers @t-tony??

I think so mate, you've got the "list"

Tony.

 

[Grumps]

I think so mate, you've got the "list"

Tony.

Thanks mate, if we find out yours fit we could put them on at the same time as the suspenders??

 

[t-tony]

Thanks mate, if we find out yours fit we could put them on at the same time as the suspenders??

We could if I have all my bits ready at that time mate, would make sense to do it all at once. Don't forget they're blue though.

Tony.

 

[Grumps]

We could if I have all my bits ready at that time mate, would make sense to do it all at once. Don't forget they're blue though.

Tony.

Well there is no rush this end mate. You let me know when your sorted and will go from there. Re the blue, if I recall Reggie is blue!

 

[t-tony]

These arrived today, more on the blue theme @Grumpy ! No way I'll be getting these done at work anytime soon as a man off for 3 weeks paternity leave from today!

Patience is a virtue so they say. Hmmmf!!

Tony.

 

[Antm72]

Very nice Tony

 

[t-tony]

Very nice Tony

1st peice of the jigsaw Ant, may take a good few weeks but will get done over this winter.

Tony.

 

[Lee]

Already on Dot 4 fluid from when I painted the callipers and changed the fluid last Feb Mark. Braided hoses are on the list too, thanks.

Tony.

I wouldn't bother with increasing by 10mm you wont notice much difference. The braded lines are good they made my pedal much more firmer, I would just swap out the pads for some EBC's they are like night and day in terms of stopping power.

Lee

 

[t-tony]

All you need to do the 300mm upgrade is the brake carriers and 300mm discs, the calipers and pads are still the same so its a straight forward procedure. New/rebuilt calipers and brake pads are a bonus if you are doing the swap though but if you change the calipers then you need to bleed the brake system.

I'm already on 300mm discs and was considering going up to 325mm but not sure it's worth it as I said further back in this thread. Best put my thinking cap on.

Tony.