Rust proof brake discs for '07 328xi (E92)?

davis328xi · 08-05-2009, 02:00 PM

Hi,
I have an '07 328xi 2D coupe, and am getting a bit frustrated with reoccurring topical rust on my brake discs. It's mostly on the rear wheels, but am noticing it some on the front as well. I've had the detailers wire brush it off before, but that's just a temporary fix, and would like to replace all four brake discs with a rustproof material if possible.
Does anyone know what the brake disc size is I should be looking for (have stock 17" rims)? What material should I look into (stainless steel?)? And also are there any websites you'd recommend? I know I'll need my (st)ealership to install them, but would like to buy them cheaper online if possible.

Thanks for all your help!

LT

VMRWheels · 08-05-2009, 03:49 PM

I do know Tirerack.com offers rotors that have have specially been chemically treated or powder coated so that the hubs do not rust. You may want to take a look at them first.

-Charles@VMRWheels

Borsig · 08-05-2009, 06:24 PM

are you talking about the hubs themselves? not the actual disc right?

If so you have two options-
1. Paint them with cermaic based engine paint... I did this myself, and we will see how it holds up.
2. apply a thin coating of never seez on the hub. its gery in color and will prevent rust.

mike-y · 08-05-2009, 09:12 PM

brake disks (rotors) are steel, so they are going to naturally rust unless you coat them. you can try painting just the hat part of the brake disk with a hi-temp silver paint (like the kind for exhaust headers).

I know people that did that and it stopped the hat part of the rotors from rusting. Just don't go crazy and paint the whole thing haha.

Legato2057 · 08-05-2009, 09:41 PM

I think the only brakes systems out there that wouldn't rust would be the carbon brakes, like on the new Porches. But that is like $15,000 option!

GregL · 08-05-2009, 11:05 PM

Zinc plating?

Legato2057 · 08-05-2009, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GregL

Zinc plating?

That would only be a temporary fix. The only way to not have any rust is to make the whole rotor of a material that won't rust. Any coating will eventually be rubbed off

HRC · 08-06-2009, 03:32 AM

Lucky to be in Cali. The weather and regular washing keeps my '06 hats and related brake components looking like this after almost 61K.

Danny

Orient330iNYC · 08-06-2009, 03:32 AM

the brake discs are made of cast iron.

they are not made in stainless steel. wear and specific heat of steel is not good for brakes. the only option is ceramic, which is 15K+

your options are to paint the hub with high temp paint. if you're talking about the disc surface, where the pads contact the disc, there is nothing that can be done about that.

nick 55 · 08-07-2009, 12:37 AM

I would say to prevent it in the future, do not use any harsh wheel cleaners, as they have a tendency to remove coatings on calipers and rotor hats. My car had Rotora BBKs with ceramic rotors for a while while it was on the car show circuit, and now for street driving it has steel rotors with the aluminum hub. I don't use wheel cleaners at all, and I have no deterioration of the finish on them at all. Now, the disc itself will get a little orange after washing the car if it sits, but it quickly rubs off with a brake application. If that is what you are trying to prevent, then good luck with that while you have steel rotors.

Nick

thkfast · 08-09-2009, 04:52 AM

I did a write up on this topic in my AluFelgen CSL wheel review. It's probably buried, but like everyone is saying, just clean and green scotch brite pad the hat part and paint with high temp engine or header paint. I used a "cast iron" colored 500 degree header paint that just looks awesome!

08-05-2009, 02:00 PM	#1
davis328xi Registered 1 Rep 1 Posts Drives: 2007 BMW 328xi Coupe Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Boston, MA iTrader: (0)	Rust proof brake discs for '07 328xi (E92)? Hi, I have an '07 328xi 2D coupe, and am getting a bit frustrated with reoccurring topical rust on my brake discs. It's mostly on the rear wheels, but am noticing it some on the front as well. I've had the detailers wire brush it off before, but that's just a temporary fix, and would like to replace all four brake discs with a rustproof material if possible. Does anyone know what the brake disc size is I should be looking for (have stock 17" rims)? What material should I look into (stainless steel?)? And also are there any websites you'd recommend? I know I'll need my (st)ealership to install them, but would like to buy them cheaper online if possible. Thanks for all your help! LT
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08-05-2009, 03:49 PM	#2
VMRWheels BimmerPost Supporting Vendor 2122 Rep 25,972 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Anaheim, CA iTrader: (4) Garage List 2013 BMW M3 [10.00] 2015 BMW M4 [0.00] 2013 BMW F30 [0.00] 2014 BMW F22 [0.00] 2013 BMW F06 [0.00]	I do know Tirerack.com offers rotors that have have specially been chemically treated or powder coated so that the hubs do not rust. You may want to take a look at them first. -Charles@VMRWheels __________________ VMR\|Wheels \| 714.442.7916 \| sales@velocitymotoring.com \| www.velocitymotoring.com \| facebook \| flickr \| Instagram
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08-05-2009, 06:24 PM	#3
Borsig Captain 56 Rep 883 Posts Drives: '09 335i ///M-Sport Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: NC iTrader: (3)	are you talking about the hubs themselves? not the actual disc right? If so you have two options- 1. Paint them with cermaic based engine paint... I did this myself, and we will see how it holds up. 2. apply a thin coating of never seez on the hub. its gery in color and will prevent rust.
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08-05-2009, 09:12 PM	#4
mike-y just another bmw douche bag 196 Rep 3,640 Posts Drives: 1.9L of fury Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (4)	brake disks (rotors) are steel, so they are going to naturally rust unless you coat them. you can try painting just the hat part of the brake disk with a hi-temp silver paint (like the kind for exhaust headers). I know people that did that and it stopped the hat part of the rotors from rusting. Just don't go crazy and paint the whole thing haha.
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08-05-2009, 09:41 PM	#5
Legato2057 First Lieutenant 15 Rep 394 Posts Drives: 2008 monaco blue e90 335i Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: San Diego iTrader: (1)	I think the only brakes systems out there that wouldn't rust would be the carbon brakes, like on the new Porches. But that is like $15,000 option! __________________ 2008 Monaco Blue/Tan interior 335i sedan. Mods: AFE intake w/ scoops, AFE Exhaust, ER FMIC, Koni FSD/Eibcach Pro-Kit, Breyton Race GTS wheels w/ Continental ExtremeContact DW tires, Cusco OS strut bar. BavAuto Black/Beige seat covers w/ black floor mats, M3 rep trunk lip, eBay front splitters.
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08-05-2009, 11:05 PM	#6
GregL Brigadier General 106 Rep 3,618 Posts Drives: 2016 CLA45 AMG Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: GTA iTrader: (4)	Zinc plating? __________________ 2016 Mercedes-AMG CLA45 2013 Mercedes-Benz B250 - Gone 2010 Mercedes-Benz C350 4Matic - Gone 2006 BMW 330xi - Gone 2001 Infiniti QX4 - Gone
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08-06-2009, 03:32 AM	#8
HRC MAUI BUILT 516 Rep 7,781 Posts Drives: 2006 330i MT Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: NORCAL iTrader: (10) Garage List 2002 E46 325i [0.00] 2012 E70 35i [0.00]	Lucky to be in Cali. The weather and regular washing keeps my '06 hats and related brake components looking like this after almost 61K. Danny __________________ Arctic/Blk Leather/Alum.Trim/MT/ZSP/Sunshades/Blk Lines/M3 Illuminated Knob/Alcantara Performance Wheel/M-E-Brake Handle/Euro Fog Switch/Koni Yellows/H&R Sport Springs/19" VMR V718's w/PS2 Tires/M-Tech Body Kit/Carbon Fiber Spoiler/Bimmian Interior Bulbs/OEM Eye Glass Tray/SSK/Alcantara Boot/Split Armrest/OEM Dual Rear Power Outlets/Rear Ashtray Delete/OEM Alum. Pedals/Osram 6000K/Brex Rings/LED Side Markers/BMS Power Box
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08-06-2009, 03:32 AM	#9
Orient330iNYC Brigadier General 1911 Rep 4,163 Posts Drives: 2023 X7 40i Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Wall St iTrader: (2)	the brake discs are made of cast iron. they are not made in stainless steel. wear and specific heat of steel is not good for brakes. the only option is ceramic, which is 15K+ your options are to paint the hub with high temp paint. if you're talking about the disc surface, where the pads contact the disc, there is nothing that can be done about that. __________________ Present: 2023 G07 40i ZDH/ZDU/ZMP/ZMQ/2NH/ZPK/ZPP/ZRC/300/3AC Past: 2013 335i 6MT ZMM/ZDH/ZTP/3AG/494/508 Past: 2016 F34 335i xDrive ZCW/ZDA/ZDH/ZTP/ZMP/2V5/5DL Past: 2019 G01 M40i ZDA/2VF/ZPP/ZPX/688/3AC
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08-07-2009, 12:37 AM	#10
nick 55 Late Braking 7 Rep 267 Posts Drives: 335 coupe, C55, E55, hmm.. Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: My compound outside St. Charles iTrader: (1) Garage List 2009 Mercedes GL550 [0.00] 2012 B7 Alpina [0.00] 2005 Mercedes C55 [0.00] 1966 Mustang [0.00]	I would say to prevent it in the future, do not use any harsh wheel cleaners, as they have a tendency to remove coatings on calipers and rotor hats. My car had Rotora BBKs with ceramic rotors for a while while it was on the car show circuit, and now for street driving it has steel rotors with the aluminum hub. I don't use wheel cleaners at all, and I have no deterioration of the finish on them at all. Now, the disc itself will get a little orange after washing the car if it sits, but it quickly rubs off with a brake application. If that is what you are trying to prevent, then good luck with that while you have steel rotors. Nick
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08-09-2009, 04:52 AM	#11
thkfast Major 263 Rep 1,028 Posts Drives: 2015 F82 M4 Sakhir Orange DCT Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Cedar Rapids, IA iTrader: (1)	I did a write up on this topic in my AluFelgen CSL wheel review. It's probably buried, but like everyone is saying, just clean and green scotch brite pad the hat part and paint with high temp engine or header paint. I used a "cast iron" colored 500 degree header paint that just looks awesome! __________________ "The likelihood of one individual being right increases in direct proportion to the intensity with which others attempt to prove him wrong." 2015 F82 M4 - Sakhir Orange Metallic 2013 E92 M3 / 2013 E92 335is / 2010 E90 335i / 2007 E90 335i
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