[SteveChester]

OK I now need to sort my brakes out as the pads are worn and discs are lipped.

Looked at Brembo BBK and way too expensive. So the BMW offering seems good value but is it so cheap that it isn't any good?

Quite happy to spend the money on it if people think so or can I get the same results for less money by getting better pads/discs/braided hoses/5.1 fluid?

Steve.

[TikoV]

How much are the brakes mate? What size are the discs and are they bigger than std ones?

The brakes on the 335 are adequate although feel spongy but then again I had a e46 m3 which also was the same. Hence I opted for performance friction discs, hi-spec monster 6 pot calipers, ferrodo 3500 pads and braided hoses all round. The set up was fantastic and brakes were sharp as. I reckon supplied and fitted I spent about £1400, which is lot less than brembos or ap racing but equally as effective. When the 335d's are due I think I'll be going doing same route. Maybe worth a thought for yours too?

Keep us informed.

[doughboy]

335i and d are a unique fitment in the e9x range.

the op has a pre lci 330d which is a common size to most of the range.

there's very little for the 335, performance friction don't do anything and neither do ferodo. ebc red stuff etc is about your lot, or a full ap or brembo kit.

but the op has loads of choices.

bmw kit looks nice most of all and performs ok from reports. its also reasonably prices, but decent pads and oe discs are good to.

i can sell you full set of ferodo race ds2500 for £150. i bought them in error for my 335. they cost over 200

[TikoV]

Originally Posted by doughboy

335i and d are a unique fitment in the e9x range.

the op has a pre lci 330d which is a common size to most of the range.

there's very little for the 335, performance friction don't do anything and neither do ferodo. ebc red stuff etc is about your lot, or a full ap or brembo kit.

but the op has loads of choices.

bmw kit looks nice most of all and performs ok from reports. its also reasonably prices, but decent pads and oe discs are good to.

i can sell you full set of ferodo race ds2500 for £150. i bought them in error for my 335. they cost over 200

Glad someone knows their stuff...I honestly thought PF discs would be available as they were for the M3. Tis a bummer now :-( I had red stuff and they squealed like nothing else....proper track pads. Had to change them for green and then onto ferodos.

I'd take you up on your offer if there wasn't so much life on my pads right now.

Cheers

Tiko

[Dr Dave]

Steve, go for the BMW BBK, looks absolutely stonking and works well.

[Mark II]

Hi Steve,

As always the answer depends on what you want to use the car for:

If you use the car mainly for the road then I would say go for BMW replacement disks, maybe uprate the pads to EBC Redstuff (which are now a new formula), replace the fluid and stick a set of Goodridge hoses on to improve the feel.

If you use it mainly for road but throw in the occasional track day then the BMW BBK is another step up the ladder - fit a set of Goodridge hoses and new fluid and it will feel like night and day compared to your current set-up. It's not 'cheap' as such, it's just made down to a price and is perfect for fast road use with the occasional track day thrown in. It's manufactured by Brembo but they've kept some of the costs down by avoiding things like floating discs.

I agree with Dr Dave ragarding the BMW BBK and was one of the first to get a full set fitted on my car. Overall I find them very good, as I now fall into the fast road/occasional track day user category. They work well, offer stronger braking effect, better feel and more confidence. With the right pads are also fine for track days - so they offer a suitable balance between on-road practicality and on-track performance.

My only gripes are (i) The original BMW BBK pads were very dusty - so I've changed them out for Cool Carbon pads which not only reduce the amount of dust but are more track oriented (they do take a tiny bit of time to heat up tho' and need re-bedding every so often) (ii) The front calipers have to be completely removed to access the pads, which is a bit of a PITA when you'd like to change pads quickly. (iii) The cast iron disc do rust more easily than OEM if the car is left unused for any time (which mine is during the week) BUT despite all this I'd still recommend them for the usage described.

Piccies during fitment and after.




If you do more track days or are going to cane it around the ring then you really need to look at AP Racing or Alcon setups, as these are engineered with the track in mind. If you decided to go this route then have a word with Tony (e92fan) as he has the AP setup and you might (despite the distance), want to consider Birds Auto (Kevin Bird) who would be good to talk to.

Note: The Cool Carbon S/T pads are significantly better than the pads that come with the BMW BBK but are only available from the States - I bought mine from www.europeanautosource.com - they are the same front/rear fitment as the 135i.

Few of us have the necessity, spare cash (or speaking personally - the skill) to warrant a full Brembo GT package for road/track, so they're best left for proper racing.

Tony (e92 fan) wrote a very balanced & well considered response to a previous enquiry - which you can read here: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showpo...11&postcount=4



Hope that helps.

Mark

[m1bjr]

Originally Posted by SteveChester

OK I now need to sort my brakes out as the pads are worn and discs are lipped.

Looked at Brembo BBK and way too expensive. So the BMW offering seems good value but is it so cheap that it isn't any good?

Quite happy to spend the money on it if people think so or can I get the same results for less money by getting better pads/discs/braided hoses/5.1 fluid?

Steve.

I am using discs from Brakes International again.
As I have on a couple of my road and track cars.
No need to spend fortunes on over priced oem rotors, they are not that complex. You can buy three sets of BI rotors for the equivalent oem costs.
Although the n'er sayers will always tell you you need to buy OEM as they are 'best' and Idisagree (from experience of both on this car)
OEM Jurid etc. pads are fine, as are EBC Redstuff if you want a bit better high temperature bite. Carbotech XP8/10 for fast road use are the best IMO.
Mine dont squeal, and I have no spongyness whatsoever - cheap rotors and redstuff, cheap dot 4 fluid as this car isnt going to track this year.
If you are a hard driver or have the thing in bits anyhow, use Motul RBF600 fluid as it outperforms any dot4 or 5.1 anyhow - oh and forget the braided lines

Steve

[spdy330]

I am pleased with my BMW PBK. I say do it!

[SteveChester]

OK you guys have sold me the dream. I will them ordered once my house move happens and finances have settled down.

[doughboy]

Originally Posted by m1bjr

I am using discs from Brakes International again.
As I have on a couple of my road and track cars.
No need to spend fortunes on over priced oem rotors, they are not that complex. You can buy three sets of BI rotors for the equivalent oem costs.
Although the n'er sayers will always tell you you need to buy OEM as they are 'best' and Idisagree (from experience of both on this car)
OEM Jurid etc. pads are fine, as are EBC Redstuff if you want a bit better high temperature bite. Carbotech XP8/10 for fast road use are the best IMO.
Mine dont squeal, and I have no spongyness whatsoever - cheap rotors and redstuff, cheap dot 4 fluid as this car isnt going to track this year.
If you are a hard driver or have the thing in bits anyhow, use Motul RBF600 fluid as it outperforms any dot4 or 5.1 anyhow - oh and forget the braided lines

Steve

My bro is a BTCC team lead mechanic, he is always saying what you're saying.

OE discs might last longer, but not 3 times longer.

re the lines, sure they don't make your brakes any better but they do reduce pedal movement and thus make them feel a better.

[sleepergm]

How much are the BMW brakes?

[Rocket-E92]

£1500 BMW performance Brakes/discs lines from Evolve have a set that I m selling shortly they come in Gold I paid 1900 about 4 months ago but Im selling car soon so they will be sold separately

[E92Fan]

Originally Posted by m1bjr

I am using discs from Brakes International again.
As I have on a couple of my road and track cars.
No need to spend fortunes on over priced oem rotors, they are not that complex. You can buy three sets of BI rotors for the equivalent oem costs.
Although the n'er sayers will always tell you you need to buy OEM as they are 'best' and Idisagree (from experience of both on this car)
OEM Jurid etc. pads are fine, as are EBC Redstuff if you want a bit better high temperature bite. Carbotech XP8/10 for fast road use are the best IMO.
Mine dont squeal, and I have no spongyness whatsoever - cheap rotors and redstuff, cheap dot 4 fluid as this car isnt going to track this year.
If you are a hard driver or have the thing in bits anyhow, use Motul RBF600 fluid as it outperforms any dot4 or 5.1 anyhow - oh and forget the braided lines

Steve

Agree with all points, except for the braided lines.

Braided lines don't improve braking performance, but do give better feel especially when brake fluid is hot (ie in situations where the brakes have been heavily used). Not really noticeable on regular in city road driving, granted, but if discs/pads are being changed, along with fluid, it would be silly not to upgrade the lines as well for the extra cost of £70 for a full 6-line set.

[Yahoo]

So what is the overall recommendation for upgrading standard brakes for fast road/occasional track use?

Which pads?
Which lines?
Which fluid?
Any better rotors available yet?

Any prices / links to suppliers would be appreciated too.

[A335i]

Originally Posted by Yahoo

So what is the overall recommendation for upgrading standard brakes for fast road/occasional track use?

Which pads?
Which lines?
Which fluid?
Any better rotors available yet?

Any prices / links to suppliers would be appreciated too.

IMO

1) cool carbon brake pads as great reviews from US especially as hardly fades at the track and more linear brake feel. Approx $200 front and rear not incl. shipping

2) goodridge braided hoses with steel endings (not the zinc). One of the cheapest and probably best makes with all 6 lines included. £90-100

3) catrol response dot 4, probably under £20.

4) I don't think there are better rotors (if you are looking to replace just the rotors) for the 335i for track and road use. The oem ones are very good. There may be better rotors purely for track days as there are various drilled and slotted ones available. However, for noise and long lasting rotors, currently, i would say the oem ones are best.

Therefore all that is needed is 1-3.

[Yahoo]

Originally Posted by ajuggessur

IMO

2) goodridge braided hoses with steel endings (not the zinc). One of the cheapest and probably best makes with all 6 lines included. £90-100

Where can these be sourced from - are they 335i specific?

[m1bjr]

Remember, this car has servo assist, ABS, brake assist, fade compensation and something that wipes your arse if you slide unexpectedly.
You are pretty devoid af any real 'feel' anyhow with that lot in the circuit - try a rally car with direct to pedal box

Since about 1990 every car I fitted Aeroquip/Goodrich or Earls to it made no noticable difference, on the motorbike it did however, but the lines are 4x longer and cheap....

The thing is, you will ALWAYS be fitting fresh fluid when you install new brake lines.
And thats what generally makes them feel 'improved'

Biggest cause of wear of rotors and pads is heat.
You either cool them better or use material better rated for it.

I found a massive improvement in disc temperatures by removing the front water shields.
The 335i SE has cooling ducts in behind the front wheel arches, rectangular ones.
But they have limited effect with the shileds in place stopping the nice cool air getting into the rotors.
Removing them and hooning about, I now find the rears are hotter (even with DSC/TC off)

Unsure of the design intention of shields really, normally its to keep spray off the discs so they dont crack when red hot and stop better in extreme wet.
But the car has disc wiping in the rain anyhow?

[A335i]

Originally Posted by Yahoo

Where can these be sourced from - are they 335i specific?

http://www.drivenandridden.co.uk/sto...uding_M3_.html

The above are £93 but extra £21 for stainless fittings. I think I've seen them with stainless fittings in a search before for under £100. Could also try evolve as they might be able to do it for a better deal because on ebay the zinc plated ones go for about £75-80.

I don't think you can get 335i specific ones, they are universal for new 3 series. Just because it fits all 3 series, this doesn't mean it will perform less well when fitted to the 335i as naturally this has better braking performance than other 3 series. Also, for instance, i'm sure AP racing BBK for 335i's normally tend to come with the goodridge brake lines when buying the entire kit.

[m1bjr]

Originally Posted by Yahoo

Where can these be sourced from - are they 335i specific?

Same as the big diesel with same calipers I presume, but yes specific.

Almost all performance parts shops deal with them.
Earls or Goodrich all much the same, there are others.
PTFE or kevlar reinforced rubber liner with stainless braid protective cover, sometimes clearcote.
I wouldnt worry about paying a premium for stainless fittings either.
They wont corrode and fall off in your lifetime. And you cant see them.

[Yahoo]

Good info - many thanks.

[A335i]

Originally Posted by m1bjr

Since about 1990 every car I fitted Aeroquip/Goodrich or Earls to it made no noticable difference, on the motorbike it did however, but the lines are 4x longer and cheap....

The thing is, you will ALWAYS be fitting fresh fluid when you install new brake lines.
And thats what generally makes them feel 'improved' .

I partly agree with that, obviously, having fresh fluid makes a big difference and changing the fluid more regularly, to me, is more important than upgrading to briaded lines if given the choice.

However, I would also consider the following. From what i've seen for the 335i, no BBK, whether Brembo, Stoptech etc, sells their kits without providing upgraded brake lines.

Many others have said that they have fitted brakes lines to other cars and have not seen a noticeable difference. However, specific to the 335i no one who has fitted these say it was a waste. Note also, you are changing 6 lines including the mid lines, not just the front and rears, so i think there will be a more noticeable difference.

Finally, the 335i brakes offer fantastic performance for normal day to day driving. Spending a few hundred with possibly improving these already great brakes is money well spent especially if the brakes or fluid need changing anyway, which will save on labour costs.

[m1bjr]

Originally Posted by ajuggessur

IFrom what i've seen for the 335i, no BBK, whether Brembo, Stoptech etc, sells their kits without providing upgraded brake lines.

Take a look at the hose feed positions and the type fittings used on those aftermarket calipers.

Which will explain why you need different lines.

Its just the cheapest option for AP or anyone else to make them work on many different applications.

A lot of those aftermarket calipers (or large parts of them) fit many cars, saves R&D and manufacturing cost - just bundle a £50 hose set to mate them up.

HTH.