5 Lug/BBK Kits

[Zekerbox]

If you buy used, you will likely get a set of brackets with the calipers. Most people sell them that way.

Buying new is pretty expensive but you can buy remanufactured calipers for ~$160/corner or $60/corner if you have used cores, which is not too bad.

Ya remans are pretty cheap and save you from having to rebuild yours. Plus a reman is refinished so you don't have to mess with cleaning up and painting a set of rusty/dirty used ones. Just make sure if you go to a parts store for remans you get the right part! I've had so many trips back to the part shop for parts on my diesel truck because they don't pay attention or look up my 8800 lb axels and give me the wrong stuff.

The only problem with remans is you won't get the carrier. Sooo I would buy a used set with carriers cheap as you can and then use them as cores for re manufactured calipers.

I also wonder if the re manufactured calipers use an inferior piston (depending on the brand)???

[JIMBOkye]

Okay. Thanks for the info Zekerbox.

[Zekerbox]

Okay. Thanks for the info Zekerbox.

No Problemo

[jph]

In my opinion it doesn't make sense to go with new parts as the calipers and carriers will be too expensive. Getting a set of used calipers with the carrier is the way to go. Then you could just rebuild the caliper for 25-35 bucks.

This is what I did. I bought used E36 M3 and E39 528i calipers. The E36's were a set from a full front suspension I bought and came with brackets. The E39's I just picked up on eBay for $57 shipped for the pair and they included brackets. Went to Rockauto and bought new pistons for each caliper and a rebuild kit.

M3 pistons: $16.26 per caliper
M3 seal and dust boot: $2.54 per caliper
528i pistons (had to buy from CarID since Rockauto was out): $23.03 per caliper
528i seal and dust boot: $3.79 per caliper

EDIT: All parts are Centric brand who is also the producer of Stoptech brake components.

[acolella76]

I also wonder if the re manufactured calipers use an inferior piston (depending on the brand)???

Like you said I'm sure it depends on the brand, the calipers from BMA likely use a higher quality piston (perhaps OEM) compared to something Autozone would carry. Either way, I'll be rebuilding my calipers as I've got an ultrasonic cleaner and can reseal them myself.

[jph]

I also wonder if the re manufactured calipers use an inferior piston (depending on the brand)???

My understanding is that unless a remanufactured specifically states that the pistons are replaced they are just inspected and if deemed serviceable they will clean them up and re-use them. If they are unserviceable then who knows what they put in there??? I think one of the few things that would render a piston unserviceable would be pitting/corrosion where it rides against the interior seal. Chances are most are just re-used OEM pistons with minimal to no wear. Guess it's a gamble unless you do the work yourself.

[JIMBOkye]

Hey, is there any sort of information on wheel fitment after installing this kit?

[elcoy]

I believe it depends on which calipers you use? I know 17" will fit.

According to diesekte E46 M3 Calipers wont work with 16"

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=346240

Also E36 brakes will not work with 16"?

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=330653&page=5

This thread has information with people fitting 16"s and even one guy with 15"s! They are using smaller brake components:

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=265863

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=265863&page=5

I found that the kit adds 12mm to track width in the front according to the original developer, wasn't able to find a definitive answer for the rear:

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=281362

Hope that helps!

[Zekerbox]

I've been doing a lot of reading on this kit in preparation for my build. I believe the rear track width is not changed due to the use of a caliper bracket and the m3 hub not really adding any material to the hub surface.

Therefore the spacer is likely needing in the rear if you are using higher ET wheels.

[elcoy]

Did everyone pay?? Are we just waiting on the few who were paying next week?

[Zekerbox]

Did everyone pay?? Are we just waiting on the few who were paying next week?

I hope were on track! I started sourcing parts. I have a used front and rear calipers ordered.

Sent from my XT1096 using Tapatalk

[Jb325is]

I've been doing a lot of reading on this kit in preparation for my build. I believe the rear track width is not changed due to the use of a caliper bracket and the m3 hub not really adding any material to the hub surface.

Therefore the spacer is likely needing in the rear if you are using higher ET wheels.

Rear fitment is e30 m3 fitment. I'm running 17x9 ET22 with 245s, no issue there. The front can be tricky because of the 12mm of added track width. I have slightly pulled fenders with the upper part of the fender liner cut out and I run 17x8 ET20 with a 245, this is with ~3.2 camber and not super low because I don't care about that. If you are running stretched tires you can run low offsets without issue. I think that Z3M stuff would fit this setup pretty nicely with a small spacer in the front.

[Zekerbox]

I think that Z3M stuff would fit this setup pretty nicely with a small spacer in the front.

Thanks for detailing your setup. Can you elaborate on what you mean by z3m stuff? If your putting z3m front end on your car the kit wouldn't be necessary?... Unless its just being used for the e46 brakes.

Sent from my XT1096 using Tapatalk

[Jb325is]

I meant wheels, they run higher offset fronts and low offset rears.

[Zekerbox]

I meant wheels, they run higher offset fronts and low offset rears.

That's what I figured, I just wanted to make sure. How do you like the brake bias, have you had to mess with it at all?

I sourced a clean set of e36 DS2's squared 17x7.5 locally and plan on running either a 215/45R17 or a 215/40R17. with no spacer in the front if I can clear the strut. I would like to go wider but I also hate dealing with tire rubbing issues! I have aggressive tire fitment on my e39 and trashed a fender at the racetrack when I picked up a screw and lost tire pressure.