Best off the shelf brake setup

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NIX
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Post Thu Mar 06, 2014 9:29 am

Hi guys,

I have a 325i with standard 15" BBS and will be looking to upgrade my brakes when I finally get her back on the road.

What would you recommend is the best setup in terms of pads, discs, calipers (ideally a pack would be great) and possibly braided brake lines while I'm at it? The car has/will have a few performance tweaks so I'd like a little extra stopping power to cater for that.

I expect to have to shell out a few hundred quid but not looking to spend crazy money. Any suggestions??

Cheers,

Nick
Last edited by NIX on Thu Mar 06, 2014 10:31 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Brianmoooore
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Post Thu Mar 06, 2014 10:12 am

Breaded ham and breaded chicken, I've heard of, but never breaded break (or even, brake) lines.
Contact Keri-WMS on here fot uprated brakes, although the standard ones in full working order should be fine for most non track applications.
NIX
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Post Thu Mar 06, 2014 10:30 am

:o: I meant braided brake lines! Now I've seen it I need to edit it - must have had breakfast still on my mind!!

Thanks
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reggid
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Post Thu Mar 06, 2014 11:00 am

i would use new genuine lines they are actually very good.
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Fastroad
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Post Thu Mar 06, 2014 11:03 am

Brianmoooore wrote:Breaded ham and breaded chicken, I've heard of, but never breaded break (or even, brake) lines.
Contact Keri-WMS on here fot uprated brakes
I was wondering if FOT uprated brakes is something I may not have heard of before a˜a


Off the shelf brakes for 15" wheels, wilwoods are not a bad option.
NIX
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Post Thu Mar 06, 2014 1:29 pm

Thanks guys!
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Kedge
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Post Thu Mar 06, 2014 3:45 pm

If your budget is only a few hundred quid then I'd suggest a total overhaul of the standard system and them good quality discs and pads and possibly braided lines if you fancy. Upgrading callipers is expensive, £500 plus just for the fronts for off the shelf stuff, think Keri has prices listed in the traders section.
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NIX
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Post Thu Mar 06, 2014 3:59 pm

Lovely, thanks!
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Post Thu Mar 06, 2014 4:17 pm

I'm just figuring out a quote to reply to the email.....as the prices are out of date, I need to nail down the 2014 rates. :mad:
WMS E30 brake kits! (4-pot 280mm & 300mm front / 2-pot 290mm rear)

www.wms-brakes.co.uk / http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... c&t=209737
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Post Thu Mar 06, 2014 6:49 pm

For a few hundred pounds. I'd get new discs, pads, shoes along with a new seal kit, perhaps new pistons, and give the callipers an overhaul. Put some braided flexi lines in too.

I used Pagid last time which seemed good as far as my novice knowleadge could offer.
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Post Thu Mar 06, 2014 7:41 pm

I'm not a fan of Pagid stuff, breaking power seems fine but I've had two full sets on my Leon and the discs have worn out quicker than the back, been heavily pitted and the current set have warped inside 6 months and I'm far from a heavy breaker in the daily.
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Post Thu Mar 06, 2014 7:44 pm

pagid were bought out by euro car prats, thats enough to put me off.
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Brianmoooore
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Post Thu Mar 06, 2014 7:52 pm

Simon13 wrote:pagid were bought out by euro car prats, thats enough to put me off.
Where'd you get that from? Pagid is still part of TMD Friction AFAIK, which is a far bigger company than ECP. They do have some kind of arrangement with ECP though; offering a 25 month/25,000 mile warranty on discs and pads bought from ECP.
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Post Thu Mar 06, 2014 7:53 pm

Should that warranty cover warping then?
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Post Thu Mar 06, 2014 7:54 pm

Pagid is still one of TMD's brands along with Mintex and Textar.
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Post Thu Mar 06, 2014 7:59 pm

Kedge wrote:Should that warranty cover warping then?
No idea, since I've never had a problem with Pagid brake components, and I've used plenty. Even a set of genuine pads that I fitted to a BMW last year were Pagid in a BMW box.
Only complaint I have is that they do produce a fair bit of black dust.
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Post Thu Mar 06, 2014 8:01 pm

I bought a Hi spec kit for my m50 conversion and have no complains, not too expensive with braided lines pads etc.

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Post Thu Mar 06, 2014 8:36 pm

Brianmoooore wrote:
Simon13 wrote:pagid were bought out by euro car prats, thats enough to put me off.
Where'd you get that from? Pagid is still part of TMD Friction AFAIK, which is a far bigger company than ECP. They do have some kind of arrangement with ECP though; offering a 25 month/25,000 mile warranty on discs and pads bought from ECP.
rumour mill innit bruv
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reggid
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Post Thu Mar 06, 2014 8:43 pm

textar do the original front pads and jurid do the original rears.

new disks and "genuine" pads work very effectively. the thing lacking is the linearity and feel from the brakes not the stopping power
E30 325is with M20B31
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Post Thu Mar 06, 2014 8:48 pm

genuine bmw pads regardless of brand have always been very "dusty" as in black wheels after a weeks use. They must be of different compound slightly to some of the aftermarket? Bit more bite from cold perhaps
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Post Thu Mar 06, 2014 11:02 pm

Never had a problem with pagid either and have fitted lots.
http://www.bmrperformance.co.uk

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Post Fri Mar 07, 2014 8:36 am

keri-WMS wrote:I'm just figuring out a quote to reply to the email.....as the prices are out of date, I need to nail down the 2014 rates. :mad:
Thanks, look forward to hearing back from you.

Nick
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Post Fri Mar 07, 2014 10:35 am

Simon13 wrote:genuine bmw pads regardless of brand have always been very "dusty" as in black wheels after a weeks use. They must be of different compound slightly to some of the aftermarket? Bit more bite from cold perhaps
I've got ATE ones one mine. Good feel, good performance, minimal dust.
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reggid
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Post Fri Mar 07, 2014 11:58 am

Simon13 wrote:genuine bmw pads regardless of brand have always been very "dusty" as in black wheels after a weeks use. They must be of different compound slightly to some of the aftermarket? Bit more bite from cold perhaps
i like pads that work when cold, god invented pressure washers to get rid of the dust. noting ive tried works like genuine pads when cold. the OEM pads can easily lock the wheels so i dont see any need for "better" or should i say compromised compounds for street driving. the pedal feel is also nicest with new pads and discs allround
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Post Fri Mar 07, 2014 2:34 pm

Something I've noticed from dealing with E30s over the years is how many I come across with the discs worn way below the minimum thickness, and riddled with cracks.
Minimum is 20mm on the fronts, and its's not unusual to measure them at 17mm or so.