1M Brake Calipers on 128/135?

[K9Leader]

I've noticed 1M front and rear calipers on the auction site, usually less than 135 calipers or BMWP calipers. Would the 1M calipers fit on the non-M E8x cars? I have a 2011 128i and have been researching brake upgrades. I've seen a lot of information about using 135/335/BMWP calipers but nothing about the possibility of 1M calipers. Would they fit on the hub? Bolt-on or with modifications? What size wheels are needed for clearance? Would 17s be too small? 18s? I imagine 19s would be okay.

This set up would need new (larger) rotors and, of course, pads. Those rotors are significantly larger - stock on the 128 is 300x24, 135 is 338x26, and 1M is 360x30. Cost would be significantly more but would the sheers size be a problem?

Just a quick check on RealOEM.com and I see that in the front, the carriers and wheel hubs have different part numbers between the 128 and the 1M so that may be where fitment issues come into play. Same in the rear it appears.

This is probably why the 1M calipers are relatively cheap - they can't be used on anything but an M (1M or M3) so not much of a market for used. I have good rotors and pads already on my car so probably will just go with refurbishing/rebuilding my 128 stock brakes. Better to do my learnin' with what I already have and save getting something fancier for down the road.

[amg6975]

Not directly, no. You'd need 1M/M3 front knuckles and the rear would snowball even worse.

You can however bolt on 335i brakes which are very similar, just a slightly smaller rotor. To do the rears "properly" you'll need to swap to E9x hubs and do the whole 335/135 parking brake set up. Pair these with an M3 master cylinder and I think this is the best bang for the buck brake set up on the E82.

[K9Leader]

Originally Posted by amg6975

Not directly, no. You'd need 1M/M3 front knuckles and the rear would snowball even worse.

You can however bolt on 335i brakes which are very similar, just a slightly smaller rotor. To do the rears "properly" you'll need to swap to E9x hubs and do the whole 335/135 parking brake set up. Pair these with an M3 master cylinder and I think this is the best bang for the buck brake set up on the E82.

Yes, that is what I thought about the knuckles, so, while the calipers can be picked up inexpensively, everything else that would have to be done to make it work would be extensive and expensive. So, not worth it. The 135, 335, even 328 upgrades make more sense. For now I'm sticking with the stock 128 setup and planning to clean/refurbish/rebuild them to learn more and put any upgrade off to a future time.

[bbnks2]

Originally Posted by K9Leader

Yes, that is what I thought about the knuckles, so, while the calipers can be picked up inexpensively, everything else that would have to be done to make it work would be extensive and expensive. So, not worth it. The 135, 335, even 328 upgrades make more sense. For now I'm sticking with the stock 128 setup and planning to clean/refurbish/rebuild them to learn more and put any upgrade off to a future time. [/SIZE]

kind of a catch 22. The m3 spindles have more performance oriented geometry. Tire rod pickup point is different.

1m/m3 brakes are a nice upgrade for a 135/335i but they use expensive rotors and they are a floating caliper. If you ever want to upgrade them it's a bit harder although it seems more options are popping up recently. People are putting brmebos from other cars onto M3's using custom brackets and what not.

135i/335i seems to have a handful of relatively cheap bolt-on upgrades/swaps. You don't get the spindle upgrade though.

I think the f-series knuckles are an even better swap than the M3 knuckles these days.