2012 BMW M3 stock calipers - how many pistons?

[ThunderMoose]

Originally Posted by bigjae1976

I think I'd feel better if I had braided lines...probably more of a placebo effect. I smoked a set of front PF01s in 4 days. Probably could get a 5th out of them...maybe even another .5 day.

On my E46, I would get 3-4 weekends on front pads with my wilwood/UUC kit...probably a small upgrade from the sliders. With the stoptechs...just finished my 8th weekend on the front pads. They are the same PF01s that are changed out when on the street. Rotors have run out about .35...still have about 50% life left in the rotors.

From a cost perspective, I think the ST40/4 wheel kit will cut costs since the pad costs are not MUCH different. The ST60 pads are much more expensive...not sure how much longer they will last. I just bought a used ST BBK...I'll post the results on how long the pads/rotors last.

I have an extra set of braided lines from Stoptech for my E92. I would assume they fit E90. I don't plan to install. Let me know if you're interested.

[ccondo]

I purchased a 2012 M3 and will track my car a few times a year - other than that I will do some autocross (for now) what brake upgrades would you recommend - what fluid and what kind of pads? I had stoptech pads in my boxster and they seemed pretty good.

[1MOREMOD]

Most any brand stainless lines will work, challenge and stoptech make some. For fluid most use castrol srf or motul rbf600. For pads it depends how aggressive you wanna go. For dual purpose stoptech or ferodo ds2500s. If you wanna go full race that's a different thing. I have challenge lines, ate super blue, and pagid rs19s right now with a set of bmwpedals and I like the combo a lot.

[bigjae1976]

Originally Posted by ThunderMoose

I have an extra set of braided lines from Stoptech for my E92. I would assume they fit E90. I don't plan to install. Let me know if you're interested.

Thanks! I might take you up on that depending on what I decide to do with my 330 and a potential purchase of another M car...a Miata.

[IFX]

Originally Posted by marksae

Agreed 100%! This is one of my biggest gripes about the M3. The multi-piston monoblock calipers look soooo much better. A lot of less expensive have them now too... like the 135i.

I was seriously scratching my head when they slapped those huge calipers on the 135.

[Lorde]

Originally Posted by IFX

I was seriously scratching my head when they slapped those huge calipers on the 135.

I drove a 135i with the performance brakes. Holy cow! Sensitive, but awesome, brake feel!

[JAJ]

Originally Posted by IFX

I was seriously scratching my head when they slapped those huge calipers on the 135.

You do know that the "huge calipers" in the performance brakes don't actually work as well as the M3 brakes for repetitive stops from high speeds, right? They look great, but they burn up pretty easy.