Been thinking about a rear brake upgrade...

Robson Rover Repair · 9th July 2011, 09:47

Been thinking about this a lot last few days and wondering about suggestions, more for visual purposes than anything else.

Firstly, does anyone know exactly what BMW our rear brake calipers are off? The front 190's are off a E46 330, and the none 190 are E46 320 (or similar) engine. I think the rear is also from a E46/Z4/E39 320 spec car as the calipers look identical and the disc size.

Now my obvious thought was fitting a set of 190 front calipers to the rear and using 190 discs again, but im unsure about the handbrake shoe clearance. Im thinking how to do this on the cheap!

I wish I had checked when I had them off the car, doh.

Now ive done the 190 vented set-up in the front and it fills the wheels perfectly, but ive always felt the rear discs look a bit lost in the rear wheels, mine where already vented mind you instead of solid.

Now, front discs are 325mm for 190, 285mm for none one 190, and rears are 275 (despite what some sites show as 280 or 282mm etc).

Now ive got the exact OEM specs of the rear vented discs.

Vented - Mountings 5
Disc diameter 275.0mm
Disc thickness 19.0mm
Overall height 61.7mm
Centre diameter 64.1mm
Minimum thickness 17.0mm

I have for example found 316mm rear subaru discs that i think would work are the follow spec.

Vented - Studs 5
Disc diameter 316.0mm
Disc thickness 20.0mm
Overall height 67.0mm
Centre diameter 58.0mm
Minimum thickness 18.0mm

With the centre diameter of 6mm being the only issue, but 6mm might even improve how the handbrake holds as the shoes would have to move less, prehaps. But that leaves the issue of rear calipers again.

However using BMW E46 330 rear calipers which would bolt onto everything already, you could fit a maximum of the following if you could find rear discs to match.....

Vented - Mountings 5
Disc diameter 320.0mm
Disc thickness 22.0mm
Overall height 60.7mm

Now the down side would be this would push the rear wheels out about 7mm further into the rear arches afaik from what im reading here but theres plenty off room for them.

Now obviously I would need slightly longer rear brake hoses, but I have a feeling that the 190 hoses for the front would solve that issue also, keeping things very OEM also.

Only major hurdle is the rear disc guards from what I can see and im sure 190 fronts could be made to fit.

What are peoples opinions on this? Its something i wish to investigate when funds allow after Christmas but ive limited mechanical ability to DIY it.

dissy1810 · 9th July 2011, 10:53

get some backplates like the ones on honda civics which give the apperance of bigger disks you will have a lot of trouble with the handbrake side of things should you change the rear disks and calipers is it really worth all the trouble

Robson Rover Repair · 9th July 2011, 13:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by dissy1810

get some backplates like the ones on honda civics which give the apperance of bigger disks you will have a lot of trouble with the handbrake side of things should you change the rear disks and calipers is it really worth all the trouble

Do you mean something like this?

Yuck, not a chance.

100% yes in my opinion, plus ive seen several track day ZT's now, so whilst im looking visual benefits, other may have a small, but improved benefit from larger rears.

dissy1810 · 9th July 2011, 14:02

No the ones on the civic are back plates and come out level with the disks making the disks look bigger

Disco_Mikey · 10th July 2011, 20:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colin_NI

Firstly, does anyone know exactly what BMW our rear brake calipers are off? The front 190's are off a E46 330, and the none 190 are E46 320 (or similar) engine.

Is that right, the fronts are off a E46 330?

I have an E46 325, and was looking at a 330 upgrade, and people were wanting silly money for BMW calipers...

Actually got offered £45 (inc post!) for the fronts off my ZT 190...

Glad I kept them now

Jakg · 10th July 2011, 21:18

Calipers, yes - not sure on the carriers.

Pads are the same, discs aren't.

MisterTomez · 10th July 2011, 22:05

If you're really lucky on this, you'll come across a set of the twin pot rear brakes off a V8 that are cheap.

James C · 12th July 2011, 16:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by MisterTomez

If you're really lucky on this, you'll come across a set of the twin pot rear brakes off a V8 that are cheap.

Just add in £700 for a pair of discs though

MisterTomez · 12th July 2011, 17:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by James C

Just add in £700 for a pair of discs though

-Sprays coffee- What?!

9th July 2011, 09:47	#1
Robson Rover Repair NI/ROI RS ZT-T 190 / 75 Diesel x3 / 6 door limo / 216 Cabby / Rover 25 van Join Date: May 2009 Location: Antrim Posts: 8,104 Thanks: 299 Thanked 1,046 Times in 568 Posts	Been thinking about a rear brake upgrade... Been thinking about this a lot last few days and wondering about suggestions, more for visual purposes than anything else. Firstly, does anyone know exactly what BMW our rear brake calipers are off? The front 190's are off a E46 330, and the none 190 are E46 320 (or similar) engine. I think the rear is also from a E46/Z4/E39 320 spec car as the calipers look identical and the disc size. Now my obvious thought was fitting a set of 190 front calipers to the rear and using 190 discs again, but im unsure about the handbrake shoe clearance. Im thinking how to do this on the cheap! I wish I had checked when I had them off the car, doh. Now ive done the 190 vented set-up in the front and it fills the wheels perfectly, but ive always felt the rear discs look a bit lost in the rear wheels, mine where already vented mind you instead of solid. Now, front discs are 325mm for 190, 285mm for none one 190, and rears are 275 (despite what some sites show as 280 or 282mm etc). Now ive got the exact OEM specs of the rear vented discs. Vented - Mountings 5 Disc diameter 275.0mm Disc thickness 19.0mm Overall height 61.7mm Centre diameter 64.1mm Minimum thickness 17.0mm I have for example found 316mm rear subaru discs that i think would work are the follow spec. Vented - Studs 5 Disc diameter 316.0mm Disc thickness 20.0mm Overall height 67.0mm Centre diameter 58.0mm Minimum thickness 18.0mm With the centre diameter of 6mm being the only issue, but 6mm might even improve how the handbrake holds as the shoes would have to move less, prehaps. But that leaves the issue of rear calipers again. However using BMW E46 330 rear calipers which would bolt onto everything already, you could fit a maximum of the following if you could find rear discs to match..... Vented - Mountings 5 Disc diameter 320.0mm Disc thickness 22.0mm Overall height 60.7mm Now the down side would be this would push the rear wheels out about 7mm further into the rear arches afaik from what im reading here but theres plenty off room for them. Now obviously I would need slightly longer rear brake hoses, but I have a feeling that the 190 hoses for the front would solve that issue also, keeping things very OEM also. Only major hurdle is the rear disc guards from what I can see and im sure 190 fronts could be made to fit. What are peoples opinions on this? Its something i wish to investigate when funds allow after Christmas but ive limited mechanical ability to DIY it. __________________ Cheers, Colin Robson Rover Repair on Youtube DISCOUNTED MTEC BRAKES FOR ALL MG ROVER'S Braided hoses, more coating and pad options for 2024 Last edited by Robson Rover Repair; 9th July 2011 at 09:52..

9th July 2011, 10:53	#2
dissy1810 Posted a thing or two mgzt 160 1.8 lpg Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: newcastle upon tyne Posts: 1,973 Thanks: 5 Thanked 72 Times in 64 Posts	get some backplates like the ones on honda civics which give the apperance of bigger disks you will have a lot of trouble with the handbrake side of things should you change the rear disks and calipers is it really worth all the trouble __________________ http://i1030.photobucket.com/albums/...0/Photo389.jpg

9th July 2011, 14:02	#4
dissy1810 Posted a thing or two mgzt 160 1.8 lpg Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: newcastle upon tyne Posts: 1,973 Thanks: 5 Thanked 72 Times in 64 Posts	No the ones on the civic are back plates and come out level with the disks making the disks look bigger __________________ http://i1030.photobucket.com/albums/...0/Photo389.jpg

10th July 2011, 22:05	#7
MisterTomez Gets stuck in '00 BMW 535i Auto M-Sport, '99 Rover 75 2.5 V6 Connoisseur SE Auto Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Midlands Posts: 733 Thanks: 0 Thanked 7 Times in 2 Posts	If you're really lucky on this, you'll come across a set of the twin pot rear brakes off a V8 that are cheap. __________________ ` [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] "Trimmed like a first class cabin on the Titanic...before it sank." ---------- "The LPG'd, civilized psychopath."

10th July 2011, 21:18	#6
Jakg This is my second home N/A Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Suffolk Posts: 6,867 Thanks: 0 Thanked 397 Times in 302 Posts	Calipers, yes - not sure on the carriers. Pads are the same, discs aren't.