alcon bbk

[Omerta]

Any more info on the Alcon "Super Kit" for the E9x?

After some research and the need to be able to use my winter setup with a BBK I pretty much narrowed it down to AP Racing's BBK but I was told I should really look into the Alcon set up, as they have great compatibility and reliability with BMW's.... at least that is what I got out of the conversation. My friend also mentioned they bolt directly to the stock bracket where some others have an adaptor plate. We talk about so much stuff about the car at one time it is possible I am getting my info mixed up.... I am upgrading my stock brakes for spirited driving and I want to get back on the track. My track experience comes from motorcycles where braking was my biggest strength but you are talking about 350lb motorcycle that you can abuse the brakes all day and you are fine but a car as heavy as the M3 I will need to learn to mange the brakes. I believe in over kill and proper set up with brakes and suspension because it gives you more room for error. I can read about Brembo, Stop Tech, AP Racing BBK's on our cars but have not been able to find much about the Alcon stuff with the E90 and its brothers.

[alpina527]

I don't know if it's the case in USA, but in the UK, Alcon use iron rear hats. That will make them very heavy. Brembo and Stoptech use aluminium.

[Omerta]

got this off of the site...

"Advantage Extreme rotors have been engineered to produce optimum bite, thermal stability and durability in an exceptionally high strength to low weight design. This has been achieved by combining a special Alcon developed iron alloy rotor with an aerospace specification alloy hat."

I also noticed that the rotor is 380 and that will not fit with the 18" winter wheels I am using.

[mastek]

Originally Posted by Omerta

got this off of the site...

"Advantage Extreme rotors have been engineered to produce optimum bite, thermal stability and durability in an exceptionally high strength to low weight design. This has been achieved by combining a special Alcon developed iron alloy rotor with an aerospace specification alloy hat."

I also noticed that the rotor is 380 and that will not fit with the 18" winter wheels I am using.

380mm = phayle for 18" wheels
Alcon makes nice race stuff -- they dont quite have the street kit reputation, like the other 3.
But who knows -- if they offer a lightweight caliper with great cooling rotors, a price below the top 2 ....and a <380mm option -- they could be another contender.
the more the merrier -- lets get these guys fighting for our $$$ = better products and more development and advances.

Right now as it stands -- AP makes the best cooling rotor, StopTech makes the lightest Caliper (Trophy Kit) and Brembo is the prettiest ...
Now if only one manuf could put all those in one?? hmmm

[Nate@IND]

Originally Posted by Omerta

got this off of the site...

"Advantage Extreme rotors have been engineered to produce optimum bite, thermal stability and durability in an exceptionally high strength to low weight design. This has been achieved by combining a special Alcon developed iron alloy rotor with an aerospace specification alloy hat."

I also noticed that the rotor is 380 and that will not fit with the 18" winter wheels I am using.

We have an E9x M3 Alcon kit coming in soon. Let me know if you want to stop by and check it out.

[Omerta]

Originally Posted by mastek

Right now as it stands -- AP makes the best cooling rotor, StopTech makes the lightest Caliper (Trophy Kit) and Brembo is the prettiest ...
Now if only one manuf could put all those in one?? hmmm

All of those will give me the stopping power I need. The stock system would be sufficient until I get used to throwing the car around the track and get comfortable trail braking again. The car is heavy and I would like to have the added insurance of better brakes. My biggest concern is consistent peddle feel. I read and hear about how aftermarket kits have a tendency to get a spongy feel to them compared to the stock system. I am sure there are a lot of variables that can lead to this, fluid, pads, driver.....

[aus]

Massive Brakes could make something up for you with a smaller rotor for 18" wheels.

http://www.massivebrakes.com/home/

.

[klammer]

Originally Posted by Nate@IND

We have an E9x M3 Alcon kit coming in soon. Let me know if you want to stop by and check it out.

I'd like to take a look, tell me when

[Omerta]

Originally Posted by Nate@IND

We have an E9x M3 Alcon kit coming in soon. Let me know if you want to stop by and check it out.

I would like to take a look. Interesting rotors, I have to wonder if they dissipate heat as well as slotted or possibly better. Always thought slotted was the way to go.

[mastek]

Originally Posted by Omerta

I would like to take a look. Interesting rotors, I have to wonder if they dissipate heat as well as slotted or possibly better. Always thought slotted was the way to go.

slotted has nothing to do with cooling
its to dissipate the pads gasses

The vane system inside the rotor helps with cooling -- and the bond between the hat + rotor helps with cooling = hence the superior "strap-drive" rotor from AP Racing:

http://www.apracing.com/info/info.as...+EXPLAINED_122

http://blog.stillen.com/2010/01/tech...-brake-rotors/

http://www.apracing.com/info/info.as...Drive+Discs_77

http://www.stillen.com/product_files/AP7100~broch.pdf

[Nate@IND]

Originally Posted by klammer

I'd like to take a look, tell me when

Sorry can't let you see them

[Omerta]

Originally Posted by mastek

slotted has nothing to do with cooling
its to dissipate the pads gasses

The vane system inside the rotor helps with cooling -- and the bond between the hat + rotor helps with cooling = hence the superior "strap-drive" rotor from AP Racing:

Thank you for the info and the links, a good read... I learned something new today

[Omerta]

Originally Posted by Nate@IND

Sorry can't let you see them

Looking forward to klammer's review of the Alcon system after you install them.

[STALKER]

I would also look into the pad shape to make sure you can get the pads you want and that they are readily available.

[klammer]

Think there's plenty available, I'm not picky

[1MORELAP]

Alcon makes FANTASTIC rotors and calipers. Many would consider them superior to Brembo. If priced on par and fit 18 wheels I would pick the Alcon kit in silver for my M3. The 4 piston design should give you a harder pedal and shorter travel than the 6 piston setup. I wait to hear more from IND on these.

BTW, they will turn gold after heavy track use. Perfect match for Akrapovic fans!

[Omerta]

Probably a stupid question but here goes...What about the brake pad sensor? Can that be retrofit or if not will it throw a code that will need to be tended too?

[aus]

Most BBK's don't use the pad sensor. You just zip-tie it somewhere, which means you'll have to check the pads sometimes.

Nate, can you at least tell us if there's a bridge to prevent pad changes without removal of the caliper?

[STALKER]

Originally Posted by Omerta

Probably a stupid question but here goes...What about the brake pad sensor? Can that be retrofit or if not will it throw a code that will need to be tended too?

I think the only BBK that uses the pad sensor might be Brembo or specifically the Dinan Brembos.

[Omerta]

Not being able to use the sensor is fine, just wondering if it will throw a code if it is just tied off. The Advantage Extreme rotors are 365mm which should work with 18" wheels. The rotors for the super kit are too large for my winter setup.

[Radiation Joe]

Tying off the sensors will not throw a code.

[STALKER]

Originally Posted by klammer

Think there's plenty available, I'm not picky

Its worth looking into.
A lot of pads might fit, but actually getting your hands on them are a different story. I wanted some Pagid RS29s for my AP BBK and they were very hard to get both the front and rear, no one really stocks them in North America.
But if you are not picky...