[br4to92]

Hello, does someone knows if is it worth upgrading a BMW F30's basic brake kit (brake caliper + rotor + brake pads) to an M-Performance kit? I recently found a used M-Performance set at a decent price and I'm thinking to upgrade it on my F30 which came to the standard version. Also, I'm not sure if should I buy only the calipers or also the brake rotors are better on the M-Performance set.

[co_440i]

Those rotors aren't the M Performance BBK rotors, which are dimpled and slotted. I wouldn't buy used rotors at all honestly, unless they were still pretty new and very cheap.

I recently ordered the M Perf BBK kit with orange calipers myself. I priced out parts individually with some aftermarket both kits and piecemeal, and everything was so close in price that I figured I'd rather have the peace of mind of all new stuff installed at the same time.

[johnung]

What year/model car do you have now and what size brakes does it have.

Blue calipers are M Sport, not M Performance which come in red, orange or yellow. But calipers could actually be the same, maybe.

Front Blue calipers can either be 340mm or 370mm. Check the back of the casting and in raised letters it will either say “340” or “370/380”.

Upgrading the brakes is definitely worth it, but to provide any more details requires knowing what size brakes your car has now and whether these blue calipers are 340 or 370

See photos for how to measure brakes on car to see which they are. Each F30 rotor has a unique diameter that corresponds to a unique caliper?

[br4to92]

My car is a 2014 F30 320d EfficientDynamics model. I'm not sure about the exact size, but the brakes looks like the most basic version they could put on the F30 (or at least the brakes calipers are since they are that simple basic model). Right now it's a bit hard to measure the exact size of the brake rotor diameter as I don't have the equipment to take the wheels off, but is there any chance that we can find them from the VIN number? I might be able to ask the seller to send a picture with the back of the rotors so we can check if they are 340 or 370mm.

[johnung]

Originally Posted by br4to92

My car is a 2014 F30 320d EfficientDynamics model. I'm not sure about the exact size, but the brakes looks like the most basic version they could put on the F30 (or at least the brakes calipers are since they are that simple basic model). Right now it's a bit hard to measure the exact size of the brake rotor diameter as I don't have the equipment to take the wheels off, but is there any chance that we can find them from the VIN number? I might be able to ask the seller to send a picture with the back of the rotors so we can check if they are 340 or 370mm.

Your stock brakes are most likely Front 312mm/Rear 300mm. There are also F330 and R330 with similar looking calipers but they are less common. What are the last seven digits of your VIN to check other brake parts that you may need like rear dust shields?

Definitely get photos of the backs of the front calipers. Used prices in good condition are roughly 370’s $550-$650, 340’s $450-$550, Rear 345’s $450-$550.
But everything is obviously negotiable.

Used rotors are often too heavy/expensive to ship but can be a good deal if you can pick them up locally, maybe $50-$100/pair if original BMW rotors in great condition . Avoid any that are dimpled or slotted. Too noisy.

[br4to92]

Originally Posted by johnung

Your stock brakes are most likely Front 312mm/Rear 300mm. There are also F330 and R330 with similar looking calipers but they are less common. What are the last seven digits of your VIN to check other brake parts that you may need like rear dust shields?

Definitely get photos of the backs of the front calipers. Used prices in good condition are roughly 370’s $550-$650, 340’s $450-$550, Rear 345’s $450-$550.
But everything is obviously negotiable.

Used rotors are often too heavy/expensive to ship but can be a good deal if you can pick them up locally, maybe $50-$100/pair if original BMW rotors in great condition . Avoid any that are dimpled or slotted. Too noisy.

The last 7 digits of my VIN are P588989. The asking price for this used braking system (calipers + rotors + brake pads) is 810 euros. I will ask for pictures from the backs of the calipers to check the size, but is there any way we can see how much worn out are they and if it's better to just buy some new calipers instead?

[rlesko]

Originally Posted by br4to92

The last 7 digits of my VIN are P588989. The asking price for this used braking system (calipers + rotors + brake pads) is 810 euros. I will ask for pictures from the backs of the calipers to check the size, but is there any way we can see how much worn out are they and if it's better to just buy some new calipers instead?

810 euros even just for 4 calipers seems like a good price. I wouldn't bother reusing rotors or brake pads, especially ones that look fairly beat up.

I think you mean to say rotors- You can technically measure rotor thickness to see how used they are, same goes for pads. The reality is its much better to replace these wear components as they do not appear to be in a good enough condition to warrant reusing.

[br4to92]

Originally Posted by rlesko

810 euros even just for 4 calipers seems like a good price. I wouldn't bother reusing rotors or brake pads, especially ones that look fairly beat up.

I think you mean to say rotors- You can technically measure rotor thickness to see how used they are, same goes for pads. The reality is its much better to replace these wear components as they do not appear to be in a good enough condition to warrant reusing.

Yes, I meant to say rotors, but I guess most likely I will need to go with a set of new ones just to be sure. Same for break pads. So in this case I would only need second hand M-Sportr calipers, and the rest of the breaking system would be brand new.

[rlesko]

Originally Posted by br4to92

Yes, I meant to say rotors, but I guess most likely I will need to go with a set of new ones just to be sure. Same for break pads. So in this case I would only need second hand M-Sportr calipers, and the rest of the breaking system would be brand new.

You also might need new backing plates if you are on a 320i right now. And don't forget pad wear sensors.

[johnung]

Originally Posted by br4to92

The last 7 digits of my VIN are P588989. The asking price for this used braking system (calipers + rotors + brake pads) is 810 euros. I will ask for pictures from the backs of the calipers to check the size, but is there any way we can see how much worn out are they and if it's better to just buy some new calipers instead?

From Realoem using your VIN it appears that you have the smaller brake dust shields. See photos for part numbers for larger shields used with Brembo calipers.

New Brembo calipers are super expensive often 2x or more compared to used Brembo calipers. Usually used Brembos are in pretty good shape. The main things to check are how they look cosmetically because the blue coating that they use dries out and chips easily. They have to be wrapped individually because if two calipers even touch in a box or when being handled they will chip.

If they ever need to be repainted just clean, sand and use G2USA Caliper Paint. It’s a two part epoxy that wears like iron and doesn’t fade.

Mechanically check the bleed screws to make sure that they aren’t frozen or stripped. Two on each front caliper and one on each rear caliper.

Also check to make sure that the pistons aren’t leaking brake fluid. When the brake pads are removed you’ll see the rubber caps covering the piston cylinders. The front Brembos have two caps on either side and the rears have one on each side. Inside each cylinder is a brake piston with a seal. If the caps look good and aren’t worn, torn or leaking then the pistons are usually fine.

If you are paying for shipping I wouldn’t bother getting the used brake pads. It’s worth buying new pads. (I recommend Hawk 5.0 for street. Part numbers in photo.)

If you have used calipers shipped to you and they have any of the issues mentioned above, don’t worry. Brembos can be easily refurbished with new replacement dust seals, piston seals, bleed screws, etc. The calipers themselves are pretty indestructible.

Hope this helps!

[br4to92]

Thanks a lot for the tips, but I have one more question: how much does a new pair of larger brake rotors for all the 4 wheels would cost, considering that I would buy only the brake calipers as used and the rest would brand new? If I have a budget of 1000 usd for all the pieces needed, will it be in that range?

[rlesko]

Originally Posted by br4to92

Thanks a lot for the tips, but I have one more question: how much does a new pair of larger brake rotors for all the 4 wheels would cost, considering that I would buy only the brake calipers as used and the rest would brand new? If I have a budget of 1000 usd for all the pieces needed, will it be in that range?

$1000 in addition to the calipers, right?

[Dagstar]

You can get StopTech crossdrilled rotors for under $1000 total from Amazon. Prices fluctuate often though. One day they'll be around $185 each and the next $220.

Part #s:
Front 370mm
128.34144L
128.34144R

Rear 345mm
128.34147L
128.34147R

[Craven_01]

I just did this upgrade with the blue m sport calipers.
I bought rotors from Cquence.net. Crosssd drill and slotted, front and rear set for around $600 with discounts.
Front rotors 340mmx30. For the rear rotors, I ordered a set that was for a 2014 328i with m sport brakes - 345mmx24 with 160mm inside diameter for the smaller ebrake. I had to trim the rear backing plate for the calipers and rotors to fit.
Bled the brake lines, no mushy pedal feel. Haven’t gotten around to do the coding yet. Much better than the base brakes.

[br4to92]

Originally Posted by rlesko

$1000 in addition to the calipers, right?

Initially I had in mind to just buy the M Sport calipers and replace them on my car and that would be just enough. But after that I found out that they usually comes with bigger rotors which would add up to the price. My thought was to find something used in the range of 1000$ as it's in the product I put the pictures on my first post, but it turns out it's more expensive than that if I need to do it properly with new rotors.

[rlesko]

Originally Posted by br4to92

Initially I had in mind to just buy the M Sport calipers and replace them on my car and that would be just enough. But after that I found out that they usually comes with bigger rotors which would add up to the price. My thought was to find something used in the range of 1000$ as it's in the product I put the pictures on my first post, but it turns out it's more expensive than that if I need to do it properly with new rotors.

Thats true. You could try to negotiate with the seller to lower the price, and over the next 2-3 months buy the new rotors/pads as budget permits. It could be a good way to negotiate with the seller, to say its ridiculous to reuse those old worn out brake pads / rotors.

[br4to92]

Originally Posted by rlesko

Thats true. You could try to negotiate with the seller to lower the price, and over the next 2-3 months buy the new rotors/pads as budget permits. It could be a good way to negotiate with the seller, to say its ridiculous to reuse those old worn out brake pads / rotors.

Just to be sure, do I also need new read dust shields like johnung suggested, or I'm good to go without it?

[rlesko]

Originally Posted by br4to92

Just to be sure, do I also need new read dust shields like johnung suggested, or I'm good to go without it?

Yes you need to buy new ones or physically trim your existing ones.

[CincyBearcats]

I'm in the middle of doing the same upgrade on my 2017 LCI F31. It had the single piston Bosch brakes front and rear, but the rear rotor had the larger handbrake drum. The 345mm rear rotors and rear Brembo calipers fit just fine without any modification to the existing dust shields.

Oddly enough, the new front dust shields that came with the kit needed to be bent quite a bit to fit around the new front Brembo calipers. I assume that they got bent during shipping and handling, but it definitely had me scratching my head (and my brand new calipers, dammit) when I first tried installing the new calipers.

[KumBackKing]

Originally Posted by Craven_01

I just did this upgrade with the blue m sport calipers.
I bought rotors from Cquence.net. Crosssd drill and slotted, front and rear set for around $600 with discounts.
Front rotors 340mmx30. For the rear rotors, I ordered a set that was for a 2014 328i with m sport brakes - 345mmx24 with 160mm inside diameter for the smaller ebrake. I had to trim the rear backing plate for the calipers and rotors to fit.
Bled the brake lines, no mushy pedal feel. Haven’t gotten around to do the coding yet. Much better than the base brakes.

Hey mate, when you trimmed it, did you do it with the two cuts like in the instructions and did you have to remove it completely and replace with the newer larger dust shields?

[johnung]

Originally Posted by br4to92

Initially I had in mind to just buy the M Sport calipers and replace them on my car and that would be just enough. But after that I found out that they usually comes with bigger rotors which would add up to the price. My thought was to find something used in the range of 1000$ as it's in the product I put the pictures on my first post, but it turns out it's more expensive than that if I need to do it properly with new rotors.

It obviously depends on what rotor brands are available to you to purchase in Romania. In the US if I was trying to keep the rotor price down while still obtaining good quality then I would get plain Zimmerman rotors. Since Zimmerman is a German brand I’d suggest finding out what the least expensive Zimmerman rotors will cost you in Romania.

If you upgraded to blue front brakes it will tell you in raised lettering on the back of the front caliper exactly what size rotor. If it says “340” then you need 340mm x 30mm rotors. If it says “370/380” then for an F3x you need a 370x30 rotor.

The blue rear calipers all take 345x24

[johnung]

Originally Posted by br4to92

Just to be sure, do I also need new read dust shields like johnung suggested, or I'm good to go without it?

At some point at the factory BMW began just installing the larger dust shields on cars regardless if they were getting larger or smaller brakes. It’s just a matter of entering your VIN into realoem website to see what part number dust shields came on your car. See photos for part numbers of the larger dust shields that are on my car.