Is there a difference between front caliper?

Post Mon May 27, 2013 8:30 pm

Will any e30 front calipers fit my iS? Or are there specific ones?

Many thanks

Post Mon May 27, 2013 8:32 pm

IS has vented discs and wider calipers as standard.

Any from a 6 pot, cabby or touring will fit.

Post Mon May 27, 2013 8:34 pm

Weren't the earlier calipers different?

Post Mon May 27, 2013 8:34 pm

There are two makes of caliper used on E30s. Each is as good as the other, but they have to be used with their matching caliper mounting bracket.

Post Mon May 27, 2013 9:03 pm

ATE and girling/lucas are the different types used.

If you have to use allan keys to take the caliper off, then it's an ATE. If you use a 13mm spanner, it'll be a girling/lucas.

Sanchez is right, except 2 litre saloons used non vented calipers.

Post Mon May 27, 2013 10:14 pm

My facelift 320ise 2 door saloon had vented disc

Post Tue May 28, 2013 8:30 am

capnmchl wrote:ATE and girling/lucas are the different types used.

If you have to use allan keys to take the caliper off, then it's an ATE. If you use a 13mm spanner, it'll be a girling/lucas.

Sanchez is right, except 2 litre saloons used non vented calipers.

And there was me thinking that it was just base model 316/316i that had solid front discs!

Post Tue May 28, 2013 3:09 pm

Can you swap brackets betwen the calipers then?

Post Tue May 28, 2013 3:16 pm

Pal318is wrote:Can you swap brackets betwen the calipers then?

Of course you can.

Just two bolts on the rear of the hub.
Do make sure that on replacement that they are torqued up correctly.

Post Tue May 28, 2013 3:24 pm

daimlerman wrote:
Pal318is wrote:Can you swap brackets betwen the calipers then?
Of course you can.

Just two bolts on the rear of the hub.
Do make sure that on replacement that they are torqued up correctly.

Cheers bud

I'll use my existing bracket as its my caliper that is fooked, seal has gone on the piston

Post Tue May 28, 2013 7:05 pm

You've misinterpreted what "Duckman" Malcolm was trying to say. If you are retaining your old caliper bracket, then you will need a replacement caliper of the same make as your old one. If you get one of the other make, you will need the mounting bracket as well.

Post Tue May 28, 2013 7:30 pm

gromgsxr wrote:My facelift 320ise 2 door saloon had vented disc

It's a bit hit and miss afaik.

Post Tue May 28, 2013 7:52 pm

If you look at the ETK for European 2.0 saloons, specifying neither transmission, steering wheel position nor age, and look under brakes, you will see that the only disc listed is a ventilated one.

Post Tue May 28, 2013 8:06 pm

Brianmoooore wrote:You've misinterpreted what "Duckman" Malcolm was trying to say. If you are retaining your old caliper bracket, then you will need a replacement caliper of the same make as your old one. If you get one of the other make, you will need the mounting bracket as well.

Thanks Brian. I'll try to get the same brand caliper in that case. That should do the job, with my existing bracket.

Many thanks