retrofit brake kit bmw performance

[magnust]

I drove a M3 E46 last year on track with these BMW performance calipers plus CSL disks. The pads that came with the kit (EBC Redstuff) went from brand new and bedded in to.... well nothing, on only one track meet. Actually, the pads didn't look worn down, they looked like they'd melted!!! Not impressed. My guess is that the calipers could work fine if you could get decent pads like PFC08. What I've heard though, which might be wrong, is that it's hard to get good pads due to an unusual size/layout of the pads in these calipers. But this last bit might be an internet rumour so if you're interested in this setup do some proper googling.

I would never buy this kit though! On my CSL I just run cooling hoses and good pads ( PFC08 ) plus high performance brake fluid, that's all. That solved all overheating and high-wear issues on track. And PFC08 is the first PFC pad I've used that works pretty good on the street.

But if you still want a BBK there are other better ones to choose from than the BMW performance kit. IMHO.

[born2boost]

Originally Posted by magnust

I drove a M3 E46 last year on track with these BMW performance calipers plus CSL disks. The pads that came with the kit (EBC Redstuff) went from brand new and bedded in to.... well nothing, on only one track meet. Actually, the pads didn't look worn down, they looked like they'd melted!!! Not impressed. My guess is that the calipers could work fine if you could get decent pads like PFC08. What I've heard though, which might be wrong, is that it's hard to get good pads due to an unusual size/layout of the pads in these calipers. But this last bit might be an internet rumour so if you're interested in this setup do some proper googling.

I would never buy this kit though! On my CSL I just run cooling hoses and good pads ( PFC08 ) plus high performance brake fluid, that's all. That solved all overheating and high-wear issues on track. And PFC08 is the first PFC pad I've used that works pretty good on the street.

But if you still want a BBK there are other better ones to choose from than the BMW performance kit. IMHO.

I've heard nothing good about the entire EBC range of pads for the track....every single person I've spoken to who's used them says they're crap.

Was there any unusual pedal feel while driving that car? Did it have both front and rear calipers fitted? Just wondering if the brake bias changed much by changing the calipers...?

I use PF pads on my E36 M3 Race car with stock calipers, decent brake ducts, braided lines and AP 660 Fluid....and this setup works great for continuous hammering of the brakes on the circuit....

[alexk]

Originally Posted by magnust

I drove a M3 E46 last year on track with these BMW performance calipers plus CSL disks. The pads that came with the kit (EBC Redstuff) went from brand new and bedded in to.... well nothing, on only one track meet. Actually, the pads didn't look worn down, they looked like they'd melted!!! Not impressed. My guess is that the calipers could work fine if you could get decent pads like PFC08. What I've heard though, which might be wrong, is that it's hard to get good pads due to an unusual size/layout of the pads in these calipers. But this last bit might be an internet rumour so if you're interested in this setup do some proper googling.

I would never buy this kit though! On my CSL I just run cooling hoses and good pads ( PFC08 ) plus high performance brake fluid, that's all. That solved all overheating and high-wear issues on track. And PFC08 is the first PFC pad I've used that works pretty good on the street.

But if you still want a BBK there are other better ones to choose from than the BMW performance kit. IMHO.

Pagid has created pads for the BMW-Brembo calipers

[magnust]

Originally Posted by born2boost

I've heard nothing good about the entire EBC range of pads for the track....every single person I've spoken to who's used them says they're crap.

Was there any unusual pedal feel while driving that car? Did it have both front and rear calipers fitted? Just wondering if the brake bias changed much by changing the calipers...?

I use PF pads on my E36 M3 Race car with stock calipers, decent brake ducts, braided lines and AP 660 Fluid....and this setup works great for continuous hammering of the brakes on the circuit....

I know of endless testimonies here in Sweden of epic fails with EBC pads on track. So it was totally expected they would fail on my friends car that had this kit on it. But amazingly enough I know a few (very few...) endurance racing teams running successfully on EBC pads. But then, light cars and narrow tires (class regulations).

The car only had the front kits on it. Pedal feel, well, nothing to write home about IMHO. But with the pads totally out of their depth and on the verge on total meltdown the pedal feel was probably more about the pads getting mushy than anything else. So can't say how the calipers could feel with good pads.

And then braking balance, that also has a lot to do with your choice of pads back and front. So not much use to know how this particular setup behaved IMHO. The whole car was pretty tail happy in it's setup but no nervousness during braking (which also is a question of toe...). All in all I don't think getting good braking balance would be a problem after trying different rear pads to fine tune it.

Great news that Pagid are making pads for the calipers! Pagid really do make good pads. (But not as abuse resistant as PFC in real high temp scenarios IMO)

[Clubber]

Thread resurrection.

I found a company in Germany who sell this BMW Performance upgrade for the CSL. They made their own adapter for E46 M3 and th whole setup sells for a reasonable price compared to AP's, Brembo's etc.

Many people are happy with this upgrade but this thread made me think twice. Has anyone have this setup or has any experience with it ?

[J2LTB]

A friend with a e46 m3 bought the cutters group buy PBMW calipers and Csl discs . Hes very impressed with them. Fitment was good. He's not been on track as yet with them though.

[Neil M]

I Run Hel (German) hoses, AP 600 fluid and RS29 pads on OEM calipers, a bit of squeal from the pads when they're cold, but wakes up pedestrians first thing in the morning

[sydown]

I have been running the BMW Performance caliper on my CSL with RS-29's. The whole setup, fitting kit, calipers, motul RB600 and pads came in at approx £1050. Compared to the standard setup they are miles better, there is a very slight increase in pedal travel but bags of feel. However they are quite heavy when compared to a AP caliper.

30 minute sessions at Donnington didn't cause the setup any issues and the brakes felt as good at the end as at the beginning!!

I did run EBC yellowstuff in the back and melted them in 1 track day, at £60 for rear pads they really are false economy.

So for a budget brake upgrade I can definitely recommend the BMW Performance setup.

[sydown]

If anyone is interested using the BMW Performance caliper on the front and the standard CSL caliper on the rear changes the brake bias from:

Standard CSL calipers: Front 63.89 - Rear 36.11 (1.769:1)

to

BMW P front std CSL rear: Front 60.41 - Rear 39.59 (1.525:1)

It does mean the rears work slightly harder than before but still feels perfectly balanced.

[Clubber]

Thank you all for the feedback. It is nice to hear some positive comments about this kit. It looks like this will be my choice of BBK. Besides, If I want to upgrade to AP etc. later on, these will be easier to resell for E90-E92-E82 compatibility.
What would you guys recommend for rear upgrade ? Steel hose and some good pads enough ?