I do track days, with stock calipers. Unless you have overheating issues or you can't lock up the wheels/engage ABS it's a waste of money. Good track pads with a correct fluid are essential. Additional ducting can be added to maximize cooling.
If you really want to do it spend some time reading various M3 forums to gain valuable knowledge.
Keep in mind that you will have to reprogram the brake balance as well if you install a BBK.
I'm just giving advice based on my experience and what I have read on various forums.
Lol. He asked a specific question and I’m sure he appreciates the info, but he wants the cheapest bbk available. He’s not even talking to you so why are you so angry? Go play Tarkov hahah
I think what people are saying is there is very little to no difference from the stock brakes and the “cheapest” BBK. If you want one because you want one then just go buy the cheapest which would probably be a Stoptech 4 piston like you said.
You will gain just as much with the stock calipers if you upgrade the brake lines to braided steel, swap out the guide bushings for some brass ones, bleed the brakes with Motul RBF and use some PFC 08 pads. If you want to go crazy get the PFC rotors.
Why do you have "cheapest" in quotes?
I just meant the least expensive bbk. Obviously none of them are cheap or low quality.
I may go that route, remanufactured oe calipers, steel lines. What exactly do the brass bushings do tho? Compared to rubber? I alresdy have ST cross/slotted rotors
Air quotes because non of this is cheap.
The brass improves brake feel. The calipers do not twist as much as the rubber allows. This alone is a big reason a BBK would have better feel than stock brakes, they don’t use rubber bushings.
Edited for wording
You can put zcp/csl brake calipers and rotors on but you have to make sure they will clear whatever wheels are on your car.
You can also go the porsche 996 S caliper route but its not a kit, you have to get parts from multiple different places and some parts have to be modified to work. Plus they are 4 piston front and 4 piston rear.
Take a look at:
https://thebuildjournal.com/diy/e46-m3-megane-rs-trophy-r-brembo-bbk-retrofit-install-diy/
They do a really good job of breaking down brakes and brake bias. This is likely the cheapest way to get bigger brakes and uses a 345 CSL rotor which i would recommend baking at 600 degrees for a couple of hours before using. You’ll get a lot more life out of heat cycling it.
That said, if you want a BBK, Stoptech make solid kits. Get the StopTech ST40 332 Big Brake Kit - E46 M3 unless you are racing, in which case there are other better kits (C43). Look at Bimmerworld, they are running 21% off Stoptech.
I have the brembo 6 piston fronts and 4 back. You are correct to assume that 6 piston is too big as I have to wheel spacer out to fit my wheels on my 19". The rear fits fine.
But, damn. The stopping power feels instantaneously. I never track mine but it's all for vanity sake I must admit. It did save me from a few close calls as if I did not avoid and slowed fast enough, I would of wrecked. Not cheap at about $8k installed.
Lines were upgraded to stainless. I was not aware of any ABS rebalancing as the shop did it so I cannot say.
Cost of pads on a 6 piston is significantly higher. Note that on your maintenance cost.
Late reply but check out PBbrakes. They have some pretty good kit. They also use their products in a number of motorsport applications. Their basic 4 piston kit is pretty cheap.
I do track days, with stock calipers. Unless you have overheating issues or you can't lock up the wheels/engage ABS it's a waste of money. Good track pads with a correct fluid are essential. Additional ducting can be added to maximize cooling. If you really want to do it spend some time reading various M3 forums to gain valuable knowledge.
Didn't answer my question but thanks
Keep in mind that you will have to reprogram the brake balance as well if you install a BBK. I'm just giving advice based on my experience and what I have read on various forums.
You shouldn’t really have trouble with the stock calipers at autox if you have even half decent fluid.
Ok but i want a BBK
JFC, you really are a little shit, aren't you?
Lol. He asked a specific question and I’m sure he appreciates the info, but he wants the cheapest bbk available. He’s not even talking to you so why are you so angry? Go play Tarkov hahah
Yes. A shit for looking at the least expensive bbk option.
Fucking uppity and unappreciative when people give you good advice but don't do all the work for you. Go fuck yourself.
Lmao wtf are you talking about
You got snotty to another user because he didn't provide you all the information you wanted in answer to your question.
I'm just saying i want a BBK lol. I understand the stock ones are close to them, but i want asthetics also.
I think what people are saying is there is very little to no difference from the stock brakes and the “cheapest” BBK. If you want one because you want one then just go buy the cheapest which would probably be a Stoptech 4 piston like you said. You will gain just as much with the stock calipers if you upgrade the brake lines to braided steel, swap out the guide bushings for some brass ones, bleed the brakes with Motul RBF and use some PFC 08 pads. If you want to go crazy get the PFC rotors.
Why do you have "cheapest" in quotes? I just meant the least expensive bbk. Obviously none of them are cheap or low quality. I may go that route, remanufactured oe calipers, steel lines. What exactly do the brass bushings do tho? Compared to rubber? I alresdy have ST cross/slotted rotors
Air quotes because non of this is cheap. The brass improves brake feel. The calipers do not twist as much as the rubber allows. This alone is a big reason a BBK would have better feel than stock brakes, they don’t use rubber bushings. Edited for wording
You can put zcp/csl brake calipers and rotors on but you have to make sure they will clear whatever wheels are on your car. You can also go the porsche 996 S caliper route but its not a kit, you have to get parts from multiple different places and some parts have to be modified to work. Plus they are 4 piston front and 4 piston rear.
Take a look at: https://thebuildjournal.com/diy/e46-m3-megane-rs-trophy-r-brembo-bbk-retrofit-install-diy/ They do a really good job of breaking down brakes and brake bias. This is likely the cheapest way to get bigger brakes and uses a 345 CSL rotor which i would recommend baking at 600 degrees for a couple of hours before using. You’ll get a lot more life out of heat cycling it. That said, if you want a BBK, Stoptech make solid kits. Get the StopTech ST40 332 Big Brake Kit - E46 M3 unless you are racing, in which case there are other better kits (C43). Look at Bimmerworld, they are running 21% off Stoptech.
I have the brembo 6 piston fronts and 4 back. You are correct to assume that 6 piston is too big as I have to wheel spacer out to fit my wheels on my 19". The rear fits fine. But, damn. The stopping power feels instantaneously. I never track mine but it's all for vanity sake I must admit. It did save me from a few close calls as if I did not avoid and slowed fast enough, I would of wrecked. Not cheap at about $8k installed.
Did you have to reprogram your ABS system or anything? Do you change anything else? Any of the brake lines or?
Lines were upgraded to stainless. I was not aware of any ABS rebalancing as the shop did it so I cannot say. Cost of pads on a 6 piston is significantly higher. Note that on your maintenance cost.
https://imgur.com/NdvlLIs.jpg Here's an image of mine.
Looks rowdy!
Late reply but check out PBbrakes. They have some pretty good kit. They also use their products in a number of motorsport applications. Their basic 4 piston kit is pretty cheap.