Vehicle: '95 325is
Situation: Replacing the front brake rotors and pads.
Alternatives: Do I have any OEM alternatives? Could I switch to M3 or e46 rotors? I think this requires new calipers, and I'm ok with doing that (discount through work) but I just don't want to have to change the wheels. What upgrades can I do?
As my name denotes... I work at BMW, so I get BMW parts at a very attractive price. I can't afford to do big brakes or buy brembo products.
I'm trying to see what I can do with BMW parts from other models to upgrade my system.
I will end up asking my parts department, but to be honest, people on here have probably experimented with more swapping that the parts guys because they always suggest against swaps...
Any advice is welcome! :D
In a nutshell, yes, you can install M3 or E46 brakes on your car. It depends on your budget and how much work you want to do. Search the E36 forum on the terms "e46 brakes" for oodles of useful information.
What's a reasonable price for getting some used E46 caliper brackets? I'm guessing that new ones would be expensive.
What's a reasonable price for getting some used E46 caliper brackets? I'm guessing that new ones would be expensive.
I don't know how much just the brackets would cost. Bimmer95 may have mentioned a price in one of his posts on the subject.
Try calling up Strictly German, Zionsville Autosport, or Vines Automotive - they should be able to help you out.
Retail on the brackets is ~$125ea.
im selling my brembo bbk for a good deal
but you would need m3 spindles
Thanks bimmer95. You mentioned yesterday that you only need the E46 caliper brackets and not the calipers when puting the E46 brakes on an E36. Correct?
...you only need the E46 caliper brackets and not the calipers when puting the E46 brakes on an E36. Correct?
When putting E46 32X front rotors on an E36 318/323/325 (exc pre-4/98 318ti), that is correct. E46 330 rotors require new calipers.
OK, now I get it. I previuosly thought that I'd need new calipers when upgrading to any of the E46 rotors, but only if I went for the larger 330 rotors. Thre 328 E46 rotors only require the caliper brackets.
Do the rears require E46 calipers, or only brackets?
The rears would require new calipers do to the increased rotor thickness.
When putting E46 32X front rotors on an E36 318/323/325 (exc pre-4/98 318ti), that is correct. E46 330 rotors require new calipers.
Hey,
I see that you really know what you're talking about when it comes to brakes on e36s....
My situation is that I'm buying a used '95 325is and it needs new front pads and rotors to pass the safety test.
Working at BMW i've bought the rotors and pads but realized I should take this opportunity to upgrade.
Can you tell me which upgrade would be the best?
1. e46 32x
2. e46 330
3. e36 M3
Also, can you clarify for me what is needed....
1. e46 32x rotors, pads, and caliper mounts
2. e46 330 rotors, pads, caliper mounts, and calipers
3. m3 rotors, pads, caliper mounts, and calipers
I also need to choose the option that will fit in the style 30 16" wheels on the car!
If you get this tonight, can you email me at geoffrey_grace@hotmail.com and if it's tomorrow can you send it to geoff.grace@bmwgroup.ca ?
Man, I'll send you a case of beer or something if you can help me straighten this out!
-Geoff
Given the wheel dimmensions you gave, it narrows down the answer - the E46 32x since the other 2 cars listed come with 17" wheels, which is what you'de need for those brakes to fit. The E46 32x will fit in 16" wheels.
Apparently you're going to nedd E46 rear calipers and E46 front caliper brackets in addition to the rotors and pads. Since you work for BMW you can get all of that stuff cheap - or at least cheaper than the rest of us.
Correct, #1 would be the best option. There's really no need to touch the rear brakes, the 3.0L Z3 uses same set up (E36 32X front brakes and solid rotor rear brakes) with the equivelent master cylinder and seems to stop just fine. I would recommend better brake pads than the stock ones. We're currently running E46 32X front rotors, stock solid rear rotors with Hawk HPS pads all around on my wife's SCed 318ti and it stops great with no dust.
