AP Brakes noises?

[onesixeight]

Hi Guys...

I'm thinking about getting the AP kit, but I'm worried about old posts that talk about groaning noises and fitment issues.

Have these been resolved by AP & Stillen or are you still experiencing these noises?

Thanks,
Chris

[mastek]

As far as I know there are no fitment issues.
The only 2 issues were:
1) groan/hum at 1-5mph without brakes applied
2) paint fade on matte black calipers

AP is working on hum/groan issue as we speak and i plan on hearing results next week.
They will also be offering a gloss black version of the calipers since the matte black version fades.

[BimmerRob08]

I had a light groun develope about 5 months ago. AP kit was installed about a year ago with only 6,000 miles estimated. I also experianced the paint fading so had my calipers painted semi-gloss black by IND. Now they look great, just like factory. Installed new front rotors and also the pad retention spring kit AP developed for the brakes. You can ask Stillen for this retention kit. It's just a rod and spring that fits between the two front pads. Only used for road daily driving use only, not track use. Stilen recommends removing it for track days.

Anyway, no groun now, no vibrations. Brakes work great. If you AP don't offer the gloss black brakes, then you might want to try the gloss-red calipers and they might hold up against paint fading. Just don't use any wheel cleaners except non-acid types like P21S. You should be ok then.

[onesixeight]

Thanks for the reply guys. I love the kit, but I'm not sure how I feel about having to use this retention kit and take them off before hitting the track.

If I didn't have to use the retention kit, I would buy this kit in a heart beat.

[M3SQRD]

Originally Posted by onesixeight

Thanks for the reply guys. I love the kit, but I'm not sure how I feel about having to use this retention kit and take them off before hitting the track.

If I didn't have to use the retention kit, I would buy this kit in a heart beat.

It doesn't sound like too much of a hassle if you want a quite street-friendly setup AND a fade free, track capable setup, all in one kit! I'm assuming you are going to be using a street pad on the street because you are worried about noise so when it's time to swap out the street pads for the track pads just don't re-install the retention springs. If you run track pads on the street you probably won't even hear the low-speed groan!

[BimmerRob08]

I would not not by the kit just because of the retention kit. I'd not buy it because of the paint fade issue. If you are gonna track the car and are switching pads, then the retention kit doesn't need to be installed. If you are using it mainly as a daily driver and don't have any groun issue's, then you don't need the retention kit either. The kit is only a rod and spring that goes in between the front pads and you would install it while replacing street pads after a track day. Takes a hole 4.5 seconds of your time. See attached document of the spring kit.

If you go with the gloss red calipers as I mentioned before, I don't think you'll have any issues with the paint fading.

Although I had paint fade issue's, groun and possible vibration (which may have been a wheel imbalance issue) now that it's all taken care of, these brakes rock and they are far more capable than my capabilites or anything I could put them through. Their a great buy. Just treat them right by not using harsh acidic wheel cleaners, and proper brake/pad run in which the directions will be supplied to you by Stilen or download it from AP's web site.

Good luck!

[STALKER]

I have red APs. Zero complaints with the finish. Holding up just aswell as my Brembos if not better actually.

[dawgdog]

I have uneven pad wear and no one seems to be able to give me a good explanation. Right now I have no groan but have the spring kit installed on street performance pads. The groan historically occurs mostly after braking at slow speed and then turning. Annoying! No paint fade. My other concern is the cost of replacing the front rotors which I need to do before next driving season. I think it is significantly more expensive to do this with AP than StopTech.

[Beedub]

proper AP kit straight from the uk factory here, in the red enamel finish.... no groans or grumbles, no uneven pad wear, just rock steady performance, the red still looks awesome now after 10+ trackdays.

[wwjd15]

Have same problem as post #2. my red calipers became cherrish black after 2 track days.

[STALKER]

Originally Posted by wwjd15

Have same problem as post #2. my red calipers became cherrish black after 2 track days.

What pads?
I use RS29s at the track.

[BimmerRob08]

Originally Posted by dawgdog

I have uneven pad wear and no one seems to be able to give me a good explanation. Right now I have no groan but have the spring kit installed on street performance pads. The groan historically occurs mostly after braking at slow speed and then turning. Annoying! No paint fade. My other concern is the cost of replacing the front rotors which I need to do before next driving season. I think it is significantly more expensive to do this with AP than StopTech.

If you haven't done so already, I think best bet is call Stilen and talk to their tech support. They have been pretty good source of info and There is a few individuals that are pretty smart on this kit. Also email APracing on it's official site from the UK. There is another tech rep there that know his stuff and gave me some advice.

I think, from what I've learned and experiance so far with this kit, is perhaps get new pads and do an initial pad run-in. These discs should not warp easily and are also self centering and free floating as we all know due to it's strap drive system. But also, I had to go with new front disc rotors in order to illiminate my vibration and I didn't track my M3 with this kit yet. So that's kinda contradicting but worth starting somewhere.

[wwjd15]

Originally Posted by STALKER

What pads?
I use RS29s at the track.

F3R, about the same level as RS29 but more aggressive initial bite.

[onesixeight]

Thanks for all the replies guys! All your comments have been really helpful!

[JAJ]

Originally Posted by dawgdog

I have uneven pad wear and no one seems to be able to give me a good explanation...

Well, if it makes you feel any better, I had uneven pad wear on my Mustang rear brakes toward the end of the season. My right rear outer pad was pretty much gone while the other three pads on the same axle were still over 50%. I'm thinking that it's a problem with cooling air. The Mustang rears have no cooling ducts, just like the M3 fronts.

[Gearhead999s]

Originally Posted by dawgdog

I have uneven pad wear and no one seems to be able to give me a good explanation. Right now I have no groan but have the spring kit installed on street performance pads. The groan historically occurs mostly after braking at slow speed and then turning. Annoying! No paint fade. My other concern is the cost of replacing the front rotors which I need to do before next driving season. I think it is significantly more expensive to do this with AP than StopTech.

Do you run at the same track all the time?If I run at a track that has primarly right hand turns my left hand pads wear more than the right side ones.

[STALKER]

Originally Posted by dawgdog

I have uneven pad wear and no one seems to be able to give me a good explanation. Right now I have no groan but have the spring kit installed on street performance pads. The groan historically occurs mostly after braking at slow speed and then turning. Annoying! No paint fade. My other concern is the cost of replacing the front rotors which I need to do before next driving season. I think it is significantly more expensive to do this with AP than StopTech.

AP replacement costs are similar to Brembo unfortunately. I had to replace both my front rotors this summer and it was not cheap, but at least you don't have to replace the hats.

[dawgdog]

Originally Posted by Gearhead999s

Do you run at the same track all the time?If I run at a track that has primarly right hand turns my left hand pads wear more than the right side ones.

My inside pad on the rt front wears the fastest. The track I run at has more left hand turns. It is not too big a problem except I need to rotate pads.

[dawgdog]

Originally Posted by STALKER

AP replacement costs are similar to Brembo unfortunately. I had to replace both my front rotors this summer and it was not cheap, but at least you don't have to replace the hats.

Did you order from Stillen?

[BimmerRob08]

Originally Posted by dawgdog

Did you order from Stillen?

Jumping in here. You're best bet is to order from Stilen. It'll still be part numbers starting with CP which are UK. Stilen explained that the parts are shipped here from the UK and assembled here. Same as if you ordered from the UK but don't pay the freight. My front disc's came packaged in a APracing box maked with UK sealed tape. Same product. Got to me in 4 days.

[onesixeight]

Originally Posted by BimmerRob08

Jumping in here. You're best bet is to order from Stilen. It'll still be part numbers starting with CP which are UK. Stilen explained that the parts are shipped here from the UK and assembled here. Same as if you ordered from the UK but don't pay the freight. My front disc's came packaged in a APracing box maked with UK sealed tape. Same product. Got to me in 4 days.

Aside from Stillen, who else distributes this kit in the US? Since I'm planning on ordering a kit soon, I want to make sure I get the kit possible.

I would order directly from Stillen, but their prices aren't no where as good as some of the board vendors.

Thanks guys!

[Dan Halen]

talk to Aleks from Alekshop- great guy and vendor.