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





 

Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      09-20-2016, 10:25 AM   #1
Sdracing
Private
28
Rep
90
Posts

Drives: 128i
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Colorado

iTrader: (0)

Installing F30 Grey Brembo Calipers on E82 128i

This thread is about how I installed F30 Calipers on my 128i, and trying to put everything I learned into one thread. Edit: This works the same for 135i owners.

CHOICES
There are basically four or five different types of Caliper and Rotor upgrades you can make.
1. The calipers that come stock on the 135i and also appear to be sold as 6 piston BMW Performance Brakes. (I did not go with this upgrade due to numerous posts regarding the pistons fracturing when tracked.)
2. M-SPORT CALIPERS (Blue four piston calipers)
3. Blue M-SPORT Four piston Brembo Calipers
3a. BMW M Performance Brake System, Yellow F30 F31 F32 F33 F34 F36 Big Brembo Kit.
4. F30 - 335i –Standard model Calipers (Grey Brembos)
5. Big Brake Kit from Stop Tech, Brembo, etc.

I ultimately decided to go with the grey 335i calipers due to cost. I purchased an entire front and rear set off of ebay for $559 and $100 shipping. (My understanding is all Calipers on the f30 335i are either the grey brembos or the fancy pants blue brembos.)



In order to class these up a little bit, I elected to paint them. I used Dupli-Color primer, red, and then clear coat.

(I first tried to use the brush on caliper paint. This stuff is not very good, and doesn’t leave a nice clean look. I ended removing all of it and redoing with the Dupli-Color spray cans. Absolutely use primer.



ROTORS---

My understanding is that one difference between the Blue M-Sport Brembo Calipers and Grey Brembo Calipers is the size of the rotor used. The Blue M-Sport Brembo rotors are pricey. But the Grey Brembo stock rotors are plain but not pricey.

I sourced new slotted and dimpled rotors from CQUENCE.COM. I ordered rotors for a 2014 base 335i vehicle and then had them slotted and dimpled so they look identical to the pricey rotors for the Blue M-Sport Brembo Calipers. The total price per rotor was less than $100.00. (These rotors are actually made by Stop-Tech)

When ordering rotors I shopped by vehicle using 2013 BMW 335i.


^^^^NOTE: For some reason, BMW slotted and dimpled rotors are not made to be directional, which means the slots will run in opposite directions on each side. Therefore, you get two identical rotors, which are not side specific.

PADS (and sensor)---

The used Calipers I purchased came with stock pads with lots of life. I elected to go with Ceramic Brake Pads because I like low dust and on the track they hold up better than the stock semi-metallic pads.
I ordered Centric Posi Quite Ceramic Pads from Tire Rack for $89.00. I searched using pads for a 2014 BMW 335i Base Model Built On Or After 3/2014. Manufacturer Part #: 105.16090. These pads are serviceable and they come with new pins and spring for the calipers with the brakes.

I ordered a new sensor from Tire Rack as well. I am not sure it matters, but I searched using 2008 128i. Manufacturer Part #: 116.34033. This was $13.00

BRAKE LINES---

I also upgraded brake lines to Stoptech Stainless Steel Brake Lines. These have the plastic coating on the lines to prevent dirt from prematurely wearing the stainless steel brake line. I ordered these from ECS.
In ordering this part, I searched for brake lines for a 128i. Mfg Part #PLBE9X335I; ECS Part # ES#3024290


Brake Fluid:
I used StopTech STR-600 High Performance Brake Fluid. I used 2 liters.

Dust Shields:
YOU DON’T NEED TO REPLACE THEM. I read that you needed to replace the dust shields, this for me was false. I have my stock dust shields and they touch the caliper in one small area but work fine.

These parts bolt up fine and all work together. I have 18 inch wheels so I am not sure if these would fit a 17”.

Installation is very easy.
1. Remove the two bolts holding the caliper to the spindle. Remove the old caliper and support it so it is not hanging by the brake line. Zip tie or a box to support.
2. Attach new stainless steel brake lines to the calipers BEFORE installing. (Also press in pistons). Do not install pads yet.
3. Place new Rotor on and screw in place.
4. Remove stock brake line from steel line. This will free the old caliper. (you will need to place something under the car or on the ground because brake fluid will leak out.)
5. Bolt up the new caliper to the spindle. I did not completely tighten. Just enough to hold caliper in place while I tightened the stainless steal brake line to the steel line. (When installing, make sure the bleed valve on the Caliper is facing up/ on the top)
6. Tighten brake line to steel line and position the two rubber grommets on the brake line accordingly.

7. Replace the sensor. The connection point is in a small black rectangle box. I just removed the entire wire and connection from the box enough to take off the old sensor wire and reconnect the new. Then place back in the box.
8. Tighten up the Caliper, and now install brake pads. If the pads do not slide in, its because the pistons have not been full retracted.
9. Do the passenger side in same manner.
10. BLEEDING: Keep the master cylinder full. The new brembo calipers have two bleed valves. One on the interior and one the exterior. Bleed the exterior first and then the interior. (I forgot about the interior bleed valve and had some issues.)

Total Cost Roughly:
$660.00 Calipers and Shipping
$200.00 Rotors
$90.00 Pads
$13.00 Sensor
$30.00 Paint, Primer, Clear.
$993.00 total. Add another $130 of stainless steel brake line upgrade.

Review: I have not had an opportunity to drive the car too much, but the brakes feel great. I do not notice any issue with bias due to the different type of calipers. I guess I will learn more when I track it, but, initially, I have zero concerns about brake bias.





Last edited by Sdracing; 09-20-2016 at 11:38 PM..
Appreciate 3
      09-20-2016, 03:13 PM   #2
Kgolf31
Brigadier General
Kgolf31's Avatar
459
Rep
4,531
Posts

Drives: 2007 Z4MC, 2012 128i
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Ohio

iTrader: (4)

Any weight of the 128 calipers versus current configuration?
Appreciate 0
      09-20-2016, 06:53 PM   #3
Sdracing
Private
28
Rep
90
Posts

Drives: 128i
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Colorado

iTrader: (0)

I didn't weight them, but didn't notice a substantial difference when swapping them.
Appreciate 0
      09-20-2016, 09:50 PM   #4
Dmak
Second Lieutenant
Canada
67
Rep
252
Posts

Drives: 09 135
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Edmonton alberta

iTrader: (1)

Very good info. I think those would fit the 135 the same way. Will also be an upgrade for 135 too since the base 335 rotor size is 340mm x30 and 135 rotor size is 338x26
Appreciate 1
Yvrbmw15.00
      09-20-2016, 11:24 PM   #5
Sdracing
Private
28
Rep
90
Posts

Drives: 128i
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Colorado

iTrader: (0)

Thanks Dmak. Yes - this will work for the 135i as well.

Last edited by Sdracing; 09-20-2016 at 11:40 PM..
Appreciate 0
      09-21-2016, 11:19 AM   #6
bimmerboyE92
Captain
United_States
412
Rep
737
Posts

Drives: BMW
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Louisville, KY

iTrader: (4)

Garage List
These bolted to the stock 128i mounting locations?
Appreciate 0
      09-21-2016, 01:03 PM   #7
Sdracing
Private
28
Rep
90
Posts

Drives: 128i
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Colorado

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by bimmerboyE92 View Post
These bolted to the stock 128i mounting locations?
Yes. 100% compatible. These parts all bolt up and work as if they were stock.
Appreciate 0
      09-21-2016, 01:41 PM   #8
houtan
Colonel
houtan's Avatar
701
Rep
2,430
Posts

Drives: 2011 135i
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: socal

iTrader: (17)

Garage List
2011 135i  [9.80]
nice writeup.

can you please share some additional information on the f30 calipers. are they four piston front, four piston rear? are the pistons not prone to cracking like the 135i? other than the larger and thicker rotor, and cost effectiveness, just trying to understand the advantages.
Appreciate 0
      09-21-2016, 02:24 PM   #9
Sdracing
Private
28
Rep
90
Posts

Drives: 128i
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Colorado

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by houtan View Post
nice writeup.

can you please share some additional information on the f30 calipers. are they four piston front, four piston rear? are the pistons not prone to cracking like the 135i? other than the larger and thicker rotor, and cost effectiveness, just trying to understand the advantages.
Correct, they are four piston up front. Since the calipers are made by Brembo I do not anticipate cracking to be an issue. I've tracked similar Bembo calipers before and never had an issue or fade.

I have not installed the stock 335i rear calipers yet, but I think they are single piston. The vast majority of stopping power is up front. The F30 M Sport Blue rear calipers maybe two piston. However, the base model F30 335i are single - I think.

The advantage of these over stock is is brake fade on the track. In addition, changing pads is very simple since the top of the caliper is open and therefore the Calipers do not need to be removed when swapping pads.

I am not sure if the stock 128i brakes would hold up with new brake lines, fluid and pads on the track. They might, but I wasn't going to risk 250 on a pair of race pads to find out.

Also there is the bling factor.
Appreciate 0
      10-22-2016, 08:28 AM   #10
bimmerboyE92
Captain
United_States
412
Rep
737
Posts

Drives: BMW
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Louisville, KY

iTrader: (4)

Garage List
Sd - thanks for the right up and as I search for a used set... do you think the stock 17" rims will fit over these?
Appreciate 0
      10-22-2016, 03:30 PM   #11
slonik
Lieutenant
slonik's Avatar
Russia
463
Rep
476
Posts

Drives: e46 M3, e82v8 (s65 swapped)
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Moscow Region, Zhukovsky

iTrader: (2)

Quote:
nice writeup.

can you please share some additional information on the f30 calipers. are they four piston front, four piston rear? are the pistons not prone to cracking like the 135i? other than the larger and thicker rotor, and cost effectiveness, just trying to understand the advantages.
this caliper is too small. it's a lot smaller then 135 oem.

114.5mm length

162.8mm length.


i think this swap have some advantages with 370mm rotor (f30 335 brakes?), but again, this caliper too small (. it will working good only on smaller engines.
Appreciate 0
      11-23-2016, 02:50 PM   #12
juld0zer
Lieutenant Colonel
Australia
480
Rep
1,600
Posts

Drives: Prev 135i 7DCT, Now 130i 6sp
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: 2153

iTrader: (0)

F30 4 pots are fine for E82. I swapped out my stock 6 pots with 135,000km for a pair of 4pots with 5000km. Pedal feel is the same, stopping is comparable with the stock brake.

I chose this route because of the low cost, thicker (30 vs 26mm) and slightly wider discs (340 vs 338mm) with better ventilation design.

E8x wheels wont fit due to thicker spokes fouling the wider caliper. Solution: Buy a set of F2x wheels. 17" fits, but it's quite cosy in there.

The stock 6 pots with bracket felt heavier than the F30 4potters. The 340mm rotor felt significantly heavier than the 338mm original rotor i took off, with low mileage
Appreciate 0
      11-23-2016, 03:49 PM   #13
ilikebmxbikes
Banned
1518
Rep
4,744
Posts

Drives: S65 1M Clone & E92 M3 4.6L
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: San Francisco

iTrader: (42)

Garage List
nice swap and write up. all helpful information that people have asked for.

I am curious to how these would hold up on the track. Discussion of these, like the 135i brakes, tends to always promote that being "brembo" made makes them an equivalent of a Brembo GT which has never been true. But from what I have read, these do perform better than the 135i stock set.
Appreciate 0
      01-11-2017, 02:44 AM   #14
WhatsADSM
Lieutenant
228
Rep
537
Posts

Drives: 2011 135i
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Milwaukee

iTrader: (2)

Did you by chance measure the caliper piston diameter before installing?

That would be great info for everyone so we can figure out how this affects the brake bias.
Appreciate 0
      01-15-2017, 12:00 PM   #15
WhatsADSM
Lieutenant
228
Rep
537
Posts

Drives: 2011 135i
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Milwaukee

iTrader: (2)

As an update for anyone that reads this... They are 40mm front pistons, which is great because mathematically it only changes the bias like 5% (and forward) versus the 135i setup.
Appreciate 1
Dmak67.00
      06-05-2017, 10:45 AM   #16
Eau_Rouge111
Lieutenant
Eau_Rouge111's Avatar
Canada
356
Rep
478
Posts

Drives: 2009 128i and 2007 Z4M Coupe
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Mississauga, Canada

iTrader: (0)

This is great as I'm planning on doing this as well. Anyone know if the stock 128i 18" wheels will fit given this is a wider caliper? Will a spacer be required to clear the stock 18" wheel spokes??

I run 19" aftermarket wheels for summer but use the 18" stock wheels as winter wheels.
Appreciate 0
      06-18-2017, 07:48 AM   #17
brytom
Level 1 BMW Tech
brytom's Avatar
United_States
25
Rep
62
Posts

Drives: 2010 | N52K | 6MT
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Kentucky

iTrader: (0)

That's an awesome idea. Pricing out options is getting expensive real quick.
Appreciate 0
      06-19-2017, 07:51 AM   #18
asbrr
Major
Canada
541
Rep
1,233
Posts

Drives: 2014 335ix M-Sport
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Toronto

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Eau_Rouge111 View Post
This is great as I'm planning on doing this as well. Anyone know if the stock 128i 18" wheels will fit given this is a wider caliper? Will a spacer be required to clear the stock 18" wheel spokes??

I run 19" aftermarket wheels for summer but use the 18" stock wheels as winter wheels.
*Should* fit. I run the 18" stock 128i sport package wheels (style 263 I think), and have the 135i calipers up front no issues. These calipers fit with stock 135i wheels, so you shouldn't have a problem.
Appreciate 1
      06-19-2017, 07:58 AM   #19
Eau_Rouge111
Lieutenant
Eau_Rouge111's Avatar
Canada
356
Rep
478
Posts

Drives: 2009 128i and 2007 Z4M Coupe
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Mississauga, Canada

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by asbrr
Quote:
Originally Posted by Eau_Rouge111 View Post
This is great as I'm planning on doing this as well. Anyone know if the stock 128i 18" wheels will fit given this is a wider caliper? Will a spacer be required to clear the stock 18" wheel spokes??

I run 19" aftermarket wheels for summer but use the 18" stock wheels as winter wheels.
*Should* fit. I run the 18" stock 128i sport package wheels (style 263 I think), and have the 135i calipers up front no issues. These calipers fit with stock 135i wheels, so you shouldn't have a problem.
That's really good to hear. Just to confirm...are you talking about the F30 335i calipers or the e90 335i calipers?

Thanks again for your input on this.
Appreciate 0
      06-19-2017, 08:45 AM   #20
asbrr
Major
Canada
541
Rep
1,233
Posts

Drives: 2014 335ix M-Sport
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Toronto

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Eau_Rouge111 View Post
That's really good to hear. Just to confirm...are you talking about the F30 335i calipers or the e90 335i calipers?

Thanks again for your input on this.
Actually, I'm being a dumbass...I have the regular 6-pot 135i calipers, so to answer your question neither.

But - I'm 99% sure these fit, sizing is similar to the 135i caliper, someone did run these with stock 18" wheels...will try to dig up the post..
Appreciate 0
      06-19-2017, 09:19 AM   #21
Eau_Rouge111
Lieutenant
Eau_Rouge111's Avatar
Canada
356
Rep
478
Posts

Drives: 2009 128i and 2007 Z4M Coupe
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Mississauga, Canada

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by asbrr
Quote:
Originally Posted by Eau_Rouge111 View Post
That's really good to hear. Just to confirm...are you talking about the F30 335i calipers or the e90 335i calipers?

Thanks again for your input on this.
Actually, I'm being a dumbass...I have the regular 6-pot 135i calipers, so to answer your question neither.

But - I'm 99% sure these fit, sizing is similar to the 135i caliper, someone did run these with stock 18" wheels...will try to dig up the post..
Ha no worries. I've read both bolt right up...my only question is with the F22/F30 calipers...if they fit the regular 18" wheels without spacers given they are wider than the e90 335i calipers because of the 4 pistons

All help is appreciated!
Appreciate 0
      06-19-2017, 09:45 AM   #22
asbrr
Major
Canada
541
Rep
1,233
Posts

Drives: 2014 335ix M-Sport
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Toronto

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Eau_Rouge111 View Post
Ha no worries. I've read both bolt right up...my only question is with the F22/F30 calipers...if they fit the regular 18" wheels without spacers given they are wider than the e90 335i calipers because of the 4 pistons

All help is appreciated!
Argh...guess I was wrong...looks like a 5mm spacer:

http://babybmw.net/forum/viewtopic.p...a0770b665b9ebd
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:31 PM.




1addicts
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST