Rotor resurface vs replacement

[aswy6]

So my pads are coming to the end of its life and i am looking at rotor replacement or resurfacing. There is a shop around me that claims they can do it perfectly but im skeptical. I have to note that my rotors show a visible lip around the edge. Also, i am doing my first track day in October, i heard that resurfacing rotors and going to track is not the best idea.
While, i am replacing my rotors, is there anything i can preventitavely replace or upgrade like wheel hub or bushing?

Thank you

[roastbeef]

You aren't supposed to machine these oem rotors. Some have without problems.

If I had to guess, it causes the drilled holes to become less chamfered and more prone to cracking. Still, probably not a huge deal unless you're tracking.

[drrust]

It likely depends on the final thickness after machining. After refacing it maybe under minimum thickness.

[aswy6]

Originally Posted by roastbeef

You aren't supposed to machine these oem rotors. Some have without problems.

If I had to guess, it causes the drilled holes to become less chamfered and more prone to cracking. Still, probably not a huge deal unless you're tracking.

Do you think i should replace a anything else while i am at it? Or upgrade

[roastbeef]

Originally Posted by aswy6

Do you think i should replace a anything else while i am at it? Or upgrade

Depends on what you want to do and what you want to spend.

[aswy6]

Originally Posted by roastbeef

Depends on what you want to do and what you want to spend.

not trying to spend bunch of money but something maintenance related will be good. I am installing solid caliper bushings by the way

[roastbeef]

i'm partial to these, but they are expensive. probably the best as far as an oem replacement.
https://www.bimmerworld.com/PFC-Dire...ont-Right.html

[aswy6]

Originally Posted by roastbeef

i'm partial to these, but they are expensive. probably the best as far as an oem replacement.
https://www.bimmerworld.com/PFC-Dire...ont-Right.html

Yeah i looked into those. I was more talking about something like wheel hub or bushing related

[roastbeef]

nah, there isn't really anything big to upgrade in there. maybe stainless lines if you feel like flushing it?

[Dave07997S]

I would replace the rotors. The price of the OEM Zimmerman rotors have come down quite a bit.

Here they are for less than $500 for the pair.

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-zimmerma...34112283802kt/

Thats for the fronts. If the minimum thickness isn't exceeded the rears I think would be OK to turn. As 80% of the braking is done by the front.

Dave

[aswy6]

Originally Posted by roastbeef

nah, there isn't really anything big to upgrade in there. maybe stainless lines if you feel like flushing it?

Already did lol. Do wheel hubs or wheel bushings tend to wear over time? Or just wait till it fails

[aswy6]

Originally Posted by Dave07997S

I would replace the rotors. The price of the OEM Zimmerman rotors have come down quite a bit.

Here they are for less than $500 for the pair.

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-zimmermann-parts/front-cross-drilled-brake-rotors-pair-360x30/34112283802kt/

400$ per pair at FCP Euro baby

[byroncheung]

i wouldn't take chance on resurfacing it esp if you're going to track it... we didn't buy these to expect cheap maint...

as someone said above, if you haven't already, consider stainless brake lines. change to castrol SRF, should be good to go for your 1st track day!

[Dave07997S]

Originally Posted by aswy6

400$ per pair at FCP Euro baby

Nice and life time warranty..however, thats for the rears. The fronts are $450.00

Dave

[aswy6]

Originally Posted by byroncheung

i wouldn't take chance on resurfacing it esp if you're going to track it... we didn't buy these to expect cheap maint...

as someone said above, if you haven't already, consider stainless brake lines. change to castrol SRF, should be good to go for your 1st track day!

Measured front rotor thickness today and it appears to be at 28.8 which would suggest it has 0.4mm more life left. Going to take caliper off tomorrow to measure rears. If they are not at minimum thickness, would you still advice against resurfacing?

[drrust]

One would have to measure the lows of the grooves on the rotor to get a good value. I suspect that 0.4 mm is not enough. Also let's say they can resurface at 0.2 mm over the minimum, will that lead to issues as the pad wears down the rotor? I'm not sure, but you are dealing with the fundamental safety system of the car. Also depending on your style and pads a weekend at the track may wear out your pads, then you would likely have to replace your rotors afterwards.

I would bite the bullet and get new rotors although one can often find low milage rotors in the classifieds. If there is no lip, you should be able to use as is. Otherwise the lifetime warranty from FCP would be hard to pass up (last set you would have to buy).

[EnVe46]

Bite the bullet and get new rotors or lightly used rotors. Search your local craigslist as I was able to find a full set of rotors with 5k miles on them for $450 from a totaled E92. Even with heavy use you'll get 40-50k miles out of the. So even buying new, $250/year in rotors if average out driving 10k miles per year. I spent that on my wife's A3 in 1.5yrs, so if you think about the cost vs what you get out of them it's much easier to digest the cost

[aswy6]

Originally Posted by drrust

One would have to measure the lows of the grooves on the rotor to get a good value. I suspect that 0.4 mm is not enough. Also let's say they can resurface at 0.2 mm over the minimum, will that lead to issues as the pad wears down the rotor? I'm not sure, but you are dealing with the fundamental safety system of the car. Also depending on your style and pads a weekend at the track may wear out your pads, then you would likely have to replace your rotors afterwards.

I would bite the bullet and get new rotors although one can often find low milage rotors in the classifieds. If there is no lip, you should be able to use as is. Otherwise the lifetime warranty from FCP would be hard to pass up (last set you would have to buy).

Thats a good point about lowest part of the groove. I may find 0.4mm there because i cam feel grooves with my finger

[Dave07997S]

The fronts are close, I would replace. I bet the rears have more meat on them. If so those you can turn.

[aswy6]

Originally Posted by Dave07997S

The fronts are close, I would replace. I bet the rears have more meat on them. If so those you can turn.

My pads on the rear wore out quicker than fronts though. Probably still going to take the caliper off to measure

[94jedi]

Agree w/ the others. Rotor resurfacing for most cars is a thing of the past. Just not worth it. @ ~ $600 for a new set, best to just bit the bullet and go new. Sucks but that's the game we play w/ these cars.

[yidgyi]

Just buy them from FCP and have life time warranty. Bought all my brake stuff that I could from FCP euro on my recent brake job.