BMW Z3 (1.9) Brake Upgrades

[AUSDM]

Hi all!

I own a 97' Z3 with the M44 motor and I would like to upgrade the front brakes as the stock ones are fairly disappointing to say the least

I was wondering what upgrades I could do easily. I preferably only want to do something that is a bolt on option but I am open to ideas!

Cheers,

Harry

 

[IainP]

Check the calipers and sliders are working first, often they’re not.
If it’s still on the original hoses, I’d change them, and the fluid.
The 2.8 stuff is the same diameter but vented, bolts straight on.
300mm discs fit, just, under 16” wheels, same vented calipers, just different carriers.

I forget what off, some e46 with 300 mm discs. I got mine from the States with refurb’d calipers for cheap, £119 all in, springs to mind. Check eBay for those, I’ll try and find the link.
325mm discs will fit with 17” wheels, requires discs, carriers and calipers though. Not a clue from exactly which models.

iain

 

[AUSDM]

Check the calipers and sliders are working first, often they’re not.
If it’s still on the original hoses, I’d change them, and the fluid.
The 2.8 stuff is the same diameter but vented, bolts straight on.
300mm discs fit, just, under 16” wheels, same vented calipers, just different carriers.
View attachment 213115
I forget what off, some e46 with 300 mm discs. I got mine from the States with refurb’d calipers for cheap, £119 all in, springs to mind. Check eBay for those, I’ll try and find the link.
325mm discs will fit with 17” wheels, requires discs, carriers and calipers though. Not a clue from exactly which models.

iain

Excellent! Thank you for that info

I will purchase some new lines & do a fluid flush. Also I will try to located some E46 330i front brakes? I currently have staggered Style 66 wheels so fitment is no major worries

 

[motco]

I took my 2.2i Sport to a track day one freezing December day. I was supposed to be trailering my Westfield to the venue but what with the pre-Christmas traffic on the M4 and the single digit temperature I decided to drive the Z and be warm and dry.
The car behaved remarkably well with under/oversteer controlled by the throttle and general handling far better than the naysayers often regurgitate from unreliable sources. But... it was the brakes that were the Big Disappointment. They were powerful enough but even on a cold winter's day they overheated to the point that the pedal was on the floor within three or four laps and as it was my car to get home, I decided to retire for the day and drive my son's Z4M Coupé instead - much to his distress! The brakes on that car were better but still not proof against fade despite Dot 5.1 fluid and home made cooling ducts to the Bluestuff equipped calipers. The Z4M is now fitted with a big brake set-up and remains fully functioning even on a 35ºC day on an Australian track day in NSW. Road-going brakes are rarely up to the job of repeated hard braking from high speeds.

 

[t-tony]

If you‘re going to change the flexible brake hoses it makes sense to fit stainless steel braided ones. A set of 6 is around £75 and takes the same time to fit.
It will give a firmer pedal too.

Tony.

 

[NZ00Z3]

This Doc may help.

 

[Nodzed]

If its just for road use, on all 4 corners a full re-seal with pistons, clean the sliding points for the pads, new pins and rubbers, braided lines and a flush/ high performance race fluid, and if required new standard discs and pads and you will be amazed at the increase in performance.

 

[Ianmc]

The standard set up is fine for road use if well maintained.

 

[Andyboy]

I have a 318Ti with standard diameter vented discs and EBC yellow pads. I've never cooked the brakes on a track day in 14 years and it gets used pretty hard. Brake pads are the key.