Which brake rotors? (E46 330ci)

[mpj88]

Hi all,

I think my brakes are due for an overhaul and would quite like some better looking rotors while at it. I've had a look around and have come up with the following options for a pair of front rotors:

BMW Performance Rotors - £294
Brembo drilled rotors - £285
Tarox Sport Japan - £264
EBC Turbo grooved - £218
EBC Ultimax - £218
Black Diamond drilled - £175

Does anyone have any experience with the above and can offer either positive or negative opinions? Obviously will be a fair amount of difference(£) between a full set (front & rear rotors and pads) of Black Diamonds and full set of BMW performance rotors. I've heard good things about the BMW ones as they're floating etc but are they worth the extra money over EBC/Black diamond? and if i was paying that much will they be better than Brembo?

Thanks in advance

[Nick330ci]

What the hell is a rotor?

Are you taking about brake discs?

I have the mintex vented/drilled/grooved jobbies and they seem to do the job well. didnt take to long to bed in either. get them from ebay.

[Rich_D]

Americans call brake discs rotors, noobs

In the UK, we call 'rotors' the outer (disc) part of a 2-piece brake setup, the bell is the centre part, this helps combat warping of the brakes

Example >>>

Why? Because Race Car

[GuidoK]

If you mean the bmw performance brake discs with part# 34 11 2 282 871&34 11 2 282 871 , go with these.

These are 'semi floating' with an aluminium core/hat. (real floating rotors would get you mad, they rattle....)

The other options are (if I google correctly) probably all non floating (one piece); tarox also makes floating so I don't know which ones you mean.

Aluminium core means that they are lighter, so better handling (less unsprung weight). But in theory not suitable for steel rims (galvanic corrosion, so no steelies in the winter!)

The difference is that semi floating discs are less likely to warp and that they are better self centering, so also suitable for race calipers.

ECS tuning has a very nice BBK set for the e46 330i that also uses these rotors:

http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-330Ci-M54_3.0L/Braking/Big_Brake_OEM/ES2215444/

And bmw makes excellent brake discs (they are one of the few car manufacturers that has it's own brake disc factory (in Berlin))

The only risk for drilled rotors is that they can crack (hairline cracks around the holes) and eventually shatter. So a brand with a respectable reputation (especially for the front discs) is a wise choice. (not saying that all cheap discs are bad, but the risk increses imho)

Edited October 28, 2013 by GuidoK

[Nick330ci]

Americans call brake discs rotors, noobs

In the UK, we call 'rotors' the outer (disc) part of a 2-piece brake setup, the bell is the centre part, this helps combat warping of the brakes

Example >>>

Why? Because Race Car

Thanks for the info. It is very difficult to convey sarcasm over the internet. I am a qualified mechanic that works testing new cars for a large component manufacturer.

But as you say, its gerenally the US that calls them that, we are in the UK here and I hate the term rotor!

Edited October 28, 2013 by Nick330ci

[mpj88]

What the hell is a rotor?

Are you taking about brake discs?

I have the mintex vented/drilled/grooved jobbies and they seem to do the job well. didnt take to long to bed in either. get them from ebay.

OK OK, I'm sorry I used the wrong term!

If you mean the bmw performance brake discs with part# 34 11 2 282 871&34 11 2 282 871 , go with these.

These are 'semi floating' with an aluminium core/hat. (real floating rotors would get you mad, they rattle....)

The other options are (if I google correctly) probably all non floating (one piece); tarox also makes floating so I don't know which ones you mean.

Aluminium core means that they are lighter, so better handling (less unsprung weight). But in theory not suitable for steel rims (galvanic corrosion, so no steelies in the winter!)

The difference is that semi floating discs are less likely to warp and that they are better self centering, so also suitable for race calipers.

ECS tuning has a very nice BBK set for the e46 330i that also uses these rotors:

http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-330Ci-M54_3.0L/Braking/Big_Brake_OEM/ES2215444/

And bmw makes excellent brake discs (they are one of the few car manufacturers that has it's own brake disc factory (in Berlin))

The only risk for drilled rotors is that they can crack (hairline cracks around the holes) and eventually shatter. So a brand with a respectable reputation (especially for the front discs) is a wise choice. (not saying that all cheap discs are bad, but the risk increses imho)

Yes those are the ones, this is what I heard too. But are floating rotors really necessary for road use? and worth the extra £££. Its going to be +£500 just for the DISCS. I can get a whole set of black diamond dics and pads for around the £450 mark.

p.s. yes i wish i could justify spending for that ecs big brake kit!

Edited October 29, 2013 by mpj88

[momo]

I have EBC yellowstuff pads and turbo groove discs.

It's not a bad setup but it's not great. I won't be getting them again. The pads seem to chew through the discs a little too much but stopping power is great. For a budget I think EBC is ok..

[LeeMutz]

For road use I wouldn't bother.. For track use yes.. IMHO I wouldn't spend hundreds on discs that are designed to work well under extreme circumstances and extreme heat on a track being driven at 100mph + and getting hot, late braking etc etc.. Makes no logical sense, my brakes are standard Delphi and stop well enough in everyday riving conditions

Unless, of course, money is of no object and you are bored

If you are in desperate need of better brakes because you drive as above on the roads, you need to slow down

Edited October 29, 2013 by LeeMutz

[Marcus]

Get some brembo discs and pads or ate or similar branded equipment. Don't bother with drilled IMO. Wished I'd never fitted mine. Noisy as hell and chew through pads. Want drilled you can have mine I'm going back plain. My opinion of course

[Marcus]

Get some brembo discs and pads or ate or similar branded equipment. Don't bother with drilled IMO. Wished I'd never fitted mine. Noisy as hell and chew through pads. Want drilled you can have mine I'm going back plain. My opinion of course

[mpj88]

Hmm, ok.

I've always felt since I bought my car that the stopping power isn't that great for the amount of power it has. Also the amount of brake fade is a little worrying. It might be that the brakes were abused by previous owner but I wouldn't have thought so.

From reading up it looks like slotted/grooved discs go through pads quickly and with drilled there's a higher risk of cracking.

I was also looking for a bit better aesthetic appearance too.

Get some brembo discs and pads or ate or similar branded equipment. Don't bother with drilled IMO. Wished I'd never fitted mine. Noisy as hell and chew through pads. Want drilled you can have mine I'm going back plain. My opinion of course

What drilled setup do you have btw?

Edited October 29, 2013 by mpj88

[Marcus]

I got drilled ones from a company called mtech. Can't fault the quality of the product.im running db9 calipers and I'm not short of stopping power. Change hoses to braided. Upgrade fluid get decent discs and pads and you'll be fine

Edited October 29, 2013 by Marcus

[mpj88]

I know I need to do a fluid change. Seems to be 3 main choices in my mind (all 4 discs and pads)

Stock (Pagid discs, bosch pads) - £220

Black diamond setup (drilled disks) - £470

BMW Performace discs and some stock ish pads - £600 ish

Theres a lot of difference price wise!

Edited October 29, 2013 by mpj88

[GuidoK]

Yes those are the ones, this is what I heard too. But are floating rotors really necessary for road use? and worth the extra £££.

It all depends on what you consider road use. For everyday commuter traffic stock discs and pads are fine. Maybe even better. You won't get less stopping distance with bigger/upgraded brakes. Stock brakes are more than capable to give stopping power/brake force that tyres start slipping.

But when I was in the alps last summer with a few other guys one guy couldn't keep up on the descent due to brake fading. But by then we were driving on a limit that would certainly get every girlfriend very sick (so we left them at home).

That guy had ebc redstuff on stock calipers and drilled discs (don't know what brand). No dusting from those pads but clearly not up to spec. (imho worse than stock bmw pads)

Drilled/slotted rotors and upgraded pads will give you more time until fading, and different pads may give you more bite feel in the brakes, but won't help in an emergency brake. MAybe on the autobahn where it is quite common to brake hard from 150mph to 50mph.

Floating rotors will stand up to more abusive use with repeated heat/cold cycles and are also must for multi pistons calipers

Stock setup doesn't mean that it has less technological expertise in them, just that they are the best compromise for everyday traffic.

Less dusting, less wear, less noise, less critical to cracking or warping (with the expected use!), and sufficient brake power for the motorway emergency stop.

If that's your use, the stock stuff is probably the best (bosch, pagid etc).

But do you need your 231hp for everyday driving?

As for cheap discs: all steel discs corrode very fast (expecially the bell area). Better brands/more expensive discs sometimes have better corrosion protection in that area.

For my rear brakes I adapted a set of X3 discs (dont ask..), for which I used one of the cheapest drilled ones I could find on ebay. But I cadmiumplated the center piece, because the unprotected/unused areas rust like hell.

BTW: the bmw performance disks are 147gbp/piece on ebay:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-Genuine-Drilled-Brake-Disc-Front-Right-E46-E85-E86-3-Series-Z4-34112282872-/171116797897

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-Genuine-Drilled-Brake-Disc-Front-Left-E46-E85-E86-3-Series-Z4-34112282871-/171010538943

You can use them with stock pads afaik.

Edited October 29, 2013 by GuidoK

[keano]

I got brembo discs and they warped very quickly and were changed under warranty - got my money back and went for oem. May have just been a dodgy set I suppose but a pita either way.

[mpj88]

But do you need your 231hp for everyday driving?

BTW: the bmw performance disks are 147gbp/piece on ebay:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-Genuine-Drilled-Brake-Disc-Front-Right-E46-E85-E86-3-Series-Z4-34112282872-/171116797897

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-Genuine-Drilled-Brake-Disc-Front-Left-E46-E85-E86-3-Series-Z4-34112282871-/171010538943

You can use them with stock pads afaik.

No but it does put a smile on my face everyday (and its 245bhp i'll have you know !)

Yeah I got a quote from a forum sponsor of £450 for all 4 discs. Might just be worth putting that to one side for a rainy day/quicker car!

[LeeMutz]

You'll be surprised at how much difference it makes having a brake fluid flush and change... Will be a huge difference as your fluid probably has a lot of moisture in it

[mpj88]

Yeah, i think i'll do that first! thanks for heads up.

[Jim27]

Pagid discs + bosch pads.

Clean up calipers/pistons and consider a refurb if they're manky (new dust and fluid seals).

Braided hoses.

Fresh brake fluid.

Unless you drive like a lunatic or go on track, that'll give you all the braking power you'll need.

[Fitz2282]

I changed to braided lines makes a massive difference, can't go wrong with them either, get a good set with stainless steel fittings and its nearly fit and forget, but every 2 years brake fluid change, but for looks can't beat a 2 piece disc !!! And a set of monster calipers

[mike661]

Iv got wilwood superlites on a 345x28mm brembo disk(solid unforutantly) with EBC yellow stuffs,ATE superblue fluid and braided lines all round. crazy stopping power over the OEM stuff!

kit was only £750 from dbpower. only downside is the disk as its a redrill off a merq ml model. under hard cornering i get a slight hum from them due to flex in the chassis and the caliper being solid unlike the OEM one which just flexed with the rest of the car.

how it looks on the car:

If you drive your car hard or plan on getting some more power its well worth it! i only got these after fitting nitrous, OEM felt WAY to under braked while on the spray!

[keano]

Those discs are vented not solid. Also the thrum you're getting could just be from the slots in the disc as I used to get the same with slotted discs. Kit looks nice though

[Rich_D]

As above, they are not solid discs and the noise is definitely the grooves

[mike661]

i mean solid as in one peice not floating drone under corrnering is more down to flex. drone under hard braking is indeed due to groved/slotted disks

[pirate1066]

ive had monster brakes in the real world there a pain,had rally cars that have no brakes unless you ride the pedal for 5 mins when you set off.a good set of grooved discs and maybe ebc greens will do you fine as for looks,braided stainless flexables will improve pedal feel,give your factory calipers an overhaul and paint with caliper paint of your choice ,be careful not to make her look like a steam engine,and before you fit the new rotors or discs degrease and mask up area that pad runs on and get some rotor paint from frosts etc and paint bell area this will last aslong as the disc does. cheap as chips.you can get your local garage to check your brake fluid to see if it needs changing but rule of thumb I belive is every 5 years on average. I don't know my way around an e46 just yet but ive had over 75 motors and restored more than id like to remember.