Any point in bigger brakes?

Sun May 13, 2012 3:00 pm

Was on the a3 gunning it one time! When some pleb in a focus comes from the other side and does a u turn and stalls in front of me!!!

I basically thought wtf and in panic locked up the wheels I eased off and reapplied after a few yards but still smoked the tyres etc...

Just wondering apart from brake fade on the track which I ain't gonna take my car on to is there any point in fitting bigger callipers and pads if all the wheels do
Is lock up?

Also what are the best tyres you lot are running, I had some michelins on before which helped grip and when I locked it once Before currently got some marangonis which feel like shit!

Are there any aftermarket abs systems That can be installed? Apart from the standard one channel e30 as well,

Might look into fitting an abs system for these fucked up moments i try and tap the brakes esp in the wet and ease it but it locks up at times u just can't help it!... Can an e36 one be fitted?

Sun May 13, 2012 3:08 pm

If you're locking up, you already have all the braking effort you need. You want to look at tyres and technique. If you are serious about fitting ABS you'll have a lot of work but the standard E30 system works fine.

Sun May 13, 2012 3:18 pm

bmw9818 wrote: Before currently got some marangonis which feel like shit!

This is where your problems lie, not in the brakes. Practising cadence braking might be a good idea as well.

Are there any aftermarket abs systems That can be installed? Apart from the standard one channel e30 as well,

Standard E30 is three channel, and IMO, works as well as any more modern system.

Sun May 13, 2012 4:00 pm

I've had e30's with and without abs over the years and whilst abs is handy the standard system was more than sufficient.

Sun May 13, 2012 9:46 pm

aimlessrock wrote:the standard system was more than sufficient.

Until you have to brake and steer at the same time, or have to do an emergency stop with the tyres on one side on gravel!

Sun May 13, 2012 10:47 pm

Better tyre= better grip and less drama/shorter stopping distace

Thu May 17, 2012 6:13 pm

bmw9818 wrote:
Just wondering apart from brake fade on the track which I ain't gonna take my car on to is there any point in fitting bigger callipers and pads if all the wheels do is lock up?

Larger diameter disks on there own allow the car to slow down further before you get "pad grab" I.E the wheels locking up.

Larger calipers with pads that have a larger surface area will slow you down quicker

Larger diameter disks + caliper and pad upgrades do have a positive effect on stopping distances.
You could retrofit stock E30 ABS which,combined with a disk and caliper upgrade can provide a considerable increase in braking ability. Swapping to Michelin/Yokohama or other decent tyre would also help.

Couple of pics of my system with E30 M3 master cylinder. The can now has exceptional braking comparable to more modern supercars.

Front setup-332x32 disks + 6 pot calipers with hard compound pads

Rear setup(RHS caliper fitted during template mock up) 310x32 disks with 4 pots and EBC reds.
Pics don't show seperate handbrake caliper in situ

Wed May 23, 2012 9:22 pm

If you never get the brakes hot, and the wheels lock easily, then the case for bigger discs is limited. What you want for emergency stops is:

1 - Better tyres (summer tyres in the rain are not great and vise versa). Wider tires will help as well, but mainly in the dry.
2 - E30 standard ABS system fitted.
3 - Check your shocks are good! (Has an effect on grip)

That said, it's worth noting that 4-pot calipers do give the driver better feedback, and might help you feel the traction limit better (with or without ABS).