135i caliper pistons from centric - anyone use these?

[PORTMOODY]

I found these on ebay. Since BMW doesn't sell them and the only other options are quite pricey. I wonder if anyone who doesn't track their car has given these a go.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Centric-Bra...juy:rk:22:pf:0

[PORTMOODY]

Here is a picture of my pistons and dust boots. The ceramic tip and the dust boots look perfect. How big of an issue are the pistons if someone doesn't track their car? They look perfect to me.

[PORTMOODY]

Since i received astounding levels of feedback from this thread I decided to go ahead and order one of the pistons as a test to see what its made of. Keep all you interested folks updated once I get it.

[Traf]

Ahahaha you funny

[PORTMOODY]

Originally Posted by Traf

Ahahaha you funny

Sarcasm is my 4th language.

[asbrr]

Just to add a general comment on the centric pistons - I'd wager if you're not tracking your vehicle, the centric stuff should be good enough for a daily IMO. The stock pistons are no problem on a street vehicle, and show issues only on regularly tracked cars with many track level heat cycles/exposure. For that the racing brake or turner piston upgrades are an option.

EDIT - Sorry, forgot to say Centric is one of the brands I'd trust, if they were no-names then that's a different story.

[iminhell1]

I don't know I've seen threads/complaints about the rears ....

[asbrr]

Originally Posted by iminhell1

I don't know I've seen threads/complaints about the rears ....

Under track conditions or even for a daily? I was going based strictly on company size/recognition of course. Most people replacing pistons are going for an upgrade so I suspect the sample size of people looking at using standard replacements is quite small...

[PORTMOODY]

Originally Posted by asbrr

Just to add a general comment on the centric pistons - I'd wager if you're not tracking your vehicle, the centric stuff should be good enough for a daily IMO. The stock pistons are no problem on a street vehicle, and show issues only on regularly tracked cars with many track level heat cycles/exposure. For that the racing brake or turner piston upgrades are an option.

EDIT - Sorry, forgot to say Centric is one of the brands I'd trust, if they were no-names then that's a different story.

My theory, is that the centric pistons are the same ones that are being sold by turner as stoptech because centric and stoptech are the same company. That's why I bought one of the rear pistons to see what its made of. Its advertised as steel or aluminum. I think in either case, they will be an upgrade over the ceramics for wear and tear. Thinking about it now, I should have probably bought a front piston as well to compare pictures with the stoptech ones. I believe stoptech pistons are aluminum.

Originally Posted by iminhell1

I don't know I've seen threads/complaints about the rears ....

Yeah, I saw the same and I noticed the turner ones are only for the fronts. Makes sense as the front does the brunt of the braking and would get the hottest, thus causing the most stress.

I bought these calipers used and I feel strongly that a non tracked car probably will not show many issues but I like the idea of replacing them with a solid metal substitute if its viable. I wouldn't have any plans to track the car either but its more for peace of mind.

[PORTMOODY]

verdict is in. Aluminum pistons. Honestly, this is the most inexpensive route to get solid metal pistons for caliper rebuilds on the 135i.

[John_01]

I don't understand why you want to replace the stock pistons. The phenolic tops are actually a design feature to reduce heatsoak in the caliper. They can stand some degree of track use. You have to do some serious track use to damage the stock pistons. it seems to me its only people using specialist track brake pads, and semi-slick tires that complain about the durability of the stock piston. The first failure point of the stock brakes is likely to be the dust seals, which will degrade at high temperatures. The OE dust seals available as a spare part from BMW.

[PORTMOODY]

Originally Posted by John_01

I don't understand why you want to replace the stock pistons. The phenolic tops are actually a design feature to reduce heatsoak in the caliper. They can stand some degree of track use. You have to do some serious track use to damage the stock pistons. it seems to me its only people using specialist track brake pads, and semi-slick tires that complain about the durability of the stock piston. The first failure point of the stock brakes is likely to be the dust seals, which will degrade at high temperatures. The OE dust seals available as a spare part from BMW.

I've come to a similar conclusion and I understand the oem piston is better at dissipating heat with standard use. This was a little bit of a fact finding mission too just to see what the centric pistons looked like and to find a lower cost alternative for people buying the turner and RB kit. I have an e90 and I will either sell this set or keep them in case I ever get a 128i down the line. I will likely get the f30 brakes for my 335d.