Brake Query

[fergusgo]

Brakes are done - after a European jaunt taking in some of the Alpine passes, and need front discs and pads. Brakes appeared ok before i left, (car only done 22k) but at the bottom of Stelvio of all places brakes went, and was pretty disappointed that the standard OME couldn’t take modest(ish) punishment.

I am looking to see if there are any better alternatives to the OEM without spending a fortune. I have just forked out for a set of APs for my (shared) Impreza track car (don’t ask!!!!) and so am looking to keep the OEM callipers. I have had a reasonable quote from local BM dealer for £440 odd for discs and pads fitted inc vat but was wondering if anyone has experience of non OEM discs and pads for standard calipers.

I spoke with Paul at coordsport.com re performance friction pads but he did not think that they did a 345x28. Do any other manufacturers and are they aftermarket discs worth the extra cash over the OME?
Also wondering if it is advisable to perhaps just go for the OME discs but put better pads on it. Has anyone gone down this route eg Ferodo ds2500 or performance friction?

Finally what brake fluid would be recommended - car currently on standard dot 4. is dot 5.1 preferable? (Think the boiling brake fluid was one of the main problems)

As always thanks in advance for your help and advice and special thanks to whopwop for the passenger laps at the ring - very entertaining!
A couple of photos...

http://i948.photobucket.com/albums/ad321/fergusgo/P1020064.jpg
http://i948.photobucket.com/albums/ad321/fergusgo/P1020226.jpg
http://i948.photobucket.com/albums/ad321/fergusgo/P1020394.jpg
http://i948.photobucket.com/albums/ad321/fergusgo/P1020809.jpg

[Mark CSL]

The standard discs are good just upgrade the hoses to braided ones and some dot 5.1 and EBC redstuff pads will do the job :thumbs:

[fergusgo]

Cheers for that. Would you suggest any place in particular I should go for the braided hoses?

[karbonkid]

Cheers for that. Would you suggest any place in particular I should go for the braided hoses?

Try Thorney:

http://www.thorneymotorsport.co.uk/products/index.php?cPath=1329_1637_1342_1687_1689

[Mark CSL]

Cheers for that. Would you suggest any place in particular I should go for the braided hoses?

Ebay is a good place to start cost about £50
I get my EBC redstuff pads from livinston auto parts :thumbs:

Maxcess sell 5.1 for about £3.50 a 1/2 liter you will need a liter to change all the fluid ;)

Ebay link £48.95
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BMW-M3-E46-Goodridge-Braided-Brake-Hoses_W0QQitemZ300294002610QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_C arsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM?hash=item45eaead7b2&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12|66%3A2|39%3A1|72%3A1683|240%3A13 18|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50

[whopwop]

Hi Ferguso,
Glad you made it home ok and that you guys enjoyed the laps.

It sounds to me like the brake fluid was your biggest problem, If the car is mainly going to get road use then O.E.M. discs, dot 5 fluid, braided hoses and Ferrodo pads will be more than ok.
Have you considered the BMW Motorsport calipers at all, cheaper than AP.

ps, was looking at your last photo thinking ....there is a csl with wheels like mine, how come I didnt see it !!!:clown::clown:

[s.mac]

nice pics, I've sent you a pm ;)

[csl_mba]

Mark are Yellow Stuff pads better with OEM discs & Goodridge Hoses?
Link to eBay (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BMW-E36-E46-M5-M3-FRONT-EBC-YELLOW-STUFF-PADS-DP4689_W0QQitemZ360148927202QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_ CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM?hash=item53da8c82e2&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12|66%3A2|39%3A1|72%3A1683|240%3A13 18|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50)

[shimmy]

dot 5.1

:thumbs: