My new StopTech/Apex setup on 128i

[clutch128]

Eventually I'm getting a full front/rear StopTech setup. The car just got back from LA while StopTech did the fitment for the rear and made a new hat for the rear. I should get the new rear calipers soon.

At any rate, thought I'd post a few pics. So far it feels great. The pad size seems about 4x as big and that's exactly what it feels like...substantial.

I head to Buttonwillow Thurs. I'll post an update with impressions.

[andrey_gta]

Looks real good Congrats

[maddman]

Lookin' sweet!

[128GP]

looks good

[135Pats]

So nice

[Kgolf31]

Do you know the weight different from OEM to Stoptechs?

[clutch128]

Sorry, I don't. I lifted the rear rotors and stock front rotors in both hands today. The StopTech ones felt maybe a little lighter. I'd guess the calipers would be significantly lighter. HP did a good writeup on the 135 vs trophy
http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=466906

The thing is though on the 128i the stock kit is so *small* compared to the new kit. I'm not sure there's much of a weight savings but man there is just so much more real estate. Going from floating single to six piston is quite the change.

[Zombie1]

So pretty

[Nugget]

That looks a lot like my wheel well, blue car, black stoptechs, black studs and Ohlins

[clutch128]

Originally Posted by Nugget

That looks a lot like my wheel well, blue car, black stoptechs, black studs and Ohlins

with the exception yours look like they've had some track time

[Donny Rino1]

Sooooooo I have to ask this ....why would you spend all that money on a car that isn't capable enough to use those brakes to there fullest ?

[Kgolf31]

Originally Posted by Donny Rino1

Sooooooo I have to ask this ....why would you spend all that money on a car that isn't capable enough to use those brakes to there fullest ?

Such a stupid question.

What makes you think that he cannot push those brakes to the limit?

[Suprgnat]

Originally Posted by Donny Rino1

Sooooooo I have to ask this ....why would you spend all that money on a car that isn't capable enough to use those brakes to there fullest ?

Troll much? Oh, and it's "their".

[clutch128]

Originally Posted by clutch128

I head to Buttonwillow Thurs. I'll post an update with impressions.

So, just got back from Buttonwillow and thought I'd post an update. It was around 105 there so some of my comments may be deluded due to the heat

Overall, great day and very happy with the kit. Few thoughts in no particular order:

1.) The first thing I noticed, and this was even on the street, is that the pedal travel is much less. Takes quite a bit of getting used to and heel and toe in particular has to be relearned as all the distances/feet positions get wonked up.

2.) It stops shorter. I realize that this isn't supposed to be the case. Tire size controls stopping distance and not brakes right? The only thing I can figure is you can get closer to abs without it kicking on so you're in threshold more or something?

3.) It is much harder to get abs to engage. The old brakes were mushy/comfy and I could go deep into the pedal pretty easily and get abs to engage. The new ones it is just wild how much more braking pressure I feel.

4.) This last thought is that having so much in the front and so little in the rear is weird off of straight line. Trail braking didn't feel as linear as I've felt in the past.

Overall, this new setup is going to take some work on my part. The higher performance definitely requires more attention. At buttonwillow I just kept going deeper and deeper into Sunset (a pretty much right angle turn) until finally I got past threshold, abs kicked on, and I completely blew the turn and ended up going off track, which I've never done before. My reaction times are just not up to par with what these brakes can do.

[pj.rodriguez]

Interesting. Didn't know stoptech made a proper kit for the 128i. Nice to know they made it. Not like I'll use it. Just nice that it is another option for those out there!

[Kgolf31]

Interesting that you say ABS is much harder to engage.

I run HP+s, I have a short pedal to engagement (most likely because of their bite) and if I brake too hard (and it is very easy to do) ABS kicks in almost instantly and destroys the braking zone

[TheSt|G]

OP, those look fantastic!

I've had my eye on the 130i offering from Brembo for some time now. I really want to get a fitment guide to see if they will clear my RGRs.

Originally Posted by Donny Rino1

Sooooooo I have to ask this ....why would you spend all that money on a car that isn't capable enough to use those brakes to there fullest ?

What a great first post. Clearly you understand tracking.

[clutch128]

Originally Posted by Kgolf31

Interesting that you say ABS is much harder to engage.

I run HP+s, I have a short pedal to engagement (most likely because of their bite) and if I brake too hard (and it is very easy to do) ABS kicks in almost instantly and destroys the braking zone

I have never used anything besides stock and StopTech Street Performance pads. (those are also what ships with the kit). So, I'm pretty much a noob and you should take anything I say with a grain of salt.

Pedal engagement I completely agree on. I'd *guess* that with a pad that had some real bite to it and with so much area it would be much easier to get abs to kick on. With my off-track excursion I also agree that once you enter abs things do head south with regard to traction...and for me more quickly than what I'm used to.

[Kgolf31]

Originally Posted by clutch128

I have never used anything besides stock and StopTech Street Performance pads. (those are also what ships with the kit). So, I'm pretty much a noob and you should take anything I say with a grain of salt.

Pedal engagement I completely agree on. I'd *guess* that with a pad that had some real bite to it and with so much area it would be much easier to get abs to kick on. With my off-track excursion I also agree that once you enter abs things do head south with regard to traction...and for me more quickly than what I'm used to.

ABS is absolute garbage on these cars.

I had a co-driver this weekend for autocross and I actually saw the right front wheel LOCK UP while in ABS...for a good second or so before it started spinning again

[ilikebmxbikes]

Originally Posted by Donny Rino1

Sooooooo I have to ask this ....why would you spend all that money on a car that isn't capable enough to use those brakes to there fullest ?

....... This is a joke right?

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by Kgolf31

ABS is absolute garbage on these cars.

I had a co-driver this weekend for autocross and I actually saw the right front wheel LOCK UP while in ABS...for a good second or so before it started spinning again

Couldn't agree more.

I've often wondered if the 1M got the awesome 5 channel ABS from the E46 M3, and if so, what the retrofit process would involve beyond the wiring harness.

For the standalone guys, there is already a kit:
http://store.bimmerworld.com/epic-mo...tem-p1691.aspx

[Kgolf31]

Originally Posted by TheSt|G

Couldn't agree more.

I've often wondered if the 1M got the awesome 5 channel ABS from the E46 M3, and if so, what the retrofit process would involve beyond the wiring harness.

For the standalone guys, there is already a kit:
http://store.bimmerworld.com/epic-mo...tem-p1691.aspx

Yea, it is very frustrating because I have to change my whole braking habit to basically baby the brake pedal to get out of ABS. I can still get the car to stop in the same distance, it is just ABS cuts in too quick...and when that happens it feels like you're on ice

On the Z4M, I could literally stand on it and it wouldn't kick in until actual threshold braking...however if I do a quick jab at the brakes to transfer weight the wheel just locks.