The cheapest performance brake refresh you ever did see

[Lurker27]

Just for street/twisties/highway use in my m30 turbo car, maybe some AutoX, but I'd at the very least swap pads for track use.

Basically, using unbelievably cheap (OPParts) rotors - they seem to have been vetted fine, even for track use. Maybe rust a little faster than others, but you could hit the center with some high temp paint if you care.

New stock (Meyle) soft lines, because too many stainless aren't even DOT rated, they're cheaper, and new stock should be perfectly adequate. Plus, I see more stainless failures than stock. Also, I'm cheap.

Rebuild on the calipers, because they're 23 years old, and I'm sure they're full of crap, like: http://e30tech.com/forum/showthread.php?t=39965

Pads, I just wanted cold bite, and fade resistance up front. Axxis ultimates have a very high maximum operating temperature (higher than Hawk HPS/HP+) and good cold bite, and are unbelievably cheap. Textar OEM replacement rears should give good cold bite, and hopefully the reduced braking load in the rear will keep fade away. Both these pads are generally very well reviewed even in setups without brake cooling, with very light track duty not being out of the question (or at least, it's been done. Whether that's advisable is another story)

Cooling ducts connected to the stock inlets and riveted to the stock dust shields (just cut a hole near the center of the rotor vanes and use the flange). This should enhance fade resistance, and is very cheap to do as a DIY

BMA Parts Order:

Brand: OPPARTS
Notes: Rear Brake Disc
rear; E30;packing Size:ea; Per Car Qty:2
Vehicle: 1989 BMW 325IS 325IS /L6_2.5L_M20
BMW074526 $ 14.48 $ 28.96


Brand: MEYLE
Notes: Rear Brake Line
rear Inner; E30; Between Metal Lines;packing Size:ea; Per Car Qty:2
Vehicle: 1989 BMW 325IS 325IS /L6_2.5L_M20
BMW075126 $ 9.54 $ 19.08


Brand: MEYLE
Notes: Rear Brake Hose
rear Outer; E30; To Caliper;packing Size:ea
Vehicle: 1989 BMW 325IS 325IS /L6_2.5L_M20
BMW075129 $ 9.84 $ 19.68


Brand: OPPARTS
Notes: Front Brake Disc
front; E30;packing Size:ea
Vehicle: 1989 BMW 325IS 325IS /L6_2.5L_M20
BMW074514 $ 15.19 $ 30.38


Brand: TRW
Notes: Front Caliper Seal Kit
front; E30; Girling;packing Size:ea
Vehicle: 1989 BMW 325IS 325IS /L6_2.5L_M20
BMW031664 $ 6.09 $ 12.18


Brand: FTE
Notes: Rear Caliper Seal Kit
rear; E30;packing Size:ea
Vehicle: 1989 BMW 325IS 325IS /L6_2.5L_M20
BMW018621 $ 6.06 $ 12.12

Discount: ( BMWCCA ) $ 6.12
Subtotal: $ 116.28
Total: $ 116.28 (Free Shipping)


AutopartsWarehouse Order:
Textar Brake Pad Set
1989 BMW 325i Base 6 Cyl 2.5L
Part #: W0133-1834141
In stock
$35.95
FREE Ground Shipping

2nd Day and Overnight Shipping Options Available
$35.95


PBR Brake Pad Set
1989 BMW 325i Base 6 Cyl 2.5L
Part #: W0133-1651512
In stock
$38.95
FREE Ground Shipping

Subtotal: $74.90
Coupon WELCOME5 has been applied.
Due to manufacturer restrictions however, PBR is not included in this promo.


McMaster Carr Order

UPDATE: Haven't put this on yet, but I'm worried that these stell flanges are a bit heavy for unsprung mass, and the hose a bit stiff, will try and see...

Part 1764K41 - Steel flange with mounting holes - $3.51 each, $7.02 total


Part 55335K41 - Bend-and-Stay Duct for Air, aluminum, up to 7 foot length - $5.40 each, $10.80 total

Total, McMaster (until you go crazy and buy a bunch of other cool shit): $17.82



GRAND TOTAL : 116.28+74.90+17.82 = $209.00


I hope this information is helpful - I did a ton of searches across the whole of the internet to come up with all of this, and I'm confident it's absolutely the best deal in E30 brakes. Maybe you could find the Axxis Ultimate rear pads for a better match, though. Track cars will need a more aggressive pad choice than this, and high power track cars ultimately need one of the BBK options.

[mbonanni]

I was going to do around the same except cosy twice. Blunttech has a core trade in for fresh looking rebuilt calipers. From there all you need is lines, sensors, discs pads, which you can get as a set on blunt classic. Total came to around $400 for prettymuch new calipers and everything. Even drilled rotors.

Good writeup

[jaywood]

Thank you. I will definitely need this soon!

[lbreevesii]

Pix of the diy brake ducting?

I highly recommend brake rebuilds. It really isn't difficult and you will be amazed how much crap there is in there.

[mlytle64]

all good except for the PBR brake pads. run away. had a set once. the dust was bad. they are not supposed to be track worthy.. they disintegrated in just one track session. never again. a new set came with a car i bought recently. they went right in the trash.

[Lurker27]

I for track use I'd swap to PFC-06 or HT-10 pads. This is for a street car, not serious track use. I have heard similar things - while the PBR ultimates resist fade, go much over their maximum temperature and you'll probably destroy them.

Cooling stuff - obviously not the same but it's not a hard concept once you have the stuff

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=316897

http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/brake-duct-routing/7877/page1/

http://forums.eurocca.net/showthread.php/35933-anyone-interested-in-E30-front-brake-cooling-plates

[e30trooper]

bump! looking into the air duct. Not sure if you used that alum. duct because its not that flexible. Anyways update with some pix pls!

[NufnSus]

update with some pix pls!

OP, don't let this thread die in irony

[TG Goose]

I'm running powerslot rotors front and rear, hawk ht-10 front/rear. I think total was around $500 w/taxes.

[CabbE30]

Bavauto offers their front and rear disks, Pagid red pads, new brake sensors(f+r), anti-squeal compound, and new rotor bolts for $247. Combine that with their caliper rebuild kit and that too is a very good combo for not very much money. Oh & it's all in one place so you dont have to source everything yourself.

[quikveedb2]

I just pulled the trigger on rotors, pads, and wear sensors from BMA, it's gonna be nice to feel confident in my braking system again!

[Boise]

+1 on rebuilding your calipers. Mine were so full of sludge. It was almost the consistency of chunky yogurt.

[RawToast]

Doin' this in the near future... Need brakes anyways

[yellowltd]

Thank you for this. I know it's an old thread, but it saved me moneys.

[jaywood]

Bump. Great thread!