[teapain]

Hi all

As the title suggest, I'm debating between the two options. Main use will be very spirited driving and track day once (maybe, if that?) a year on my 335i.

I currently have the stock grey Brembo 4-pots front 340mm rotors and rear 330mm rear single pot. Pretty happy with it except...

I want something that will not fade on my "spirited" drives, where in the past, have had the brakes limp out on me after a few aggressive downhill corners. Track, however, I have never had brake fade.

So. Are the M Performance Brakes worth the upgrade at $2k -- or maybe closer to $1500, after I sell my current stock setup? It also looks friggin amazing!

But I figure Hawks HPS 5.0 pads with StopTech slotted rotors might just do the trick at about $900 ish. But then, dropping just another $600 will get me that M Perf which might proof to be the wiser deal?? Help! : (

#firstworldproblem

[andino]

Just upgrading your pads will give you a lot more bite and less fade. No need to do the rotors too unless you want more bling or they need replacing.

[teapain]

Originally Posted by andino

Just upgrading your pads will give you a lot more bite and less fade. No need to do the rotors too unless you want more bling or they need replacing.

Oh, I definitely want the bling. 😎 But rotors are close enough to min thickness to justify new ones.

[imperfectluck]

Much of the cost in the 2k for the m perf brakes comes in the form of the calipers, getting me the orange set years ago was what started me down the rabbit hole of modding my car, disliked the floating rear calipers and to date, the rear m perf calipers for the f30 are the best looking rear calipers I've seen on a car. Not sure why the M models don't follow but I like how it's almost a "miniature" version of the front

I digress from the actual performance aspect of the pads since andino has covered. Be aware also that the "blingy" rotors will also make noise as air passes through the grooves and dimples, noticeable when driving next to something such as a divider / building.

Of course all this ranting would be worthless without a pic to at least show my appreciation for the setup.

[cfm56d7b]

imperfectluck, thanks for sharing. Orange calipers look super sharp!

[andino]

Originally Posted by imperfectluck

Much of the cost in the 2k for the m perf brakes comes in the form of the calipers, getting me the orange set years ago was what started me down the rabbit hole of modding my car, disliked the floating rear calipers and to date, the rear m perf calipers for the f30 are the best looking rear calipers I've seen on a car. Not sure why the M models don't follow but I like how it's almost a "miniature" version of the front

I digress from the actual performance aspect of the pads since andino has covered. Be aware also that the "blingy" rotors will also make noise as air passes through the grooves and dimples, noticeable when driving next to something such as a divider / building.

Of course all this ranting would be worthless without a pic to at least show my appreciation for the setup.

+1 on the orange caliper crew

[teapain]

Beautiful setups. Especially with the wagon.

And yup, been reading up on that M Perf noise issue. All this is not making it any easier to choose.

[andino]

Originally Posted by teapain

Beautiful setups. Especially with the wagon.

And yup, been reading up on that M Perf noise issue. All this is not making it any easier to choose.

As long as your pads don't have slots (stock m-perf doesn't), you don't get much noise. But I have red stuff and there's def noise since there's a slot in them. I don't mind and you can't hear it when windows are up.

[GSband]

Hi,

On my 05/2013 335i I had the standard brakes that were pretty useless. I had MPerformance brakes installed in August 2015. And still wasn't happy with the brakes, not enough initial bite.

Then I found this page that explains all differences and options really well : https://www.turnermotorsport.com/t-b...ke-Differences

I went with the Posi Quiet brake pads (Centric semi metallic). They're fine for normal street use, have better initial bite, make less noise, and hardly any brake dust. For more spirited braking (trackdays) I would use other pads; for daily driving they're better than OEM.

Hope this helps !
Cheers,
GSband

PS I have no interest in mentioned companies.

[cfm56d7b]

andino, your F31 is one of the best vehicles in the wagon category.

Does it have 437M wheels?

[andino]

Originally Posted by cfm56d7b

andino, your F31 is one of the best vehicles in the wagon category.

Does it have 437M wheels?

Yeah I was running OEM 437m's for a good while. Swapped recently to a set of 763m reps just to change things up a bit. I still have my 513m's that I plan to use as a dedicated trackset.

[brigade24]

i really should do a differential first but i have to have those orange calipers! damn this temptation i suffer from!

[therealm3]

Orange calipers are on point. Well done fellas.

[andino]

Originally Posted by brigade24

i really should do a differential first but i have to have those orange calipers! damn this temptation i suffer from!

Diff is on the short list for me as well. Brakes came first in my case because the base 328i wagon had single pistons all around.

[brigade24]

Originally Posted by andino

Diff is on the short list for me as well. Brakes came first in my case because the base 328i wagon had single pistons all around.

yea I hear ya...I saw Farkle's video on it and was like, oh gotta do that!!

I'll be doing some lapping this year so I wanted to fit bigger rotors to absorb more heat...I was looking at aftermarket but Im not a fan of dealing with the lack of pad selection so I will more than likely be doing the m performance upgrade...just need that border to open up.

[s55jesus]

You should really have a look at this video.

and andino seems like I'm bumping into you in every thread after selling you my wheels LOL.

and OP, I'm having the same hard time trying to decide. I also have 340/330 set up on my 340i right now and want to go M performance brakes, but I already bought all the Stoptech slotted rotors and HPS 5.0 pads a few months back. Just sitting in my room right now.

So I'm trying to decide wether I should just ditch my rotors and pads and just upgrade to the M performance set up, or even the Brembo GT kit up front. Would fill up my 18" wheels nicely.

Maybe I'll sell you my rotors and pads for cheap, so I can go pick up the M performance brakes. They're brand new.

[andino]

Originally Posted by eff80m3

You should really have a look at this video.

and andino seems like I'm bumping into you in every thread after selling you my wheels LOL.

and OP, I'm having the same hard time trying to decide. I also have 340/330 set up on my 340i right now and want to go M performance brakes, but I already bought all the Stoptech slotted rotors and HPS 5.0 pads a few months back. Just sitting in my room right now.

So I'm trying to decide wether I should just ditch my rotors and pads and just upgrade to the M performance set up, or even the Brembo GT kit up front. Would fill up my 18" wheels nicely.

Maybe I'll sell you my rotors and pads for cheap, so I can go pick up the M performance brakes. They're brand new.

MPBBK fills up 18s really nicely!

[s55jesus]

Since I sold you my wheels, sell me your brakes andino

[johnung]

Originally Posted by eff80m3

You should really have a look at this video.

and andino seems like I'm bumping into you in every thread after selling you my wheels LOL.

and OP, I'm having the same hard time trying to decide. I also have 340/330 set up on my 340i right now and want to go M performance brakes, but I already bought all the Stoptech slotted rotors and HPS 5.0 pads a few months back. Just sitting in my room right now.

So I'm trying to decide wether I should just ditch my rotors and pads and just upgrade to the M performance set up, or even the Brembo GT kit up front. Would fill up my 18" wheels nicely.

Maybe I'll sell you my rotors and pads for cheap, so I can go pick up the M performance brakes. They're brand new.

FYI- Don't assume that BremboGT calipers will fit under your 18" wheels. The diameter of the rotors doesn't sound overly big but the calipers are much bigger that stock BMW Brembo calipers.

BremboGT have pdf files with an outline of each caliper. You print it out and cut out the template. Then pull off one of your 18" wheels and flip it face down. You place the GT outline inside the wheel barrel to see if it fits and make sure that there is the clearance that Brembo specifies.

I considered the BremboGT and discovered that they would not fit under my 18" BMW 400M wheels. It wasn't even close to fitting.

[s55jesus]

Originally Posted by johnung

FYI- Don't assume that BremboGT calipers will fit under your 18" wheels. The diameter of the rotors doesn't sound overly big but the calipers are much bigger that stock BMW Brembo calipers.

BremboGT have pdf files with an outline of each caliper. You print it out and cut out the template. Then pull off one of your 18" wheels and flip it face down. You place the GT outline inside the wheel barrel to see if it fits and make sure that there is the clearance that Brembo specifies.

I considered the BremboGT and discovered that they would not fit under my 18" BMW 400M wheels. It wasn't even close to fitting.

Not assuming. I already worked it out. Contacted Brembo and they told me as soon as I mentioned GT kit that it will not clear my 18" wheels. So instead of utilizing the 380mm rotors that comes with the kit, I'm getting custom 2 piece 370mm rotors so it fits. The shop that I'm currently working with to do this already assured me the 6 piston calipers will fit in 18" wheels if I use the 370mm rotors.

I will most likely end up with the MPBBK though. Costs a grand less and its for all 4 corners instead of the front only. Still debating.

[johnung]

Originally Posted by teapain

Hi all

As the title suggest, I'm debating between the two options. Main use will be very spirited driving and track day once (maybe, if that?) a year on my 335i.

I currently have the stock grey Brembo 4-pots front 340mm rotors and rear 330mm rear single pot. Pretty happy with it except...

I want something that will not fade on my "spirited" drives, where in the past, have had the brakes limp out on me after a few aggressive downhill corners. Track, however, I have never had brake fade.

So. Are the M Performance Brakes worth the upgrade at $2k -- or maybe closer to $1500, after I sell my current stock setup? It also looks friggin amazing!

But I figure Hawks HPS 5.0 pads with StopTech slotted rotors might just do the trick at about $900 ish. But then, dropping just another $600 will get me that M Perf which might proof to be the wiser deal?? Help! : (

#firstworldproblem

I have a 2015 335ix that came with standard brakes and I did a couple upgrades. I have very specific opinions about the options that you mentioned, based on my experience.

Here are the three brake combinations that I have had on my car:

1) Front 340mm/ Rear 330mm
2) Front 340mm/ Rear 345mm
3) Front 370mm/ Rear 345mm

1) STANDARD 335i BRAKES
Front Brembo 4-piston calipers
340mm x 30mm BMW plain rotors
Stock BMW pads
Stock rubber brake hoses

Rear Bosch 1-piston calipers
330mm x 20mm BMW plain rotors
Stock BMW pads
Stock rubber brake hoses

Comments: Brake performance is average. BMW pads have average bite and put out lots of sticky black dust. Nose dives under heavy braking.

2) UPGRADED REAR BRAKES, PADS, LINES
Front Brembo 4-piston calipers
340mm x 30mm BMW plain rotors
Hawk 5.0 pads
StopTech Stainless Steel Brake Lines
Stainless steel rotor screws
G2USA Caliper Paint on calipers & rotor hats

Rear Brembo 2-piston calipers
345mm x 24mm BMW plain rotors
Hawk 5.0 pads
StopTech Stainless Steel Brake Lines
Stainless steel rotor screws
G2USA Caliper Paint on calipers & rotor hats

Comments: Rear caliper upgrade stopped nose dive. Car now squats much more controllably under heavy braking. Big difference! Hawk 5.0 pads have superior bite, instant warm up and very light dust. It's light in color and washes right off. Stainless lines eliminate mush. Brake pedal much more solid. SS rotor screws prevent rusting of screw into hub that would prevent future rotor removal. G2USA Caliper Paint changed front grey and rear blue calipers to Gloss Black to match my car. G2USA Silver on rotor hat sides got rid of BMW rotor rust permanently.

3) UPGRADED FRONT BRAKES, ROTORS
Front Brembo 4-piston calipers
370mm x 30mm StopTech Aero Full Floating cross-drilled rotors
Hawk 5.0 pads
StopTech Stainless Steel Brake Lines
Stainless steel rotor screws
Calipers powder coated in gloss black.

Rear Brembo 2-piston calipers
345mm x 24mm StopTech cross-drilled rotors
Hawk 5.0 pads
StopTech Stainless Steel Brake Lines
Stainless steel rotor screws
Calipers powder coated in gloss black.

Comments: Larger front rotors provide greater mass for heat dissipation and less chance of brake fade. Floating cross-drilled front rotors and cross-drilled rear rotors provide superior bite when combined with Hawk 5.0 pads. Cross-drilling also provides superior braking in rain as water can't trap between rotor and pad surfaces. Brake performance is incredible. Cannot make these brakes fade under aggressive street driving.

Powder coated calipers only because used calipers needed a complete rebuild so I had the opportunity to do so. Very happy with the results, but probably wouldn't powder coat calipers again. Not worth the time, hassle and expense when G2USA Caliper Paint provides almost the same result at a fraction of those.

Hopefully the summary above has answered many of your questions. Below is some discussion of components.

Hawk 5.0 pads, stainless steel brake lines and stainless steel rotor screws are a given. Do these three regardless of which brake upgrade you choose.

Caliper Color- Don't allow yourself to make a caliper decision based on what color they are or are not. With G2USA Caliper Paint for as little as $50 you can make your calipers any color without removing them from the car. It brushes on and levels out as it dries to a hard sprayed on looking finish. The blue paint used on the M Sport calipers is terrible. It chips badly. G2USA has a superior finish.

Rotors- Avoid slotted and dimpled. They are noisy and provide little improvement. Dimples can catch metal particles are appear like rusty dots. Slotted are fine for super heat of track but not suited for street. Cross-drilled are superior for street. Porsche, McLaren, Mercedes, etc all used cross-drilled rotors on their street performance cars.

Rotor Options: Front/Rear
(With increasing performance and cost)

Plain/Plain- just like stock
Drilled/Plain- Better bite in the front where it counts the most
Drilled/Drilled- Added bite at rear brakes and rain braking performance all around
Full-Floating Drilled/Drilled- Superior combination in every way

Caliper Upgrade Options: (Front/rear)

340/345- Prevents nose diving as stated above

370/345- on a 335i these are the same calipers that come in blue in the M Sport brake option, and come in red, orange or yellow in the M Performance Brake Kit. Color is the only difference.

For a F3x 335i with standard brakes, a great inexpensive upgrade would be to keep the calipers, get front cross-drilled rotors, and Hawk 5.0 pads & stainless steel brake lines all around.

The next step up would be to do the same as above but add rear 345mm calipers.

A full set of working used 370/345 calipers sell for about $800-$1,100 depending on the cosmetic condition. You can use G2USA to refurbish the paint or change the color.

The F3x M Performance Brake Kit can be purchased for $1,795 from GetBMWParts which provides four brand new 370/345 calipers in either red, orange or yellow. I would then sell the two front dimpled & slotted front rotors and the four sets of MP brake pads. Then I'd buy the Hawk 5.0 pads and StopTech rotors of my choice.

It all depends on your priorities and budget.
Hope this helps!

[nickf30]

Two thumbs up for Johnung. Bottom line is most people buying the MPerformance Brake kit just for look (hence cross drilled rotor + low dust pad and stock fluid). With stock grey Brembo upgrade to high performance pads and high temp fluid is sufficient for normal track day let alone "Spirited" driving on public road.