E46 330i Brake Job

[madonthemike]

Hi Guys,

The brakes on the car i bought recently is pretty bad (car was stored for a long time) -its ok at low speeds but at high speeds it gets really loud, i plan to do a complete brake job - replacement of rotors, pads, sensors etc. Since I have never done brakes before i plan to take it to a shop this weekend.

My question is how much should i be expected to pay for a complete brake job with OEM parts? How much is too much?

What size rotors should i be getting?

Is it possible to re-surface (not sure if this is the right word) the rotors and just replace the pads?

Any recommendations on some good shops in the GTA area?

Sorry for all the noob questions, and sorry if this is like a repetition question.

Thanks

[StraightSix]

Brakes are one of the easiest things to replace. There's tons of detailed DIYs. Just Google "E46 Brake DIY."

Rotors sizes are 325mm front and 300mm rear. (This is pre-determined by all online vendors as long as you're buying 330i brakes. All other non Ms have smaller rotors.)
Brembo blanks or Zimmerman are the equivalent of the OE rotors.

For pads I recommend Textar (OE), Pagid or Jurid (all essentially the same). Another option is Akebono Euro which are ceramic pads. They produce virtually no brake dust but at the cost of less initial bite. Your call.

Use ATE Super Blue for brake fluid.

[Blackedout95]

Dealers have a set package pricing on brake jobs, most bmw shops like the one I am at also use that pricing as a guide because we only recommend the OE be used. You can get it done cheaper at a garage but that is with aftermarket rotors/pads. I have yet to see a cheaper aftermarket pad/rotor outlast or last as long as the OE so... if you can live with possible shake rattle and roll to save a buck, good luck.

I know some here will say not ture, that's fine, just going by what I have seen day in and out.

[madonthemike]

Originally Posted by StraightSix

Brakes are one of the easiest things to replace. There's tons of detailed DIYs. Just Google "E46 Brake DIY."

Rotors sizes are 325mm front and 300mm rear. (This is pre-determined by all online vendors as long as you're buying 330i brakes. All other non Ms have smaller rotors.)
Brembo blanks or Zimmerman are the equivalent of the OE rotors.

For pads I recommend Textar (OE), Pagid or Jurid (all essentially the same). Another option is Akebono Euro which are ceramic pads. They produce virtually no brake dust but at the cost of less initial bite. Your call.

Use ATE Super Blue for brake fluid.

Thanks StraightSix! Now my next question would be where do you buy your parts from? Do you get it from a dealer? Which online vendors are good?

I did watch a few online videos and it seems fairly simple, the only thing im not sure of is the brake fluid bleeding part, if im only replacing the rotors and pads do i need to bleed? Im not touching the calipers.

Once again sorry for all the questions.

[madonthemike]

Originally Posted by Blackedout95

Dealers have a set package pricing on brake jobs, most bmw shops like the one I am at also use that pricing as a guide because we only recommend the OE be used. You can get it done cheaper at a garage but that is with aftermarket rotors/pads. I have yet to see a cheaper aftermarket pad/rotor outlast or last as long as the OE so... if you can live with possible shake rattle and roll to save a buck, good luck.

I know some here will say not ture, that's fine, just going by what I have seen day in and out.

Well i just want the brakes to be replaced with somthing of the same quality as the factory brakes it came with, while i do agree that some shops use cheaper brakes - there are a few that will do a good job with quality equipment (based on what i read). I guess it all depends on how much you are prepared to spend.

What brands do you use at your shop? Also would you be able to provide me with a price for a complete brake job?

[StraightSix]

Originally Posted by madonthemike

Thanks StraightSix! Now my next question would be where do you buy your parts from? Do you get it from a dealer? Which online vendors are good?

I did watch a few online videos and it seems fairly simple, the only thing im not sure of is the brake fluid bleeding part, if im only replacing the rotors and pads do i need to bleed? Im not touching the calipers.

Once again sorry for all the questions.

Stay away from the dealer! You have a lot of choices for vendors. If you want to avoid shipping costs, there's autopartsway. In the US there's BMAautoparts, FCPeuro, ECS tuning, etc..

If don't feel confident bleeding, then just swap the rotors and pads yourself first then take it to an independent shop for the fluid change (they can probably bleed you clutch too since it operates under the same hydraulic system.)

Originally Posted by madonthemike

Well i just want the brakes to be replaced with somthing of the same quality as the factory brakes it came with, while i do agree that some shops use cheaper brakes - there are a few that will do a good job with quality equipment (based on what i read). I guess it all depends on how much you are prepared to spend.

The brands I listed above perform identical to OE standards.

[madonthemike]

Originally Posted by StraightSix

Stay away from the dealer! You have a lot of choices for vendors. If you want to avoid shipping costs, there's autopartsway. In the US there's BMAautoparts, FCPeuro, ECS tuning, etc..

If don't feel confident bleeding, then just swap the rotors and pads yourself first then take it to an independent shop for the fluid change (they can probably bleed you clutch too since it operates under the same hydraulic system.)



The brands I listed above perform identical to OE standards.

Now i was just looking at the textar pads at autopartsway - not sure about the quantity -. Do i need four or do i need 8 ?

Thanks.

[StraightSix]

4 fronts and 4 rears.

[Blackedout95]

For a e46 330i such as your car.

Front and rear, rotors and pads Original Equipment parts straight from the dealer: $863, this includes a sensor as well.

Just front (rotors/pads) roughly $457
Juist rear (rotors/pads) roughly $425

If your local dealer charges more than this it is simply their choice to rob you, these are bmw specified prices. As well as changing the rotors and pads we do a nice service for our customers of cleaning the wheel hubs, nuts if need be and using a good copper paste appose to grease, clean the rims and so on.

Furthermore while on the hoist we always do a general inspection of the vehicle, bushings, leaks, scan the car, maintaining the car is important etc. Not sure if your average dealer wouldnt do this too but unlikely and they charge for scans. With them you are there for one thing.

[T.Dot_E30]

Check out our sponsors:
http://www.maxbimmer.com/sponsors/?

Also remember to compare apples to apples when pricing jobs.
You can easily get it done cheaper with cheaper parts.
That said I wouldn't consider OE the only option, there are many great aftermarket brake options (and alot of not so great ones).

Brembo Blanks or Zimmermans with Hawk HPS, Akebono, Axxis, PBR, etc are all great options.

[T.Dot_E30]

Originally Posted by madonthemike

Now i was just looking at the textar pads at autopartsway - not sure about the quantity -. Do i need four or do i need 8 ?

Thanks.

Pads are sold in sets. You need 1 set of fronts. 1 set of rears.

[jabela]

You can save a ton of money if you do the work yourself. Brakes are one of the easiest things to do on your car. There's plenty of DIYs to help you out.
http://www.dvatp.com/bmw/diy/brakes/

Brake bleeding is super easy as well. You just need your wife to pump the brake for you.
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=646093

If you're OK ordering from the USA, or can go over to pick it up, here's a great source for brake parts.
http://bestbrakes.com/c/car-items/1127

However, I get my parts from amazon. I track these parts with no issues. No issues on the street either. Even has a bit less brake dust.
I get 60-80,000km out of the rotors, and pads depend on how much I track.

330 front rotors
http://www.amazon.com/Centric-Front-...ords=125.34052

330 front Stoptech pads
http://www.amazon.com/StopTech-309-0...words=309.0946

330 rear stoptech pads
http://www.amazon.com/StopTech-309-0...words=309.0683

330 front rotors
http://www.amazon.com/Centric-Parts-...1&s=automotive

330 rear rotors
http://www.amazon.com/Centric-Parts-...1&s=automotive

[madonthemike]

Originally Posted by jabela

You can save a ton of money if you do the work yourself. Brakes are one of the easiest things to do on your car. There's plenty of DIYs to help you out.
http://www.dvatp.com/bmw/diy/brakes/

Brake bleeding is super easy as well. You just need your wife to pump the brake for you.
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=646093

If you're OK ordering from the USA, or can go over to pick it up, here's a great source for brake parts.
http://bestbrakes.com/c/car-items/1127

However, I get my parts from amazon. I track these parts with no issues. No issues on the street either. Even has a bit less brake dust.
I get 60-80,000km out of the rotors, and pads depend on how much I track.

330 front rotors
http://www.amazon.com/Centric-Front-...ords=125.34052

330 front Stoptech pads
http://www.amazon.com/StopTech-309-0...words=309.0946

330 rear stoptech pads
http://www.amazon.com/StopTech-309-0...words=309.0683

330 front rotors
http://www.amazon.com/Centric-Parts-...1&s=automotive

330 rear rotors
http://www.amazon.com/Centric-Parts-...1&s=automotive

Thanks for the detailed post, i was really pressed for time so took my car to RMP for the brake job (great service by the way).

As i learn more about the car will start doing things myself.

Once again thanks everyone!

[Blackedout95]

Good choice!