Big Break Kits - Meet me in the Middle

[cullen61918]

Big Break Kits, ive been researching them and reading up on braking but I still have yet to make a decision.

For the most part, the modifications to my car were based off achieving the average. I do not need the best product out there that costs a fortune nor the cheapest craigslist/ebay find out there... ive always tried to find the product that produces the average in performance with average costs, meeting somewhere in the middle.

What do I NEED for an e46 M3 with track in mind...

Recommended Brands?
Caliper Sizes?
Rotor Sizes and Type?

[Laidback]

Recommended Brands? Stoptech , cheaper to maintain
Caliper Sizes? 4-6 piston calipers
Rotor Sizes and Type? 355mm-380mm should be enough



Big Break Kits, ive been researching them and reading up on braking but I still have yet to make a decision.

For the most part, the modifications to my car were based off achieving the average. I do not need the best product out there that costs a fortune nor the cheapest craigslist/ebay find out there... ive always tried to find the product that produces the average in performance with average costs, meeting somewhere in the middle.

What do I NEED for an e46 M3 with track in mind...

Recommended Brands?
Caliper Sizes?
Rotor Sizes and Type?

[E90///M3]

Recommended Brands? Stoptech , cheaper to maintain
Caliper Sizes? 4-6 piston calipers
Rotor Sizes and Type? 355mm-380mm should be enough

i pretty much agree... Maybe you can look into AP Racing also?

[Laidback]

AP sounds good too:goldcup:i pretty much agree... Maybe you can look into AP Racing also?

[E46transforM3r]

StopTech... PM EAS for details... i'm confident you can get a good deal from them :D

[Jurrian @ eas]

StopTech... PM EAS for details... i'm confident you can get a good deal from them :D

For Cullen, no way, he's a jerk.

Just kidding :)

AP Racing is the way to go. I personally feel more comfortable with AP racing because of their history. Just consider this. JUST in Formula one, there have been over 630 CONSECUTIVE races won, with AP racing on the car. If that doesn't make you consider how well made these parts are, I don't know what is.

When it comes down to it, AP Racing, and Brembo will be top dog.

[LateBraking]

I don't want to be Mr. Scrooge here, but why not just go for a set of good slotted/j-hook/dimpled rotors with SS braided brake lines and a good track pad and fluid? It's cheaper, and you'll still get pretty good braking.

I got a BBK, but I don't even intend to put it on until I've been to the track multiple times on the stock setup, just to learn the stock car's limits, y'know? Brembos will probably be just sitting in the garage for a while.

Oh, and I know you got a E46 and I have E92, but just for reference, I got the 365/345mm 6/4 piston kit. Didn't feel the need for those enormous 380/380 6/6 piston kits, plus they won't fit my 18" track wheels. That's another thing to consider Cullen, make sure your kit clears your intended track wheels. :D

[cullen61918]

Recommended Brands? Stoptech , cheaper to maintain
Caliper Sizes? 4-6 piston calipers
Rotor Sizes and Type? 355mm-380mm should be enough

i pretty much agree... Maybe you can look into AP Racing also?

StopTech... PM EAS for details... i'm confident you can get a good deal from them :D

For Cullen, no way, he's a jerk.

Just kidding :)

AP Racing is the way to go. I personally feel more comfortable with AP racing because of their history. Just consider this. JUST in Formula one, there have been over 630 CONSECUTIVE races won, with AP racing on the car. If that doesn't make you consider how well made these parts are, I don't know what is.

When it comes down to it, AP Racing, and Brembo will be top dog.

I don't want to be Mr. Scrooge here, but why not just go for a set of good slotted/j-hook/dimpled rotors with SS braided brake lines and a good track pad and fluid? It's cheaper, and you'll still get pretty good braking.

I got a BBK, but I don't even intend to put it on until I've been to the track multiple times on the stock setup, just to learn the stock car's limits, y'know? Brembos will probably be just sitting in the garage for a while.

Oh, and I know you got a E46 and I have E92, but just for reference, I got the 365/345mm 6/4 piston kit. Didn't feel the need for those enormous 380/380 6/6 piston kits, plus they won't fit my 18" track wheels. That's another thing to consider Cullen, make sure your kit clears your intended track wheels. :D

thanks for all your inputs guys... i'll keep them in mind...

[dc.allen]

I don't want to be Mr. Scrooge here, but why not just go for a set of good slotted/j-hook/dimpled rotors with SS braided brake lines and a good track pad and fluid? It's cheaper, and you'll still get pretty good braking.

I got a BBK, but I don't even intend to put it on until I've been to the track multiple times on the stock setup, just to learn the stock car's limits, y'know? Brembos will probably be just sitting in the garage for a while.

Oh, and I know you got a E46 and I have E92, but just for reference, I got the 365/345mm 6/4 piston kit. Didn't feel the need for those enormous 380/380 6/6 piston kits, plus they won't fit my 18" track wheels. That's another thing to consider Cullen, make sure your kit clears your intended track wheels. :D

I agree. I don't know how much track experience the OP has and I'm by no means trying to judge but the driver's limits will be reached before an M3's stock brake setup with fresh, high grade brake fluid will.

I recommend what Jajima typed and also if you haven't already done so, buy some instructor time. That would be the best money spent

[SC Trojan Man]

Recommended Brands? Stoptech , cheaper to maintain
Caliper Sizes? 4-6 piston calipers
Rotor Sizes and Type? 355mm-380mm should be enough

+1
That's what I'm running, 4 Piston Calipers all the way around. Love em.

[Laidback]

What's your rotor size?+1
That's what I'm running, 4 Piston Calipers all the way around. Love em.

[Chris_B]

Big Break Kits, ive been researching them and reading up on braking but I still have yet to make a decision.

For the most part, the modifications to my car were based off achieving the average. I do not need the best product out there that costs a fortune nor the cheapest craigslist/ebay find out there... ive always tried to find the product that produces the average in performance with average costs, meeting somewhere in the middle.

What do I NEED for an e46 M3 with track in mind...

Recommended Brands?
Caliper Sizes?
Rotor Sizes and Type?
While I completely understand your quest, your answer lies in how you will use your brake equipment. If you are easy on brakes at the track (Mr. Average), you have more options (and less expensive ones) than a full, track-worthy BBK. If you are after the fastest lap times and are willing to spend money on instructors and tires, then you will eventually run out of any workable options short of the good stuff.

Remember one thing: You are not buying brakes for your car -- you are buying them for you. What works on another guy's M3 may or may not be the best option for you for exactly that reason.

For most people getting into the track day addiction, I recommend starting with decent rotors, very good pads, SS brake lines and good fluid. StThis will get most drivers far enough along to decide whether they really want to go faster or not. Stay far away from "bargain BBK's" as they typically will cost you more in time, energy, replacement part costs and frustration than going straight to the top shelf. Eventually, your monetary commitment will need to keep pace with your cornering commitment. Believe me, you will know exactly when that time comes.

Chris

[E90///M3]

While I completely understand your quest, your answer lies in how you will use your brake equipment. If you are easy on brakes at the track (Mr. Average), you have more options (and less expensive ones) than a full, track-worthy BBK. If you are after the fastest lap times and are willing to spend money on instructors and tires, then you will eventually run out of any workable options short of the good stuff.

Remember one thing: You are not buying brakes for your car -- you are buying them for you. What works on another guy's M3 may or may not be the best option for you for exactly that reason.

For most people getting into the track day addiction, I recommend starting with decent rotors, very good pads, SS brake lines and good fluid. StThis will get most drivers far enough along to decide whether they really want to go faster or not. Stay far away from "bargain BBK's" as they typically will cost you more in time, energy, replacement part costs and frustration than going straight to the top shelf. Eventually, your monetary commitment will need to keep pace with your cornering commitment. Believe me, you will know exactly when that time comes.

Chris

best first post i've evar seen. thanks for the info... it can apply to everyone out there :D

[SC Trojan Man]

What's your rotor size?

I believe they are 355mm, but I'd have to ask the guys at the shop, I got them half off with only a few hundred miles put on them on another car.

[Laidback]

355 mm is sufficient:buttrock:I believe they are 355mm, but I'd have to ask the guys at the shop, I got them half off with only a few hundred miles put on them on another car.

[Laidback]

I totally agree on what you posted and have experienced it myself..."what's good for you might not be good for me" ...This is one of our quest here at Mfest, to be able to put the products to the test nd give out REAL world and a un bias feedback...... hence we invite manufacturers and tuners out there to bring their products to one of our events, meets and this forum, show us what their product can do and basically let the product do the talking...alot of the internet info have been flooded with either miss information and or "whatever the majority buys is what I would buy aka what's popular" (i'm guilty of this one, when i started modding back in the days:D)...as ive said here at Mfest we offer an open forum for everyone to show and get an honest feedback...it's along road but we're going to get there:D




While I completely understand your quest, your answer lies in how you will use your brake equipment. If you are easy on brakes at the track (Mr. Average), you have more options (and less expensive ones) than a full, track-worthy BBK. If you are after the fastest lap times and are willing to spend money on instructors and tires, then you will eventually run out of any workable options short of the good stuff.

Remember one thing: You are not buying brakes for your car -- you are buying them for you. What works on another guy's M3 may or may not be the best option for you for exactly that reason.

For most people getting into the track day addiction, I recommend starting with decent rotors, very good pads, SS brake lines and good fluid. StThis will get most drivers far enough along to decide whether they really want to go faster or not. Stay far away from "bargain BBK's" as they typically will cost you more in time, energy, replacement part costs and frustration than going straight to the top shelf. Eventually, your monetary commitment will need to keep pace with your cornering commitment. Believe me, you will know exactly when that time comes.

Chris

[SC Trojan Man]

355 mm is sufficient:buttrock:

Indeed, feels like someone dropping and anchor from my car.:excited:

[E46transforM3r]

While I completely understand your quest, your answer lies in how you will use your brake equipment. If you are easy on brakes at the track (Mr. Average), you have more options (and less expensive ones) than a full, track-worthy BBK. If you are after the fastest lap times and are willing to spend money on instructors and tires, then you will eventually run out of any workable options short of the good stuff.

Remember one thing: You are not buying brakes for your car -- you are buying them for you. What works on another guy's M3 may or may not be the best option for you for exactly that reason.

For most people getting into the track day addiction, I recommend starting with decent rotors, very good pads, SS brake lines and good fluid. StThis will get most drivers far enough along to decide whether they really want to go faster or not. Stay far away from "bargain BBK's" as they typically will cost you more in time, energy, replacement part costs and frustration than going straight to the top shelf. Eventually, your monetary commitment will need to keep pace with your cornering commitment. Believe me, you will know exactly when that time comes.

Chris

well said :agree: