Brake calipers - refurb or replace?

[Eddie Zedder]

Morning Zedders . My Z3 is suffering from the common problem of a sticky front right brake caliper. As it is currently on a SORN I thought it would be the ideal opportunity to refurb the brakes.

Looking at the options available on fleabay I have the choice of buying a refurb kit like this Frentec one for £30

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/332254729481

Or buying a pair of supposedly 'new' calipers for £41 like these

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/362197053026

Assuming that my calipers are in a good enough condition to be refurbished, which would you choose?

Suggestions of alternatives are welcome!

 

[Nodzed]

Having done it both ways on the M I would refurb on a cost basis, the M calipers are darn expensive. But for that amount of price difference I would get the new ones personally.​

 

[Eddie Zedder]

Having done it both ways on the M I would refurb on a cost basis, the M calipers are darn expensive. But for that amount of price difference I would get the new ones personally.​

Thanks for your input Nod. Just worried about the quality of either as there seems to be a lot of parts of Chinese origin around at the moment.

 

[Nodzed]

as there seems to be a lot of parts of Chinese origin around at the moment.

If in doubt get a refurb kit from a reputable company.

 

[Delk]

I just refurbished some 330 fronts and 328 rears. Took a lot of time and work but came out well.

Knocked most of the rust off then soaked them in rust remover for the final cleaning. They came up really well for painting. Piston and seal kits were easy to install and they are working great.

 

[Ianmc]

I have OEM marked callipers (original as far as I can tell). They appear to have lasted 23 years without issue. Think I will go the refurbish route when the time comes.

 

[t-tony]

Before doing either Bryan make sure the bleed screws will loosen. Front callipers I would replace as theyre not expensive and as such easier to paint (if you want to of course). Rear ones definitely fit new pistons and seal kits (rears are silly money).

Tony

 

[buze]

I also did refurb last year, it took a lot of time indeed, if you have any chance of having them sandblasted, that's DEFINITELY worth all the money in the world really, as cleaning them was the longest part. The painting and refurbing the pistons etc was a doodle in comparison.
If you go for a refurb, also consider an upgrade to the larger discs!

 

[Fender2004]

I would remove the callipers and see the condition of the piston etc, if in good condition then refurbish, if not replace. As said above check the bleed screw is ok too.

 

[Delk]

The rebuild kits come with everything including pistons, seals, bleed screws and grease.

Bleed screws are the biggest problem. Be careful and make sure they come out. There are options if they break off but none of them great. All the pistons just went into the bin since the kits have everything. The calipers were used so I didn't know the history of them and it wasn't worth the question.

When I did mine the most cost was related to my own time cleaning and painting them. I dont pay myself much so considered it worth rebuilding them myself. The kits were only about 15 pounds a corner from onlinecarparts.com.

I was upgrading to 330 fronts and bigger rears. Picked up the calipers and carriers used over time when I found what I wanted at the right price. New discs and pads all around and everything is working great.

 

[petecossie]

There is a company called Bigg Red who do all things to do with brakes including I believe exchange of calipers. No idea on price but a few owners in the past have used them on Z3MC Forum & M3 Cutters. Not used them myself but might be worth looking at there website.

 

[IainP]

I'll second www.biggred.co.uk used them for years for all sorts of cars. Very helpful too.
I'd fit stainless bleed nipples too if it were me.

 

[Eddie Zedder]

Thanks all for the sound advice . Hopefully I will get the wheels whipped off for a closer look this weekend.

 

[mrscalex]

I honestly wouldn’t consider fitting new calipers that only cost £20 each. It’s not worth the risk.

 

[t-tony]

Can’t see the problem fitting callipers for £40 a pair, the trade fit them all the time and don’t be surprised if you find BMW dealers use them on used car offered for sale.

Tony.

 

[mrscalex]

Can’t see the problem fitting callipers for £40 a pair, the trade fit them all the time and don’t be surprised if you find BMW dealers use them on used car offered for sale.

Tony.

Not for me thanks Tony. I wouldn't fit cheap unbranded pads or tyres to my car so for me it's just as critical to use trusted calipers.

I know Peugeot/Citroen use their own in-house budget brand for cars over 3 years old. But I'm not aware that BMW do.

 

[Johnwindwood]

I weighed up cheap replacements Vs refurbishing and in the end bought the kits and did them myself. Very easy to do. The main dust boots are a bit of a pig until you get the knack....
Soak the bleedscrews in plusgas for a few days before trying to remove them (Had to use mole grips on mine as they had corroded badly, but all came out)
Don't disconnect the flexi hose until you use the brake pedal to push the old piston out-it is by FAR the easiest method to remove pistons.

 

[mrscalex]

The easy way is to hang the seal off the inside end of the piston, seat the seal into the caliper groove while still attached to the piston and then push the piston in.

 

[Johnwindwood]

The easy way is to hang the seal off the inside end of the piston, seat the seal into the caliper groove while still attached to the piston and then push the piston in.

Exactly this!