BMW M3 Forum (E90 E92)

BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read


Go Back   M3Post - BMW M3 Forum > E90/E92 M3 Technical Topics > Suspension | Brakes | Chassis
 
BPM
Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      03-06-2012, 11:31 PM   #1
Sam_Fisher
Second Lieutenant
39
Rep
241
Posts

Drives: 2011 E92 M3
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Vancouver

iTrader: (0)

Thoughts on stock brakes?

I haven't been very impressed about the stock brake system. I drive a lot on traffic, and feel like the initial bite really isn't that strong.

Any ideas on a quick and relatively inexpensive upgrade?

A few choices of pads with good initial bite and low dust? SS lines perhaps?

All thoughts welcome.
Appreciate 0
      03-07-2012, 04:42 AM   #2
jonasaurus
Brigadier General
jonasaurus's Avatar
United Kingdom
76
Rep
3,178
Posts

Drives: E90 M3 [Sold]
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: NYC

iTrader: (0)

Is the car to be used for city driving predominantly?
__________________
///M3 | E90 LCI | Space Grey | Fox Red with CF Structure | 6MT | 260M | My build
Appreciate 0
      03-07-2012, 05:13 AM   #3
bigjae1976
Major General
bigjae1976's Avatar
1567
Rep
8,074
Posts

Drives: 11 E90 M3 Individual
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Houston, TX

iTrader: (22)

Garage List
2004 BMW M3  [4.50]
2011 BMW E90 M3  [5.25]
2013 BMW 328i  [5.00]
I feel the opposite way. The stock brakes are too grabby and once you start getting into the brakes more aggressively, it feels like there is no increase in the brake pressure.
__________________
2018 F30 320iX Melbourne Red
2011 E90 M3 Monte Carlo Blue
2004 E46 M3 Imola Red
2000 E36/7 Z3 Steel Blue
Appreciate 0
      03-07-2012, 11:23 AM   #4
Sam_Fisher
Second Lieutenant
39
Rep
241
Posts

Drives: 2011 E92 M3
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Vancouver

iTrader: (0)

Yes, the car is being driven in the city primarily.

I'm looking into ENDLESS pads and some lines. Any brands that everyone recommend, to go with stock brakes?
Appreciate 0
      03-07-2012, 11:35 AM   #5
Wendall
***Major MammelToe
Wendall's Avatar
United_States
157
Rep
1,139
Posts

Drives: E92 M3 SG coupe
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Orange County, CA

iTrader: (3)

Quote:
Originally Posted by bigjae1976 View Post
I feel the opposite way. The stock brakes are too grabby and once you start getting into the brakes more aggressively, it feels like there is no increase in the brake pressure.
I agree, the stock brakes are grabby. With a lot of braking it seems to fade. However, for city and hwy driving I think they are great stoppers.
__________________
E92 M3 SG DCT - AA Filter, Verstraβe Paddles, ECS SS, MH race stud, Stoptech BBK, MR Exhaust,RE Pulley, BPM Tune,Euro bumper and GTS lip, Euro MDM & DCT, KW CS, Recaro PP, TMS Soild Diff Mounts, MRF solid subframe mounts, GTS aero, RPM track built motor.


Last edited by Wendall; 03-07-2012 at 11:47 AM..
Appreciate 0
      03-07-2012, 01:01 PM   #6
bigjae1976
Major General
bigjae1976's Avatar
1567
Rep
8,074
Posts

Drives: 11 E90 M3 Individual
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Houston, TX

iTrader: (22)

Garage List
2004 BMW M3  [4.50]
2011 BMW E90 M3  [5.25]
2013 BMW 328i  [5.00]
I'd try to find something with more initial bite...not sure what that is though.
__________________
2018 F30 320iX Melbourne Red
2011 E90 M3 Monte Carlo Blue
2004 E46 M3 Imola Red
2000 E36/7 Z3 Steel Blue
Appreciate 0
      03-07-2012, 01:12 PM   #7
nchan50
Second Lieutenant
7
Rep
210
Posts

Drives: 2009 JzB/FR e92 M3
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: NJ

iTrader: (0)

Is this a new car/new brakes and have they been bedded in properly?
Appreciate 0
      03-07-2012, 01:31 PM   #8
chili cheese
Major
chili cheese's Avatar
100
Rep
1,086
Posts

Drives: '16 Corvette Z06
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Southern CA

iTrader: (6)

I don't understand why you would have any issue with this car's brake system for daily driving, particularly in traffic....makes no sense. If you were going to track your car, then that's a different story.
Appreciate 0
      03-07-2012, 06:58 PM   #9
kevin @ eas
BimmerPost Supporting Vendor
kevin @ eas's Avatar
United_States
2895
Rep
21,660
Posts


Drives: 2015 BMW M4
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Anaheim

iTrader: (22)

Quote:
Originally Posted by biggynuts01 View Post
I agree, the stock brakes are grabby. With a lot of braking it seems to fade. However, for city and hwy driving I think they are great stoppers.
Agree with biggynuts01- if anything the stock brakes are grabby and provide about 20% of full braking with initial apply; after that they are not very linear.

Cool carbon pads are an excellent street pad and are linear from 0-20% and all the way to ABS plus are low dust, rotor friendly and have great stopping power.

We run them on our cars here and have many repeat customers.

Additionally our 30/30 sale has just started so an excellent time to replace the OE pads!

https://www.europeanautosource.com/specials

http://www.europeanautosource.com/ma...bonPerformance
__________________
Kevin S. | european auto source (eas)
email: kevin@europeanautosource.com · web: https://europeanautosource.com· tel 866.669.0705 · ca: 714.369.8524 x31

GET DAILY UPDATES ON OUR BLOG · FACEBOOK · YOUTUBE · FLICKR · INSTAGRAM
Appreciate 0
      03-07-2012, 10:40 PM   #10
HP Autosport
Supreme Allied Commander
United_States
3776
Rep
54,154
Posts

Drives: F80 M3
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Santa Barbara, AP, Brembo, GIAC, Koni, Ohlins, Performance Friction, www.hpautosport.com

iTrader: (36)

StopTech Street Performance brake Pads are engineered to meet the demands of high performance driving while maintaining the refinement and comfort expected in everyday driving conditions. StopTech brake pads combine the benefits of premium street brake pads with aggressive friction formulas suitable for track day and autocross use. Para-aramid composites are specially formulated to provide linear response at both cold and hot temperatures, delivering optimum stopping performance over a wide range of driving conditions.

These are the same pads Stoptech include in all the BBK's they sell.

There is no need for a sale, as they are already very well priced:

http://www.hpashop.com/Stoptech-E9X-...ads-e9x-m3.htm
Appreciate 0
      03-07-2012, 11:03 PM   #11
flipm3
E46 + E90 + F80
192
Rep
2,894
Posts

Drives: E46 + E90 + F80
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Illinois

iTrader: (1)

Garage List
2009 BMW M3  [0.00]
2002 BMW M3  [0.00]
I personally believe the OEM Brakes are completely fine for daily driving. Commuting into Chicago, I also deal with a ton of stop and go traffic, really with not much complaints. On the track however is a different story.

On my E46 M3, I got StopTech Street Performance pads on my OEM brakes. Like what HP Autowerks already mentioned, they're great both on street and on track. The best part is that their pricing is pretty awesome for the type of performance you get.

My top choice for any street pad from my experience is the StopTech Street Performance.
__________________
F80 M3 DCT|Alpine White . Black Leather | My Build Thread
E90 M3 DCT|Melbourne Red . Speed Cloth | My Build Thread
E46 M3 6MT|Jet Black . Black Nappa Leather | My Build Thread
Appreciate 0
      03-08-2012, 04:44 AM   #12
M3SQRD
Major General
M3SQRD's Avatar
1932
Rep
5,306
Posts

Drives: E92 M3,G20 330ix,F22 240iX,F82
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Mid-Atlantic

iTrader: (11)

Another pad option which may give you much higher initial brake torque (some what qualitative because I think stock is alreay very grabby initially) would be to install a set of Carbotech Bobcat pads. However, these are a street pad and will create a decent amount of brake dust.
Appreciate 0
      03-08-2012, 12:45 PM   #13
drew313
Enlisted Member
drew313's Avatar
United_States
5
Rep
48
Posts

Drives: E92 M3
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Irvine, CA

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2012 BMW E92 M3  [0.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by bigjae1976 View Post
I feel the opposite way. The stock brakes are too grabby and once you start getting into the brakes more aggressively, it feels like there is no increase in the brake pressure.
+1
Appreciate 0
      03-08-2012, 12:46 PM   #14
DARK_M3
Banned
105
Rep
1,292
Posts

Drives: 08 E90, 89 Grand Wagoneer
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: So Cal

iTrader: (3)

Brakes feel awfully grabby to me in city driving. I did notice a big difference in pedal feel when I put SS lines on my Z when I had it no mush whatsoever but I also tracked the car). But I don't think that's really a neccessity around town.
Appreciate 0
      03-08-2012, 03:24 PM   #15
radiantm3
Apex Everything!
radiantm3's Avatar
United_States
967
Rep
4,378
Posts

Drives: 2007 Honda S2000, 2017 GT350
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Cedar Park, TX

iTrader: (6)

Garage List
2011 E92 M3  [9.35]
2014 BMW i3  [10.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by bigjae1976 View Post
I feel the opposite way. The stock brakes are too grabby and once you start getting into the brakes more aggressively, it feels like there is no increase in the brake pressure.
+1. Initial bite on the stock brakes is very strong. I just upgraded to a BBK and that strong initial bite is gone. On the other hand the braking feels a lot more linear now.
__________________
2011 E92 M3(Sold). 2007 Honda S2000 (Track Car). 2016 Cayman GT4 (Sold). 2017 Shelby GT350 (AKA Crowd Killer).

My pet project: https://stickershift.com
Appreciate 0
      03-08-2012, 03:27 PM   #16
adc
Major General
United_States
2725
Rep
6,750
Posts

Drives: 2018 F80 M3 ED
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: MD/DC

iTrader: (12)

I have StopTech Street Performance currently on my Miata and X3. But the best aggressive pad for street use that I've encountered so far has been the Axxis ULT (formerly known as Ultimate).

Compared to the Stoptechs, the Axxis has more initial bite and what seems like a higher coefficient of friction.

I cannot compare other aspects (track, dust) since I've only had the Stotechs for a short while.
__________________

2018 F80 Santorini
2019 Z4 3.0i
2022 X2 M35i
Appreciate 0
      03-08-2012, 07:50 PM   #17
Ablahad
Enlisted Member
2
Rep
37
Posts

Drives: Work Beater
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: San Diego

iTrader: (0)

How does installing these aftermarket pads affect warranty and claims etc...? If I were to take it back to the dealership with these pads and my rotors done, what would they say?
Appreciate 0
      03-08-2012, 10:56 PM   #18
Sam_Fisher
Second Lieutenant
39
Rep
241
Posts

Drives: 2011 E92 M3
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Vancouver

iTrader: (0)

OK, this is starting to worry me.

Here's what happened. I test drove my car in Oct 2011, and during that 1-hour trip, I too thought the brakes were quite grabby, which I really liked.

Then I picked up the car, and got rear ended soon after. I was fully stopped, and some moron drunk driver ran his SUV into me. Damage was pretty bad.

I wonder if the fact that I got rear ended has caused my front brakes to become less effective, or damaged in any way, because the front brakes of the car obsorbed much impact during the hit?

A recent service at the dealership indicates that the front pads are still at 80%, and the service technician did not report any issues with front or rear brakes whatsoever.

These days, I have to press the pedal about 0.75" to 1", to get a good stop. Which feels DRASTICALLY different than before the car was hit. And I'm sure most of you don't have to press nearly as hard to stop either.

Another thing worth mentioning is that I have snow tires on now. In the aforementioned test drive, I had stock Continental summer rubber. If that makes a difference?



What should I do?
Appreciate 0
      03-08-2012, 11:11 PM   #19
1MOREMOD
-
1MOREMOD's Avatar
United_States
11815
Rep
23,187
Posts

Drives: Race car->
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: check your mirrors

iTrader: (5)

i just put is ds2500s and they seem to have stronger initial bite if thats what your looking for.
__________________

02 Tiag e46 M3|6MT|GC plates|MCS c.o.|GC bars|GC race control arms|GC bushings|BW eng. & tran. mounts|subframe kit|BW race shifter|BW Jaffster|Euro header|BW exhaust|K&N c.a.i.|Epic race tune|Rouge pulleys|Seibon CF hood|CSL bumper|apr gt 250 & splitter|ST-40|XR-2|SS lines|half cage|Recaro profi|Profi 2 harness|BMWpedals|BW studs|
Appreciate 0
      03-08-2012, 11:13 PM   #20
JAJ
Captain
80
Rep
961
Posts

Drives: 2014 Shelby GT500
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Vancouver, BC

iTrader: (4)

Quote:
Originally Posted by FairladyZ View Post
OK, this is starting to worry me.

Here's what happened. I test drove my car in Oct 2011, and during that 1-hour trip, I too thought the brakes were quite grabby, which I really liked.

Then I picked up the car, and got rear ended soon after. I was fully stopped, and some moron drunk driver ran his SUV into me. Damage was pretty bad.

I wonder if the fact that I got rear ended has caused my front brakes to become less effective, or damaged in any way, because the front brakes of the car obsorbed much impact during the hit?

A recent service at the dealership indicates that the front pads are still at 80%, and the service technician did not report any issues with front or rear brakes whatsoever.

These days, I have to press the pedal about 0.75" to 1", to get a good stop. Which feels DRASTICALLY different than before the car was hit. And I'm sure most of you don't have to press nearly as hard to stop either.

Another thing worth mentioning is that I have snow tires on now. In the aforementioned test drive, I had stock Continental summer rubber. If that makes a difference?

What should I do?
Did you complain that it wasn't working right when you took it in? It sounds like the brakes need bleeding.
Appreciate 0
      03-08-2012, 11:18 PM   #21
1MOREMOD
-
1MOREMOD's Avatar
United_States
11815
Rep
23,187
Posts

Drives: Race car->
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: check your mirrors

iTrader: (5)

bleed the brakes?
__________________

02 Tiag e46 M3|6MT|GC plates|MCS c.o.|GC bars|GC race control arms|GC bushings|BW eng. & tran. mounts|subframe kit|BW race shifter|BW Jaffster|Euro header|BW exhaust|K&N c.a.i.|Epic race tune|Rouge pulleys|Seibon CF hood|CSL bumper|apr gt 250 & splitter|ST-40|XR-2|SS lines|half cage|Recaro profi|Profi 2 harness|BMWpedals|BW studs|
Appreciate 0
      03-08-2012, 11:32 PM   #22
BMWJones
Private
BMWJones's Avatar
United_States
12
Rep
140
Posts

Drives: E92 M3 Space Gray 6/MT
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: California

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by chili cheese View Post
I don't understand why you would have any issue with this car's brake system for daily driving, particularly in traffic....makes no sense. If you were going to track your car, then that's a different story.
I second the motion chllicheese!
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:14 PM.




m3post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST