Some braking advise

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ade36
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Wed Oct 26, 2011 8:20 am

Looking at improving the braking on my 318 from 'hang on and hope you coast to a hault before you hit the object in front' to actually working.

It's a 318i Lux so there's drums on the rear.

My plan was to convert the rears to discs and run standard discs and pads there, then uprate the front with aftermarket discs and pads and bleed the lot with new fluids.

Is it worth swapping the fronts with those off a 325 or have most models got the same disc/caliper combo up front?
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redcar
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Wed Oct 26, 2011 8:38 am

Front 325i discs are vented so are different, as are the calipers
ade36
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Wed Oct 26, 2011 8:44 am

Do they use the same carriers and are they the same diameter?
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Motorhole
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Wed Oct 26, 2011 8:50 am

Carriers are different too but discs are same diameter. The calipers for vented discs are wider, vented discs won't fit in the gap between the carrier and caliper for solid discs.

I think I have a decent set of calipers somwhere..... :cool:
ade36
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Wed Oct 26, 2011 8:54 am

Other than the cooling benefits of the vented discs is there much to be gained? Is it worth swapping I guess is my question?
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redcar
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Wed Oct 26, 2011 9:07 am

Of course
Vented makes a massive difference mate

It's easy to swap the fronts
Get braided line while Ur at it, and try to look for refurbished callipers
cypriot_boy_2k7
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Wed Oct 26, 2011 10:00 am

So all you will need are the calipers, disks and pads or will you need to change the front end
Motorhole
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Wed Oct 26, 2011 12:24 pm

Yep, all you need are calipers, discs and pads!
ade36
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Wed Oct 26, 2011 12:26 pm

Motorhole wrote:Yep, all you need are calipers, discs and pads!
...and carriers
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redcar
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Wed Oct 26, 2011 5:22 pm

front:
calipers, carriers, discs and pads

rear:
brand new handbrake cable for disc brake rears
whole trailing arms with everything on them
Motorhole
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Wed Oct 26, 2011 5:33 pm

Be advised changing trailing arms and handbrake cables isn't a pleasant job winkeye
mrb27
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Wed Oct 26, 2011 7:56 pm

id do the trailing arm bushes too while i was there..
ade36
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Wed Oct 26, 2011 9:03 pm

Yeah, bushes would be a no brainer once the arms were off. Just need to keep an ear to the ground for some rear arms... At the right price!
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chaz_316
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Wed Oct 26, 2011 10:59 pm

so you can do run 325 breaks on a 316/318? even tho there on the smaller struts?
Barx325i
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Wed Oct 26, 2011 11:13 pm

ade36 wrote:Looking at improving the braking on my 318 from 'hang on and hope you coast to a hault before you hit the object in front' to actually working.
fluid, pads & discs - maybe a cautionary overhaul of the servo etc.. :?
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