Upgrading 320i brakes to 325i

Post Wed Nov 18, 2009 8:26 am

I know very little about it...

Is it hard? I have found a set of disks on Ebay which I need to be told if they are tak or alright...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BMW-3-SERIES-E30- ... 2343wt_732

What else will I be needing to upgrade my brakes all round? Money is an issue... So no top end stuff for me just yet. Just want better braking...

Also, will the above link even fit my model? Its a 320i Auto 2Dr on a D plate.

Post Wed Nov 18, 2009 8:33 am

The braking system on a 320 is the same as a 325, so it's not an upgrade! I doubt you'd notice improved braking by fitting drilled/grooved discs tbh.

Post Wed Nov 18, 2009 9:34 am

Drilled/grooved discs will not 'upgrade' your brakes in the slightest, and drilled, rather than cast in holes, are a starting point for cracks!

Post Wed Nov 18, 2009 2:48 pm

datourer wrote:The braking system on a 320 is the same as a 325, so it's not an upgrade! I doubt you'd notice improved braking by fitting drilled/grooved discs tbh.

Front brakes are the same.

Rear brakes are discs on the 325i and drums on the 320.

Best upgrade is just some good OE quality discs and uprated pads and maybe braided lines and 25mm MC if you really feel the need to improve the pedal feel etc.

Post Wed Nov 18, 2009 2:55 pm

theres lots of haters about this product! there dangerous, no difference ect!
but when i was looking at replacing my brakes i found them to be cheaper than oe items, so i brought them, have done 20000 miles this year and the havent cracked!!!
they seem to reduce brake fade(larger surface area) and i dont seem to get glazed pad like most road cars!
i would advise a change in pads, either ebc green or red stuff! (i run red) these will out live a oe pad, give better braking and seem to be cheaper again!

i would advise upgrading to rear discs though unless youve already got a touring or convertable then it will already have them!

Post Wed Nov 18, 2009 7:50 pm

Older high performance brake pad material tended to give off gases when heated. The purpose of the grooves and holes was to allow these gasses to escape, so that they didn't do a hovercraft act between the pad surface and the disc.
No road pad and almost no competition pad, even 'proper' competition stuff, rather than the boy racer stuff, gives off gases these days, so the grooved/drilled stuff no longer has a purpose.

Post Wed Nov 18, 2009 8:40 pm

It just looks fast! As usual Brian is spot on

Post Wed Nov 18, 2009 9:31 pm

Drilled and groved discs, 60mm drop with 17" Alpinas.... innit

Post Thu Nov 19, 2009 12:57 am

Thanks for all the replies... I think I might upgrade the rear from Drum to disc but as most of you have said I won't feel much different. Its not a major thing I ned to be doing and I can think of loads of other things I could be tinkering around with so I might just keep my eyes open for something cheap to come along to 'upgrade' too.