[Dammmittt]

uhhh...I don't think you'd find anything amazing about them.

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/partgrp.d...24&hg=34&fg=05

[BMW_TT]

isn't it where the more pistons, the more even pad wear there is?

[nusevad]

because they are M!!

Honestly i dont know...

[Mr. 5]

I was thinking the same thing.
Why is there only 1 piston on M cars???

I think it's interesting because there is so much conflicting information here. I'm going to give my opinions but it is only based on my recent experience.

I had an e46 M3 and the brakes were fine. I never drove it on an auto track so I really didn't even think twice about the brakes.
Now I drive a 335 and the brakes are bigger. The calipers are bigger and the rotors are bigger.

Well, I recently purchased the rotora caliper kit. It has 6 pistons in the front and 4 in the rear. I can tell you right now that the braking in my 335 is unbelievably better. The pedal feel is better, the stopping power is better, and there is no fade. I know that there is usually no fade when driving on the street, but what I mean to say is that the brake pedal feels the same exact way every time I push on the pedal.

The person that said the comment about the tires though is correct. People were telling me that once I get this setup I would have to get stickier tires to keep up with the braking power and they were right. If I stop really fast, I'll hear my tires screeching, but they aren't screeching because they're locked. They're screeching before the ABS kicks in.

[ANILE8]

Originally Posted by O-cha

Because the number of pistons has nothing to do with the quality of brakes, it's a penis substitute that's all.

So is that why you just changed your OEM set-up to Stoptech?

[MisterSkiMask]

In my experience, the BMW brakes, which are great on the road, are not great on the track. They will heat up a fade faster then Porsche brakes for example. The advantage to a mulit-pot caliper is consistent pressure across the brake pad which lets the load/work spread more evenly across the disc. Irregular pressure on the pad can make 'hot spots' on the rotors and lead to premature brake fade.

[ANILE8]

Originally Posted by MisterSkiMask

In my experience, the BMW brakes, which are great on the road, are not great on the track. They will heat up a fade faster then Porsche brakes for example. The advantage to a mulit-pot caliper is consistent pressure across the brake pad which lets the load/work spread more evenly across the disc. Irregular pressure on the pad can make 'hot spots' on the rotors and lead to premature brake fade.

Well then how is it that the 'The Hack' on these forums who does a lot of racing and uses BMW OEM single piston calipers on the track has not had a problem with brake fade and for that matter many others have not either?

[MisterSkiMask]

Originally Posted by ANILE8

Well then how is it that the 'The Hack' on these forums who does a lot of racing and uses BMW OEM single piston calipers on the track has not had a problem with brake fade and for that matter many others have not either?

I suspect that he is not using brake pad compounds that are intended to last for a reasonable amount of time on the road.

Just like anything, you can make it perform if you change where you make your compromises.

I would also suspect that 'The Hack' isn't running around at the full curb weight of a street car.

[Robin_NL]

Stock M brakes are 1 piece of sh1t on a track(been there done that,ex E46 M3/ ex E90 M3 on Assen Moto GP track)

After 3 laps they were already fading and almost on fire.

For street use OK, but on a trackday : SUPERCRAP!

///Marketing $$$$$

[ANILE8]

Originally Posted by Robin Hood

Stock M brakes are 1 piece of sh1t on a track(been there done that,ex E46 M3/ ex E90 M3 on Assen Moto GP track)
After 3 laps they were already fading and almost on fire.
For street use OK, but on a trackday : SUPERCRAP!
///Marketing $$$$$

What brake pads and brake fluid were you using when you experienced fade?

When was the last time you did a complete brake system flush?

Was the brake pedal mushy and/or did it go all the way down to the floor or was the pedal hard but the vehicle would just not stop?

There is simply not enough detailed information in your post for readers to make a fair evaluation on your particular circumstance.

[graider]

Originally Posted by ANILE8

What brake pads and brake fluid were you using when you experienced fade?

When was the last time you did a complete brake system flush?

Was the brake pedal mushy and/or did it go all the way down to the floor or was the pedal hard but the vehicle would just not stop?

There is simply not enough detailed information in your post for readers to make a fair evaluation on your particular circumstance.

I agree. most of the time bbk is just for look.

[uberschnell]

rotor diameter is probably one of the most overlooked factors in good braking.

[Tallest]

Originally Posted by footie

M brakes aren't that great compared to some other brands, they are grand for street and fast driving but pure trackdays will require something better than what BMW supply you with.

I disagree. and countless car mags as well. Heck, even the Stig from top gear said that BMW stands out from many mainstream car makers because brakes are so much better. You can do those lap times in stock form better than the rest simply through good brakes.

Comparing BMW to Porsche or Ferrari is a bit ridiculous.