E3 Brake Upgrade Query...

[B10er]

Hi,

I hope its ok to post a quick e3 question on here...!

My pads all around are 20+ years old (and in suprisingly good condition) so from other e3/e9 former or current owners, but nothing last forever...any recommended performance upgrades for pads (specific brands)? rotors? Easy upgrades from newer models (e12 etc...)

Any help at all would be great!

Take Care,

Chris

[Bill_Riblett]

"Easy" upgrade is vented rotors and matching calipers. Use 77-81 E12 530i and 528i or 77-81 633s for donors.

Pad selection is limited compared to modern cars. I've used "Metalmasters" brand for years on E9s and E3s.

[Bavarian Deuce]

In the midst of converting to the vented rotors up front, but noticed that there's another issue related to the rotors. The original solid rotors, lugs and bearings are an assembly, where as the latter rotors are more like floaters and just fitting over the hub. Do I also need the hub Assy??

Thanks!

Edited March 8, 2019 by Bavarian Deuce

[tjones02]

Yes, you would also need the hub assembly from the same cars you'd get the disks from.

Or get the more expensive vented front rotors from an E9 3.0csi that will bolt to your existing hubs, part# 34 11 1 152 090. Your original rotors bolt to the hub/bearing carriers from the inside. Note the 5 bolts showing between the wheel studs.

http://realoem.com/bmw/partxref.do?part=34111152090&showus=on&showeur=on

The vented calipers are the same for E9 through E12 and E24...

http://realoem.com/bmw/partxref.do?part=34111101859&showus=on&showeur=on

I like Hawk HPS and or CoolCarbon pads, they're performance oriented. I do not like the PBR MetalMaster pads, there are much better more modern compounds out there these days. For standard street pads I like Pagid, Ate, Textar, Jurid etc, all good European brands that supply to BMW as OE.

Remember, upgrading to vented rotors only increases the heat dissipation and thus will fade less. With this upgrade the pad size stays the same, so upgrade the pad material so that the pads can keep up with the better heat dissipation of the rotors. Same goes for brake fluid....

Stainless braided hoses wouldn't be a bad idea either....

Oh, there's a rear vented rotor and caliper upgrade as well, same cars as the fronts.

[Bavarian Deuce]

Thanks Tom!! Found an e12 81 528 as a donor with nearly new calipers and brake hardware. Since my e3 is due for brakes, thought to go the vented rotors for better heat dissipation and less fade as you mentioned.