Looking to buy this set...are they any good??

Post Thu Oct 29, 2009 9:35 am

Hi,
I am looking to upgrade my brakes with new discs and pads as i'm preparing my '90 325 for the track...
I have found this set on ebay and just wondered what you guys think please...do they look any good??

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... K:MEWAX:IT

The price is about what i would like to spend but wondered if any of you knew of any better before i buy...
Thanks in advance guys!!

Danny

Post Thu Oct 29, 2009 10:02 am

I would say standard BMW would be better..

Post Thu Oct 29, 2009 11:25 am

Would have to agree there - standard BMW discs are of the highest quality. Yes, they aren't grooved or drilled but they will take a lot more abuse than most aftermarket discs I've seen.
In any case, it's often said that drilled discs are prone to cracking..

Having said that though, I have used ATE PowerDiscs (from ECP) to good effect. Cheaper than gen BMW too.

Post Thu Oct 29, 2009 6:43 pm

danny_duke01 wrote:The price is about what i would like to spend but wondered if any of you knew of any better before i buy...
Thanks in advance guys!!
Danny

For not much more you could get reputable branded parts.
It's been said time and time again, that unless you're fitting larger wheels (allowing for the use of larger diameter discs) then the genuine BMW disc is the one to go for.

Post Thu Oct 29, 2009 6:44 pm

oldbimmer wrote:Having said that though, I have used ATE PowerDiscs (from ECP) to good effect. Cheaper than gen BMW too.

I've got them on my car at the moment, and am disappointed with them. They fade too easily.

Post Thu Oct 29, 2009 6:51 pm

N00b wrote:
oldbimmer wrote:Having said that though, I have used ATE PowerDiscs (from ECP) to good effect. Cheaper than gen BMW too.
I've got them on my car at the moment, and am disappointed with them. They fade too easily.

Oh dear, that's a shame.... I seem to remember you were asking about discs some months ago and decided on the powerdiscs.. What pads are you using? (what fluid too?) I've never had any fade with EBC Yellow/ Power Disc combo..

Post Thu Oct 29, 2009 7:03 pm

oldbimmer wrote:Oh dear, that's a shame.... I seem to remember you were asking about discs some months ago and decided on the powerdiscs.. What pads are you using? (what fluid too?) I've never had any fade with EBC Yellow/ Power Disc combo..

EBC yellows. The fluid was completely renewed but it's not fancy motorsport stuff. I should add that the only place I got them to fail was when on the 'ring, and I was spanking the ass off the car. Other than that they've been great and especially pretty damn quiet.
I'm a bit disappointed TBH mate, as I like to buy right first time.
The BMW parts were double the cost of the ATE's though

Post Thu Oct 29, 2009 8:04 pm

N00b wrote:
oldbimmer wrote:Oh dear, that's a shame.... I seem to remember you were asking about discs some months ago and decided on the powerdiscs.. What pads are you using? (what fluid too?) I've never had any fade with EBC Yellow/ Power Disc combo..
EBC yellows. The fluid was completely renewed but it's not fancy motorsport stuff. I should add that the only place I got them to fail was when on the 'ring, and I was spanking the ass off the car. Other than that they've been great and especially pretty damn quiet.
I'm a bit disappointed TBH mate, as I like to buy right first time.
The BMW parts were double the cost of the ATE's though

Did you bed them in carefully?? I spend at least 200 miles braking carefully before building up to maximum retardation.
I also use ATE Super Blue fluid.

I guess the only way to know for sure is to try something else next time. I know what you mean though when you say about buying things once. I hate making expensive mistakes but I guess we all do it from time to time.

Post Thu Oct 29, 2009 8:13 pm

Thanks for all the advice guys!!

I will leave well alone with the discs then at the mo...but i have just ordered some Mintex pads!!

Post Thu Oct 29, 2009 8:21 pm

Which variety of Mintex did you go for??

Post Thu Oct 29, 2009 8:35 pm

oldbimmer wrote:Which variety of Mintex did you go for??

Here is the link for the ones i've just bought on ebay...
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... K:MEWNX:IT

I hope they are ok??...i have a '90 325i SE

Post Fri Oct 30, 2009 12:58 pm

They are OEM replacement might as well have popped to your local dealer...

Post Fri Oct 30, 2009 6:09 pm

oldbimmer wrote:
N00b wrote:
oldbimmer wrote:Oh dear, that's a shame.... I seem to remember you were asking about discs some months ago and decided on the powerdiscs.. What pads are you using? (what fluid too?) I've never had any fade with EBC Yellow/ Power Disc combo..
EBC yellows. The fluid was completely renewed but it's not fancy motorsport stuff. I should add that the only place I got them to fail was when on the 'ring, and I was spanking the ass off the car. Other than that they've been great and especially pretty damn quiet.
I'm a bit disappointed TBH mate, as I like to buy right first time.
The BMW parts were double the cost of the ATE's though
Did you bed them in carefully?? I spend at least 200 miles braking carefully before building up to maximum retardation.
I also use ATE Super Blue fluid.

I guess the only way to know for sure is to try something else next time. I know what you mean though when you say about buying things once. I hate making expensive mistakes but I guess we all do it from time to time.

I think I'll fit a more effective ducting solution and see if the extra airflow stops fade from rearing its ugly head.

Post Sat Oct 31, 2009 5:10 am

Drilled rotors = RUN AWAY!!!!

Post Sat Oct 31, 2009 10:24 am

There's a lot to be said to using cheaper discs as a disposable item and running a really good high friction set of pads. Yes your going to warp them but then again it's better than buying OE BMW ones and warping them after a couple or three track days.

This is assuming that the OE BMW discs are silly money. Then go with the man Johnno

Post Sat Oct 31, 2009 11:35 am

danny_duke01 wrote:
oldbimmer wrote:Which variety of Mintex did you go for??
Here is the link for the ones i've just bought on ebay...
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... K:MEWNX:IT

I hope they are ok??...i have a '90 325i SE

I think you might need something a little more heavy duty for track use. For the road however, they'll be fine..

Post Sat Oct 31, 2009 12:10 pm

MarkT wrote:There's a lot to be said to using cheaper discs as a disposable item and running a really good high friction set of pads. Yes your going to warp them but then again it's better than buying OE BMW ones and warping them after a couple or three track days.

If bedded in properly, discs don't warp unless they've been fitted incorrectly or there's a manufacturing defect present.

MarkT wrote:This is assuming that the OE BMW discs are silly money. Then go with the man Johnno

I "think" a genuine pair of discs is a few quid short of £100.

Post Sat Oct 31, 2009 2:18 pm

No where near £100 notes the last time I bought some.

For prices ask in the genuine parts section on here for a quote as you'll get a small discount from list price too.

Post Sat Oct 31, 2009 2:44 pm

billgatese30 wrote:No where near £100 notes the last time I bought some.

For prices ask in the genuine parts section on here for a quote as you'll get a small discount from list price too.

Looks like it's a little more than I thought, approx £125/pair.

Post Sat Oct 31, 2009 7:01 pm

Thanks for all the advice guys...well as i bought the Mintex pads,i have since won a set of Mintex discs (brand new boxed) on ebay for £28...cost the seller £130 new,so thought that was a good bargain!!