BMW Performance 6 Piston Big Brake Kits by ECS Tuning

[mimalmo]

Looks like they made a custom bracket so that our cars can now use the Performance Calipers from the E9x, E82 & E88. Looks to be an excellent value to me.

http://www.ecstuning.com/ES2215444/?utm_source=emailcampaign&utm_medium=marketing&utm_content=retail&utm_campaign=ES2215444


http://c1552172.r72.cf0.rackcdn.com/186067_x600.jpg

[danewilson77]

What do you do for the rear though?

[danewilson77]

Looks like they made a custom bracket so that our cars can now use the Performance Calipers from the E9x, E82 & E88. Looks to be an excellent value to me.

http://www.ecstuning.com/ES2215444/?utm_source=emailcampaign&utm_medium=marketing&utm_content=retail&utm_campaign=ES2215444


http://c1552172.r72.cf0.rackcdn.com/186067_x600.jpg

This.

http://i1135.photobucket.com/albums/m635/danewilson77ZHP/185159_x600.jpg

[mimalmo]

What do you do for the rear though?

Most guys start by doing the fronts first and either do the rears later (or never do the rears). It might also be worth contacting ECS to see if there is a way to make these work on the rear.

[wsmeyer]

The BMW Performance drilled rears are still available:

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/Bmw_Performance/ES2137046/

They used to be $129/pr but are back up to $483

BBK is AWESOME though... and a really good price.

William.

[danewilson77]

Most guys start by doing the fronts first and either do the rears later (or never do the rears). It might also be worth contacting ECS to see if there is a way to make these work on the rear.

That's what I figured. Thanks Eli. I will ask Joe about rears.

[Hornung418]

M3 driveline with these up front...:drool

[danewilson77]

I couldn't live with just the fronts...and do nothing with the rears.

[Hornung418]

That was for me, good sir ;) I'm craving an LSD so hard.

[mimalmo]

That's what I figured. Thanks Eli. I will ask Joe about rears.

Let us know what he says.

[danewilson77]

Let us know what he says.

Of course brutha!

[Newjack]

Just out of curiosity, how long would a kit like this last?

[danewilson77]

Just out of curiosity, how long would a kit like this last?

Life of vehicle.

HTC Thunderbolt+TT

[Newjack]

Life of vehicle.

HTC Thunderbolt+TT


I can't tell if your serious or not.

[danewilson77]

I can't tell if your serious or not.

Yeah....the caliper's (BBK) should last life of vehicle. Rotors will be good for at least 100k miles, pads....maybe 100k miles. Rotor and pad life is going to be very dependant on how you drive though. Brake lines will be good for life of vehicle.

[Newjack]

Yeah....the caliper's (BBK) should last life of vehicle. Rotors will be good for at least 100k miles, pads....maybe 100k miles. Rotor and pad life is going to be very dependant on how you drive though. Brake lines will be good for life of vehicle.

OK ok that makes sense. I was trying to figure out how the whole kit would last 10+ years. What kind of sorcery is this?!

[danewilson77]

OK ok that makes sense. I was trying to figure out how the whole kit would last 10+ years. What kind of sorcery is this?!

LOL.....yeah....pads and rotors (again depending on brand and useage) go about 100kmiles....maybe moar. Heck...I think Ray (Smilez) has 340,000 miles on his setup.

[bullfrogs_M3]

This.

http://i1135.photobucket.com/albums/m635/danewilson77ZHP/185159_x600.jpg

What is this?

I think if I were to do this (wonder if I can clear up funds for this BBK), I would probably go ahead with the full M3 rear end so I could run the M3 competition rotors/calipers.

[mimalmo]

What is this?

That's the adaptor that allows these calipers to work with the E46. They were originally designed for the E9x.

[06ZhP]

Looks like they made a custom bracket so that our cars can now use the Performance Calipers from the E9x, E82 & E88. Looks to be an excellent value to me.

http://www.ecstuning.com/ES2215444/?utm_source=emailcampaign&utm_medium=marketing&utm_content=retail&utm_campaign=ES2215444


http://c1552172.r72.cf0.rackcdn.com/186067_x600.jpg

:drool

[bullfrogs_M3]

That's the adaptor that allows these calipers to work with the E46. They were originally designed for the E9x.

haaa its funny because I was totally drooling over the calipers and rotors and didn't even notice the brackets lol

thanks for the info Eli

[danewilson77]

That's the adaptor that allows these calipers to work with the E46. They were originally designed for the E9x.

Looks fairly well made. Kinda surprised the E9x guys didn't jump all over these.

I did find out from Joe that this is a very limited quantity.

Ima go work the corner tomorrow for some fundage.

[Mtnman]

oh. do it dane. look great behind those slick bbs.....

[danewilson77]

I just want the calipers and brackets. I don't need the other stuff.

[Newjack]

Looks fairly well made. Kinda surprised the E9x guys didn't jump all over these.

I did find out from Joe that this is a very limited quantity.

Ima go work the corner tomorrow for some fundage.


Get em' :danehappy

[derbo]

I maybe the first guy to get these on the boards. ;)


I ordered them already. They are on the way. They are BMW performance rotors for the 330i. (no size difference from the OEM rotors but they are floating rotors. Still a 325x25mm Rotor). The calipers are same as 135i front calipers but painted yellow and made by Brembo. The pads that are included are OEM 135i brake pads. :) I will be ordering some carbotech track pads for the calipers for my next track day next month.

I'm excited to install these badboys!

[Mtnman]

In for pics,, install writeups, and reviews. Subscribed.

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[derbo]

you going to have to wait till next week :P

[Au2bahn]

Same here.



I just want the calipers and brackets. I don't need the other stuff.

[Au2bahn]

Hmmmmm...........I ordered this kit today to add to the sunk cost item in the garage and my BMW performance rotors are brand new. :-(. Only 1k miles.

The BMW Performance rotors are already awesome with the HPS pads. Im a sucker for BMW Performance stuff. :-/

My BMW Performance front floating rotors will soon be available if your guys know anyone who would be interested.

I will sell as a package consisting of my existing used rotors, HPS pads and brand new braided lines OR Brand new rotors, HPS pads and brand new braided lines, depending on the offers I get.

[az3579]

OEM 135i pads? Nice. Should make ordering pads a lot easier then.

[Au2bahn]

I also verified that HPS pads are available for this caliper.


OEM 135i pads? Nice. Should make ordering pads a lot easier then.

[derbo]

Hmmmmm...........I ordered this kit today to add to the sunk cost item in the garage and my BMW performance rotors are brand new. :-(. Only 1k miles.

The BMW Performance rotors are already awesome with the HPS pads. Im a sucker for BMW Performance stuff. :-/

My BMW Performance front floating rotors will soon be available if your guys know anyone who would be interested.

I will sell as a package consisting of my existing used rotors, HPS pads and brand new braided lines OR Brand new rotors, HPS pads and brand new braided lines, depending on the offers I get.

You do know the rotors you have, are the exact same ones included in the kit?

I ordered Carbotech XP10 pads for the 135i front. :))) Im excited to try this out on the track. Gotta bed them them in and then give it a go!

[Au2bahn]

Yes I do know that

[Hermes]

Any news on what to do with the rears? Is there another bracket to make them work for us

Smaller caliper rears, (?) piston, can't tell w/BBS
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/9-18-11/DSC_9647.jpg

[az3579]

Any news on what to do with the rears? Is there another bracket to make them work for us

Smaller caliper rears, (?) piston, can't tell w/BBS
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/9-18-11/DSC_9647.jpg

Looks like a 1/2 piston, which isn't really all that much of an improvement if it's a 1. The kit doesn't change brake bias enough for it to warrant a special rear caliper.

[Hermes]

For looks (matching brakes) at least.

Other idea... Is there a way to mount the 6 piston ones on the rears?

[derbo]

For looks (matching brakes) at least.

Other idea... Is there a way to mount the 6 piston ones on the rears?

The rear is a 2piston caliper where the mounting bracket is part of the caliper housing. this makes it a little more difficult to fabricat a custom bracket to install onto the rear.


The 6 piston caliper on the rear would definitely upset the brake bias and you might have problems locking up the rears before the front...

[Chad44]

The rears do not fit, not even close... I have a set and did a test fitting last week... not chance without major major modification. Just go with a slightly more aggressive pad in the rear.
Dane~~ Talk to me about these brakes, I am working on modifying the stock 135 bracket to fit correctly on the e46. Al the holes line up, but the bracket needs to be shaved to account for the 325mm diameter of the e46 rotor vs. the 238mm of the 135. (I also tried to fit the 135 rotors, but the hat and rotor surface is about 20mm different offset from the e46)

I picked up front and rear set of 135 calipers for $200 needing rebuild, $363.36 for the stop tech rebuild parts, and a modified bracket from me and you'll have big brakes!

[Chad44]

Here's a picture of the test fit I did last week. This is pre-bracket modification. I was especially excited that my 17" winter rims fit over them with no spacers!


https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-FrKRu_FFcKs/T0nhhw7bSGI/AAAAAAAADwA/vIRuq-Abs64/s640/IMG_0655.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-pOzB_ix9fQc/T0nhgDuL-rI/AAAAAAAADvc/CEOb-pTVGZk/s640/IMG_0650.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-oN0QmSXxRws/T0nheI76laI/AAAAAAAADug/Uizmg9Jxl7A/s640/IMG_0643.JPG

[derbo]

The caliper definitely needs to sit in more since its not touching all of the rotor on the inner side. that means the pad is sticking out significantly on the outside edge.


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[Mtnman]

And Chad, I think the rotors are flipped. At least with mine (bmw perf) the drilled holes are in the opposite pattern. just fyi. I really like the 135's calipers on the car. I prefer the silver to the Yellow. Good Luck!

[Chad44]

That was a dry fitting with no pad... It only needs to shift about 5mm once the pad is in there. When i have more time I will install it again with pads and get my final measurements. Maybe even today since it looks so nice outside!


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[Chad44]

Mtnman- those are not the performance rotors, just some aftermarket stuff that was on the car when I bought it. Next paycheck I'm ordering hawk HPS N compound pads, and the performance rotors


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[Mtnman]

Cool. As for your next purchase.... :thumbsup

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[Chad44]

And Chad, I think the rotors are flipped. At least with mine (bmw perf) the drilled holes are in the opposite pattern. just fyi. I really like the 135's calipers on the car. I prefer the silver to the Yellow. Good Luck!

Also, i jut looked at the photos... On mine, the holes are along the cooling veins, so wih the forward movement of the pads, the hole pattern moves past the pad from the inside towards the outside, moving the heat and gasses out from the center of the rotor. So mine are installed correctly, the perf rotors may be cast in a different design, or yours could be backwards! And just for clarification- this is also the left side caliper on the right side of the car...


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[Mtnman]

Chad,
My veins are the same, but I was under the impression the veins actually took air and forced it into the center of the rotor. Pretty sure mine are installed correctly, although the first time i saw it I thought they were on wrong. Mercedes AMG rotors are the same way. Pretty sure we discussed this somewhere before. Hold. ok. See post 26 here (http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?256-BMW-330-ZHP-Comp-Brake-rotors.....Dhu-eeeeet!!!!-Now!!!/page3). Dane's BMW perf rotor installed.

[zj96sc]

Zeckhausen's opinion on the subject:

http://www.zeckhausen.com/how_to_properly_install_rotors.htm

[kayger12]

^Great info.

[Mtnman]

Good read, that goes against what I read when I installed my Rotors. Dont have time to find it right now, as little man is going crazy. Cant wait for Dane to chime in on this, as he and I are installed the same way, and obviously read the same material.

[zhpnsnv]

Had a terrible time with slotted rotors, and I've seen too many drilled rotors obliterated on the track, so I stick with blanks. The slots would build up the crap during normal street driving which led to pulsations which wouldn't go away until I could do the rebedding process or get back to the track. No fun.

Actually there was a fellow on this site a few months ago looking to get rid of the same pulsations. Rebedding works for a few days.

I've had rotors installed incorrectly before -- the main point is expelling the heat, so they should be installed commensurately.

[Mtnman]

Please forgive my threadjack. I just looked at pics of my own car and realize mine are installed in the correct manner. Dont know what I was thinking. My car is not in the driveway, so I could not go verify. All info above is correct, and I need more coffee (and, apparently, a lobotomy.)

:facepalm

[zhpnsnv]

It's all good - you're not damaging anything.

[bimmeryota]

I saw that the test fit of the winter 17s worked but will it work for stock 330 17s (style 68)? Those are what I'm using for track and autocross duty as well as a spare...

[Chad44]

I saw that the test fit of the winter 17s worked but will it work for stock 330 17s (style 68)? Those are what I'm using for track and autocross duty as well as a spare...

When I do my next fitting, ill try to remember to test fit a pair of m68s from my mothers 330cic.. It's stored for the winter so shouldn't be a problem. I also have a set of style 44s that are my wife's summer wheels that I can pull out of storage.
My understanding (from Botond and Charlie) is that the 135s require spacers to clear the spokes.

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[Chad44]

Had a terrible time with slotted rotors, and I've seen too many drilled rotors obliterated on the track, so I stick with blanks.

do you have any information on what kind of rotors? I understand that drilled rotors are a bad idea for the track, but the oem motorsport rotors are not drilled, they are cast with the holes in them, meaning that the grain of the metal is not compromised. I could come out of this a hell of a lot cheaper if I go with $150 blanks instead of $415 for motorsport rotors... I do LOVE the look of the drilled rotors, however I always put performance above aesthetics.

[zhpnsnv]

The slotted rotors I kept going through came with my wilwood BBK; I don't recall the manufacturer. I would look at it this way, you can't go wrong with the blanks on any other level than looks for the occasional track day. Cast with the holes is certainly better, but until you see how the car behaves on track, I'd save your money. To me the thing that makes the motorsport rotors possibly worth the $$ is that I believe they're floating, no? I'd be all over floating blanks if I were tracking my car.

[derbo]

The OEM Performance rotors are floating and you can see the direction it is facing from my install. The drilled holes direction doesnt matter, its all about the vane directions on the inside.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-bGWU6zL8OjE/ToZ7GjxaWUI/AAAAAAAABo0/aEXGXqkiH1g/s800/2011-09-30_19-27-26_422.jpg

[derbo]

ECStuning posted a pic of the OEM 135i brackets installed and showed the gap.

http://i40.tinypic.com/280s0hd.jpg

[derbo]

When I do my next fitting, ill try to remember to test fit a pair of m68s from my mothers 330cic.. It's stored for the winter so shouldn't be a problem. I also have a set of style 44s that are my wife's summer wheels that I can pull out of storage.
My understanding (from Botond and Charlie) is that the 135s require spacers to clear the spokes.

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You need spacers to run the M68s. :(

[Chad44]

ECStuning posted a pic of the OEM 135i brackets installed and showed the gap.

http://i40.tinypic.com/280s0hd.jpg

Oh yeah- I know there is a gap... ECS won't sell the brackets separately, but I believe I can machine the bracket down without destroying the strength of the bracket. My idea is to be able to give people the option of finding oem calipers and getting them to fit for a lot less than their kit- also when their kit runs out of stock, I'll have an option in place for people who wish to get these.


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[derbo]

Definitely! I actually wanted the brackets alone as well since I work at a dealership and it would've been alot easier to get a set of gray ones than pay up front for the yellow ones. At the price they sell it at, its fairly cheap. Since they use 330i rotors, there isn't much to get beyond a new brake sensor which they said is from an E36.... and pads from 135i.

[Chad44]

I was looking at the kit, but decided that I would want to upgrade the pistons up front to ensure long life, so the Kit would have set me back $1,600 to set them up that way, but instead I'll be in them for the same price as the kit (or less if i do blank rotors), except I'm happy to have the aluminum pistons- plus I added titanium heat shields in an attempt to prolong the life of the dust boots also.
I also kind of like the understated look of the gray calipers... I like the flashy yellow (phoenix yellow lover), but hey... different strokes...

Also, once I modify and test the strength of the shaved stock brackets I will probably make up a bunch and sell them for people to make this kit themselves.

[cakM3]

When I do my next fitting, ill try to remember to test fit a pair of m68s from my mothers 330cic.. It's stored for the winter so shouldn't be a problem. I also have a set of style 44s that are my wife's summer wheels that I can pull out of storage.
My understanding (from Botond and Charlie) is that the 135s require spacers to clear the spokes.

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Chad,

I will verify this tomorrow after work - weather permitting :)

[derbo]

I was looking at the kit, but decided that I would want to upgrade the pistons up front to ensure long life, so the Kit would have set me back $1,600 to set them up that way, but instead I'll be in them for the same price as the kit (or less if i do blank rotors), except I'm happy to have the aluminum pistons- plus I added titanium heat shields in an attempt to prolong the life of the dust boots also.
I also kind of like the understated look of the gray calipers... I like the flashy yellow (phoenix yellow lover), but hey... different strokes...

Also, once I modify and test the strength of the shaved stock brackets I will probably make up a bunch and sell them for people to make this kit themselves.

I wanted the grey but I didn't have the time or tools to machine the bracket so I decided on getting the ECS ones. Had I did a little more research on the brittle caps on the pistons, I would've went your route. I ordered the titanium shims but they are backorderd for me. I will be planning to do the alum pistons sometime soon.





Chad,

I will verify this tomorrow after work - weather permitting :)

It didn't fit the front 18x8 +47 rim. The inner spoke area hits the piston part.

https://img.skitch.com/20111121-cksdbiajehhgte4j5jqasapbwh.png

This is with a 5mm spacer on. :)

[Au2bahn]

I just purchase Hawk Performance Ceramics and it comes with the plates on the back of the pads already. The Hawk HPS pads I had in the stock caliper did not.

[Chad44]

Interesting... When I get my hawks, I may be putting my titanium shims up for sale... I got the 1.0mm solid ones.

[cakM3]

It didn't fit the front 18x8 +47 rim. The inner spoke area hits the piston part.

https://img.skitch.com/20111121-cksdbiajehhgte4j5jqasapbwh.png

This is with a 5mm spacer on. :)

Derek,

Looks like you have already done this. :thumbsup Thanks for clearing things up. I am currently running 10mm spacers in front and am planning to mount my Style 135s this afternoon after work. Looking to see how they will look with spacers on (10mm front / 12mm rears)....

[derbo]

I run a 12.5mm turner spacer on the front to clear the 135m wheels. I had vibration problems with not enough of a lip for the 135 to sit on with the 5mm spacer. A hub extender with the 5mm will work but since I switch to track rims all the time, that option didn't make sense.


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[Chad44]

How do your wheels sit in the wheel wells with 12mm all around? I was thinking about ordering 4 12.5mm spacers and 90mm studs from turner next week. I has new front hubs/bearings coming from ecs this week...


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[derbo]

it clears the wheel wells. It sticks out a bit if you do not have camber. It looks like a 255 rear wheel is in the front when it is a 225

This is the best picture I got with -1.2 camber

http://img.skitch.com/20120203-qciqkwtus1cagiwqu9kmxf8wqe.png


This is with -3.1 camber

http://img.skitch.com/20120214-f4i4esx37mngre8i3ghc9tca8j.png




The rear rubs at my height with the 12.5mm spacers on the rear. It even rubs with 10mm in the rear . I given up with the spacers and just run factory 8.5+50. The 12.5mm spacer in the front is only for clearance and it looks silly with the rear wheels sunken in.

[Chad44]

Have you considered rear camber arms?


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[derbo]

My rear adjustment allows me to reach -2.0 degrees of camber. That's all I need so there is no need for camber arms at the moment.


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[az3579]

I feel an important correction has to be made;

The rotors that come with the kit are semi-floating, not floating.

[derbo]

Good point. They are fixed rotor discs and do not have the typical looseness of a full floating rotor. Still better than a stock blank in terms of heat dissipation.


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