[Marc Fitz]

3 months ago I purchased a new E90 320d M Sport in Thailand and spending some money on Performance upgrades.
Ordered a Performance brake kit and had it fitted only to find out that it is only for the front axle (Disc's and Calipers) as the local BMW dealer told me that BMW only make performance brake kits for the front axle.
I have seen some photos on various forums of BMW performance Brake kits that show both Front and Rear Kits?
He has now informed me that BMW have just started making rear brake kits for 3 series and asks if I want to buy a set.
Can anyone tell me if when you order a Performance Brake Kit from BMW, does it normally include the Disc's and Calipers for the front & rear axle.
Trying to work out if the dealer is pulling a fast one on me.
I.E Front and Rear kits supplied but he only fitted the front set and now trying to charge me again for the rear set!!! as you can imagine in Thailand these kits are not cheap.
Also has BMW just now started to make Performance rear axle brake kits for 3 series saloon?

[CombatNinja]

I think they have made rear kits for almost two years now. Don't know anything about parts availability in Thailand though...

For what it is worth, the front and rears are sold individually here (I think).

[fenixxishot]

I've never bought BMW performance brakes but normally brakes are sold in pairs ie front axel and rear axel. And depending on who you speak to upgrading rears is just a waste of money. Most stopping power is on the front. So rear upgrade is more cosmetic.

[Route 16]

Originally Posted by fenixxishot

I've never bought BMW performance brakes but normally brakes are sold in pairs ie front axel and rear axel. And depending on who you speak to upgrading rears is just a waste of money. Most stopping power is on the front. So rear upgrade is more cosmetic.

Aww but I want my rear brakes perf. too.

[CJ421]

There are two different Performance brake kits; one includes only the front axle, the second includes the rear as well.
http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...catalogid=4462

http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...catalogid=4462

Including the rear axle, it is about double the price.

[e90pilot]

The rear axel won't fit all the cars. Only the 330 sedan, 328 touring, or 328 convertible.

[Marc Fitz]

Thanks for the input guys... just found the following info on line....

"The big brake kits typically only come with equipment to replace your front brakes. This is because the front brakes typically perform 80% or more of the stopping - sometimes more during panic stops. It's not a good idea to put a high performance, big brake system on the rear because this can cause the rear brakes to lock up prematurely. This can cause increased stopping distances and a loss of control. For cars that have performance systems on the rear, they are often coupled with anti-lock controllers or proportioning valves to prevent rear brake lockup. The BMW 3-Series cars only have anti-lock mechanisms on the front brakes."

The price quoted to me by my BMW dealer is 25% more for the rear BMW Performance Brake kit than I paid for the front, asked him for some more information... I now presume the extra cost , having read the above article, is to modify the anti-lock controllers or proportioning valves to prevent rear brake lockup.
I will let you know what the answer is in a few day's and yes, I guess it it more for cosmetic good looks than anything else !
A couple of Photo's of the upgrades I've made are in my album take a look.....

[HP Autosport]

Although many think the rear brakes are just along for the ride, they are incorrect. The rear brakes handles a good portion of the braking when brakes are applied, more so in our almost weight balanced BMW's.

[MalM3]

heres mine with the performance set on the front
- we are working on a set for the rears aswell

[e90pilot]

Let me know what you guys end up doing to the rears. I'm still looking for a solution.

[Marc Fitz]

Just talked to my BMW dealer and he tells me that they do now make Performance Rear Break kit for 320d can anyone confirm this for me?

[SMOKE EM IF U GOT EM!!]

Originally Posted by HP Autowerks

Although many think the rear brakes are just along for the ride, they are incorrect. The rear brakes handles a good portion of the braking when brakes are applied, more so in our almost weight balanced BMW's.

Not to mention the role they play in our dtc and stability programs as well.

[zamboni]

Not sure about the 320d but the complete performance kit comes with 4 yellow calipers only fit the 335i.

[EAS]

It appears that the rear set up for the performance brake on the 320d uses the same caliper and pad shape as the regular 320d OE set up, but substitutes a different rotor 34216764651 vs. 34216855004 used for the regular package. Likely that your gains would be minimal with just a rotor change; Going to a good street performance pad front and rear should give you greater gains than this rear performance set up that BMW offers.

We have Cool Carbon pads for all of the BMW Performance set ups; as well as regular applications. If BMW decides to or now does offer the better performance caliper( that is available on several models from BMW), we also offer the Cool Carbon applications for these rear calipers as well.

The rear performance caliper offered from BMW is 34216786743/4; you can check with your dealer to verify what they actually have in their kit.

[Marc Fitz]

Thanks for the information David, I will check with BMW and ask what is in the package.