BMW 1 Series Coupe Forum / 1 Series Convertible Forum (1M / tii / 135i / 128i / Coupe / Cabrio / Hatchback) (BMW E82 E88 128i 130i 135i)
 





 

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      12-02-2015, 09:05 AM   #1
TechieCarGuy
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Brakes/suspensions upgrades for street and track

I've got a 135i with sport package, non-m and expect to do about 85-90% street driving but will also do the occasional track days and club racing.
My car needs new pads and I am contemplating tossing on upgraded rotors at least up front if not all the way around... either way what pads would you guys recommend and how much difference would I feel with the reduced weight of 2peice rotors Like ones from ECS?
As for suspension I mainly want to do shocks but am undecided on Koni adjustable vs. Bilstein or even a cheaper coil over although I suspect that would be over kill. Thoughts?
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      12-02-2015, 12:27 PM   #2
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If you have OE rotors they will be lighter than standard replacements from Stoptech/Centric or Zimmerman seeing as they are two-piece from the factory. The OE rotors have aluminum hats with steel rings that are riveted together but not serviceable.

If your rotors are in need of replacement I suggest OE replacements or a high quality aftermarket blank (i.e no slots, dimpled or drilled). I would not waste money on expensive two-piece rotors unless this is a dedicated track car.

From personal experience I recommend Stoptech blanks, pads of your choice and a fluid flush with something like Motul RBF600. Take a look at the link below to help decide what pad is best for you.

Brake Pad Thread
http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1101908

For suspension I'd recommend staying away from cheap coilovers all together. Lots of people have opinions on suspension setups. Here's what I suggest based on lots of reviews here on the forum.

Koni Yellow - Single Adjustable or Bilstein B8 (cheaper and non-adjustable)
Swift Springs - Spec R
Dinan Camber Plates
M3/TRW Front Control Arms
M3 Front Sway Bar
M3 Rear Subframe Bushings

Also get a good alignment, ditch the runflats and get some decent tires.
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      12-02-2015, 12:29 PM   #3
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Stick with solid rotors and spend money on good pads + ti shims. You'll likely want coils if you're doing 10% of driving on the track. Or Koni yellow struts with swift Springs are also a good option
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      01-07-2016, 05:42 PM   #4
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Sort of hijacking this thread since it's related. I'm planning to try out HPDE this year and probably will be doing a handful events if I find it fun (which I'm pretty sure I will). Is upgrading brakes something that's only recommended for experienced folks or is this something that's more related to general safety? For you guys with experience, how bad are the stock brakes and brake pads for the 128i (but if you have experience with 135i stock brakes that'll be helpful to know too). I've already bled the brake fluids with ATE Typ 200 ones half year ago so I think I'm fine in that regards (right?).
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      04-03-2016, 11:04 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by spxxx View Post
Stick with solid rotors and spend money on good pads + ti shims. You'll likely want coils if you're doing 10% of driving on the track. Or Koni yellow struts with swift Springs are also a good option
SPXX what Ti shims are you using and what thickness? I found a pair from Hard brakes, in either .5 or 1mm.
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      04-03-2016, 01:39 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Fume View Post
Sort of hijacking this thread since it's related. I'm planning to try out HPDE this year and probably will be doing a handful events if I find it fun (which I'm pretty sure I will). Is upgrading brakes something that's only recommended for experienced folks or is this something that's more related to general safety? For you guys with experience, how bad are the stock brakes and brake pads for the 128i (but if you have experience with 135i stock brakes that'll be helpful to know too). I've already bled the brake fluids with ATE Typ 200 ones half year ago so I think I'm fine in that regards (right?).
I did all of last year's events on stock fluid, stock pads, stock rotors. I'm making stock power. Our track does have a lot of 3->2 braking zones, and one 4->2 on the back straight. I would not say the track is hard on brakes, but they certainly get a workout.

I would inspect the brakes before and after each event as a safety measure.
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      05-04-2016, 02:20 AM   #7
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Im also debating on a spring/strut combo (will have to be swift springs) or a good coilover set. Will be TRYING to track the car a lot, but if I get coils I dont want the ride to be so bad, its unbearable.

Still doing research, any suggestions would be nice, might be lazy and just get what E82Msport recommended.
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      05-09-2016, 08:28 PM   #8
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my ast coils with swift 392/616 lb springs ride better than when i had koni yellows with bmw performance springs. i was very surprised even at 4 clicks from full stiff.
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      05-17-2016, 08:38 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by spxxx View Post
Stick with solid rotors and spend money on good pads + ti shims. You'll likely want coils if you're doing 10% of driving on the track. Or Koni yellow struts with swift Springs are also a good option
^^ THIS ^^

the analogy i always tell people about "lightweight" rotors is like having 2 pots - one full of water and the other half filled with water. apply the same amount of heat on both pots. which water will boil first? the weight savings is always nice but warped rotors due to too much heat is not fun.
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      05-17-2016, 02:11 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Fume View Post
Sort of hijacking this thread since it's related. I'm planning to try out HPDE this year and probably will be doing a handful events if I find it fun (which I'm pretty sure I will). Is upgrading brakes something that's only recommended for experienced folks or is this something that's more related to general safety? For you guys with experience, how bad are the stock brakes and brake pads for the 128i (but if you have experience with 135i stock brakes that'll be helpful to know too). I've already bled the brake fluids with ATE Typ 200 ones half year ago so I think I'm fine in that regards (right?).
If you've no prior experience I think you'll be fine with just RBF. Otherwise, upgrade the front pads to a motorsport compound. That's my recommendation based on my own experience with the stock 128i brakes. They are small; I would do RBF at a minimum for safety reasons alone.

**No offense to 135i owners, but your brake experience isn't applicable to our 128s. You can argue all day, but the fact of the matter is that the rotors, calipers, and pads are all larger than ours, not to mention your front bumper has ducts on each side, whereas the 128i has fog lights :/

Last edited by chris82; 05-17-2016 at 02:37 PM..
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      05-17-2016, 05:38 PM   #11
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Fwiw, my JRZs on 575/1000 ride better than stock, if you keep sensible rebound settings.
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      05-17-2016, 07:49 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chris82 View Post
not to mention your front bumper has ducts on each side, whereas the 128i has fog lights :/
Unless you bought the M-Sport package...
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      05-23-2016, 09:00 PM   #13
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Originally Posted by Suprgnat View Post
Unless you bought the M-Sport package...
Doesn't the 128i have fog lights that block the ducts even with the M-Sport package?
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      05-23-2016, 09:41 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chris82 View Post
Doesn't the 128i have fog lights that block the ducts even with the M-Sport package?
Nope.

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      05-24-2016, 11:44 AM   #15
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Nope.

Oh I did not realize that! Your car looks great!
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      05-24-2016, 02:10 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Suprgnat View Post
Nope.

Oh interesting. I didn't realise that. I should double check that it's there on my car since I have the m-sport package.
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      05-24-2016, 02:30 PM   #17
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Oh I did not realize that! Your car looks great!
Thanks!
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      05-25-2016, 02:08 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Suprgnat View Post
Nope.

Like your license plate. And car, of course.
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