E9X E93 M Performance f30 retrofit kit Review

[matreyia]

I'm still trying to sort my rear brakes out. Should have just paid @EOSpeed to modify them.

I mean the ECS Tuning REAR M Performance brake kit does indeed fit once you hammer in the guide pins all the way. It's a tight fight, but it does fit and won't rub, unless you didn't hammer the pin in all the way like I initially did.

The front M performance retrofit brakes DON'T FIT... Now...it is my suspicion that they shipped me the 19 inch kit instead of the 18 inch kit and when I brought this up and suggested they double check it and send me another 18 inch kit, they refused stating they did not want to risk fitment issues again just in case.

You would think that they verified this kit on a car with stock 18 inch wheels before posting it for sale. I still think they shipped me the wrong kit, but I don't want to waste energy and time trying to beg them to ship another 18 inch kit. So I just went ahead and ordered the 6 piston kit from Rotora. Heard decent reviews of the kit so will give them a try. Maybe even make a video install and review.... and... as Jeff so slyly suggested, perhaps make a dedicated Youtube channel for BMW related content. As if there aren't enough BMW channels out there. But I suppose as long as I enjoy doing it.

 

[KevinC39]

I've been using the ecs rotors with hawk 5.0 pads for over two years, looks great and stops even better.

Any suggestions for 2 piece stock replacement rotors that aren't ECS? I know Giro Disc and Racing Brake both make some. Any other suggestions or a preference between the two?

The front M performance retrofit brakes DON'T FIT... Now...it is my suspicion that they shipped me the 19 inch kit instead of the 18 inch kit and when I brought this up and suggested they double check it and send me another 18 inch kit, they refused stating they did not want to risk fitment issues again just in case.

And this is why I won't deal with ECS. Too many bad experiences with them and their customer service.

 

[doublespaces]

I mean the ECS Tuning REAR M Performance brake kit does indeed fit once you hammer in the guide pins all the way. It's a tight fight, but it does fit and won't rub, unless you didn't hammer the pin in all the way like I initially did.

The front M performance retrofit brakes DON'T FIT... Now...it is my suspicion that they shipped me the 19 inch kit instead of the 18 inch kit and when I brought this up and suggested they double check it and send me another 18 inch kit, they refused stating they did not want to risk fitment issues again just in case.

You would think that they verified this kit on a car with stock 18 inch wheels before posting it for sale. I still think they shipped me the wrong kit, but I don't want to waste energy and time trying to beg them to ship another 18 inch kit. So I just went ahead and ordered the 6 piston kit from Rotora. Heard decent reviews of the kit so will give them a try. Maybe even make a video install and review.... and... as Jeff so slyly suggested, perhaps make a dedicated Youtube channel for BMW related content. As if there aren't enough BMW channels out there. But I suppose as long as I enjoy doing it.

The fronts are bolt on but I have 19's. Also, the inside diameter of wheels can vary since the barrel construction can be different regardless if the outside diameter is 18" or not.

To fit 18's it was fairly well known on the original retro fit threads that most 18's don't fit but certain wheels do. I think @apexraceparts sells some which do.

 

[martymil]

Any suggestions for 2 piece stock replacement rotors that aren't ECS? I know Giro Disc and Racing Brake both make some. Any other suggestions or a preference between the two?

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[Nugs]

If you are doing this as a cosmetic mod I wouldn’t recommend using them on track.

I turned the calipers browny/green within ten laps first time I used track pads.

 

[matreyia]

If you are doing this as a cosmetic mod I wouldn’t recommend using them on track.

I turned the calipers browny/green within ten laps first time I used track pads.

That is insane. I hope the Rotora calipers won't do that. I predict they will be much cooler than these you show here because the rotor is floating 2 piece and drilled.

I wonder if they made green m calipers would they have turned blue from the same experience on track....; P

 

[matreyia]

Any suggestions for 2 piece stock replacement rotors that aren't ECS? I know Giro Disc and Racing Brake both make some. Any other suggestions or a preference between the two?



And this is why I won't deal with ECS. Too many bad experiences with them and their customer service.

After I install the Rotora kit I will review them and we will see. I think you may be able to buy rotora rotors ala carte. They are 2 piece floating and lighter than stock and maybe even lighter than ECS 2 piece semi floating.

 

[KevinC39]

Thanks @martymil but unfortunately it looks like the rotors are for M3/1M only or you can get the full big brake kit and caliper for the 335i which I don't want because I assume it won't clear my other 17" wheels like the stock brakes do.

@matreyia sorry to thread jack. Looking forward to your review

 

[matreyia]

Thanks @martymil but unfortunately it looks like the rotors are for M3/1M only or you can get the full big brake kit and caliper for the 335i which I don't want because I assume it won't clear my other 17" wheels like the stock brakes do.

@matreyia sorry to thread jack. Looking forward to your review

One of the good things in life is how it presents our set pathways with variety.

 

[scrllock]

To fit 18's it was fairly well known on the original retro fit threads that most 18's don't fit but certain wheels do. I think @apexraceparts sells some which do.

+1 for apex, they were a great resource when planning out my brakes/suspension/wheels. Their e9x bmw wheels should fit most 355mm kits, their ec-7 18" will fit most 380mm kits, and their new forged 18s should both fit as well.

ECS support is kinda hit or miss, sometimes you get people who just go by what the item page says and that's often wrong. e.g. they don't list any rear stoptech kits for my car, but stoptech says many of the ones ECS stocks do fit.

 

[matreyia]

So this means that I am about to experience what it is like to drive with mixed brand rotors, pads, and calipers... This ought to be interesting. I will make a video on the new channel to review and document.

Front: Rotora 6 caliper, Rotora 2 piece rotor, Rotora Street Challenge pads.
Rear: F30 M performance 2 piston, M Performance OE Pad.

I think it should be fine so long as one of the pads is OE and not some funky different material. Besides, many tracksters purposely mix pads for track purposes.

We shall see.

 

[scrllock]

Generally you want to maintain your front:rear bias from OEM, changing up everything will be hard to predict. You can always play with pads to get it right, but after my own cheap BBK experience, I'm pretty skeptical. The strong initial bite you get with oem pads in the rear might be kinda sketchy, too.

Interested to see your review, haven't seen any info on their kits for the e9x cars.

 

[matreyia]

Generally you want to maintain your front:rear bias from OEM, changing up everything will be hard to predict. You can always play with pads to get it right, but after my own cheap BBK experience, I'm pretty skeptical. The strong initial bite you get with oem pads in the rear might be kinda sketchy, too.

Interested to see your review, haven't seen any info on their kits for the e9x cars.

According to Rotora, they maintain same bias as oem. But no telling what chanhe will.happen if using Rotora and Oe

 

[bantam]

M3 rotor is 4lbs over normal rotor ecs two piece. However, caliper is 4 lbs lighter than stock caliper. So heavier rotating mass and lighter caliper. A loss in performance I would guess

So is there a combination for the front that can use those lightweight ECS rotors and the F30 caliper and effectively drop 8 lbs per front wheel? Not necessarily needing increased brake performance.

 

[matreyia]

So is there a combination for the front that can use those lightweight ECS rotors and the F30 caliper and effectively drop 8 lbs per front wheel? Not necessarily needing increased brake performance.

1. Ecs two piece for 335i weighed less than BMW stock 335i rotor.
2. Ecs two piece M3 rotor weighs mpre than item #1 above by 4 lbs.
3. 335i stock caliper is 4 lbs. heavier than F30 M Performance caliper.

 

[scrllock]

So is there a combination for the front that can use those lightweight ECS rotors and the F30 caliper and effectively drop 8 lbs per front wheel? Not necessarily needing increased brake performance.

Going up to a 370mm rotor setup with accompanying caliper just isn't going to drop weight. Gotta go with oem e9x-size 2 piece rotors for that, and even if your stock caliper is heavier, the rotating weight is what matters. The absolute lightest I've found is the racingbrake rotors, which are an additional pound or two lighter than the e9x ecs 2 pc rotors.

 

[matreyia]

So I been thinking about the fact that I will be driving with mixed brand pads, rotors, and calipers...a little worried... Then I remembered, I am driving with that right now with the Brembo 2 piston rears and the ATE One piston fronts and it's been fine. Slowly but surely the M Performance breaks have been showing increased performance as they break in. I now see a noticeable difference from the old single piston ATE caliper and smaller pad.

So i look forward to driving with these big 6 piston Rotora Caliper, pad, and rotor. It should feel much better. Gonna be a little weird seeing M in the rear caliper and ROTORA™in the front...but at least they will both be blue. I contacted Prodigywerks for their kits but they don't even sell a blue kit...so their loss.

 

[Jeffman]

Can’t wait to see the pictures!

 

[scrllock]

So i look forward to driving with these big 6 piston Rotora Caliper, pad, and rotor. It should feel much better. Gonna be a little weird seeing M in the rear caliper and ROTORA™in the front...but at least they will both be blue. I contacted Prodigywerks for their kits but they don't even sell a blue kit...so their loss.

I wouldn't be surprised if prodigywerks could do a one-off, they matched my fronts and rears which was a custom thing. I can't really recommend them after my experience tho, I still can't install the rears I ordered in March, and they said they were sending out yet another bracket revision months ago. Cheap BBKs tend to just make you wish you'd gone with a proven stoptech/brembo kit.

 

[matreyia]

I wouldn't be surprised if prodigywerks could do a one-off, they matched my fronts and rears which was a custom thing. I can't really recommend them after my experience tho, I still can't install the rears I ordered in March, and they said they were sending out yet another bracket revision months ago. Cheap BBKs tend to just make you wish you'd gone with a proven stoptech/brembo kit.

Hmmm interesting. Well, I guess we will see how these turn out. Arriving next Wednesday Sept. 9th. Installing that weekend.