Front brake upgrade

janus77 · 09-28-2009, 07:41 PM

After my track day, it's become apparent that the weakness in the 125/128i package is the brakes. They're fine on the road, but under heavy use they're not quite up to the task, get soft quickly, are not strong enough, and the abs kicks in way to early.

The BMW performance brakes are pretty pricey as an upgrade, gets to the point where you may as well have bought a 135i for the extra money you spend. I've considered trying to pick up a used set of 135i front brakes, but i don't think there are many around due to the age of the car.

I'm wondering if it might be possible to pick up some second hand 330i calipers, rotors and inner shields to install on the 125i? I have the 18 inch wheels, so clearance shouldn't be an issue. Because the 330i's been around for much longer, there must be more used parts in the market. And the brakes should be quite strong on this model i think?

Does anyone know if the 330i brakes are similar to the 135i brakes, if this kind of retro fit would work, and if this idea could be feasible for a lower cost front brake upgrade (am only thinking the front stoppers need upgrading, since the rears aren't as important).

Thanks

BrokenVert · 09-28-2009, 07:56 PM

I cant tell you if they are compatible on a 128i, but I can tell you that the 135i brakes are much larger than a comparible 3. The 1er has 6 piston front caplipers versus the 3's 2 piston.

janus77 · 09-28-2009, 08:13 PM

so the 330 only has 2 piston? Mmm, ok. That blows that idea out of the water then.

janus77 · 09-28-2009, 08:32 PM

i guess the next obvious question is are there any previous models which have 3 piston front brakes which would fit in the 18 inch wheels?

Blacky · 09-28-2009, 10:10 PM

If you are looking for a cheap option and getting back to the 330 side of things, I think the standard 335 and 330D brakes are larger than standard 128s, both front and rear.

Still no 6 pistons etc but larger swept area etc. I think the diameter of the front rotor on the 330D is large than that of the 135 with 6 pistons! Someone could shoot me down here but I think I am right. LOL

janus77 · 09-28-2009, 10:22 PM

Thanks for the info.

WhiteOne · 09-29-2009, 01:24 PM

I have seen the Brembo's for sale on this forum.
As more brake options appear more 135 brakes should become available.
Patience grasshopper...

HondaGoneRogue · 09-29-2009, 02:47 PM

If I were shopping for bigger brakes, I would spent the extra coin on aftermarket before going with the 135's. Even though they are 6pot brembos, they aren't the greatest and damn sure not as good as an aftermarket set. Wilwood, AP, Brembo, Stoptech, etc. all make great upgrades.

HP Autosport · 09-29-2009, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by janus77

After my track day, it's become apparent that the weakness in the 125/128i package is the brakes. They're fine on the road, but under heavy use they're not quite up to the task, get soft quickly, are not strong enough, and the abs kicks in way to early.

The BMW performance brakes are pretty pricey as an upgrade, gets to the point where you may as well have bought a 135i for the extra money you spend. I've considered trying to pick up a used set of 135i front brakes, but i don't think there are many around due to the age of the car.

I'm wondering if it might be possible to pick up some second hand 330i calipers, rotors and inner shields to install on the 125i? I have the 18 inch wheels, so clearance shouldn't be an issue. Because the 330i's been around for much longer, there must be more used parts in the market. And the brakes should be quite strong on this model i think?

Does anyone know if the 330i brakes are similar to the 135i brakes, if this kind of retro fit would work, and if this idea could be feasible for a lower cost front brake upgrade (am only thinking the front stoppers need upgrading, since the rears aren't as important).

Thanks

Stoptech has a nice 335x32mm 6 piston front brake kit upgrade for the 1-series!

However, retails price is $3195, may be a bit out of your budget.

Have you tried using an upgrade pad/fluid/line combo to combat your brake problems?

Harold

janus77 · 09-29-2009, 07:41 PM

Yeah, i'm trying to keep the mod/upgrade costs below the cost of buying a 135i, so buying an aftermarket setup is kinda out of the ballpark.

Harold, am interested to know what pad/fluid/line combo may give the brakes a stronger feel, and better stopping power? Would this actually help stopping power? The reason i was hoping to install bigger callipers and rotors is to allow greater control of the brakes at the limit. At the moment the ABS kicks in too early and the brakes feel very soggy when pushing hard.

09-28-2009, 07:41 PM	#1
janus77 Lieutenant 36 Rep 526 Posts Drives: 125i coupe Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Sydney iTrader: (0)	Front brake upgrade After my track day, it's become apparent that the weakness in the 125/128i package is the brakes. They're fine on the road, but under heavy use they're not quite up to the task, get soft quickly, are not strong enough, and the abs kicks in way to early. The BMW performance brakes are pretty pricey as an upgrade, gets to the point where you may as well have bought a 135i for the extra money you spend. I've considered trying to pick up a used set of 135i front brakes, but i don't think there are many around due to the age of the car. I'm wondering if it might be possible to pick up some second hand 330i calipers, rotors and inner shields to install on the 125i? I have the 18 inch wheels, so clearance shouldn't be an issue. Because the 330i's been around for much longer, there must be more used parts in the market. And the brakes should be quite strong on this model i think? Does anyone know if the 330i brakes are similar to the 135i brakes, if this kind of retro fit would work, and if this idea could be feasible for a lower cost front brake upgrade (am only thinking the front stoppers need upgrading, since the rears aren't as important). Thanks __________________ 125i, stick shift, M pack w/ 18's, 225/255 Z1's, saphire black, BMW CF rear spoiler, black interior, Midnight tint, business nav, sunroof, Injen intake, H&R sways.
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09-28-2009, 07:56 PM	#2
BrokenVert Resident Kerbalnaut 478 Rep 10,703 Posts Drives: Topless Brute/Hybrid Boogaloo Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Fahrvergnügen/NY iTrader: (0)	I cant tell you if they are compatible on a 128i, but I can tell you that the 135i brakes are much larger than a comparible 3. The 1er has 6 piston front caplipers versus the 3's 2 piston. __________________
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09-28-2009, 08:13 PM	#3
janus77 Lieutenant 36 Rep 526 Posts Drives: 125i coupe Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Sydney iTrader: (0)	so the 330 only has 2 piston? Mmm, ok. That blows that idea out of the water then. __________________ 125i, stick shift, M pack w/ 18's, 225/255 Z1's, saphire black, BMW CF rear spoiler, black interior, Midnight tint, business nav, sunroof, Injen intake, H&R sways.
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09-28-2009, 08:32 PM	#4
janus77 Lieutenant 36 Rep 526 Posts Drives: 125i coupe Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Sydney iTrader: (0)	i guess the next obvious question is are there any previous models which have 3 piston front brakes which would fit in the 18 inch wheels? __________________ 125i, stick shift, M pack w/ 18's, 225/255 Z1's, saphire black, BMW CF rear spoiler, black interior, Midnight tint, business nav, sunroof, Injen intake, H&R sways.
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09-28-2009, 10:10 PM	#5
Blacky Lieutenant 14 Rep 472 Posts Drives: Join Date: Mar 2006 iTrader: (0)	If you are looking for a cheap option and getting back to the 330 side of things, I think the standard 335 and 330D brakes are larger than standard 128s, both front and rear. Still no 6 pistons etc but larger swept area etc. I think the diameter of the front rotor on the 330D is large than that of the 135 with 6 pistons! Someone could shoot me down here but I think I am right. LOL
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09-28-2009, 10:22 PM	#6
janus77 Lieutenant 36 Rep 526 Posts Drives: 125i coupe Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Sydney iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the info. __________________ 125i, stick shift, M pack w/ 18's, 225/255 Z1's, saphire black, BMW CF rear spoiler, black interior, Midnight tint, business nav, sunroof, Injen intake, H&R sways.
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09-29-2009, 01:24 PM	#7
WhiteOne Major 28 Rep 1,000 Posts Drives: 2008 AW 135i Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Alabama iTrader: (0)	I have seen the Brembo's for sale on this forum. As more brake options appear more 135 brakes should become available. Patience grasshopper...
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09-29-2009, 02:47 PM	#8
HondaGoneRogue They like my Swag... 433 Rep 3,762 Posts Drives: 15 GSM 435i GC Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: South Dakota iTrader: (4) Garage List 2015 435i Gran Coupe [0.00]	If I were shopping for bigger brakes, I would spent the extra coin on aftermarket before going with the 135's. Even though they are 6pot brembos, they aren't the greatest and damn sure not as good as an aftermarket set. Wilwood, AP, Brembo, Stoptech, etc. all make great upgrades. __________________ 2015 435i Gran Coupe - Current 2008 AW 135i - Sold
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09-29-2009, 07:41 PM	#10
janus77 Lieutenant 36 Rep 526 Posts Drives: 125i coupe Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Sydney iTrader: (0)	Yeah, i'm trying to keep the mod/upgrade costs below the cost of buying a 135i, so buying an aftermarket setup is kinda out of the ballpark. Harold, am interested to know what pad/fluid/line combo may give the brakes a stronger feel, and better stopping power? Would this actually help stopping power? The reason i was hoping to install bigger callipers and rotors is to allow greater control of the brakes at the limit. At the moment the ABS kicks in too early and the brakes feel very soggy when pushing hard. __________________ 125i, stick shift, M pack w/ 18's, 225/255 Z1's, saphire black, BMW CF rear spoiler, black interior, Midnight tint, business nav, sunroof, Injen intake, H&R sways.
	Appreciate 0 Quote