F30 335i brake discs and calipers on E28 / E34 / E32 / E31 :: to be investigated / confirmed

E28 technical advice asked and given! Troubleshooting, modifications and more.
Post Reply
RobertRO
Posts: 418
Joined: Feb 12, 2006 12:00 PM
Location: Romania
Contact:

F30 335i brake discs and calipers on E28 / E34 / E32 / E31 :: to be investigated / confirmed

Post by RobertRO »

While searching the Web for a different purpose, I bumped onto this information:
E34 340X30 4 Piston Front Brake System, .pdf file, ~ 2.8MB

It means that the BMW 3 Series F30 335i front brake calipers and rotors may be installed on an E28 / E34 / E32 / E31, simply by using longer bolts (M12X1.5X55 10.9 - possible candidate: p/n 31306779487) and custom made spacers (thick washers).
It also means that the distance between the mounting holes of F30 calipers perfectly match the mounting ears on E28/E34/E32/E31 front struts.
The F30 335i calipers are 4-piston, fixed, BMW p/n 34116799469 (left) and 34116799470 (right).
The F30 335i brake discs are 340mm x 30mm, ~10 Kg, BMW p/n 34116792223.

I couldn't determine the thickness of the required spacers. If we compare the E31 840ci 324x30 rotors used with 4 pistons Brembo front calipers, and the F30 335i 330x30 rotors, the F30 rotors sit 4mm further out. On the other hand, the pictures in the .pdf file at the link above suggest that the spacers are actually thicker than 4mm. So the exact thickeness of the spacers is still to be determined.

Now, such big front brakes would probably be an overkill for an E28. More, the front/rear brake bias would not be great, considering that the largest BMW OEM rotor known to fit rear axle is 300mm.
On the other hand, it means that there are modern BMW big brake calipers and rotors compatible with the E28/E34/E32/E31 front axle. And they seem to be available at a lower cost and less installation hassle, than other big brake custom solutions.
Of course, a related subject is the minimum rim size that clears the calipers. For sure it cannot be lower than 17".

Disclaimer: all the theory above makes sense only if the information is the .pdf file is correct. Otherwise, it's nothing but garbage input, garbage output. Also, note that I have not performed any practical test.

E31 324x30 rotors:
Image

F30 340x30 rotors:
Image
Ken H.
Posts: 1819
Joined: Dec 04, 2006 8:43 PM
Location: Suburban Gomorrah

Re: F30 335i brake discs and calipers on E28 / E34 / E32 / E31 :: to be investigated / confirmed

Post by Ken H. »

Now, such big front brakes would probably be an overkill for an E28. More, the front/rear brake bias would not be great, considering that the largest BMW OEM rotor known to fit rear axle is 300mm.
Not necessarily so. I am running a full set of the "Nurburgring" brakes from the Euro 3.8L E34M5 without issue w/r/t brake bias on my E28M5. This setup also uses a 25 mm master cylinder from the E32 750i. And I am here to tell you that the increase in swept area is anything but "overkill" if the rig is driven for which it was designed. :cool:
On the other hand, it means that there are modern BMW big brake calipers and rotors compatible with the E28/E34/E32/E31 front axle. And they seem to be available at a lower cost and less installation hassle, than other big brake custom solutions.
If you are referring to the Brembo 4-piston setup for the E31, this is true. Availability on these may be becoming an issue. FWIW, the "N-ring" front calipers are NLA. If one is using the 328 mm rear rotors, they require using the larger E34M5 backing plate; the stock one will not clear.
Of course, a related subject is the minimum rim size that clears the calipers. For sure it cannot be lower than 17".
A point to note:
Not all 17" rims will clear the N-ring or Brembo calipers. I am running 17 x 8 ET20 Style 5s in the front. This required using a 2.5 mm spacer. As it is, radial clearance between the caliper and the inner wheel rim is maybe 4-5 mm at best. Works fine, but just a piece of advice beforehand . . . ;) The rears are 17 x9 ET22 Style 5; these clear the calipers without issue.

HTH
Nanajoth
Posts: 1551
Joined: Apr 19, 2008 6:38 PM
Location: TX

Re: F30 335i brake discs and calipers on E28 / E34 / E32 / E31 :: to be investigated / confirmed

Post by Nanajoth »

I have the Angry Ass kit on my E34 M5, it's just a thicker washer and longer bolts as you have stated. I am running the rear 1995 M5 brakes with them. If you don't have a problem running a 17" wheel it is a nice set up. I don't see what the issue would be running them on the E28.
RobertRO
Posts: 418
Joined: Feb 12, 2006 12:00 PM
Location: Romania
Contact:

Re: F30 335i brake discs and calipers on E28 / E34 / E32 / E31 :: to be investigated / confirmed

Post by RobertRO »

Nanajoth, I wonder why you had to use an adapter kit for the M5 1995 (E34, I assume) rear brakes. I thought they were bolt-on.
Could you please go into detail a little bit?
boogie
Posts: 77
Joined: Dec 23, 2015 1:28 AM
Location: florida

Re: F30 335i brake discs and calipers on E28 / E34 / E32 / E31 :: to be investigated / confirmed

Post by boogie »

i can confirm these brakes work for e28 and e34. i have them on my e34 non m which is the same as e28 brakes as far as mounting goes. i am running angry ass kit (longer bolts, spacer) with no issues. the longer bolts are needed since you’re using the spacers to get the caliper center on the hub. of course anyone can make some spacers and get longer bolts to save $80. before this i had 135i 6 piston brakes on the same e34 and then sold them to an e28 owner. i only have the front ones on and did that for both set ups. the rear 135 brakes do not fit an e34 without a little finesse. but i can’t talk about the f30 rear. f80 calipers also work but they require the matching rotor. f30 and f80 calipers are different in only one way, the f30 sits in a bit further in which is why they take a 340 rotor vs the 370 the m cars use. only certain 17s work with the f30 calipers, i had to switch to M pars for my car. But with the 135 calipers 17s fit no problem. brakes felt basically the same with a little less effort getting the car to stop and increased confidence when you need it.

if you want to order or use 135 calipers, buy brackets for e36 non m and they’ll bolt right up.

hope this helps anyone looking to do it.
Jcampbell_Soup
Posts: 4
Joined: Jan 24, 2018 10:54 PM
Location: Brisbane Australia

Re: F30 335i brake discs and calipers on E28 / E34 / E32 / E31 :: to be investigated / confirmed

Post by Jcampbell_Soup »

boogie wrote: Nov 11, 2020 9:02 AM i can confirm these brakes work for e28 and e34. i have them on my e34 non m which is the same as e28 brakes as far as mounting goes. i am running angry ass kit (longer bolts, spacer) with no issues. the longer bolts are needed since you’re using the spacers to get the caliper center on the hub. of course anyone can make some spacers and get longer bolts to save $80. before this i had 135i 6 piston brakes on the same e34 and then sold them to an e28 owner. i only have the front ones on and did that for both set ups. the rear 135 brakes do not fit an e34 without a little finesse. but i can’t talk about the f30 rear. f80 calipers also work but they require the matching rotor. f30 and f80 calipers are different in only one way, the f30 sits in a bit further in which is why they take a 340 rotor vs the 370 the m cars use. only certain 17s work with the f30 calipers, i had to switch to M pars for my car. But with the 135 calipers 17s fit no problem. brakes felt basically the same with a little less effort getting the car to stop and increased confidence when you need it.

if you want to order or use 135 calipers, buy brackets for e36 non m and they’ll bolt right up.

hope this helps anyone looking to do it.
How did you get the 135i rear to work? I have talked to someone who used 135i rear calipers paired with 312x20mm e36 m3 discs on an e28. He had to deleted the ABS to get it to work due to clearance issues between the piston and sensor. I have no idea how well it worked considering the 135i originally has 324x22mm discs leaving a 6mm difference in disc radius.

I currently have f30 front brakes and want a better bias than the m5 can offer. I have considered pairing e46 m3 discs which are the same as the late e34 M5 discs with e90 calipers although i have no idea if it will work and would prefer to upgrade to floating pistons but i am running out of options.
boogie
Posts: 77
Joined: Dec 23, 2015 1:28 AM
Location: florida

Re: F30 335i brake discs and calipers on E28 / E34 / E32 / E31 :: to be investigated / confirmed

Post by boogie »

Jcampbell_Soup wrote: Dec 01, 2020 8:12 PM
How did you get the 135i rear to work? I have talked to someone who used 135i rear calipers paired with 312x20mm e36 m3 discs on an e28. He had to deleted the ABS to get it to work due to clearance issues between the piston and sensor. I have no idea how well it worked considering the 135i originally has 324x22mm discs leaving a 6mm difference in disc radius.

I currently have f30 front brakes and want a better bias than the m5 can offer. I have considered pairing e46 m3 discs which are the same as the late e34 M5 discs with e90 calipers although i have no idea if it will work and would prefer to upgrade to floating pistons but i am running out of options.

i never used the 135 rears since the abs sensor was my same problem and i didn’t plan to remove them. i will try the f30 rears when i can get my hands on a pair for a good price but with the 135 brakes there was some pad overhang up front which i wasn’t a fan of and sounds like it would be the same for the rear. you can always go e60 550 calipers and rotors as they bolt right up and are pretty big. and if you want better bias, i believe the e32 750 has a bigger master than the m5 that you might be able to swap over as well get a proportional valve so you can adjust the bias
boogie
Posts: 77
Joined: Dec 23, 2015 1:28 AM
Location: florida

Re: F30 335i brake discs and calipers on E28 / E34 / E32 / E31 :: to be investigated / confirmed

Post by boogie »

Jcampbell_Soup wrote: Dec 01, 2020 8:12 PM

I currently have f30 front brakes and want a better bias than the m5 can offer. I have considered pairing e46 m3 discs which are the same as the late e34 M5 discs with e90 calipers although i have no idea if it will work and would prefer to upgrade to floating pistons but i am running out of options.
i somehow glanced over the last sentence until now, but if you want floating rotors, get the f80 calipers with rotors. they’re the ones that have a floating rotor and the reason why they sit out 30mm further than f30
Jcampbell_Soup
Posts: 4
Joined: Jan 24, 2018 10:54 PM
Location: Brisbane Australia

Re: F30 335i brake discs and calipers on E28 / E34 / E32 / E31 :: to be investigated / confirmed

Post by Jcampbell_Soup »

boogie wrote: Jan 16, 2021 9:09 AM
Jcampbell_Soup wrote: Dec 01, 2020 8:12 PM

I currently have f30 front brakes and want a better bias than the m5 can offer. I have considered pairing e46 m3 discs which are the same as the late e34 M5 discs with e90 calipers although i have no idea if it will work and would prefer to upgrade to floating pistons but i am running out of options.
i somehow glanced over the last sentence until now, but if you want floating rotors, get the f80 calipers with rotors. they’re the ones that have a floating rotor and the reason why they sit out 30mm further than f30
Apologies, i mean floating calipers as in the monoblock aluminium ones instead of the sliding type found on most cars. Hope that makes sense. Plus I dont think my wheels will allow for f80 brakes. I’ve bought 328mm x 20mm rear brakes from an e34 m5 Nurburgring but haven’t got around to actually fitting them yet.
Post Reply