340i M Performance Front Caliper Retrofit

[Space Fox]

I have the opportunity to purchase the below front calipers off of a 340i owner for $600 for the set. Owner says they are 370mm variant. I have read elsewhere on the forum that these can be retrofitted to the e9x platform relatively easily. Does anyone have experience with this? What parts/rotors will be needed? Is the increase in braking power worth the effort?

[xcusem3]

I suspect these will give you a very marginal increase in stopping power. Not worth the money and hassle to retrofit... The 340i (f30) platform didn't inspire me at all under hard braking.

If you're up for a serious OEM upgrade look for a set off an f80 instead. Or go aftermarket.

I'd say this is more of an aesthetic upgrade than a performance upgrade.

[pbonsalb]

BMW took the front 6 piston calipers off the 135i and installed M3 single piston sliders when it made the 1M years ago. You won’t stop any faster or harder, but you might get better feel on the track from the 4 piston calipers. And they look better.

[tdott]

The calipers are the same as F80 ones.

I believe it's only the pads the are different that allows the use of f80 380mm front rotors.

$600 seems like a bit much for only front calipers.
You should be able to find a full set with rotors for around $1000-1200.

I did the full f80 setup and it's a worth while upgrade imo.
I haven't been able to track my car with them as yet, but I can definitely feel they are much more stable under high speed heavy braking. The rotors also look better also, esp behind my 20s.

1 down side is, 18" arc8 wheels do not fit. So now I need new track wheels.

[Hondaman23]

As ugly as our front brakes are, this is worth the $600 plus figment! I am going to look for a set right now! The braking should be better in modulation, so on track is your biggest benefit, however... did I mention how ugly the E9x brakes are? I may have...

[tsk94]

Originally Posted by Hondaman23

As ugly as our front brakes are, this is worth the $600 plus figment! I am going to look for a set right now! The braking should be better in modulation, so on track is your biggest benefit, however... did I mention how ugly the E9x brakes are? I may have...

These will not provide any performance increase over stock brakes. In fact it's very likely they will perform worse as the torque output has changed while retaining the original master cylinder. If performance is your goal, do not bother.

If your goal it to improve aesthetics then yes, these will be an improvement.

[Space Fox]

Originally Posted by tsk94

These will not provide any performance increase over stock brakes. In fact it's very likely they will perform worse as the torque output has changed while retaining the original master cylinder. If performance is your goal, do not bother.

If your goal it to improve aesthetics then yes, these will be an improvement.

Thank you all for the feedback. Yes, goal would be two-fold both performance and aesthetic. Have to agree w/ Hondaman23 that our stock brakes are nothing to look at.. and I feel cheap painting the stock calipers for aesthetics.
The other is an increase in braking power/stability. When tracking the car at Sebring coming to a hard stop from 140 is not exactly confidence inspiring with the stock set up..

Maybe I'll hold out for a full set of used F80 calipers/rotors as I would like to maintain an OEM+ look/performance and don't necessarily need to shell out $4k+ for a BBK. For those that have retrofit the F80 variant (@tdott) are there brackets being made/sold now or do you need to replace the entire spindle?

[tdott]

Originally Posted by tsk94

These will not provide any performance increase over stock brakes. In fact it's very likely they will perform worse as the torque output has changed while retaining the original master cylinder. If performance is your goal, do not bother.

You should refrain from posting. In this case, that information is wrong. Paired with the rears, it maintains the stock brake bias.

Originally Posted by brantp

Thank you all for the feedback. Yes, goal would be two-fold both performance and aesthetic. Have to agree w/ Hondaman23 that our stock brakes are nothing to look at.. and I feel cheap painting the stock calipers for aesthetics.
The other is an increase in braking power/stability. When tracking the car at Sebring coming to a hard stop from 140 is not exactly confidence inspiring with the stock set up..

Maybe I'll hold out for a full set of used F80 calipers/rotors as I would like to maintain an OEM+ look/performance and don't necessarily need to shell out $4k+ for a BBK. For those that have retrofit the F80 variant (@tdott) are there brackets being made/sold now or do you need to replace the entire spindle?

There is a thread with details. I choose to replace the spindle so that everything is oem bolt on. There is a company that makes an adapter though.

[pbonsalb]

I don’t think adapters are a bad thing. Most aftermarket BBK use adapters. But simple is also good. I’d want to know the price difference — spindles vs adapters and the time it takes to swap spindles.

[Richbot]

YOu can also buy camber correction spindles from the F80 to get some more camber built in up front without leaning the strut over as much, which is a good thing geometry wise

[tsk94]

Originally Posted by tdott

You should refrain from posting. In this case, that information is wrong. Paired with the rears, it maintains the stock brake bias.



There is a thread with details. I choose to replace the spindle so that everything is oem bolt on. There is a company that makes an adapter though.

Cool, there was no talk about replacing the rears in conjunction with the fronts. Don't see the relevancy of your point. Given that, what I said is accurate. If this was a viable performance upgrade, particularly for track applications, it would be known and many people would be doing so. There is a reason why these types of OEM 'upgrades' are rarely utilized - because other than cosmetically, they provide no and often negative performance advantages.

Do you have the calculations to show it maintains stock bias even with the rears replaced in conjunction? Not saying you're wrong but it's very unlikely it would be exactly the same as the stock setup.

[tsk94]

Originally Posted by brantp

Thank you all for the feedback. Yes, goal would be two-fold both performance and aesthetic. Have to agree w/ Hondaman23 that our stock brakes are nothing to look at.. and I feel cheap painting the stock calipers for aesthetics.
The other is an increase in braking power/stability. When tracking the car at Sebring coming to a hard stop from 140 is not exactly confidence inspiring with the stock set up..

Maybe I'll hold out for a full set of used F80 calipers/rotors as I would like to maintain an OEM+ look/performance and don't necessarily need to shell out $4k+ for a BBK. For those that have retrofit the F80 variant (@tdott) are there brackets being made/sold now or do you need to replace the entire spindle?

What pads and fluid were you running with the stock brakes at Sebring? A good race pad with proper fluid will make an exponential difference in the performance and longevity on track with the stock brakes.

[Space Fox]

Originally Posted by tsk94

What pads and fluid were you running with the stock brakes at Sebring? A good race pad with proper fluid will make an exponential difference in the performance and longevity on track with the stock brakes.

I ran Stoptech Sport Pads, Stoptech braided lines and race fluid. Don't get me wrong, it braked fine, no fade at all. Just really had to mash to scrub off speed - particularly on turns 7 and 17. I didn't want to go full race pad but may end up swapping for my next outing to see what kind of difference they make.

[b4hand]

Originally Posted by brantp

Thank you all for the feedback. Yes, goal would be two-fold both performance and aesthetic. Have to agree w/ Hondaman23 that our stock brakes are nothing to look at.. and I feel cheap painting the stock calipers for aesthetics.
The other is an increase in braking power/stability. When tracking the car at Sebring coming to a hard stop from 140 is not exactly confidence inspiring with the stock set up..

Maybe I'll hold out for a full set of used F80 calipers/rotors as I would like to maintain an OEM+ look/performance and don't necessarily need to shell out $4k+ for a BBK. For those that have retrofit the F80 variant (@tdott) are there brackets being made/sold now or do you need to replace the entire spindle?

You can get a Stoptech st60 front kit for under 3k

[tsk94]

Originally Posted by brantp

I ran Stoptech Sport Pads, Stoptech braided lines and race fluid. Don't get me wrong, it braked fine, no fade at all. Just really had to mash to scrub off speed - particularly on turns 7 and 17. I didn't want to go full race pad but may end up swapping for my next outing to see what kind of difference they make.

Yeah that's understandable given the pads you were running. I've used the Sport pads and they are a good hybrid pad for mostly street use and occasional light track use. A real race pad would make a world of difference, like PFC08/11. That's what I run on my race car and I'm still running stock brakes and have no issues with fade or stopping performance.

[doogee]

Originally Posted by brantp

I ran Stoptech Sport Pads

Those pads are horrible (on track). Switch to a track pad and you'll be more than happy with the stock brakes.

[pbonsalb]

Originally Posted by b4hand

You can get a Stoptech st60 front kit for under 3k

I think Bimmerworld has them on sale for closer to $2600 but maybe the sale ended.

[wyatth]

Trinity regularly sells for around that price too. That's a a solid upgrade value IMO.

[statik]

if you’re looking for aesthetics, why not get the freakyparts front brembo kit? it’s $700ish with brand new calipers, brackets and SS lines

[Space Fox]

Originally Posted by statik

if you’re looking for aesthetics, why not get the freakyparts front brembo kit? it’s $700ish with brand new calipers, brackets and SS lines

Great option. Was not aware of this kit. Thank you.

[NeverL8]

Originally Posted by statik

if you’re looking for aesthetics, why not get the freakyparts front brembo kit? it’s $700ish with brand new calipers, brackets and SS lines

Sounds too good to be true?

[Shiza]

Originally Posted by TheRussski

Sounds too good to be true?

It's not, I have the Freaky Parts kit