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
 
European Auto Source (EAS)
Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      12-16-2011, 10:22 AM   #1
Wes Howell
www.facebook.com/weshowellcreative
59
Rep
623
Posts

Drives: 2015 AW M4 Coupe Project Car
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Instagram #weshowell

iTrader: (1)

Stoptech trophy kit - finish gone after 6 months

Hello,

How would you feel if you bought 9k brakes and they started to rust within 6 months?

I purchased a full trophy kit 6 months ago.

Many of you have seen media of my car. Here's a link if you have not.

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthr...ght=klassen+m3

I noticed that after having the kit for 2-3 months that the bolts were rusting. It bugged me, but I figured it wasn't the end of the world and I'd deal with it later.

Well, after spending the past 3 weeks trying to get some help from Stoptech, they basically tell me that I sprayed some nasty corrosive cleaner on my brakes and they have stopped responding to my e-mails. Or at least, they haven't responded with any useful help.

I have been nothing but polite, patient and understanding.....now I'm starting to get angry.

My car has never even seen an automated car wash. I was the thing myself. I am EXTREMELY meticulous about everything that's done to this car. (even the pictures I take, etc) I've spent 100k on this car... Why would I use an abrasive, corrosive cleaner?! On top of that, the brakes are 6 months old... Why would I even want or need to?

Notice in the pics that some bolts are just fine... and some calipers look better than others. Also notice that the finish of the bleed assembly is fine... and the finish on the custom wheels is fine. Also notice in the 2nd and 5th pic how crappy the bolts look in general. I noticed that right when I had the brakes installed (by a master mechanic)

I understand that Stoptech might expect to see other customer issues of bad bolts / finish and they claim they haven't. (But how do I know they haven't?) I've been extremely patient and understanding... but the longer this drags out and the more they ignore my requests for help, the madder I get.

I've given Stoptech plenty of time to respond to this before posting.

Thanks for any thoughts / recommendations. Pics attached.








Appreciate 0
      12-16-2011, 10:26 AM   #2
Brucewonder
Lieutenant Colonel
Brucewonder's Avatar
32
Rep
1,541
Posts

Drives: 2011 E92 M3 yea boi
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Socal

iTrader: (4)

some of those bolts look horrible. I would be pissed if my brand new BBK turned out like that after dropping $$$ on them
__________________
2011.5 E92 ///M3 SSII/FR
Appreciate 0
      12-16-2011, 10:52 AM   #3
THE TECH
BimmerPost Supporting Vendor
THE TECH's Avatar
307
Rep
13,093
Posts


Drives: BPMsport 2012 E92 M3
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Kansas

iTrader: (45)

Garage List
Have the dealer that sold you the kit get involved. This really sucks to see.
Appreciate 0
      12-16-2011, 10:53 AM   #4
Gearhead999s
Major General
Gearhead999s's Avatar
812
Rep
7,888
Posts

Drives: RR Velar R=Dynamic M2C R1200GS
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Toronto

iTrader: (0)

What pads are you running?Some pads are much more corrosive than others.I have the normal Stoptech ST60 & ST40's and the fastners are all in great shape but the paint on the front calipers has yellowed,but I expected that with race pads & lots of track days this year.
Appreciate 0
      12-16-2011, 11:07 AM   #5
bigjae1976
Major General
bigjae1976's Avatar
1566
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]
My bolts still look good on the ST40 calipers. I regularly spray somewhat harsh cleaner (50% diluted grime reaper) on it pretty regularly.

Yeah, maybe you got bad bolts. Or they were dinged up during the install. I would remove the bolts and let them soak in some rust remover. Then maybe use some zinc spray on bolt heads.
__________________
2018 F30 320iX Melbourne Red
2011 E90 M3 Monte Carlo Blue
2004 E46 M3 Imola Red
2000 E36/7 Z3 Steel Blue
Appreciate 0
      12-16-2011, 12:01 PM   #6
Wes Howell
www.facebook.com/weshowellcreative
59
Rep
623
Posts

Drives: 2015 AW M4 Coupe Project Car
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Instagram #weshowell

iTrader: (1)

Fixing or replacing the bolts would be great. I'd prefer new high quality bolts.

However, notice that on at least one of the front calipers it looks like the anodized finished on those is also wearing off. On one of the rears, you can see the bolts are fine and the finish looks pretty good - but it's starting to smear around some of the edges.

I dunno. The car is 6 months old. The more I think about this- the more I question the quality of the finish.
Appreciate 0
      12-16-2011, 12:05 PM   #7
Moxie
Lieutenant Colonel
Moxie's Avatar
United_States
67
Rep
1,895
Posts

Drives: AW 328d Touring/SG 335d
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: North Carolina

iTrader: (12)

Quote:
Originally Posted by THE TECH View Post
Have the dealer that sold you the kit get involved. This really sucks to see.
Have the dealer that sold you the kit get involved. It's your best chance of getting it resolved.
Appreciate 0
      12-16-2011, 12:49 PM   #8
bigjae1976
Major General
bigjae1976's Avatar
1566
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]
Quote:
Originally Posted by e60cs5 View Post
Fixing or replacing the bolts would be great. I'd prefer new high quality bolts.

However, notice that on at least one of the front calipers it looks like the anodized finished on those is also wearing off. On one of the rears, you can see the bolts are fine and the finish looks pretty good - but it's starting to smear around some of the edges.

I dunno. The car is 6 months old. The more I think about this- the more I question the quality of the finish.
I would think the anodized finish would hold up better. Bummer

I think prepping and then zinc spraying your bolts will solve the rust problem as long as you don't have to keep removing them. That might be a small issue for the bridge bolts.
__________________
2018 F30 320iX Melbourne Red
2011 E90 M3 Monte Carlo Blue
2004 E46 M3 Imola Red
2000 E36/7 Z3 Steel Blue
Appreciate 0
      12-16-2011, 02:13 PM   #9
Technic
Lieutenant General
Technic's Avatar
2258
Rep
12,985
Posts

Drives: 2021 i3S, 2024 i4 M50
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Florida

iTrader: (18)

What do you use to clean your wheels?
Appreciate 0
      12-16-2011, 02:22 PM   #10
Wes Howell
www.facebook.com/weshowellcreative
59
Rep
623
Posts

Drives: 2015 AW M4 Coupe Project Car
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Instagram #weshowell

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Technic View Post
What do you use to clean your wheels?
I use a regular handheld spray car wash.
I've never had any reason to use any harsh chemicals or brake cleaner.

My car has only been cleaned by someone else one time when I had it hand washed in Beverly Hills (road trip)

Whatever happened, I highly doubt it was the car wash I have used for 10 years... And I also highly doubt that the finish on my set is durable at all.
Appreciate 0
      12-16-2011, 02:37 PM   #11
Technic
Lieutenant General
Technic's Avatar
2258
Rep
12,985
Posts

Drives: 2021 i3S, 2024 i4 M50
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Florida

iTrader: (18)

Quote:
Originally Posted by e60cs5 View Post
I use a regular handheld spray car wash.
I've never had any reason to use any harsh chemicals or brake cleaner.

My car has only been cleaned by someone else one time when I had it hand washed in Beverly Hills (road trip)

Whatever happened, I highly doubt it was the car wash I have used for 10 years... And I also highly doubt that the finish on my set is durable at all.
I asked because the only time that I have seen something like that was by using a cheap wheel cleaner years ago. Not only it made my old E46 M3 calipers all nasty, it also corroded one of the front pistons so much that it stuck out and it could not go back in. The caliper had to be replaced.

I'm getting a set of the ST non-Trophy front BBK as well, so I'm very interested in the outcome of this crap. I have been using the BMW OEM wheel cleaner for years and so far no corrosion anywhere.

This is not normal.
Appreciate 0
      12-16-2011, 02:48 PM   #12
THE TECH
BimmerPost Supporting Vendor
THE TECH's Avatar
307
Rep
13,093
Posts


Drives: BPMsport 2012 E92 M3
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Kansas

iTrader: (45)

Garage List
Salt from the roads?
Appreciate 0
      12-16-2011, 02:50 PM   #13
davem3fan
Captain
davem3fan's Avatar
United_States
186
Rep
722
Posts

Drives: 2011 M3 Sedan
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Philly Metro

iTrader: (2)

Garage List
Hmmm, this may help clarify my BBK buying decision.

I do hope your issue is resolved to your satisfaction ASAP.

Subscribed.
__________________

Dave Flogaus CCA #123862
11 E90 M3 Sedan DCT
94 E36 325is M-Tech (S50)
Appreciate 0
      12-16-2011, 02:54 PM   #14
Wes Howell
www.facebook.com/weshowellcreative
59
Rep
623
Posts

Drives: 2015 AW M4 Coupe Project Car
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Instagram #weshowell

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by THE TECH View Post
Salt from the roads?
Absolutely not.

To be clear - I took my car out NEAR the salt flats once. AND - this was about a month ago - 3 months after they started rusting.
I did not drive out on the flats...and there is no salt on the roads until winter.... which just arrived.

My car doesn't go out in the winter... and is washed regularly.

Last edited by Wes Howell; 12-16-2011 at 03:04 PM..
Appreciate 0
      12-16-2011, 02:56 PM   #15
THE TECH
BimmerPost Supporting Vendor
THE TECH's Avatar
307
Rep
13,093
Posts


Drives: BPMsport 2012 E92 M3
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Kansas

iTrader: (45)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by e60cs5 View Post
Absolutely not.

To be clear - I took my car out NEAR the salt flats once.
But I did not drive out on the flats. Also, there is no salt on the roads until winter.... which just arrived.

My car doesn't go out in the winter... and is washed regularly.
Understood. Just trying to eliminate ideas that pop into my head.
Appreciate 0
      12-16-2011, 03:02 PM   #16
Wes Howell
www.facebook.com/weshowellcreative
59
Rep
623
Posts

Drives: 2015 AW M4 Coupe Project Car
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Instagram #weshowell

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by THE TECH View Post
Understood. Just trying to eliminate ideas that pop into my head.
No problem - yeah. Thanks. I am not sure what to think...
Appreciate 0
      12-16-2011, 03:18 PM   #17
IMG
IMG's Avatar
United_States
1119
Rep
7,690
Posts

Drives: E36 M3 Track car,Ess E90 M3 DD
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Location

iTrader: (6)

Contact the person who sold them to you or Stoptech,thats wrong
Appreciate 0
      12-16-2011, 03:25 PM   #18
Z K
Major General
Z K's Avatar
1886
Rep
5,504
Posts

Drives: E90 M3, G20 M340i
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: San Francisco

iTrader: (3)

The trophy kit is made for racing, they probably didn't use bolts that were stainless steel or coated to resist corrosion as most race teams would care less if it didn't look good cosmetically. I understand that Stoptech sells a street version as well but it uses the same race calipers. Maybe they need to make a true street Trophy kit instead of an adapted race version...

I haven't seen this issue with the regular Stoptech street brake kits. Either way, it'd be interesting to see their response.
Appreciate 0
      12-17-2011, 03:25 AM   #19
paradocs98
Lieutenant Colonel
paradocs98's Avatar
United_States
392
Rep
1,519
Posts

Drives: M2C
Join Date: May 2009
Location: NY

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Gearhead999s View Post
I have the normal Stoptech ST60 & ST40's and the fastners are all in great shape but the paint on the front calipers has yellowed,but I expected that with race pads & lots of track days this year.
I have the ST60/ST40 setup as well and have not had a problem, either. I've been using either P21S or Griot's Garage wheel cleaner and then rinsing well. I hope you get a resolution to the situation. StopTech is a well-respected, well-established brake manufacturer, and certainly not a fly-by-night like some aftermarket wheel companies. On the other hand, specialty aftermarket auto parts manufacturers like StopTech/Centric are relatively small companies, not huge multinational corporations, so you would think they would have relatively friendly, responsive customer service.
Appreciate 0
      12-18-2011, 07:27 PM   #20
kk2
Private
6
Rep
71
Posts

Drives: ....
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: NY

iTrader: (2)

IMO.. It looks like your problem. Either you bought the wrong kind of brakes for your intended purpose or used the wrong cleaner.
Appreciate 0
      12-19-2011, 10:40 AM   #21
Wes Howell
www.facebook.com/weshowellcreative
59
Rep
623
Posts

Drives: 2015 AW M4 Coupe Project Car
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Instagram #weshowell

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by kk2 View Post
IMO.. It looks like your problem. Either you bought the wrong kind of brakes for your intended purpose or used the wrong cleaner.
LOL Which one is it? How did I buy the wrong brakes? Maybe you could elaborate a bit more or help me figure that one out. Or maybe you didn't read the post. I didn't use any harsh cleaners.
Appreciate 0
      12-19-2011, 12:42 PM   #22
Wes Howell
www.facebook.com/weshowellcreative
59
Rep
623
Posts

Drives: 2015 AW M4 Coupe Project Car
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Instagram #weshowell

iTrader: (1)

I have heard back from Stoptech and they are attempting to help me resolve the issues. Looks like I need to send the calipers in to them for repair.

This whole situation is really a bummer. I can understand Stoptech's perspective that this looks like an issue with an abrasive cleaner, etc. I don't want to tarnish their reputation when there's no way that I can say with 100% certaintly that these brakes weren't exposed to something. I mentioned from the beginning that I did have the car hand washed in Cali.... I just don't know why this has happened.

With all that said - Thanks for the comments - Stoptech is trying to help me fix the problem. I"ll keep you posted.

Wes
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 06:06 AM.




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