Rotor choices

CarJunkie · 06-27-2015, 09:57 AM

OK, so I have searched and read several threads regarding rotors, and have narrowed things down to 2 choices. I do not plan to do a BBK. Car is a daily driver that sees about 8 days of hard driving per year (4-5 autocross, 3-4 HPDE) and about 8000 street miles.

Options:
1:
PFC 2-piece front and Frozen Rotors out back (maybe could stay with OEM out back?). Higher initial cost, but cheaper front ring replacement in future. $1600 first time then about $1175 in future assuming replacing front and rear together.
2:
Frozen Rotors front and rear. $1441 a pop.

My biggest question is longevity. I would love to have rotors last through two sets of pads. It sounds like the Frozen Rotors can do that. I am not sure if the PFC's last that long. If not, they are definitely more expensive even in the long run, but maybe still worth it? Also, how hard is it to swap out the rings, special tools or clamp needed or simple bench job? I prefer to DIY everything. I'd love some advice from those who have used either of these.

ayao · 06-27-2015, 05:17 PM

A few things I've observed:

The OEM rotors in the 1M application are amazingly robust IMO -- I base that on the torture I've put mine through. If you look around long enough, you can pick up lightly used sets for ridiculously low amounts of money.

Regarding PFC DD rotors, I also have a set sitting around ready to go one when my OEMs give up the ghost. They seem pretty well-designed and reasonable. One of the M3 forum guys (Lutfy) beats the absolute crap out of his car on track at the instructor level and seems to have found a pretty good balance with PFC DD rotors, race pads, and upgraded fluid -- in his opinion it's good enough to obviate the cost of a BBK. Presumably, PFCs should last longer with lower temps from better cooling vane design and metallurgy, if you believe the marketing hype. You can source PFC rotors for only slightly more than the cost of OEMs if you know where to look.
PFC rotors come in V1-3. To my knowledge V3s for our car haven't been released yet. The V2s look pretty straightforward for ring replacement -- simple hand tools to replace the nuts/bolts that attach the ring to the hat.

Supposedly, Coleman Racing with make you new friction ring blanks (non-drilled) at a fraction of the cost of the originals, caveat being that you need to send in the old ones to them to measure, etc. But once that's done, you have an eternal source of cheap replacements. To my knowledge though, no one in M3/1M land has gone to the trouble of this.

The other option that I've seen are ECS rotors. I don't know much about them but Ian///M has had good experience with them when he was having issues with OEMs.

Hope this helps.

Dackelone · 06-27-2015, 05:32 PM

Why not have the factory rotors cryogenically treated ?

http://www.300below.com/cryo-rotor-brake-rotors/

http://www.tirerack.com/brakes/tech/....jsp?techid=83

Swaintech also has some interesting stuff they can do to brake pads...

http://swaintech.com/race-coatings/a...s-price-sheet/

CarJunkie · 06-27-2015, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ayao

The OEM rotors in the 1M application are amazingly robust IMO -- I base that on the torture I've put mine through. If you look around long enough, you can pick up lightly used sets for ridiculously low amounts of money.

Do you know where I can find the minimum spec for rotor thickness? I have measuring calipers and would want to check any used set I came across. It would also help to know when mine are getting close. They are starting to form a lip, but that isn't always accurate.

CarJunkie · 06-27-2015, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dackelone

Why not have the factory rotors cryogenically treated ?

I did not realize that you could do that . . . will look into that also. Thanks!

ayao · 06-27-2015, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CarJunkie

Do you know where I can find the minimum spec for rotor thickness? I have measuring calipers and would want to check any used set I came across. It would also help to know when mine are getting close. They are starting to form a lip, but that isn't always accurate.

I believe minimum spec is engraved on the rotor hat ...

CarJunkie · 06-27-2015, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ayao

I believe minimum spec is engraved on the rotor hat ...

Perfect, had no idea.

ajshanny · 06-28-2015, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ayao

Quote:

Originally Posted by CarJunkie

Do you know where I can find the minimum spec for rotor thickness? I have measuring calipers and would want to check any used set I came across. It would also help to know when mine are getting close. They are starting to form a lip, but that isn't always accurate.

I believe minimum spec is engraved on the rotor hat ...

What does it say?

Dackelone · 06-28-2015, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajshanny

What does it say?

24.4mm's... (new is 26mm's)
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ayao · 06-28-2015, 02:52 PM

I think for the M3/1M front rotors 30mm is new and 28.4 is minimum.

CarJunkie · 06-28-2015, 03:35 PM

Awesome, I had never paid any attention to the stamp on the hat! That is great.

MDORPHN · 06-29-2015, 08:24 AM

Go with the PFD Direct Drive rotors.

They're very high quality, offer excellent life and -- unlike the stock set-up -- it's a true floating rotor.

I ran them before moving to the AP Racing set-up I'm now running.

Neil

ajshanny · 06-29-2015, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ayao

I think for the M3/1M front rotors 30mm is new and 28.4 is minimum.

Thanks. Do you know what the specs are for the rear ones (OEM)?

ayao · 06-29-2015, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajshanny

Thanks. Do you know what the specs are for the rear ones (OEM)?

Based on this thread:

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?p=18114048

It's 24 mm new and 22.4 mm discard.

HP Autosport · 07-11-2015, 01:26 PM

Some of our 1M/M3 customer will only use the PFC DD rotors with PFC pads. They have used them on their E46 M3's and know how well they perform both on the street and track.

There may other options out there, but PFC's are very well made and customer service is excellent.

CarJunkie · 09-11-2016, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HP Autosport

Some of our 1M/M3 customer will only use the PFC DD rotors with PFC pads. They have used them on their E46 M3's and know how well they perform both on the street and track.

There may other options out there, but PFC's are very well made and customer service is excellent.

Does PFC make a "street" pad for the 1M to swap for the PFC08's? I am looking at options for front rotors/pads. I want a low dust daily option that will be somewhat compatible with track pads to avoid irregular deposits.

ayao · 09-11-2016, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CarJunkie

Does PFC make a "street" pad for the 1M to swap for the PFC08's? I am looking at options for front rotors/pads. I want a low dust daily option that will be somewhat compatible with track pads to avoid irregular deposits.

Yes, they their "Z-rated pad" is their street compound, roughly equivalent to Stoptech Street Performance pad.

HP Autosport · 09-11-2016, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ayao

Yes, they their "Z-rated pad" is their street compound, roughly equivalent to Stoptech Street Performance pad.

Correct. They are of a good value at only $190 for the entire front and rear set.

CarJunkie · 09-15-2016, 06:28 PM

Well front rotors got resurfaced and have 0.7mm of tolerance remaining. These will be my street rotors. I just got a set of used PFC V2s with about 1-2 year's worth of PFC-08s (thanks Ayao) and will use them for track days. The rear rotors will do double duty.

HP Autosport · 09-15-2016, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CarJunkie

Well front rotors got resurfaced and have 0.7mm of tolerance remaining. These will be my street rotors. I just got a set of used PFC V2s with about 1-2 year's worth of PFC-08s (thanks Ayao) and will use them for track days. The rear rotors will do double duty.

You will love the PFC DD and 08 combo.

Just replacing rotor rings from now on!

CarJunkie · 09-15-2016, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HP Autosport

You will love the PFC DD and 08 combo.

Just replacing rotor rings from now on!

And saved a little coin to put toward my Ohlins . . . that's the winter project.

HP Autosport · 09-15-2016, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CarJunkie

And saved a little coin to put toward my Ohlins . . . that's the winter project.

Let us know when you are ready!

06-27-2015, 09:57 AM	#1
CarJunkie Colonel 2617 Rep 2,819 Posts Drives: e82 1M, f87 M2cs Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Tri-Cities, Washington iTrader: (1) Garage List 2020 M2cs [0.00] 2011 BMW 1M [0.00]	Rotor choices OK, so I have searched and read several threads regarding rotors, and have narrowed things down to 2 choices. I do not plan to do a BBK. Car is a daily driver that sees about 8 days of hard driving per year (4-5 autocross, 3-4 HPDE) and about 8000 street miles. Options: 1: PFC 2-piece front and Frozen Rotors out back (maybe could stay with OEM out back?). Higher initial cost, but cheaper front ring replacement in future. $1600 first time then about $1175 in future assuming replacing front and rear together. 2: Frozen Rotors front and rear. $1441 a pop. My biggest question is longevity. I would love to have rotors last through two sets of pads. It sounds like the Frozen Rotors can do that. I am not sure if the PFC's last that long. If not, they are definitely more expensive even in the long run, but maybe still worth it? Also, how hard is it to swap out the rings, special tools or clamp needed or simple bench job? I prefer to DIY everything. I'd love some advice from those who have used either of these.
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06-27-2015, 05:17 PM	#2
ayao Thread killer 642 Rep 1,896 Posts Drives: 1M Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: CA iTrader: (2)	A few things I've observed: The OEM rotors in the 1M application are amazingly robust IMO -- I base that on the torture I've put mine through. If you look around long enough, you can pick up lightly used sets for ridiculously low amounts of money. Regarding PFC DD rotors, I also have a set sitting around ready to go one when my OEMs give up the ghost. They seem pretty well-designed and reasonable. One of the M3 forum guys (Lutfy) beats the absolute crap out of his car on track at the instructor level and seems to have found a pretty good balance with PFC DD rotors, race pads, and upgraded fluid -- in his opinion it's good enough to obviate the cost of a BBK. Presumably, PFCs should last longer with lower temps from better cooling vane design and metallurgy, if you believe the marketing hype. You can source PFC rotors for only slightly more than the cost of OEMs if you know where to look. PFC rotors come in V1-3. To my knowledge V3s for our car haven't been released yet. The V2s look pretty straightforward for ring replacement -- simple hand tools to replace the nuts/bolts that attach the ring to the hat. Supposedly, Coleman Racing with make you new friction ring blanks (non-drilled) at a fraction of the cost of the originals, caveat being that you need to send in the old ones to them to measure, etc. But once that's done, you have an eternal source of cheap replacements. To my knowledge though, no one in M3/1M land has gone to the trouble of this. The other option that I've seen are ECS rotors. I don't know much about them but Ian///M has had good experience with them when he was having issues with OEMs. Hope this helps.
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06-27-2015, 05:32 PM	#3
Dackelone European Editor 10539 Rep 22,992 Posts Drives: N54 e82 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Bayern, Germany iTrader: (1)	Why not have the factory rotors cryogenically treated ? http://www.300below.com/cryo-rotor-brake-rotors/ http://www.tirerack.com/brakes/tech/....jsp?techid=83 Swaintech also has some interesting stuff they can do to brake pads... http://swaintech.com/race-coatings/a...s-price-sheet/ __________________ Dackel's European Delivery Museum Guide
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06-28-2015, 02:52 PM	#10
ayao Thread killer 642 Rep 1,896 Posts Drives: 1M Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: CA iTrader: (2)	I think for the M3/1M front rotors 30mm is new and 28.4 is minimum.
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06-28-2015, 03:35 PM	#11
CarJunkie Colonel 2617 Rep 2,819 Posts Drives: e82 1M, f87 M2cs Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Tri-Cities, Washington iTrader: (1) Garage List 2020 M2cs [0.00] 2011 BMW 1M [0.00]	Awesome, I had never paid any attention to the stamp on the hat! That is great.
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06-29-2015, 08:24 AM	#12
MDORPHN Colonel 291 Rep 2,898 Posts Drives: AW 1M Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Wash, DC iTrader: (0)	Go with the PFD Direct Drive rotors. They're very high quality, offer excellent life and -- unlike the stock set-up -- it's a true floating rotor. I ran them before moving to the AP Racing set-up I'm now running. Neil
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07-11-2015, 01:26 PM	#15
HP Autosport Supreme Allied Commander 3842 Rep 54,352 Posts Drives: F80 M3 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Santa Barbara, AP, Brembo, GIAC, Koni, Ohlins, Performance Friction, www.hpautosport.com iTrader: (36)	Some of our 1M/M3 customer will only use the PFC DD rotors with PFC pads. They have used them on their E46 M3's and know how well they perform both on the street and track. There may other options out there, but PFC's are very well made and customer service is excellent.
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09-15-2016, 06:28 PM	#19
CarJunkie Colonel 2617 Rep 2,819 Posts Drives: e82 1M, f87 M2cs Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Tri-Cities, Washington iTrader: (1) Garage List 2020 M2cs [0.00] 2011 BMW 1M [0.00]	Well front rotors got resurfaced and have 0.7mm of tolerance remaining. These will be my street rotors. I just got a set of used PFC V2s with about 1-2 year's worth of PFC-08s (thanks Ayao) and will use them for track days. The rear rotors will do double duty.
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