[Pyrat 2]

Thought you would find this thread interesting. For those not tracking the BMW Performance brake details here is a quick intro. The Performance brake kit from BMW for the 330i is also the same kit that is applied to the 128 and 135 - fully interchangeable. The calipers are said to be made by Brembo although I'm not sure if that has been offically confirmed. There is a general belief, again with no confirmation, that the 135 calipers are actually the exact same calipers as the Perfomance Brake calipers except for the color.

Now with that as a background, the 135 calipers are apparently showing heat related problems when used aggressively at the track. All the details are in the link here from 1addicts.com.

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18453

I have included two pictures from different cars as a reference. The second picture shows Brembo's name on the piston confirming that they at least making the pistons, which are the failure here, if not the entire caliper. Again, it's not understood whether the Performance Brakes for the 330i are exactly the same mechanically as the 135. However, as I was considering purchasing them I think I will now sit on the sideline until the full story unfolds.

[Kev]

Holy crap...... cracked piston!?

[O-cha]

Ceramic inserts, sucks. Titanium backing plates may be a good idea.

[SV Concepts III]

Wow that's scary, I was planning on keeping the stock brakes with my 135 but maybe a brembo kit is in order.

[Autobot]

I wonder if this differs from the 328 ones?

[Mr. 5]

Holy crap man!!
I agree about the Titanium shims.

I'm actually working with a company to make more options with titanium shims.
It seems as though they are only made for certain calipers and they are about 100+ for a set of 4.
Here's one that was made for my Rotora calipers.
It was made with commercially pure grade 2 titanium and cost about 60 bucks for 4.

I'm curious if there would be that much interest with the stock 335 calipers.
Let me know if you'd be interested.

[O-cha]

Originally Posted by Mr. 5

Holy crap man!!
I agree about the Titanium shims.

I'm actually working with a company to make more options with titanium shims.
It seems as though they are only made for certain calipers and they are about 100+ for a set of 4.
Here's one that was made for my Rotora calipers.
It was made with commercially pure grade 2 titanium and cost about 60 bucks for 4.

I'm curious if there would be that much interest with the stock 335 calipers.
Let me know if you'd be interested.

That's cheap, you got that price for just a single run of 4?


Most people, even track people, wouldn't use shims (on stock calipers) because of the necessity of removing the spring clips from the backing plates and likely grinding it down so it's flat. That's just too much work and out of many peoples capabilities.

I'm looking to pick up a set for my coupe though.

[leftcoastman]

The performance brakes suck because they are smaller than stock 335i brakes, so less mass to dissipate heat.

THAT SAID, the problem you're seeing is not abnormal with an advanced/expert driver using r-comps and race pads. The cracked piston is definitely concerning, but I can fry a brand new set of piston rubber boots in ONE DAY. And that is with titanium shims.

The shims reduce temps by about 80 degrees and didn't do much to resolve my brake system cooking issues. A better solution would be to fabricate brake ducts that directly flow air to the inside of the rotors. That is my winter project.

[leftcoastman]

Originally Posted by O-cha

Most people, even track people, wouldn't use shims (on stock calipers) because of the necessity of removing the spring clips from the backing plates and likely grinding it down so it's flat. That's just too much work and out of many peoples capabilities.

I'm looking to pick up a set for my coupe though.

When I ran shims on my stock brake calipers, I just took a dremel and cut a 1/4 inch hole in my shim. Many of the race pads I used on the stock calipers did not come with clips, although they did have those annoying nubs where a clip was mounted before.

Alternately, as you said, you can dremel down the clip and nub. If you're needing shims, you probably aren't running on stock pads. Stock street pads won't last 10 minutes on track before overheating and chunking apart.

[stressdoc]

Let's hope the Perf brakes for the 335 do better when they are finally released. Any thoughts on using M3 bits?

I am looking forward to the release of Stop Tech's ceramic rotors. What a huge weight reduction (75 lbs unsprung!) they provide, and likely better heat dissipation. Let's hope they are affordable.

[Mr. 5]

Well guys,
I've seen the stock pads but I was thinking of producing a shim that fits around the spring.

[leftcoastman]

Originally Posted by stressdoc

Let's hope the Perf brakes for the 335 do better when they are finally released. Any thoughts on using M3 bits?

I am looking forward to the release of Stop Tech's ceramic rotors. What a huge weight reduction (75 lbs unsprung!) they provide, and likely better heat dissipation. Let's hope they are affordable.

Haven't heard good things about ceramic rotors on track. I understand that a lot of the Porsche guys swap out their PCCB rotors for cast iron rotors.

The ceramic delaminates under heavy use. And they're like $8k to replace on the Porsche!