E46 325xit rear pads he same as e30 m3 pads....more pad on the plate though.

[Todd Black 88]

Cut and pasted from brake subforum, as this has more technical people traffic.

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=256866

Pics in that thread.



I was rooting around in my parts boxes just now, looking for a set of rear brake pads for my M3 and came across a spare set of rear pads for my e46 325xit. I noticed they looked very similar to what I remember my M's pads. Hmmmm. I finally locate my M's pads and grab my measuring caliper. After a couple measurements I realized that the backing plates appear to be exactly the same.......I mean exactly the same shape. The only thing different is the pad on the e46 is about 1mm shorter from top to bottom of the pad, but a good 3/8" wider, and it has a bump pin in the middle of the backside. The e46 pad fills the backing plate right up, whereas the M's leave alot of space left on the plate.. The e46 pad also has a built in metal shim on the back for something(squeel?) They are also the same thickness from front to back.

Question.
Would this give an Increase in braking ability at all, or enough to make it worth while?

Is there other pads that work in these calipers with more material in contact with the rotor, and is it worth it?

Thought it was interesting.

Edit:
I have swapped them and they fit perfectly.
I will bed them once I get some other work completed and give some feedback.

[mcr_driver]

that's pretty awesome I wonder if e46 fronts work as well?

[5Toes]

So any e46 rear brake pad will work except the 330i and m3 ones

Wonder if the brake disc may work too

[Vivek]

Is this only for e30 m3's?

[5Toes]

Only advantage this has is better pads selection.. and maybe the 5% increase in braking performance?

[Todd Black 88]

So any e46 rear brake pad will work except the 330i and m3 ones

Wonder if the brake disc may work too

All pre facelift e46 non m cars use the same part number rear brake pads.

[Todd Black 88]

Is this only for e30 m3's?

I think so.