sweetm3 180 Report post Posted June 22, 2010 Hi Guys I have been doing some research on up grading my brakes, the catalyst for these hours of trolling the web. Hampton Downs back in May, it was a great day had a lot of fun and the car went well. Had the lap timer going, had a play with tyre pressures(see grooves of doom), recorded 1.24.8 but the timer stopped after only 2 sessions. Went home as usual with a big smile on my face next day went down to the local café for coffee but bugger me I had a bit of steering wheel wobble when braking. Car to mates garage, car on the hoist, wheels off Axxis Ultimate pad cooked. Now the steering wheel wobble could either be uneven brake pad deposits or warped rotors ether way I have to spend some money. Firstly I like to thank the guys I talked to at the BMW Drivers day late in May I was going to follow the advice given “slotted rotors and up rated brake pads†until I did the sums, here I go Using my standard calipers Quote from Race Brakes 4 corners 4 X One piece slot DBA(heavier than standard same size) Cost $ 1100 NZ Up-rated Pads Cost $ 806.62 NZ Caliper Rebuild kit Caliper guides upgrade Cost $ 220 US = 312.41 NZ + $ 50 for shipping & GST = 362.41 Total $ 2269 Turner Motorsports Standard M3 floating fronts +slotted rears +brake pads + shipping +GST Cost $ 2,190.24 Caliper Rebuild kit Caliper guides upgrade Cost $ 220 US = 312.41 NZ + $ 50 for shipping & GST = 362.41 Total $ 2552.65 Quote from Race Brakes NZ front only AP Racing Front 330mm 4 pot kit (17†wheels) is $3830 plus gst = $4308.75 Up-rated Pads Cost $ 806.62 Slotted Rears Cost$ 253.12 Total $ 5368.49 XYZ NZ 330 x 32 floating rotor/6 piston brake kit with sprt/race pads Cost $2490 Slotted rear rotors Cost $339 pr Performance pads $118 Total $ 2947 Floating is now not available. The fixed rotor kit is $2390 Massive Brakes 332 X 32 6 pot calipers front only $1700 US $ 300 US shipping Total $ 2000 US = $ 3193.92 incl GST still have to add pads and rear rotors but would be cheaper than below as the rear rotors would only be slotted one piece RacingBrake US 332 X 32 4 pot calipers front + full floating 2 piece rears +pads + shipping +gst = 4556.01 The other problem with Massive and RacingBrake as I require 20mm spacers to fit them under my 7 1/2" street rim but they work fine with my track rims and my 10mm spacers Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
*Glenn* 854 Report post Posted June 22, 2010 I have a brand new set of 18 X 7.5" E46 M3 Rims... would that help ? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sweetm3 180 Report post Posted June 23, 2010 I have a brand new set of 18 X 7.5" E46 M3 Rims... would that help ?Thanks Glen Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sweetm3 180 Report post Posted June 24, 2010 (edited) Your right and as the kiwi dollar is strong, I tossed a coin yesterday and have made arrangements to phone RacingBrake.com today and finialize the make up of the kit, brake pad combinations etc another thing I will be checking is if they can provide a rear kit including calipers rather than me just buying the rotors and see how that adds to the cost. Edited June 24, 2010 by sweetm3 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sweetm3 180 Report post Posted September 1, 2010 Hi all Just an update on my Brake upgrade, did my research on cost as note earlier in this tread. After goggling for reviews on RacingBrake.com I found the rx8club and Corvette forums had some info, very little info on BMW’s. I won’t go into tech stuff about the design of the rotors and hats but it was design of these components that made me decide to take a chance………. And the cost for all four corners was within my budget. Before I get into the nuts and bolts of what happened I should say things did not go smoothly in respect to what I received or fitting of my personalized kit. RacingBrake.com did come to the party they were very helpful and everything was sorted in the end. RacingBrake (Mike) was always quick to reply to my emails and RacingBrake provided me with what I needed to make the kit work at no extra cost. What I have learnt and this may help others, When ordering from the internet even if you email and call to discuss your options like I did, make sure that the quote/invoice they send you is itemized even if it is a kit After a number of emails and a phone calls my personalized kit was ordered 330 X 32 full floating 2 piece rotors front + 4 pot calipers front + full floating 2 piece rotors rears +pads + brake lines + shipping = $ 2827.16 US + GST The kit arrived in good time opened it up did a quick check, what………. no braided brake lines checked the invoice they were not listed. But the calipers were black and beautiful, the Rotors and hats looked stunning both front and rears, the brake pads were there including the set of race pads they gave me at half price. Decided to jack the car up and do a dry run fit out on one side, so I could check the wheel fitment and order bigger spacers if required……….. Alright and to drool over them. I was to use my existing caliper mounting bolts 12X1.5X41 to attach the adaptor to the steering knuckle but these didn’t feel right when I tried to do them up a quick check against the bolts provided for mounting the new calipers to the adaptor and adaptor to knuckle showed they were different treads. Time to do a proper check of all the items in the kit, out came the measuring tape……… Firstly; Front Rotors, diameter 328mm/ width 28mm and the hat offset was different as well, bugger they’ve shipped the wrong size rotors Next Calipers; size of opening minus pad width, yes right size for the bigger rotor diameter and width. Removed back wheel, caliper and rotor took measurements checked against delivered kit fine everything matched. Emailed RB asking about the rotor size and brake hoses. I asked will the rotors and calipers I received work together (what the hell is she who must be obeyed going to say if they don’t ) Now remember shipping to NZ had cost me $390US, So here I’m thinking another $390 to return the kit another $390 to get a kit with the size rotor I wanted down here hell I can’t afford that. Even though the whole idea was to upsize the rotors so they would handle the heat better at the track,but at least this kit will work and is bigger than standard. RB got back to me apologizing for the miscommunication, they had provided me with a bigger caliper capable of being used with a 330X32 rotor but they don’t make a 330X32 rotor or adaptor for a E36 M3, and they hadn’t noticed the dimensions I specified in my emails. ^%#$# Alright back to the dry run fit, $40 dollars for 4 12X1.25X45 bolts, bolt the adaptor to the steering knuckle slip on the hat and rotor screw in the hex bolt fit the Caliper, go to spin the rotor something’s not right it catching checked the caliper no that’s fine. Then I look in behind the rotor and the rotor catching on the lower wishbone ball joint.^#%#$$#@$# what else could go wrong. Back to RB with another email explaining to them that I have got some rubbing that the hat offset was wrong and I sent them photos as well. So at this stage I’m chatting with my mechanic thinking we will have to shave 5mm off the lower wishbone outer ball joint for clearance. RacingBrake email me with a couple of questions about my suspension setup etc, but also with the option of another set of hats 7.7mm shallower, but there would be a delay of two weeks as they had to have an adaptor fabricated, but there was also another drawback my front standard 17†wheels will no longer work, as this would push the caliper further out. After a chat with my mechanic and another couple of emails answering their questions and I asked RB who would be paying for the parts and shipping costs. RB offered to cover all costs including adding in the brake hoses I required. As I do enjoy going to the track shaving 5mm off the lower wishbone outer ball joint didn’t seem prudent. So I accepted their offer. Ok new pieces arrived, By the way RacingBrake even changed the thread on the adaptors to match my existing bolts. I installed the kit no problems time for a drive. What the %#%#$$ metal on metal sound from the back of the car. Back on the jack stands rear wheels, calipers and rotors off hmmm. The rotor hardware bolts are catching on the dust shield, time for some panel beating. Kits is on it looks great photo's don't do it justice. Not the smoothest upgrade I’ve done. But I’m sure going by their response to my problems that RB will look at the kit and tweak it as necessary for the future. If not in design but with some notes. I’m looking forward to getting on the track hopefully that won’t be too far away. I’ll keep you informed on their performance. final package Old front assembly Old rotor and Dust shield removed Cooling Plate Cooling Plate modified Front Cooling in place Rotor and caliper in place Front Wheels on Rear old setup Dust shield mod area New Rear Rotor My car now needs a clean Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lucan 196 Report post Posted September 1, 2010 Good to see you endured all the BS to see an end result. A lot of the time you need to speak to someone face to face to get things sorted the first time! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sweetm3 180 Report post Posted September 1, 2010 Good to see you endured all the BS to see an end result. A lot of the time you need to speak to someone face to face to get things sorted the first time! I'm just glad RB backed thier product, with good after sales service Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yuen 16 Report post Posted September 1, 2010 Now that's perseverance. Very impressed by what they did - shipping both ways internationally - though being the 'right' thing to do wouldn't dare to assume all companies would do that. Enjoy the next track trip Mark. Btw how does the cooling plate work? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sweetm3 180 Report post Posted September 1, 2010 Now that's perseverance. Very impressed by what they did - shipping both ways internationally - though being the 'right' thing to do wouldn't dare to assume all companies would do that. Enjoy the next track trip Mark. Btw how does the cooling plate work? I'll have to connect the cooling plates to a air source by 3" flexi pipe, usually using the brake cooling ducts from the bumper. A connection has to be made at the wheel liner so the pipe to the rotors can be removed for street driving. Trouble is that I'm using one of the brake ducts to supply air to my cold air box. So I'm still working on this one. I may have to delete my fog lights. On the shipping, they covered the costs of shipping internationally to NZ for the brake lines, hats and adaptors that they fabricated. They never asked for the pieces that didnt work back, cheaper to leave them with me I guess. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
