E36 M3 brake Upgrade

[Jazz]

What are the options available for the E36 brake wise? This is for road use only, no track days. What are the pads/disc/calliper combinations people have found to be worthwhile? Rough cost would also be helpful.

Cheers
Jazz

[peppernick]

OEM discs are floating ventilated ones anyway, so I guess you won't find a better aftermarket version unless you go BBK. I would stick with OEM disc and in terms of pads, there are so many out there which are all pretty good for road use.

2 things I would change that IMO make a difference are stainless steel braided hoses and DOT 5.1 brake fluid. You get much improved pedal feel. Satinless hoses are available from Roy in the form of StopTech version or you could get the Goodridge hoses for similar money.



OEM discs are floating ventilated ones anyway, so I guess you won't find a better aftermarket version unless you go BBK
I was referring to E36 M3 Evo. If not, you can try Zimmermann discs which I've heard are quite good.

[Tin]

hey, where da pics of the m3, get dat little singh signed up :p

brakewise, maybe the x-drilled ones from the e46 m3/330's could fit? not sure if the hubs/offsets are different between the two.. but could be an effective upgrade :) it already has brake duct cooling up front?

water cooled ap racing would be :cool: too :D

[Jazz]

Cheers Nick :D I take it the 3.0 M3 doesn't have the floating discs? Are there any differences in cailpers between the Evo and Non-evo?

[Jazz]

Saw the threads on the E46 upgrads to X drilled but not found anyone running them on an E36.

Nav's asked Stuart about going Ap or Brembo GT but he didn't think it was worth it.

[lee330sport]

Dont know the size of the M3 Discs/calipers but the 330 discs will bolt straight on.

[peppernick]

Dont know the size of the M3 Discs/calipers but the 330 discs will bolt straight on.
If that's the case you can use the optional X-Drilled and vented 330 discs from BMW. They look the best!

[Jazz]

They look fab :cool: Do you know what size they are front and rear?

[lee330sport]

Front are 330mm and rears are 325mm.

[Jazz]

Cheers Lee :)

[CA Automotive UK]

hi Guys , thought this info may be helpful :

Jazz I assume car is NOT an M3 but another 6 cyl E36 ..?

- drilled discs are for appearence only , they do NOTHING for actual braking performance ; there is actually an argument that the disc / pad co efficient of friction is LESS as the pad is in contact with less metal than a non drilled disc . ( bet that 's going to provoke some responses :))

- Slotted discs however DO provide a braing advantage as they de glaze the pad surface and they carry away the superheated gas layer that builds up between the pad and disc which typically causes brake fade under extreme braking conditons .

- Stoptech stage 2 upgrade kit ( 4 x drilled or slotted discs , pads , braided steel lines , 5.1 fluid ) £405 inc vat to members .

- Stoptech braided steel line set ONLY , 8 line kit £190 ( cheaper and more complete than Goodridge I believe ...)

- My own personal pad is the Pagid Blue , loads of bite from cold and very high upper heat range ..the nuts but expensive at approx £170 for front set only on M3 . they last too ..

hope this helps

[Jazz]

Car in question is a 3.0 M3, not a 3.2 evo so doesn't have the floating discs as I understand it from Nicks post.

I agree with you on drilled vs slotted. I run slotted on my own car. Drilled discs are also more prone to cracking.

Heard good things about the Pagid Blue but no experince myself. How do they compare to Ferodo DS250?
What size discs are included in the Stage 2 kit?

Cheers
Jazz

[CA Automotive UK]

HI Jazz

Stoptech also quote a st 2 upgrade kit for the M3 , I will check if slotted option is available .

The cost on this kit is a bit more at £499 inc vat and delivery direct .

The Ferrodo are also excellent pads ... we all have our personal preferences of course but I used the Pagids for 2 years on my M3 and was happy as proverbial Larry :)

best of luck either way