Brake Caliper info' please.

Post Thu Jan 02, 2014 2:18 pm

I've just received a L/H brake caliper from a well know supplier. It is not the correct one so I called the supplier to explain this. My E30 325 Cab' was built in 1989 but registered in 1990. The suppliers defence was that I'd ordered a 1989 caliper & that they had supplied the correct part; but my car was registered in 1990. I explained that the car's braking system is fitted at manufacture not registration. He countered the 89 model could have been manufactured to 90 spec'; fair point if correct! Does anyone know if BMW changed brake caliper spec' in this period? The caliper has FORD etched on it & is a hefty piece of kit; but I know ATE make calipers to fit a range of cars. Also the supplier advertised the unit as NEW but it came through as a remanufactured PAGID part so it's going back anyway. Thanks for any advice/info' John

Post Thu Jan 02, 2014 4:11 pm

jmec wrote:Does anyone know if BMW changed brake caliper spec' in this period?

No

jmec wrote:The caliper has FORD etched on it

There is your problem...

Post Thu Jan 02, 2014 4:25 pm

You do get two different types of front caliper for E30's. The ATE style with socket head bolts, or the Girling style with 13mm bolts.

However, as above, the fact it has ford stamped on it is probably an issue.

Post Thu Jan 02, 2014 8:35 pm

capnmchl wrote:You do get two different types of front caliper for E30's. The ATE style with socket head bolts, or the Girling style with 13mm bolts.

However, as above, the fact it has ford stamped on it is probably an issue.

All of this.

You could as a side note get the ate or girling caliper carriers to match but that's not your issue as said.whichever calipers you havr girling or ate isn't 100 dependant on model year I've seen it said here there are bo strict rules

Post Fri Jan 03, 2014 5:41 pm

Thanks for replies. I'm pretty sure there wasn't a caliper change 1989/90 & the supplier was waffling, back pedaling & bloody arguing; not even an apology for trying to palm off a old recon as new! FYI the ad on EBay was for a 'new' ATE caliper from Car Parts 4 Less for £73:40. As the saying goes if something looks too good to be true it probabaly is! What was delivered was a Pagid 'remanufactured' unit with Ford stamped on it. Arrrrrh!