M3 Brakes = shortest stopping distance Edmunds has ever recorded

[vietmunki]

If u get race pads, wouldn't you be squeaking every time you stop? kinda annoying for daily driving.

[GregW / Oregon]

Originally Posted by vietmunki

If u get race pads, wouldn't you be squeaking every time you stop? kinda annoying for daily driving.

True race pads are not for street use. Problem is they only bite when hot, which is not typical on the street. That can be dangerous. There are intermediate pads that straddle the categories that can be used. Best is to use street pads for the street and swap them out (at least fronts) for track use.

On the E46 BMW had an enhanced pad for the fronts with the Competion Package brakes. I installed these on mine and they were a little noisy for a while, but it went away and they are fine now.

[08AWM3]

hmm, quick comparison 0-60 & 1/4mile time.
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do.../pageId=119038
compare to
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do.../pageId=136254
What you all think the difference?

[GewoW]

Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon

True race pads are not for street use. Problem is they only bite when hot, which is not typical on the street. That can be dangerous. There are intermediate pads that straddle the categories that can be used. Best is to use street pads for the street and swap them out (at least fronts) for track use.

On the E46 BMW had an enhanced pad for the fronts with the Competion Package brakes. I installed these on mine and they were a little noisy for a while, but it went away and they are fine now.

How long does it take to swap pads? I've never done it. How hard?

[Epacy]

Changing disc brakes are really simple. Drum brakes are a whole different story.

[GregW / Oregon]

Originally Posted by GewoW

How long does it take to swap pads? I've never done it. How hard?

I'm not fast, so 30 minutes for fronts for me.

[GewoW]

Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon

I'm not fast, so 30 minutes for fronts for me.

Sounds good. Can you link me to any tutorials off the top of your head?

[GregW / Oregon]

Originally Posted by GewoW

Sounds good. Can you link me to any tutorials off the top of your head?

For general brake nformation and sales: http://http://www.zeckhausen.com/bmw_products.htm. They're pretty much the authority on brakes and great to deal with.

For DIY, Mad Russian's site is great: http://http://m3.madrussian.net/diy.shtml . It's for E46 M3s, but stuff like brakes will be very similar.

[GregW / Oregon]

Originally Posted by Laszlo

Thank God it's a tad hard to drive in traffic. It's a sport's car!!! Would they rather have a watered down gay mobile to commute to their cube job?

Hey, it'll be my commuter car! But my current E46 M3 with coilovers is just fine, too. For you Bay Area (and Seattle) peeps, at least it's got a hill holder function now.

[GewoW]

Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon

For general brake nformation and sales: http://http://www.zeckhausen.com/bmw_products.htm. They're pretty much the authority on brakes and great to deal with.

For DIY, Mad Russian's site is great: http://http://m3.madrussian.net/diy.shtml

wow thanks man...appreciate it

[markjenz]

i was doing 30 laps now on the ring with the e92 on normal oem pads. the braking is very good, but still fading is a problem. most important thing is to cool down the discs after having done some quick laps....but still compared to the higher weight against my older cars the brake perfomance is astonishing.

i tested the race pad pagid yellow on my e46, they worked brilliantly, squeaking was there, but not annoying.

on the z4m i tested ebc green stuff (they are legally in germany, pagid not) but the discs had problems with the pads getter far hotter than the original ones...

on the e92 i will swap to the official bmw race pads soon...will let you know my experiences...

just got new programming of the motor electronic (optimizing and 6th gear now without rev limiter)...the guy (former m-gmbh engineer) claimes this brings 10-12 ps and bringst the car to real 300-305 km/h...330 on speedo.

could not test so far...we have snow here :-(

[GewoW]

Originally Posted by markjenz

on the e92 i will swap to the official bmw race pads soon...will let you know my experiences...

Oh please do...because that may save me a brake purchase!

[GregW / Oregon]

Originally Posted by markjenz

ii tested the race pad pagid yellow on my e46, they worked brilliantly, squeaking was there, but not annoying.
(

Are thes "race" pads or "sport" pads. As you know, true race pads are not for use on the street because they suck when cold.

Also, I have not seen any photos of the details of the front brake ducts. Are they open into the wheel wells? The E46 ones were partially blocked off.

[e46e92love]

Doubts or no doubts, I'm sure they will be good enough for 98% of the buyers.

[gorun]

BMW indeed make the worlds ugliest calipers, its been like that forever and I doubt it will ever change.

[markjenz]

[QUOTE=GregW / Oregon;2251916]Are thes "race" pads or "sport" pads. As you know, true race pads are not for use on the street because they suck when cold.

the pagid yellow is a race pad...and not allowed for normal street usage.

on the bmw race/sport pads, which have been used in most german magazine tests i have no details so far... still trying to order them via my dealer

[BMWI6]

i think BMW should make good looking and badged calipers for the m3. why dont they?????? and they should have tested the m3 for brake fade better than they did, because an m3 should have no problems under any conditions if built right... off course this excludes abuse

[swamp2]

Originally Posted by BMWI6

i think BMW should make good looking and badged calipers for the m3. why dont they?????? and they should have tested the m3 for brake fade better than they did, because an m3 should have no problems under any conditions if built right... off course this excludes abuse

I'll have to beg to differ with this. Aggressive track use on a tough track is clearly abusing the brakes. Brakes are an enromous compromise among braking distance, fade, pedal feel, noise, wear, brake dust, etc. There is no perfect nor ideal solution for all drivers and all conditions. If you think BMW did not test brake fade and test it thorougly you're wrong. Like others said for 98%of drivers and conditions the brakes will be excellent. If you need just a bit more meaning less fade for track use swap in the OEM BMW performance/track pads.