You might remember Chris Walton's post early last month about our M3's brake pad wear warning lamp appearing on the instrument panel. Turns out, this problem hasn't fixed itself. In fact, we knew long before the lamp came on that the M3's pads (and probably rotors) were on their last legs. The first signs of wear began to show when we compared the M3 to its newer cousins at a racetrack earlier this year. As the day progressed and the laps piled up, the M3's middle pedal became less and less confidence inspiring. But driving the car on the street doesn't seem to create any drama. Still, the light has been on for too long and we've decided to act.
We're getting nuts. Ok, maybe not nuts, but we're going to install big brakes on our M3. After visiting a local dealer for unrelated service several months ago, we know that simply replacing the M3's front pads and rotors is a $1,041 job. Stoptech's 332mm four-piston brake kit for the E46 M3 cost $2,195 and comes with bitchin' red calipers and two-piece rotors which use aluminum hats. Also included in the kit are Axxis Ultimate pads, stainless steel lines and fluid. It's an investment, but the more capable brake system should keep us from having to worry about brakes at the track (or anywhere else) again.
Look for a test of the Stoptech system in this space later this week or early next week.
Josh Jacquot, Senior road test editor
huyracing says:
04:49 PM, 07/21/08
hell yeah, tear into the car Josh! i've had a set of stoptechs on order for my 300ZX for a couple months now... normally i would've cancelled my order a long time ago, but it is a good product worthy of waiting a little longer...
clarkma5 says:
05:19 PM, 07/21/08
Lots of people yearn for big brake upgrades so it will be interesting to see you guys do some evaluating on one.
Though that $1,041 job would get much much cheaper if you just did it yourselves. Brakes are easy.
vvk says:
06:49 PM, 07/21/08
Does not sound like much of an upgrade. Stock pads and rotors are outstanding. Stock Textar pads are MUCH better than Axxis Ultimate. I am a big fan of Axxis MetalMaster pads. Their Ultimate pads are much, much worse -- less friction, more fade, just as much brake dust. In my experience, if you drive primarily of public roads -- get the stock pads and rotors because they are excellent.
Genuine BMW brake kit for E46 M3 is only $475 shipped with no sales tax in CA:
http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/index.cfm?action=MorePartInfo&PartID=437629&siteid=214672&catalogid=4462
It includes pads, rotors and brake sensor. I hope you realize you need to replace your brake sensor.
Personally, I would be leery of using non-BMW brake parts. Your ESP was calibrated assuming certain brake characteristics. If you change one part of the brake equation, your ESP may not work quite as perfectly as it was designed. Of course if you normally turn ESP off because yours is primarily a track car, then it is OK.
compliance says:
08:43 PM, 07/21/08
So which editor got Edmunds to buy the big brake kit before they purchase them M3 for themselves at the end of the test? :p
(when will login issues finally get fixed? I keep losing posts because it gives me a box as if i'm logged in, and then says i'm not logged in when i hit submit!)
sgude says:
05:17 AM, 07/22/08
Oooo -- big brakes, hell yeah! Can't wait to see the test results.
joefrompa says:
08:11 AM, 07/22/08
Bleh, some good fluid, pads, and rotors and 2-3 hours under the shady tree would've been 1/6th as expensive as this is going to be (I estimate this to have a final cost to edmunds of $3000, and that my solution would've been $500).
And I'm willing to bet that the big brakes don't do squat for braking distances until you seriously hot lap it.
Joe
karjunkie says:
08:25 AM, 07/22/08
I believe you can purchase an E46 M3 CSL brake upgrade which converts your 2001-2006 M3 (non Comp package) to the larger rotors from the CSL and M3 ZCP Comp package for less than $1200. This should increase braking capabilities significantly without having to replace the calipers (it comes with new carriers for the calipers). As wk said, Axis Metal Masters brake pads are highly reccommended and they run about $100 for the front and back.
m_thrizzle says:
10:03 AM, 07/22/08
I bought some Cool Carbon Performance pads for my 2001 M3 but have not installed them yet. Supposedly, their braking power is on par or slightly better than OEM but without the dust. I hate the dust!! If I had 5 spoke wheels it would be easy but my multi-spoke BBS CH wheels take a while to clean.
brian60 says:
05:02 PM, 07/22/08
My wallet prays that there isn't an appreciable improvement in braking performance with your BBK (big brake kit), what with those Competition Package wheels I'm about to order and that coilover setup that I'm eyeing. Speaking of which, when are you guys going to upgrade your suspension?
stingray454 says:
09:25 AM, 07/23/08
Ouch these brakes are expensive. Anyone still want to try to tell me that older BMW's are inexpensive to maintain and parts are cheap?
I just replaced the brake pads on my '02 Z06 last weekend. The cost for all 4 pad sets was $200, for the OEM Z06 spec pads. Piece of cake to change them - one of the easiest brake pad changes I've ever done. I was feeling spendy so I also spent $100 for a Goodrich stainless steel braided brake hose set to provide a firmer pedal feel (not needed, but an upgrade). $300 total. I didn't need new rotors, as the originals were in perfect condition (this is the first car I've ever owned that the rotors didn't warp). Even if I did need to replace the rotors, they're $40 each at Napa. Oh, and the '02 Z06 has shorter stopping distances than the '02 M3 (some of that has to do with lighter weight and bigger tires, rather than the brakes).
Anyway, it'll be interesting to see if the big brake kit improves stopping distances. On the '02 Z06, those who went with big brake kits didn't see much improvement without going to stickier or bigger tires along with the brakes (the stock brakes have more grip than the tires can handle for the most part). You'll probably see improvement in repeated stops from say 150 MPH, such as on the track, but little to no difference in 60-0 stops. Just my prediction...