So I have a 2003 325i which I know the front are 300x22 and the rear are 294X19 but If I change my rim size to 18" and I want a more aggressive rotor look. Which size should I buy? Can I buy the 330i size which I think it is 325x25 and 320x22 ? Or they wouldn't fit. If so why wouldn't they not fit.
No you can not just buy the larger rotors. For the fronts you need the larger caliper/carriers too. The rears would also need whole parking brake drum assemblies. And cables, major hassle.
So to upgrade to the larger 330 brakes frt/rr will cost some money and time.
wickedly, have you been otherwise taking care of things that 'need' to be taken care of? I'd hate to see you get bigger rotors and stuff, only to hear you've stopped involuntarily because of issues with other things...and the list is a real long one!
And, you know, you might not 'need' more than just a single set of pads for one axle. You have a brake pad warning light on? If so, you don't have long to figure this out before you will need new rotors, whether you want them or not.
I didn't look at your link, but I'll just mention some slight concern over upgrading only your fronts and not the rears. Though it wouldn't make much of a difference when stopping straight, I know there's a 'balance' a 'brake bias' that's set from the factory. If you go changing that too much, you want to make sure the relative bias is somewhat similar to what it was before. How you do that exactly I'm not sure, but I'd start by keeping the sizes equal proportionally and using the same pads on all corners.
dmax thanks for your concern. I do have been taking care of everything maintenance out there and I do know the list is long. Also I do remember messaging you in help with some of those things. Having to put lots of my projects aside, this whole summer was chaos with me turning into a mechanic and doing most of repairs myself. I been glancing at this big breaks for a while. Never though of how will it make a difference having big breaks up front and not rear. Is it me or there just isn't a way to have big breaks both front and rear? I do have a brake pad warning light on and that is because my sensor came out from my rear right end and it got stuck with my rims as I was driving off. of course my rim pull and ripped the cable out of it in pieces. Yet I need to change it and will do that when I change the brake pads and rotors. It does state on the link Brake bias will not be dramatically affected. but you never can't trust them 100% for sure.
Guys do do the bigger brakes here, but I think it is overkill...at least in as much as I think my car already stops too quickly!
I'm probably over thinking this like all things, and I'm sure it isn't a serious issue, but I'd expect some extra squirrleyness if braking in a turn unexpectedly. If tracking, then I presume the 'tracker' knows what he's doing. If you're just an enthusiast who wants cooler looking brakes, then I have to say having cooler in the front and not the back would seem kind of 'half done' to me. Why no pretty calipers in rear?
It is hard to imagine a car that will stop too quickly. Normally the tires are what limits stopping power (then abs steps in, unless disabled) but it is possible for brakes not to be up to the task - especially after reapeated hard use and grippy tires.
I was 'sort of' joking, but not really. Even my POS bmw with crappy oe pads stopped quickly enough for me to save the life of two deers...only to be repaid by being hit 2 secs. after I stopped by a minivan trailing behind.
It stops faster than most out there, so one has to be very careful using them at their fullest potential.
In my 40 years of driving I've never experienced brake fade, not even coming down Mt. Washington.
maybe forum sponsor http://bimmerbrakes.com could help?
There seems to be a market for this kind of thing, so I assume somebody is filling it. But I could be wrong.
If nobody is filling this niche you could. Wickedly Brakes has a nice ring to it Of course then you'd want to change the title of this thread, or just delete the whole thing if that is allowed. Good luck - my experience has been if you want something bad enough you find a way.
I will certain look around for some type of package. I do like the ECS ones as they look beautiful for sure. And i'm more then sure that someone has big brakes for all 4 wheels is just a matter of time that I find some. But thanks a lot for your input.
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