StopTech 380mm/355mm BBK Review

[rldzhao]

Finally got my BBK today. First, I wanted to thank Ron@ModBargains for giving me an unbelievable price Thanks Ron!

I will be installing these when my Motons get fixed (whenever that will be... ) Here are some shots for your entertainment.

Just one thought: the front 380mm disc is HUGE! I have never seen a disc this big in my life!

A couple reasons why I got this particular kit:
1. Good bang for the buck. Good experience and proven track record.
2. 380mm six pot front for better heat management vs. Smaller kits.
3. Slotted for track use.
4. Two piece/removeable steel bridge design for easy pad swaps vs. one piece fixed bridge design.

[rldzhao]

Front ST60 6-pot.

[rldzhao]

Rear ST40 4-pot.

[STALKER]

Congrats.
What rims are you going to use for the track now with the 380mm disc? Require 19s to clear them no?

[rldzhao]

Install
So after quite a few weeks I finally got a chance to complete the install of the StopTech BBK. Everything went smoothly, and ST's detailed installation instructions were very helpful.

The only tricky part was disconnecting/reconnecting the brake lines w/o making too much of a mess. I would also not disconnect the stock line until you are ready to install the new caliper/line to minimize fluid loss. (instruction said to remove the stock caliper and line as the first step, then remove stock disc, install ST disk, brake bracket, new caliper, and then install new caliper/line... too much time in between)

As for the dust shields, I completely removed the fronts for better cooling, and only slightly trimmed the rears (instead of trimming them completely per the instructions)

I also replaced all of the nuts and bolts that needed to be reused per BMW instructions.

The "+"
True Plug 'n Play kit. Only minor modification to the dust shields were needed
Detailed instructions
Excellent fit and finish

The "-"
Needed to wash off dust inhibitor from rotors before installation
Several nuts were in english sizes (I only had metric tools!)

The Verdict
Very thoughtfully made kit, excellent design and craftsmanship. Love the instructions. Thanks to Ron@ModBargains for a great deal! Let's see how they will hold up on the track!

Front kit installtion manual: http://www.stoptech.com/tech_info/ma...60.16D0.01.pdf
Reat kit installtion manual: http://www.stoptech.com/tech_info/ma...60.1471.00.pdf

More kit pictures: http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=339849

[STALKER]

Originally Posted by rldzhao

Still going to use my 19" RS-D. Downloaded StopTech's caliper template and there should be quite a bit of clearance.

Nice, looking forward to your install and review.

Going to be ordering the 365/345 Brembo kit myself next week.

[slipstream]

Originally Posted by STALKER

Nice, looking forward to your install and review.

Going to be ordering the 365/345 Brembo kit myself next week.

Just curious why you decided on the smaller Brembo kit? Are you planning on tracking your car with 18s (not your RG63s)?

[Apologies to the OP for going off topic. Your brakes look great!]

[STALKER]

Originally Posted by slipstream

Just curious why you decided on the smaller Brembo kit? Are you planning on tracking your car with 18s (not your RG63s)?

[Apologies to the OP for going off topic. Your brakes look great!]

I would prefer to use 18s for track and winter.

[JAJ]

Originally Posted by rldzhao

Rear ST40 4-pot.

The Stoptech kit is very well made. You'll like it!

Congratulations!

[rldzhao]

Originally Posted by STALKER

I would prefer to use 18s for track and winter.

Yup if you are running slicks, 18s are the way to go.

Some 18s will clear the 380mm, some will not. It is really on a case by case basis.

Many have said that smaller kits (365, 355, or less depending on manufacturer) for the front is a good middle ground between size/weight and heat capacity/management.

But I got the 380mm kit due to my concern for heat management.

[yamazaho]

Nice upgrade, waiting for installed pictures!!!

[Lemans_Blue_M]

Excellent brake system upgrade. (especially for the track)

I had Stop Tech's 355mm front and rear BBK on my E46 M3 for four years.

They never disappointed me once.

*STALKER*: You are wasting your money going with a 365mm Brembo BBK. (front)

You know you want the increased thermal capacity (and superior braking leverage) of the larger 380mm steel friction surface.

Just buy the 380mm BBK front and rear. I can recommend a set of high quality 18" track wheels that are guaranteed to fit over them without spacers. (with the proper clearances)

PM me for details, so we don't contaminate rldzhao's brake thread.

[swamp2]

Looking really good. You will have a nice understated/OEM type of look. Congrats.

[dawgdog]

Looks like a really nice kit. Was certainly high on my list.

[Martin_D]

Very nice I plan on going the same route!

[RickyBobby]

Nice looking brakes!
Curious as to why you upgraded. Were you having problems with your stock brakes or is this just a safety margin? I've owned two sets of stoptechs in the past and was very happy with them (I put their kids through college from rotor purchases alone)
I was hoping to get by without a BBK on the M. So far I feel like I'm borderline with race pads but am hopeful that some sort of ducting will get me by. Running 19's is not an option for me. What kind of tires are you running on the track?

[rldzhao]

Originally Posted by Lemans_Blue_M

Excellent brake system upgrade. (especially for the track)

I had Stop Tech's 355mm front and rear BBK on my E46 M3 for four years.

They never disappointed me once.

*STALKER*: You are wasting your money going with a 365mm Brembo BBK. (front)

You know you want the increased thermal capacity (and superior braking leverage) of the larger 380mm steel friction surface.

Just buy the 380mm BBK front and rear. I can recommend a set of high quality 18" track wheels that are guaranteed to fit over them without spacers. (with the proper clearances)

PM me for details, so we don't contaminate rldzhao's brake thread.

care to elaborate why?

[rldzhao]

Originally Posted by RickyBobby

Nice looking brakes!
Curious as to why you upgraded. Were you having problems with your stock brakes or is this just a safety margin? I've owned two sets of stoptechs in the past and was very happy with them (I put their kids through college from rotor purchases alone)
I was hoping to get by without a BBK on the M. So far I feel like I'm borderline with race pads but am hopeful that some sort of ducting will get me by. Running 19's is not an option for me. What kind of tires are you running on the track?

Due to the overheating of stock brakes, I've adapted to braking early to reduce the rate of energy input into the rotors. I do still get some issues on long straightaways. Since the Motons are supposed to make me go even faster, I had to get them upgraded

There are 18s that fit the 380mm front kit, which I chose over 355mm kit for heat management. From others on the forums these should be more than adequate.

I run RE-11s on my car. May switch to Yokohama later. Not getting slicks because I do not have a truck or a trailer. Also slicks are very hard to control at the limit.

[RickyBobby]

Originally Posted by rldzhao

Due to the overheating of stock brakes, I've adapted to braking early to reduce the rate of energy input into the rotors. I do still get some issues on long straightaways. Since the Motons are supposed to make me go even faster, I had to get them upgraded

There are 18s that fit the 380mm front kit, which I chose over 355mm kit for heat management. From others on the forums these should be more than adequate.

Gotcha, I guess I'm being hopeful that my stock calipers will do the job. I was able to get a slight bit of fade and my front rotors did get some good surface cracks, but I'm still not ready to give up on the old single pistons just yet. I did feel that the stopping distance was a bit long with the stock brakes and have a hunch that the fronts were doing too much work. I'm sure the stoptech's thow a bit more bias rearward for more overall stopping power.

Do those 380mm's work with the stock 18's?

[Singletrack]

Great brakes!!! Congrats!

[rldzhao]

Originally Posted by RickyBobby

Gotcha, I guess I'm being hopeful that my stock calipers will do the job. I was able to get a slight bit of fade and my front rotors did get some good surface cracks, but I'm still not ready to give up on the old single pistons just yet. I did feel that the stopping distance was a bit long with the stock brakes and have a hunch that the fronts were doing too much work. I'm sure the stoptech's thow a bit more bias rearward for more overall stopping power.

Do those 380mm's work with the stock 18's?

don't think so...

[mastek]

Curious??
Why u didn't choose the lighter and more heat-resistant 'Trophy Kit' ?