[The1Ash10]

I'm looking at a few different options for my e90 330i, but I'm not sure what to go with, or even if its a reasonable upgrade to make.

Thoughts/experiences are welcome.

[jwong77]

I'm interested as well. I'm no expert, but I heard good things about the StopTech brand. However, the one thing thats kept me from upgrading (wanted bigger rotors) is that I've heard upgrading the rotors don't really give you a performance improvement because your brake pump (is that what its called?) was designed for whatever sized rotors the car came with from the factory. It'd be great if someone could help clarify this.

[Meeni]

I have the stoptech drilled, and have no complaints whatsoever.

Not recommended for track use, as drilled rotors have an history of cracking at the track. But on the street, they look the part, and they work just as expected (I would even say better than OEM, but placebo etc).

Upgrading rotors requires upgrading calipers as well, that's a lot of money, but it does improve braking performance -a lot. But do you track the car?

[shadow191]

You're thinking of the master cylinder and upgrading just the rotors has no bearing on that. The master cylinder is designed for the OEM caliper, so if you upgrade to a big brake kit that's not properly designed, you can run into issues with pedal feel and all that since the volume of fluid being moved is different.

To OP, if your rotors are shot, then by all means swap them out for drilled or slotted. But it doesn't make a ton of sense if your factory rotors are fine unless you just like the look. No real performance gains; pads would be better in the department.

Currently I have R1 Concepts drilled/slotted rotors (came with the car) and no complaints. Also have Hawk pads which actually made a difference.

Originally Posted by jwong77

I'm interested as well. I'm no expert, but I heard good things about the StopTech brand. However, the one thing thats kept me from upgrading (wanted bigger rotors) is that I've heard upgrading the rotors don't really give you a performance improvement because your brake pump (is that what its called?) was designed for whatever sized rotors the car came with from the factory. It'd be great if someone could help clarify this.

[dhanni848]

Replaced my wore out rotors with drilled and have no complaints. I have had the same brand of drilled on 4 different cars and they have worked great!

I may get flamed for this but they are BrakeLabs and can be found on eBay. I paid $250 for 4 rotors and all pads.

They have worked great and long lasting on all my cars. I definitely do not track any cars though.

[Rival]

slotted rotors **should** be better than drilled but its really going to come down to the factory in china where they are made.

a quality drilled/slotted rotor will be fine for the street.

If you want a real setup prepare to part with 3500+ but thats for track use.


OP, you daliy drive it, auto X, or full out track??

If its just a DD, pick up a set of stoptech or the ECS rotors, hawk HPS pads and you GTG

[The1Ash10]

Originally Posted by dhanni848

Replaced my wore out rotors with drilled and have no complaints. I have had the same brand of drilled on 4 different cars and they have worked great!

I may get flamed for this but they are BrakeLabs and can be found on eBay. I paid $250 for 4 rotors and all pads.

They have worked great and long lasting on all my cars. I definitely do not track any cars though.

Have you noticed any measurable improvements in braking? That's a really low price for everything you're describing.

[The1Ash10]

Originally Posted by Rival

slotted rotors **should** be better than drilled but its really going to come down to the factory in china where they are made.

a quality drilled/slotted rotor will be fine for the street.

If you want a real setup prepare to part with 3500+ but thats for track use.


OP, you daliy drive it, auto X, or full out track??

If its just a DD, pick up a set of stoptech or the ECS rotors, hawk HPS pads and you GTG

I don't track the car. I just know that I need new pads in the next 5k miles and was thinking of stepping up to something more aggressive, but if it doesn't make since, I'm fine with just doing pads.

Any real reason to replace rotors at all? Even with new oem?

[Meeni]

Yes, rotors wear and loose thickness. Eventually they have to be replaced.

Depending on your driving style it can vary a lot when this is needed, but usually every 2 sets of pads and around 70k the rotors are too thin to continue. But if you are very agressive it can be as soon as 35k at the first pad change (atypical but well).

If you see a significant lip on the outer edge, they probably need replacement, but the only way to be sure is to measure the actual thickness and compare to minimal spec.

[benjlv]

only point for a street car is for looks. If you want the look, go for it. They can lead to increased pad wear though. Any performance improvement youre going to notice is going to be from the fact that you just replaced a wore out part.

Racecars that run slotted/drilled rotors use pads that require these features for outgassing. If you go to the track, you'll see plenty of people tracking on cheap chinese flat blanks.

[dhanni848]

Originally Posted by The1Ash10

Have you noticed any measurable improvements in braking? That's a really low price for everything you're describing.

The braking is basically the same as before. When I first got my car the brakes actually felt sticky, I barely touched the pedal and it felt like I slammed on them. When I put these on it actually felt much smoother. I didn't loose any braking by any means, but its a lot smoother.

Like everyone else has said, slotted/drilled for a DD is merely for looks. This is why I did it too. I am very pleased with my set and have had them for about 5k miles now. I don't care for slotted because of the extra noise and pad wear. Others may have different opinions though. I put slotted on my wife's car and I won't do it again.

[The1Ash10]

Originally Posted by benjlv

only point for a street car is for looks. If you want the look, go for it. They can lead to increased pad wear though. Any performance improvement youre going to notice is going to be from the fact that you just replaced a wore out part.

Racecars that run slotted/drilled rotors use pads that require these features for outgassing. If you go to the track, you'll see plenty of people tracking on cheap chinese flat blanks.

This answers my question. New OEM pads/rotors are where I'll be going with this car.