128i Brakes on the Track

[chris82]

Might as well get 335i brakes; you'll end up paying similar prices for either so why no go with more brake?

[Hops128i]

I've only done one track day in my 128i (totally stock brakes), and i had no problem with the brakes. This was last year at Summit Point Main in March with temperatures in the 60's. I was even practicing threshold braking on the main straight (~120mph to ~40mph) for half of my sessions.

I did notice a little bit of crumbling on the edge of the OEM pad, but really only chewed through 2-3mm.

[andrey_gta]

Well the z4 in 2010 used 335i brakes, so for the power & weight they chose those after 2010. I guess 2009 version they wanted weight savings

For a 128, the 330i brake option fits in with 130i Hatch pedigree

[3002 tii]

Originally Posted by Hops128i

I've only done one track day in my 128i (totally stock brakes), and i had no problem with the brakes. This was last year at Summit Point Main in March with temperatures in the 60's. I was even practicing threshold braking on the main straight (~120mph to ~40mph) for half of my sessions.

I did notice a little bit of crumbling on the edge of the OEM pad, but really only chewed through 2-3mm.

As you get faster you will brake deeper, later, and harder. Repeat that few times and you'll eventually fade brakes on stock pads.

[NA_Villhauser]

Originally Posted by 3002 tii

As you get faster you will brake deeper, later, and harder. Repeat that few times and you'll eventually fade brakes on stock pads.

Yes, I came in a little bit more comfortable with the limits of the car than I would have if I hadn't been autocrossing this summer, plus I had an excellent instructor who was always nudging me just a tiny bit beyond my comfort level to carry a lot more speed through the corners and brake deeper.

I was braking very hard, and got into the abs probably more frequently than I should have. Pair that with stickier than stock tires, a track thats known to be hard on brakes, and the fact that I still need to work on my braking technique, and the brake fade shouldn't be too surprising.

The one good thing I have to say about the Pagid S pads is that they faded gradually, and I never had a complete loss of braking.

[Pyrat 2]

OP, what did you decide on if anything. Enquiring minds want to know. 330i upgrade, 335i upgrade, other upgrade, none of the above.

[M-A]

Very interested in that last question here!

[andrey_gta]

The trend in the 128i/125i forums is e9x 335i calipers. Can be had for cheap

The future trend could become take off F30 4 pot Non-painted Brembo Sport calipers from Canada or europe with 340mm disks that also come in a perf look. All you would need it to blast & paint/powdercoat
They can be rebuilt with pistons like 135i calipers, the 4 pot diameter because the design is same across many platforms just the casting is different for each car Mfg.

the issue is that both options above add rotational weight and someone may not like that for a 128i

[kobeballer96]

I would recommend doing the f30 cooling plates? They help a good bit. I had them but ended up selling them. He a few clips of my brakes on my 128i. Pagid sport pads with stop tech rotors and brake fuild.


http://youtu.be/Jxkk6c9wTiY



http://youtu.be/Xa-pbIZP0yk

[andrey_gta]

The F30 plates work if you have Msport/135i front bumper.

I have them my 128i with stock bumper and its just a future proof update for me until I do more upgrades

[markslc1]

Originally Posted by pj.rodriguez

Also, another apparent upgrade is the e90 330i front caliper carriers and then you can use the 128i calipers and just use the bigger 330i rotors. I might go this direction also.

So has anybody done this and can report back?

[Suprgnat]

Originally Posted by markslc1

So has anybody done this and can report back?

I haven't tracked my car, but I have done this mod. In addition to the 330i/Z4 carriers, I utilized 330mm Z4 rotors with the aluminum hats and solid guide pins from Bimmerworld. I also installed the larger rear calipers with 42mm pistons from the BMW Performance brake kit, also with solid guide pins, and Stoptech Street Performance pads all around. (The numbers say 12.5% more brake torque front and 10.25% more rear just from the larger front rotors and rear pistons) Pedal effort has decreased for a given deceleration rate and the feel is VERY linear and predictable with fantastic release characteristics.

[markslc1]

Originally Posted by Suprgnat

I haven't tracked my car, but I have done this mod. In addition to the 330i/Z4 carriers, I utilized 330mm Z4 rotors with the aluminum hats and solid guide pins from Bimmerworld.

Thanks for the info. To clarify. To upgrade my fronts, the idea is to
1) Get 2006 330i/Z4 front carriers (other years?)
2) Get same stock rotors for the a 330i/Z4
3) Use my stock front 128i calipers/pads

So what I effectively get is a bit more mass in the rotor to disperse heat. Which is what I want without going with a full-on 135 BBK.

[Suprgnat]

Originally Posted by markslc1

Thanks for the info. To clarify. To upgrade my fronts, the idea is to
1) Get 2006 330i/Z4 front carriers (other years?)
2) Get same stock rotors for the a 330i/Z4
3) Use my stock front 128i calipers/pads

So what I effectively get is a bit more mass in the rotor to disperse heat. Which is what I want without going with a full-on 135 BBK.

Carrier P/N is 34116769097.
Realoem lists the applications as:
1' E81   (02/2006 — 12/2011)
1' E87   (03/2005 — 02/2007)
1' E87 LCI   (01/2006 — 06/2011)
1' E88   (03/2008 — 09/2013)
1' E82   (11/2006 — 09/2013)
3' E90   (02/2004 — 09/2008)
3' E90 LCI   (07/2007 — 12/2011)
3' E91   (02/2004 — 08/2008)
3' E91 LCI   (07/2007 — 05/2012)
3' E92   (05/2005 — 02/2010)
3' E92 LCI   (07/2009 — 06/2013)
3' E93   (09/2005 — 02/2010)
3' E93 LCI   (07/2009 — 09/2013)
X1 E84   (09/2008 — 06/2015)
Z4 E89   (01/2008 — 09/2015)

Stateside I think just the '06 330i and the Z4, I didn't dig deeper into Realoem by application.

Z4 uses rotor P/N 34116794427 "Brake rotor, light blue, ventilated" (aluminum hats)

All the others above that use the 9097 carrier use rotor P/N 34116854999 "Brake disc, ventilated" (conventional 1-piece construction) which are about 1.27 pounds heavier than the Z4 rotors, but not where it counts.

[markslc1]

Originally Posted by Suprgnat

Carrier P/N is 34116769097.
Realoem lists the applications as:
1' E82   (11/2006 — 09/2013)

All the others above that use the 9097 carrier use rotor P/N 34116854999 "Brake disc, ventilated" (conventional 1-piece construction) which are about 1.27 pounds heavier than the Z4 rotors, but not where it counts.

Just confirming that I don't already have this carrier on my 128i given its one of the proper "applications". If I do need it, which cars would have it if I'm looking at wrecking yards? 06 330i and Z4 only?

[Suprgnat]

Originally Posted by markslc1

Just confirming that I don't already have this carrier on my 128i given its one of the proper "applications". If I do need it, which cars would have it if I'm looking at wrecking yards? 06 330i and Z4 only?

Yes, you don't already have the 9097 carriers. The E82 applications that had them were European 123Ds.

As far as I know, the US models with those carriers are the 06 330i and Z4.

In addition Realoem also lists the 08-15 "X1 E84, X1 28iX, SUV, N20, USA"

[markslc1]

I've been hunting around on car-part.com and junkyards wont sell the carriers by themselves. You have to buy the whole caliper. So this will take some time to find.

[markslc1]

Originally Posted by Suprgnat

Yes, you don't already have the 9097 carriers. The E82 applications that had them were European 123Ds.

As far as I know, the US models with those carriers are the 06 330i and Z4.

My local junkyard has that carrier PN applicable all E90 cars in general. Hes got a 328 on the lot and is telling me the PN matches that and the 330, as if they are the same. That doesnt make sense does it? He also says my E82 should have the same PN as well.

[Suprgnat]

Originally Posted by markslc1

My local junkyard has that carrier PN applicable all E90 cars in general. Hes got a 328 on the lot and is telling me the PN matches that and the 330, as if they are the same. That doesnt make sense does it? He also says my E82 should have the same PN as well.

You need carriers from a vehicle that has 330 mm front rotors. For instance, RealOEM says a '13 E92 328i has 312 mm rotors.

You want P/N 34116769097

Per RealOEM:
1' E81   (02/2006 — 12/2011)
1' E87   (03/2005 — 02/2007)
1' E87 LCI   (01/2006 — 06/2011)
1' E88   (03/2008 — 09/2013)
1' E82   (11/2006 — 09/2013)
3' E90   (02/2004 — 09/2008)
3' E90 LCI   (07/2007 — 02/2012)
3' E91   (02/2004 — 08/2008)
3' E91 LCI   (07/2007 — 05/2012)
3' E92   (05/2005 — 02/2010)
3' E92 LCI   (07/2009 — 06/2013)
3' E93   (09/2005 — 02/2010)
3' E93 LCI   (07/2009 — 09/2013)
X1 E84   (09/2008 — 06/2015)
Z4 E89   (01/2008 — 01/2016)

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/part...&q=34116769097

Click on the individual links to determine which were available in the NA market. They're not that common (as far as I can tell) in the U.S.

[markslc1]

[QUOTE=
Z4 uses rotor P/N 34116794427 "Brake rotor, light blue, ventilated" (aluminum hats)

All the others above that use the 9097 carrier use rotor P/N 34116854999 "Brake disc, ventilated" (conventional 1-piece construction) which are about 1.27 pounds heavier than the Z4 rotors, but not where it counts.[/QUOTE]

I found an EBC alternative rotor set that is slotted. Is the thought that the OEM has aluminum hats, and is hence better at dissipating heat and more lightweight?

[Suprgnat]

Originally Posted by markslc1

I found an EBC alternative rotor set that is slotted. Is the thought that the OEM has aluminum hats, and is hence better at dissipating heat and more lightweight?

Aluminum hats strictly for less weight. Solid rotors are better for stopping than drilled or slotted as they have more thermal mass (...because they're not drilled or slotted)

[markslc1]

Originally Posted by markslc1

I've been hunting around on car-part.com and junkyards wont sell the carriers by themselves. You have to buy the whole caliper. So this will take some time to find.

Finally found a place that will sell the carriers by themselves $20 each is not bad.

Now I'm interested in fabbing a way to get some stock 135i brake ducts to fit behind my 128 fogs. Anyone ever try that?